By Nick Creely
Berwick College youngster Phoenix Windsor is an ambitious young man with a serious love for basketball.
The 13-year-old’s talents have already taken him so far in his career to date, but his latest challenge – the upcoming World Schools Under 15 Basketball Championships in Zadar, Croatia for his school – is undoubtedly an experience Phoenix doesn’t want to miss.
The youngster – the second eldest of four siblings in a family of six – is looking to raise $6500 to make his dream a reality, with the family setting up a GoFundMe page to help him with travelling and competing in Croatia, with the tournament beginning on 15 March.
“It’s an honour to be able to have the opportunity to play in Croatia and it’s a once in a life time experience to play against all the other talents across the world,” he said.
“It would really show who I am up against. To also represent my school Berwick College and play for my country it would be a great challenge especially being a bottom age.
“I can then see what is happening in my age group and see what it really is all about.”
Phoenix was introduced into the sport at a young age and was inspired by the remarkable deeds of Kobe Bryant, helping him fall in love with the game.
“I first got into basketball when I was just five years old and one of the reasons I started was because of my older brother, he had played basketball and I would always go to his games and watch him so I thought why not and give it a shot,” he said.
“I have always loved it and I have been playing ever since. Another reason I played basketball was because of Kobe Bryant.
“I just turned on the TV one day and saw Kobe and the Lakers talking about the Mavericks in the playoffs, (and) I believe he had 36 points and from there I just went for the Lakers and looked up to Kobe Bryant.”
Phoenix outside of his school basketball commitments is well-known in representative teams for Dandenong Rangers and Basketball Hawthorn, and has only recently impressed as he continues with his ambition of playing at the highest level.
“They both have different styles of play and it’s good that I have experienced both types, and It has been a good experience to have experienced both,” he said.
“I know my role as a player and I know how to adapt well in a team environment. At Hawthorn Magic I have achieved a lot but when I had left Dandenong Rangers and came across to Hawthorn Magic it felt weird as both teams had rivalry against each other.”
Priding himself on his selfless game and ability to read the game, Phoenix explained his mantra for his life on and off the court.
“My strength on the court is my ability to set up myself or my teammates for a good shot,” he said.
“I’m quick in transition; I’m good at picking pockets and intercepting the passing lanes. Another good thing I’m at good is reading the game, I feel like I am a lot smarter than my kids my age.
“Off the court I try to be humble and I am dedicated to basketball but I can also be a goofball.
“Kids look up to me and that’s something that I appreciate and knowing that little kids now know about me and look up to me.”
Phoenix is greatly appreciative of the support shown by his family, who continue to push him in the right direction as he strives to make it to the highest level.
“My family has been very tough on me when I feel like giving up or just taking a break they always just tell me to keep going, and keep working hard,” he said.
“They always use to tell me and still do when I’m not working my competition is working and that is the quote right there.
“It makes me more motivated to be the best player I can be.
“Without my parents taking me to all my training sessions and driving so far, waking up so early and taking up a lot of their time and spending so much money and really supporting me and encouraging me in whatever it takes to get to where I want to go helps me a lot.
“I hope by the end of all of this it pays off.”
Phoenix said that without the support of his coach, none of this would be possible.
“I would like to thank my coach Ivan Dukanac, my trainer and the relentless family team who I train with,” he said.
“Ivan took me under his wings when I was not getting any recognition he saw that I had a lot of potential and has been training me since I was 11 years old.
“He doesn’t just teach about basketball he also teaches the life experiences he has had in basketball, and everything that he says is knowledgeable and really helps me understand more and more off the court situations as well as on.”
To donate to Phoenix, head to gofundme.com/f/help-me-win-championship-for-australia
