Defending men's State Basketball League champions Wanneroo Wolves have signed Australian under 19 representative Jackson Hussey for the 2012 campaign.

Hussey, who can play either guard position, represented Australia at the 2011 FIBA World Championships, where he averaged and also represented WA in several junior competitions.

The 20-year-old also played at the Australian Institute of Sport from 2009 until 2011 and the Wolves are confident the former Cockburn junior can have a big impact in the SBL.

"His time at the AIS and also in the Australian team that competed at the World championships sees him with a wealth of experience that we believe he can bring to our young team this year," Wanneroo coach Ben Ettridge said. 

"One of Jackson's greatest qualities is his ability to communicate up and down. He reminds me of Matt Schemchtig in that way.  

"He can speak to a coach, then to the youngest player on the team, and then to a veteran and get his point across. That is very important skill for a leader to have"  

"He has fit right into the Wolfpack way of doing things with his dedication to the process, and he is a great kid with a great attitude"

Hussey said he was excited to work with Ettridge, who led Wanneroo to a drought-breaking title in his first season in charge.

"Ben Ettridge and myself have built a strong mateship over the last three years while I lived at the AIS," Hussey said.

"Ben has a high Basketball IQ and is always looking for ways to build the team and push the club in the right direction which I felt was very important.

"From the moment I first stepped on the floor in the pre-season with my soon to be team mates I felt very welcomed.

"Even though the Wolfpack had won the SBL championship the previous year, they were all hard workers and went about their business in a very professional way.

"I felt this is exactly what I'm looking for, a team where each player is pushed to their limits and held accountable."

Article by Jacob Kagi

Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)