FORMER Coffs Harbour Suns player Lachie Mihai has received the opportunity of a lifetime to play big-time basketball in the U.S.A.

The 18-year-old has committed to attend Ottawa University in Kansas where he will play college basketball as a member of the university’s team.

Mihai is the first North Coast athlete to progress through the College Pathways Program which is partnered with Richard Bolaffi from Australia & NZ Basketball Scouts.

Mihai was part of the College Combine held in Coffs Harbour last year, where he showcased his talents playing in front of scout Richard Bolaffi.

The college recruit was also part of the North Coast Basketball team which won the 18 and under boys national title at the recent 3×3 National Championships in Ballarat.

Before heading to Kansas in August, Mihai will prepare for his freshman year by playing for the Sutherland Sharks in the NBL1 Youth League Men’s competition.

Mihai explained how the chance came about to enter the US college system.

“At the start of the year I had a contact with Robert Linton’s combine, and from there we just talked to them over and over, and then sent away all my videos to different colleges in America and one hit back and eventually got back to us and I’m looking to go over,” he said.

Mihai’s North Coast Basketball coach Robert Linton highlighted the main reason why he caught the eye of college scouts.

“Australians are really known for their aggressive style of play and being up and in on defence, and that’s what really stood out to the coach, his highlight film had a lot of steals and a lot of defensive intensity and that’s what they’re really looking forward to seeing over there,” he said.

 

By Aiden BURGESS