Ballarat basketball statistician Matt Zakynthinos has a ticket no amount of money can pay for.
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For the last 13 years he has been courtside for Ballarat Miners and Rush games, taking the statistics of the best players to come through the city.
And now his years of experience have paid off in the ultimate way. The 24-year-old will have the best seat in the house at next month's Australian Boomers showdown with USA Basketball at Marvel stadium.
Taking a seat between the players, he will record live stats which will be webcast around the world. Global superstars such as Lebron James and Anthony Davis will be within an arms reach of Zakynthinos.
It is a thought that is both exciting and unnerving ahead of the biggest game of his life.
"I don't know how I'll go because there are so many big players playing in this upcoming game," he told The Courier.
"It's awesome, you don't expect it and it's very exciting. It's only a month away already so I'm very keen for it."
The selection came as a big thrill for Zakynthinos who put his hand up for the gig after Basketball Australia sent out an expression of interest. It didn't take them long to realise he was the man for the job.
Beginning at the age of 11, Zakynthinos was recording statistics at an international level by the time he was a teenager.
"My first international game really sticks out," he recalls.
"It was just before the 2012 Olympics in a qualifying game between Australia and Greece. That was my first real big game. I met Andrew Bogut in the lead-up as well which was cool."
In the time since, the unique talent has yielded him jobs at SEABL matches, as well as events like the Commonwealth Games.
I don't know how I'll go because there are so many big players playing in this upcoming game.
- Matt Zakynthinos
More recently he has found himself behind the computer at Melbourne United games, and Ballarat Miners matches in this year's inaugural NBL1 season.
"I think having worked for the NBL over the last couple of years, I've shown I'm capable of handling that level, and having that experience with the Commonwealth Games helps as well," he said.
The self-described 'massive' Boston Celtics supporter admits it may be hard to concentrate with Celtics players Kemba Walker and Jason Tatum taking the court. But he expected Houston Rockets star James Harden to provide the most entertainment.
"I'm most excited about watching James Harden. He's left handed and I'm a lefty as well," he said.
Despite the international success, the basketball lover is still most happy sitting courtside for his beloved Miners.
He said this season had been a joy to watch.
"It's been very exciting to watch this year, they're playing as a team, they are winning games and putting fans in seats which is what you want to see," he said.