Fresh off leading her Australian representative team to a championship in New Zealand, Queanbeyan basketball star Jasmyn Boutzos has been selected for her fourth nationals team.
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With 25 points in the championship game Boutzos was top scorer in a 12 point win that handed her team the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup.
The six day tournament was held in Tauranga, New Zealand and featured provincial teams from across the Tasman.
The 14-year-old played for the under 17s Australian country squad which was selected at a tournament earlier this year where the best 10 players made the New Zealand touring squad.
It was the first time Boutzos had ever been overseas and the win made the trip that much sweeter. She added that she made new friends on the trip and that was the best part of the whole experience.
The tournament was full of exciting games including a double-overtime win over an under 19s team but it was the championship game where Boutzos hit five three-pointers that sticks out.
“I was on the bench and we were losing by six or eight points,” Boutzos said.
“The coach put me in and the game turned around, we started playing like a team and making the extra pass.”
“I did not want to lose.”
A determination to win has been part of Boutzos’ approach to basketball ever since she started playing.
However something that has changed recently, she said, is her favourite player.
When she was younger Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade was her idol for “his nice mid-range shot”. But now at age 14, Dwight Howard has taken that spot because “he has nice arm muscles”.
Other than Mr Howard’s arm muscles Boutzos’ dream is to play basketball professionally and represent Australia at an Olympic Games.
“Basketball is my passion, I know I can be hard on myself but that keeps me motivated,” she said.
Her mother Marina Boutzos said while competitive her daughter was humble and dedicated.
Mrs Boutzos said being selected for the New Zealand trip was a dream for Jasmyn.
“She wouldn’t cry in front of anyone but as soon as she found out she ran into her room to cry,” Mrs Boutzos said.
The next tournament Boutzos will focus on is nationals on the Sunshine Coast in July.