BASKETBALL: SAM Boon will be swapping his Maranoa Heat jersey for a Northwest Kansas Mavericks college jersey in August after he was accepted on a partial athletic scholarship.

This is the next step for the 17-year-old in making his professional basketball career a reality.

"I'm going to use as much time while I'm over there and try and get better every single day," he said.

Boon is built for shooting hoops with a towering height of more than two metres. But it's his drive to further himself in the game that has got him this far.

His dedication has seen him and his parents travel eight-hour round trips during the week to practice with his former Toowoomba Mountaineers basketball side.

"It was a lot of hard work and mum has been really, really helpful," Boon said.

"Mum is the one that originally got me into basketball and I started to learn from her - she's my inspiration. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will take advantage of."

When Boon isn't on the court you may recognise him at Roma's Woolworths supermarket in the fruit and veg section.

"I have been working part-time to help raise as much money as I can," he said.

"Playing professional basketball is my ultimate dream, whether it's in Australia, the US, Europe or Asia, as long as I am playing."

IF YOU'RE a local business and interested in sponsoring Sam to get to the United States, phone him on 0467203647.