April 5, 2024
You may think that becoming an elite basketballer – with the potential to earn millions in the NBA in the United States – is all about skills.
But young would-be stars learned this week that it’s also about being “coachable”, being able to listen and, most importantly, showing respect.
Junior Viranatuleo, team and logistics manager for the Boomers, was the special guest at the Burnett Basketball Camp held at Kingaroy State High School’s sports auditorium on Thursday.
Junior has also worked as team manager for the Brisbane Bullets and Adelaide 36ers and was invited to be part of the support staff for the Utah Jazz in the NBA .
He’s supported Australian teams at three Olympics and two World Cups and is looking forward to his fourth Olympics …
Junior was a keen basketballer himself before injuries made him move into the team support side of the game.
He led two “skills and drills” sessions at the Burnett Basketball Camp, with Under 12s in the morning, and 13s-18s in the afternoon.
All up, almost 70 young basketballers took part.
Junior told the players that someone was always watching them.
“How bad do you want it?” he said. “How bad do you want to get into the NBL?”
“Respect everyone and listen.”
He said coaches were looking for players with “no bad attitude on or off the court”.
The Burnett Basketball Camp was sponsored by Stanwell, Ford, Bunyarra Counselling, SNT Solutions and the South Burnett Kings basketball club.
