Launceston Tornadoes' Charli Kay earns Australian under-19s squad selection

She had been hoping, rather than expecting, a chance to earn selection for the under-19 women's Australian squad, which was no mean feat following their second place at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.

When the call came, the excitement followed soon after as she was confirmed as Tasmania's sole representative in the squad.

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For the 17-year-old, who plies her trade with Burnie Tigers in the NWBU and the Launceston Tornadoes in the NBL1, it represents a step towards a lifelong dream.

Stepping out onto the court to play for her country.

"I was hoping I was gonna be involved but I didn't really expect to be in it, I am glad that I am," she said.

"Like playing for Australia, that's my main goal but I also want to go to America and play ball in college."

Kay will get the chance to mix it with some of Australia's best on-court talent at a three-day camp in March at the Australian Institute of Sport.

It marks a strong statement for basketball in Tasmania with Kay one of five representatives from the state across the men's and women's under-17 and under-19 squads.

The Smithton product will get the chance to learn from some of the best minds in Australian basketball, including David Herbert who masterminded the World Cup silver medal.

"I was really excited and keen to get over there," she said.

"It's the first national squad I've been a part of, I was picked to go to the NPC camp in January but it was cancelled due to COVID-19.

"I am quite nervous about it but also really excited to be against the best in the country."

Kay was a talented junior in athletics and claimed medals in heptathlon and cross-country while also starring for Burnie during their title-winning season last year in the NWBU.

It's not the first time the talented teenager was recognised for her basketball talents as part of the virtual girls' basketball program in 2018 hosted by the NBA Academy.

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It adds to a significant year of basketball for Kay and many others with national championships on the horizon in April set to be a major factor for their international ambitions.

Kay's other ambitions, aside from donning the famed green and gold jersey, are a bit closer to home, with success for the Tigers and a long-awaited Tornadoes championship also on the bucket list.

"Obviously, there's a goal to make the Aussie team but going back-to-back with Burnie in the NWBU would be great and winning a championship with the Tornadoes this year is an aim as well," she said.

"That's another criteria I guess to make the [Australian] side is nationals in Mackay so I want to have a good nationals tournament.

"You go out there knowing you have to perform but also you can have fun while doing it."

A basketball education in the US is also on the cards, similar to other North-West Coast exports like the Armstrong brothers and Reyne Smith.

"There's a few over there at the moment from Burnie and Penguin ... so I am really keen actually to just go over and give it all I've got," she said.

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