Recently Huggins was selected in the NSW Country Tour side that played in the Australian Country Championships in Albury in January.

After the team placed third in the championships, 18 players were selected to attend a weekend camp to trial for selection in the NSW Country under 18s State team.

Huggins was selected and following the camp two weeks ago was the only player from the Hunter chosen to play in the state team.

The 17-year-old is now busily training for the National Championships, which are being held at Gosford in April.

The event is a familiar one for Huggins who represented NSW in the Under 16s team at the nationals last year in Perth.

He trains every day at Muswellbrook in addition to playing in the State League in Maitland’s open and under 18s teams.

From the nationals an Australian squad will be selected to vie for a position in the Under 19s Australian team.

Huggins said he was hoping to gain selection and represent his country in the game he loves.

“You never know, it’s exciting to have your name called out whether you expect it or not,” he said.

Later in the year Huggins and his team mates in the NSW side will travel to America to play against college and high school teams.

He said he was pretty excited about the international trip, especially the opportunity to go backstage at an NBA game to watch the players preparing for a game.

Huggins said he hoped to get spotted by a college scout when he was over there.

“I’ve already had one scholarship offer from an American college, but I wasn’t too keen on the college so I’m hoping to get another one,” he said.