A LIMESTONE Coast basketballer’s college dream has been recognised after Naracoorte’s Josh Berry earned himself a place at the University of Antelope Valley in California.
The 19 year old will become an Antelope Valley Pioneer, playing college basketball alongside tertiary study over a four-year period.
Berry is excited for the opportunity, which has come off the back of years of hard work and dedication.
“I’m pretty keen for it – it has always been a dream of mine to play over in the States,” he said.
Berry has played the last two seasons with Millicent Magic in the Country Basketball League and has had prior experience with the Eastern Mavericks in Adelaide.
However, he said the chance to play at college level in the United States trumps all previous achievements on the court.
A lengthy recruiting process was involved, which eventually yielded a basketball/academic scholarship to Antelope Valley.
“I went through a bit of a recruiting process – that probably started around a year and a half ago,” Berry said.
“We did a profile up and that got sent out to a fair few schools over there and if they liked what they saw they got in contact with me.”
Antelope Valley was not the only offer on the table, but Berry said it was the best fit for him.
“I also got an offer from Nebraska,” he said.
“We were in contact for probably a year or so, but Antelope came up and it was a better fit for me both financially and for basketball as well.
“They also had the course I wanted to study.”
Alongside his basketball commitments Berry will complete a bachelor in health and fitness, while he said he will likely study something in nutrition as well.
“I will probably do the full four years over there and see where it takes me,” he said.
Berry was set to make the trip to the United States this August to start his course, but plans have been changed due to COVID-19.
He now hopes to make the flight over in January 2021 if restrictions allow, while he will start his study online from home in August.
With almost 15 years of experience in basketball, Berry has been determined to take his sport to college level since he first picked up a ball.
“It has always been a dream of mine to go over there and now it has turned into reality,” he said.
“I started playing in Naracoorte when I was about five and then when I started to get a bit more serious I started playing up in Adelaide (for Eastern Mavericks).
“Me and dad would drive up every Friday, play up there and then come home – that was for probably three years.”
From there Berry found his place at Millicent, playing in the men’s competition before stepping up to CBL level in recent years.
In his junior years Berry faced some adversities, mainly due to his height, which often had him overlooked by selectors.
“I have always been neglected for my height a bit,” he said.
“Making state teams and stuff I was always a reserve or a little bit too small.
“But when I finally finished juniors height was not as important any more, they just look at your game.”
Since then Berry has thrived and his hard work and talent has made up for his size, with the 5″10 point guard proud to overcome all obstacles and realise his dream.
His sense of accomplishment is matched by that of his parents, with Berry’s father Craig expressing pride in his son’s achievement.
“He has never given up, even though he has had lots of knock backs over the years,” Craig said.
“He trains harder than anyone I know who is not professional and has done so for a long time.
“Even now with all the COVID lockdown, he is still managing to go to the school outdoor courts and has a gym set up at home.
“He is probably training at least three hours a day every day of the week.”
As is the case with young athletes striving to make it at a high level, Berry’s journey has been a whole family commitment.
That is particularly the case in regional areas, with travel to and from Adelaide a common sacrifice for Limestone Coast parents.
However, the hard work has paid off and now Berry’s childhood dream has become a reality.
“It has been his dream since he could hold a basketball pretty much – just to play college ball,” Craig said.
“We are very proud as parents for him sticking it out and not giving up and now he has the opportunity to go bigger and better – which we are pretty confident he will.”
