RATHJEN AWARDED PREMIER BASKETBALL MEDAL
Brad Rathjen continues to be recognised and rewarded for his dedicated commitment to his chosen sport of Basketball. His undoubted natural athletic ability and passion for the game continues to drive him to work tirelessly to reach the highest possible standards.
Last weekend Rathjen received the 2015 Bert Bargeus Medal, the premier award for talented juniors in SA Country Basketball.
This annual award goes to outstanding athletes, one male and one female, involved in State wide High Performance Basketball programs. He joins former Junior Lakers Matthew Markiewicz (2011), Georgia Green (2012) and Sam Stafford (2013) in winning this prestigious award.
He has been a standout player for his Club Panthers, the Mount Gambier Lakers and SA Country through all junior age groups.
Rathjen turned in sustained outstanding performances in the 2015 Under 18 Australian Basketball Championships and finished leading scorer for the nationals. He also displayed exceptional leadership skills as Captain of the SA Country team.
As a result of his performances at the Nationals Rathjen was invited to participate in the 2015 Asia Pacific Team Camp presented by the NBA and Nike. At the end of June he travelled to China with the best junior basketballers in Australia and joined players from China, Chinese Taipei and New Zealand for the 5 day Camp.
In the latter weeks of the 2015 SEABL season he played meaningful minutes for the Pioneers in their journey to become back to back National Champions.
Rathjen now lives in Adelaide and is working hard as an Adelaide 36ers NBL Development player under Head Coach Joey Wright.
To cap off an unbelievable 2015 Rathjen has been selected in the 2016 South Australian Under 20 Team, as a first year player in this age group. The Championships are to be played in Ipswich Queensland from February 14th to 21st.
Three former SA Country players are members of the Women’s state team, Sarah Elsworthy, winner of the Bert Bargeus Medal, Chelsea Brook and Hannah Stewart. Sarah Allen of Millicent has been named as a reserve.
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