BEING 7foot tall had something to do with it but playing at Victoria Point YMCA was crucial to former Carmel College student Brent Wallace winning a scholarship to play in Canada's highest college basketball league.
The 21-year-old from Victoria Point, who plays centre, won his scholarship in August last year and has just completed his freshman's year at Canada's top Lakehead University.
He returned to Redlands this month to celebrate friend Ricky Vella's 21st birthday before heading back to Canada for the basketball season.
His stellar rise through basketball's ranks started when he was 14 playing at the YMCA before transferring to the Redlands PCYC representative under 18's squad.
The gentle giant gained a bit more experience after the under 18s season and played in the Redlands Men's Development League for two years.
He got his big break in 2012, when he was recruited to play for Bundaberg in the Queensland Basketball League, averaging three points and three rebounds per game in his first season.
He followed up that experience when he went to train in America at Tampa Bay Academy in Florida.
While there, Ohio University showed interest and sent him to one of the top academies in the world, the IMG Academy, on a full scholarship for four months.
"IMG Academy was incredible with all its facilities and the quality of trainers so I could see why it costs $75,000 a year," he said.
"They put me in the NBA pre-draft training with 12 of the best collegiate athletes around America trying to get into the NBA.
"That was a great experience in itself being around high-profile guys and working out with them everyday.
"However, it wasn't until April 2013 when he returned to Australia to play one more season for Bundaberg, when he was able to boost his chances overseas with scoring an average of up to 11 points and nine rebounds per game.
His first season at Lakehead University had "some ups and downs" including adjusting to the -30C weather and the schedule of school work and basketball.
During the season he played back up behind a graduating senior. This season he is looking forward to the challenge of a more on-court role.
