Local basketball talent, Tayden Perry is off to play college basketball in the United States of America.
Perry has committed to playing for Buena Vista University, a division three school that is located in Iowa.
Perry is talented player who plies his trade with the Bairnsdale Bullets in the Country Basketball League and Gippsland United in the under 23 Youth competition in the Victorian League.
The 19-year-old finished year 12 at Bairnsdale Secondary College last year, and has been working several jobs this year, including Kmart and McDonalds to fund his study and basketball ambitions abroad.
He plans to study to be a history teacher while at university and has harboured and ambition to play and study in the USA since he was 13.
Perry has received a partial scholarship, which includes meals and accomodation, but will still be out of pocket $300,000 (US) per year.
He has twice toured America on youth squads, playing against college teams, and cant wait to get over there among the action.
Perry stands at six foot six inches, and plays as a power forward and centre, and can dunk the ball.
Perry will leave for America on August 15, to take up residence on campus at 3000 student college, in a town around the size of Maffra.
He hopes that the college experience will lead to further basketball and college opportunities.
Perry is looking forward to fitting into a new way of life and making a name for himself on the 20 strong roster of his new team.
To assist with costs and fees a fundraising page can be accessed via the Go Fund Me website.
at university. (PS)
