Lloyd is one of four teenagers battling for one spot as the Hawks’ development list player.

“Jake will train with the Hawks from next week and he has the pre-season to impress the coaches and try to get that development spot,’’ Braves coach Ben Harvey said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for him. He’ll basically be training two to three times a day under the eye of Rob Beveridge – one of the best coaches in Australia.

“It’s a great sign for our program as well. There is a pathway there for young players in Bendigo if they want to put the work in.

“Whether Jake gets the development spot or not, he’ll come back to the Braves a much better player for the experience he’ll have with the Hawks.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”

Lloyd averaged 13 points, six rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Braves development team in the Big V competition this year, including a season-high haul of 27 points and nine rebounds.

The 19 year old played 15 games for the Braves in the SEABL this year.

“Jake is very athletic and he’s got the world at his feet,’’ Harvey said.

“He’s got the perfect basketball body. He’s six foot five, with a six foot eight wingspan and he can run the floor, dribble and shoot.

“He has the tools to take it to the next level. The sky is the limit for him.

“He’s a great kid and he works really hard on his game.

“I can’t wait to see how he goes and see the difference in his game in six weeks’ time.”

The 2017-18 NBL season starts in the first week of October, with the Hawks away to the Cairns Taipans.

Lloyd’s opportunity to trial with an NBL club is positive news the Braves needed after their SEABL play-off quest came to an abrupt end last weekend.

The Braves 2017 season concludes on Saturday night when they head to MSAC to play bottom side the Melbourne Tigers.

The Bendigo Champions IGA Lady Braves can wrap up top spot on the south conference ladder if they defeat the Melbourne Tigers.

Top spot on the ladder would guarantee the Lady Braves a home semi-final against Dandenong.