Leon Twigg '16 Recruiting Profile

I am Leon Twigg from South Australia, my dream is to come and play basketball and study in the USA.

I have already spent eight months at a Junior College in the states, which I enjoyed. I have been blessed to be accepted into the Australian College of Sport (ACS) Basketball Program for the next 12 months which started in July 2017.

 I applied at the ACS to improve my recruitment opportunities for the USA College system, to work on improving my basketball skills and completing two Associate Diplomas in Sport Development and Sport and Recreation Management. These diplomas will enable me to transfer directly into a Bachelor Degree in the United States.

At ACS, I am coached by Head Coach Al Westover and also working with the Physical Performance Director Noel McCarthy, to continue to develop my basketball skills and work on my physical performance.

I have provided web links to the ACS program and to my coaches for your information

Australian College of Sport (Basketball Program) Link

https://basketball.collegeofsport.edu.au/

Head Coach Al Westover Link

https://basketball.collegeofsport.edu.au/program/our-coaches/al-westover.html

Physical Performance Director Noel McCarthy Link

https://basketball.collegeofsport.edu.au/program/our-coaches/noel-mccarthy.html

I graduated from High School in December 2015, from Trinity College Gawler South Australia and obtained my South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) certificate.

In 2016, I attended Wenatchee Valley College in Washington State as a freshman and was fortunate to be selected as part of the playing squad to compete in the Northwest Athletics Conference (NWAC).  I have played a number of preliminary non-conference and alumni games. Unfortunately, in December 2016 I broke my finger requiring surgery just before the season started and I had to sit out for the season.

I lived on campus in the student dorms with my team mates and really enjoyed the college experience of studying and playing basketball at a division 1 level, along with the opportunity to live in Wenatchee, being is such a beautiful part of the USA.

I returned from the USA in 2017 and while I was waiting to move to study at the ACS, I played Division 1 under 23 Youth Men for Woodville District basketball for 10 games.  Please find the link below to my season statistics from Basketball SA. I have played only 10 of the 18 game season as I arrived mid-season. I am already sitting in second place for most 3 point shots made for the season and I am averaging 16.2 points per game with only limited minutes as a fill in player for the team.    

Leon Twigg Basketball SA statistics link.

http://maps.sportingpulse.com/nf/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=197448247&client=1-3-44232-444760-25907645

In 2015,  I was part of the Division 1 Premier League Men’s team, Premier League reserves men’s team, and Division 1 under 23 Youth Men’s team for the Central Districts Basketball club. Also in 2016, I was part of the Division 1 Premier League Men’s team, Premier League reserves men’s team, and Division 1 under 23 Youth Men’s team for the Woodville Districts Basketball club. I have been fortunate to be selected to play Division 1 Premier League and really enjoyed the challenge getting some valuable learning experience playing and training at the highest amateur level in SA, alongside ex div 1 import USA college players and highly experience National Basketball League (NBL) players who compete during off season at this level of competition.

I enjoyed representing my school team and was a part of the South Australian All Schools State U18 men’s squad which competed in the Pacific Games in November 2015.Since 2012, I was the only year 9 student to be invited to join in the senior U20 men’s team. I was a starting member of the Trinity College senior U20 open A’s men’s team, competing in all Sports Association for Adelaide Schools (SAAS) competitions, State School Knockout championships, and competing at National Secondary School Championships in Canberra where we came 3^rd overall receiving a bronze medal in my final year of high school competition.

My dad has played and coached for many years and has had a great influence on me, I have grown up with a basketball in my hands from the day I was born watching and learning from my dad. My dad says I am special because I am blessed with natural athleticism, a great motor and have basketball in my blood. We often spend many hours reviewing and watching games, talking about game strategies, undertaking shooting and hand skill practice in my spare time regardless of weather conditions outside in the cold and rain continually developing my skills, IQ and driven by my passion for the game.

I have been extremely fortunate to be part of the Northern Region Sports Academy (NRSA) being coached each week by former NBA, NBL and USA College players. In addition, I have been part of the Trinity College Basketball Academy coached by former NBA, NBL and College players. This high level training has continued to improve my skills and mental toughness.

I am a natural athlete who not only plays basketball but has competed in track and field events over 4 years from 2012, representing the high school at the highest level in the state championships. I spend a number of hours a week in the weights room increasing my strength, agility, balance, cardio and endurance.

I am blessed to have been coached by some amazing coaches over the past few years which come from NBA, NBL, ABA, Premier League, USA College DIV 1, 2 & 3, and South Australian State Level, to help me learn and improve my game and push my limits physically and mentally.

I am surrounded by an amazing support network, my parents, teachers, coaches who would be glad to assist in any way to achieve my goals. I believe I have the determination, work ethic and the never give up attitude to play college ball and would love the opportunity to come and study and play basketball in the USA.

Kind regards

Leon Twigg