Hailing from Wollongong, New South Wales, Dent wowed selectors and coaches earlier this year at the Australian Under 18 Junior Championships. As a bottom aged player, he was a standout performer for NSW Country, leading the scoring and assist count for the tournament. As a result, Dent was invited to join the NBA GA playing squad at the Australian Under 20 Champs, solidifying in the minds of high performance that he has a talent worth exploring under the scholarship program, held at the AIS in Canberra.
NBA GA Director Marty Clarke is eager to see Josh begin his journey at the academy and has been impressed by the mind set displayed by the youngster.
“We are excited to have Josh joining the program. He adds to the impressive list of point guards that have come through the NBA GA, highlighted by Josh Giddey being drafted #6 in the 2021 NBA draft.
Josh (Dent) had an outstanding U18 National Championships and was invited to join GA to compete in the U20 Nationals where he showed great maturity and composure to help guide the team on its unbeaten run.
He brings a toughness combined with a savvy court sense that will help his game expand in the challenging daily training environment that the BA Centre of Excellence and NBA Global Academy provide.”
Dent will join the likes of rising stars Dyson Daniel, Tamuri Wigness, Yaak Yaak and Taran Armstrong- to name a few- in their progression to an elite level of basketball.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity to join such a prestigious program like the NBA Global Academy and cannot wait to arrive and further develop my basketball and life skills. This scholarship is a great privilege, and I will work hard to make it worthwhile.
I am looking forward to going up against the best every day and to receive mentorship from such great coaches.”
The NBA Global Academy are hoping to welcome Dent to the CoE at the AIS early next month, and are working through the current travel restrictions in place, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.