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�鶹��ý Celebrates Marcus Franklin’s Gold Medal Victory at International Youth Basketball Championships

Marcus’ love for basketball began in his hometown of Miles when a schoolteacher introduced him to the sport.

“He would play at school, and you just joined in. I haven’t stopped playing since,” Marcus said.

“I love the freedom it gives you. I love working with a team; they are like a family.”

In Year 6, Marcus tried out for the Darling Downs basketball team in a moment he describes as pivotal.

“When I made it that’s when I realised I could make something of my love of basketball,” Marcus explains.

“I had experimented with other sports like touch football and swimming, but it was basketball that truly motivated me. It gets physical, and I like that aspect of the game.”

Marcus’ passion for basketball runs in the family. His mother was a prominent player for her school team in Brisbane.

Marcus plays basketball in some form every day.

He practices with the Under 18 Mountaineers for three hours a week and trains an additional 4.5 hours per week on his own.

“I also play two games every weekend during the season from October through to November,” he said.

But Marcus’s dedication doesn’t fall off during the off-season; from May to October, he plays for the Toowoomba Eagles and continues training daily.

It is this dedication that paved the way for his selection to the Own the Rock Academy team to compete in the International Youth Basketball Championship.

The competition in Thailand has not only been an athletic challenge but also a tremendous growth opportunity for Marcus.

“Basketball is a unifying sport. The competition has really pushed me harder to realise my dream and make this my career,” he said.

“All the younger kids came up to us from all different countries, wanting photos and to talk to us. I loved the community.

As for his future aspirations, Marcus dreams of playing overseas, particularly in countries like Thailand or Germany.”

“No one knows about great professional competitions outside of the USA, but in Thailand, their playing is very up-tempo, and I really like that. Basketball is super popular there,” he said.