Redlands-based basketball prodigy, Tyrell Mason is fundraising for an upcoming trip to the United States of America, where he hopes to scope out university opportunities and continue his passion in the sport.
Tyrell, 17, has almost four years under his belt, playing for his local team, RedCity, but was first playing at five or six years old.
“I played for a season when I was young and I hated it because the coach had no faith in me,” he said.
“I wanted to show everyone that, especially the younger kids, that you can play it no matter what you’re going through and no matter what anyone else says.”
Students on the trip to Utah in Term 4 will stay with participating families, and take part in games, training and college tours.
“We will be staying with other basketball students and their families and will get coaching from one of the best coaches, a former National U20s coach,” Tyrell said.
“I hope I can receive some college scholarships to keep playing basketball,”
“It’s always been an interest of mine, like I’ve always wanted to play in the states.”
He said he and his family have set up a GoFundMe page for donations towards the trip and he is earning additional funds in his spare time.
“I am doing personal stuff, like mowing the lawns and coaching basketball with the little kids,” he said.
Tyrell said he is interested in one-on-one skill training with young basketball players in the Redlands.
“I get to see them implementing the things we do at training when playing their games and it is great to see,” he said.
He said he would not have the opportunity to go to America without the continued support of his mum and siblings, and said he thanked them for their unconditional love.
“For me, everything that I’ve done… all the ups and downs… the biggest supporter every single time I have a game is my mum,” he said.
The USA Basketball Tour is through Cleveland District High School, where Tyrell is a student. Visit Go Fund Me Page
