2006-2007 GDBA Basketball Season

The new GDBA basketball season is still young, with Austin having just completed his third practice of the year. The team will practice a few more times before the Christmas break and his games will begin next month. The first practices have gone well, and just last night Austin was named the backup point guard, which is a tremendous improvement from last year. He is much more confident handling the ball and is clearly one of the better ball handlers on his team. He has taken a big step in improving his game and his learning to take advantage of his small size. In an after-practice scrimmage last night, he was repeatedly fouled as some of the taller players attempted to steal the ball. In frustration, several of the opposing players simply try to push him out of the way to get the ball. Although not quite Rodman-like he had perfected the art of Hollywooding the foul, making it look like his was fouled much harder than he really was. Given his size, this is very believable and he will make good use of it this year. His playing time is sure to increase this year because he has also improved his shot and is much more aggressive in taking a shot. Last night he broke off the ball, got the pass and buried a jumper, making one of the few shots for his team. He is clearly learning to move without the ball. This looks like a good year.

This is also his first year playing on a 10-foot goal and using a regulation size basketball (29.5", Size 7). Last year he was shooting on a 9-foot rim and using a youth (28.5" ball, Size 6, also the same size ball used by collegiate and professional women).