The Ballarat Miners sharp shooter led a Sydney Kings invitational team to a surprise victory in the select Atlas Challenge tournament in China.

Hooley was also named the tournament’s most valuable player – an outstanding accolade in an event which featured all-star teams from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and United States.

He earned a place in the team after attending a two-day Kings rookie camp.

With Sydney’s head NBL team coach Andrew Gaze in charge, the Kings went through the tournament unbeaten despite injury reducing the squad to seven players.

Hooley said winning the event had not been the main objective at the outset, with Gaze’s primary focus on getting to watch prospective recruits for the Kings.

He said it was not in the nature of Australians not to do everything possible to win though, and this was evident from the outset when they came from 20 points down to get the win over a US outfit first-up.

Hooley is hopeful his performance as a shooting point guard – averaging 18 points and seven rebounds – in China, as well as his super form with the GMHBA Miners in the South East Australian Basketball League will help him secure an NBL contract for the upcoming season.

The 25-year-old said his agent was seeking out opportunities and it was just a matter of waiting.

In the meantime. Hooley’s full focus is on getting the Miners into play-offs in his first season in Ballarat.

The Miners are third in the south conference with three games to play.

“We want to finish on top.”

He said Ballarat played its best at home and wanted to ensure it did not have to travel to Tasmania for a final.

“We’re feeling good and need to beat Frankston (at Frankston on Saturday night).”

Hooley said once this was done, they would begin thinking about Sunday’s home game against North West Tassie.

He is averaging 20.8 points for the Miners, 3.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and is equal second in the number of steals in the SEABL.