Young talent is building the team

GUY Molloy's vision for Ballarat basketball is clear.He wants the city to be a centre of excellence for regional Victoria's best young talent.In his role as Ballarat Basketball Association elite performance manager, Molloy says this can only make the sport stronger across the board.And as Miners head coach, Molloy can see enormous spin-offs for Ballarat in the South East Australian Basketball League and development program in the SEABL D League. Having well-credentialled young players going head-to-head and vying for spots in teams can only benefit all parties, including helping to bring on Ballarat's homegrown talent.Molloy is particularly interested in getting youngsters from the wider region around Ballarat, with the study opportunities at the University of Ballarat being a lure to complement the benefits offered by Ballarat's expanding basketball program.Shaun Bruce from Horsham is one young player who believes he can advance his basketball substantially by moving to Ballarat.After four years with the Horsham Hornets in the Big V competition, Bruce is preparing to play with the Ballarat Nuggets in the SEABL D League.The Vic Country under-18 representative believes the Ballarat move is a logical one, as he works to take his basketball to an elite level. Bruce has an ambition to play college basketball in America, just as his brother and Australian Boomer Aaron did. He said if this did not come to fruition, what Ballarat had to offer might be just as beneficial.