Basketball: Centre of Excellence scholarship Evan-sent for Hunters junior

The 17-year-old Newcastle point guard is one month into an 18-month scholarship at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Canberra.

He trains six days a week and is also studying Year 11 at Lake Ginninderra College.

As well as work on the court under head coach Adam Caporn, Kilminster has access to doctors, specialist physios, a nutritionist, sports science experts, psychologists and strength and conditioning coaches.

What's more, his dormitory is only a "two minute walk to the stadium".

"It's definitely the hardest I have ever worked but it's a great opportunity," Kilminster said. "Everything is here to help you improve. I had a nutritionist sort out my diet. I had never lifted a weight before I got here.

"The volume and intensity of training is much higher than at home. We are on the floor six days a week. Even Sunday, our day off, we normally go in for a shoot around. I have access to the stadium whenever I want.

"The training itself is faster and more intense. If you train with the best players in the country, it can only better your game."

Recently turned 17, Kilminster is one of the juniors in the program which is split into two squads - the CoE and NBA Global Academy, which is comprised largely of foreign players.

"I have slipped into it pretty easily," Kilminster said. "All the boys have made me feel welcome. Hopefully it is a stepping stone to the NBL. The ultimate goal is to get to the NBA."

Kilminster was in the basketball program at Hunter Sports High and was offered a place in the mid-year intake at the CoE after strong campaigns for NSW Country at the under-16 and under-18 national titles.

"They called me on my birthday, July 16, which was pretty surreal," Kilminster said. "I came down here literally in a week."

Kilminster joined fellow Newcastle Hunters Junior Chyra Evans at the CoE. Evans, a powerhouse forward, joined the girls program at the start of the year.

"The girls do their own program, but it has made it easier having Chyra here," Kilminster said. "She has helped me a little bit."

Caporn, a graduate of the program, before playing in the NBL and coaching at St Mary's College in the USA, said Kilminster had settled in quickly.

"Evan is an exciting point guard with flair and creativity that make him a unique and exciting prospect," Caporn said.

"He has the ability to break the first line of the defence and has both very good vision and scoring ability.

"He will be working hard to improve his skill set and physical tools and is already settling well in Canberra."

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