IT'S been a whirlwind 18 months for Bendigo basketball export Jontee Brown and there looks like being plenty more to play out over the next year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The affable 21-year-old is in the middle of his first overseas season, playing with German club RBC Koln 99ers - a season he describes as the 'toughest, but best' of his career to date.
But while he has been away, the accolades have continued to roll in for the junior Australian representative and 2018 Bendigo young citizen of the year.
On Tuesday, he was honoured as the Basketball Victoria wheelchair athlete of the year at the governing body's annual awards night.
Brown was truly humbled by the award and proud it was his mum who was on stage at the State Basketball Centre to collect the award in his absence following years of support.
"Receiving this award means a lot to me, I didn't expect this at all and to be noticed by many is a great reward itself," he said.
"I dedicate myself a lot to this sport but it's the hours people don't see that make these awards worth it, but I'm grateful for the support I have around me.
"My mum is the best and I'm glad I had someone there to collect my award who deserves this award just as much as I do.
"I called her to let her know she had to attend for me and I'm glad she got to share the night with many other amazing athletes."
READ MORE:
Brown is one of two Bendigonians to have snared a major award on Tuesday, with Bendigo Braves senior women's coach Megan Moody named female coach of the year after leading her side to a dominant SEABL championship in 2018.
He says he is relishing the opportunity to continue his basketball in Germany, even if the experience did present some initial challenges for him.
"Germany has been the toughest but best season of my career and life, moving here not knowing anyone was a struggle and the language but it's been the best outcome for myself moving forward in my career and helping my game a lot," Brown said.
"With the number of hours of training on court and in the gym as well as competing in the best league in the world, it only helps me improve every day.
"The team here is great, some amazing mates on and off the court and I'm glad I've got to experience this with them.
"The experience of playing here has been amazing, the competition and the athletes I get to compete against is world class. Every weekend I'm competing against someone who has been to a Paralympics and for myself it's made my game a lot better due to this.
"I've had to learn fast but it's helped me in more ways than I have imagined."
Brown will return to Australia in May, when he will resume playing for Kilsyth Cobras in the National Wheelchair Basketball League.
There will be little time to rest, with the NWBL season having already started before his arrival back in Australia.
His next goal is selection in the Australian Rollers team.
"It's a major reason I headed internationally to play for this season," Brown said.
"I'll spend a couple months at home and then most likely head back to Europe where I'll play another season abroad - where that'll be I'm not sure yet but can't wait for the new challenges that lie ahead.
That Australian team is a massive goal of mine but I'm still a little way off,.
"I have some of the best guys in the world in those spots and for me it's about working harder than them to one day fill their spots.
"Europe has helped me a lot and I know I have a lot more improvement to go, but with this season and experience under the belt I hope I can make a push for the 12-man roster in the near future, but until then it's just continuing training and competing at the highest level."
READ MORE:
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.