Eric Kafritsas will have a chance to show off his talent and hopefully take the next step forward in his career during the interstate school championship.
The 17-year-old was selected to be a part the team representing Victoria, named Victoria White, after he passed not one, but three consecutive try-out sessions, convincing his coaches that he was well worth the investment.
And it would seem that the talent flows in the blood, his older brother Lucas a part of the team back in 2009.
“My brother tried out for the team, so the school recommended that I try out as well. After three try-outs, I was chosen. There are two Victorian teams with 20 kids each from all the state,” Kafritsas told Neos Kosmos.
The promising basketballer started his career at the age of six, but it was at 12 that he realised basketball was truly the sport he was passionate about. He hopes to one day play in Europe next to greats such as Vasilis Spanoulis.
“I would like to play pro(fessional) in Greece. I prefer the culture there and I also like the European style of basketball compared to Australia or anywhere else,” he said.
Despite only having been to Greece once in 2008 – Kafritsas has roots in Crete – he admits it was enough to leave a lasting impression on him for many years to come. So much so that when it comes to the hypothetical question of which national team he would choose to represent, should he be given the opportunity, Kafritsas has little difficulty responding: “Greece, no doubt,” he says confidently.
But for now, he’ll need to focus on what’s ahead of him and make the most out of the school championship. Hopefully, he’ll be making headlines again in the future.