Originally named as an emergency in the 12-person squad, McKenzie was given the opportunity after one of the players in the original squad was injured.

Training alongside four other emergencies, McKenzie’s determination to earn the position in the team helped him secure the coveted spot.

He said the training with the Country Victoria team recently had been a tough but enjoyable experience.

“The experience of training with better, quicker and stronger people that are all my age has been great,” he said. 

“We have been training for the last 8-10 weeks and then they announced two days ago I would be in the main squad. I’m really keen for the tournament. 

“When I go on the court I want to give it all that I’ve got and do all that I can to help my team win.”

McKenzie, who now plays with the Ballarat Miners, will compete with the squad at the national championships in Geelong from April 21-28.

Basketball Ballarat Manager of Athlete and Coach Development Nathan Cooper-Brown said McKenzie has done a great job to get into the team.

“Jez has done a sensational job in the past two years in our program, he has committed to the process and taken up every extra development opportunity he can with true grit,” he said.

“This is a great reward for his hard work and passion for the game.”

It is McKenzie’s first ever Country Victoria jersey and he will be playing against the best players in the country for his age group.