NEWCASTLE Hunters basketball prodigy Kouat Noi was shattered when told he had missed selection in Australia's under-17 men's team for the FIBA world championship Oceania qualifying series against New Zealand this month.
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That was two weeks ago, and the 15-year-old Mayfield resident had to make do with being first reserve for the 12-man national squad.
But the 197cm-tall power forward was all smiles again on Friday when Australian coach Mark Watkins rang to tell him he had been called into the team for the three-game series against the Kiwis in Melbourne on Thursday, Friday and Saturday next week. Though he felt sorry for Tasmania's Kyle Clark, who was ruled out injured, Noi said he would make the most of his second chance.
"I was excited when the coach rang me to say he had some good news for me," the Year 10 San Clemente High School student told the Newcastle Herald yesterday.
"When I missed out the first time, he told me to keep fit because my skills go down a bit when I'm tired, and to work hard on my shooting and be more aggressive, so that's what I've been doing."
Noi's 18-year-old brother, Dhiu, represented the Hunters in the Waratah Basketball League and Youth League competitions this year.
Their father, Ater Dhiu, represented their native Sudan before he fled the central African country with his family 11 years ago to settle in Australia.
Noi said selection for the Oceania series did not guarantee his selection for the world championship in Dubai next August.
Watkins will conduct another selection camp in Canberra in February .
"I have to play well next week and play well at the next try-outs," he said.
Central Coast Adventist School year 10 student Jayden Hodgson was also named in the Australian team.
