By JARROD POTTER
HARD work in his junior time at Cranbourne has paid off in the long run for Jay McMillin.
McMillin, 22, from Narre Warren, has graduated from Dakota College at Bottineau North Dakota and will set his sights on his third season of college eligibility when he debuts with Colorado Mesa University this season.
It will be a jump up in playing standard for the former Cavaliers’ basketballer, as he moves up to the National Collegiate Athletics Association’s (NCAA) Division 2 basketball level.
He believes it all started on the courts at Cranbourne, putting in big effort as the culture changed at the association.
“I think as I was growing up here it wasn’t as big and you’d see all the Dandenong players – they knew what to do and how to get better – but now that there’s a lot of better coaches and better facilities, the mentality down here is different too,” McMillin said.
“Just wanting to get better… I know it’s not just all about having fun, it’s not just about kids coming down and having a good time or staying fit… it’s serious because of the Big V program and it solidifies success.
“It’s good as it rubs off on the kids and Mokky (Renae Mokrzycki) going D1 now, that’s fantastic.”
Cavaliers’ juniors will have another NCAA basketballer to look up to as McMillin heads into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference team.
McMillin is keen to get on court, and maybe the ski slopes in Colorado, and enjoy his new life as a Maverick.
“Excitement is an understatement,” McMillin said.
“I should have graduated the year before I did, so to finish it off and transfer on to a great school, I can’t wait to say the least.
“They (Colorado Mesa) wanted me previously, after going back there and now that I’ve graduated they gave me the offer again, which is good as they’re in a great conference with a couple of good schools including Metro State.”
McMillin will look back fondly on his time with Dakota College, saying he learnt a lot at the university.
“It’s a great stepping stone,” McMillin said.
“It was a small school so when I was there this could get boring every now and then but without that school I wouldn’t be where I am now.
“I’m grateful for that.”
Colorado Mesa want him to bulk up to play the combo-forward and potentially guard opposing centres, an opportunity that McMillin can’t wait to start.
He hopes he can make an impact on and off the court to keep his stats and his grades high.
“Winning first of all, getting a good GPA, being able to juggle school and basketball at a good level and getting decent playing time and doing what you can for the team,” McMillin said.
Jay wanted to thank his mum Kerin McMillin – For always being there for him as well as his brother and dad – Justin and Daryl McMillan.
