Basketball hopefuls from around the state will strut their stuff at one of two try-out sessions in a bid to prove they have what it takes to become the next Joe Ingles and join the Crazy John’s South Dragons’ camp.

Crazy John’s South Dragons basketball development manager Michele Timms said the statewide search for the next generation of stars was key to the future of the sport.

“The aim is to trial a number of young players between the ages of 17 and 23 who show NBL potential and who will fill our development positions,” she said.

“We contacted a number of associations – SEABL, BigV – and asked them to nominate players to try out and we had a really good response.

“We’ve had to cull the full list to 28, with two separate trials next week, one at Waverley on Monday and one at Templestowe on Wednesday.

“The players will be divided into two teams, each to be coached by a member of the South Dragons’ coaching staff, and (head coach) Shane Heal, (assistant coach) Guy Molloy and (chairman) Mark Cowan will sit and evaluate the players’ performances.”

The 28 players invited to the trials – hailing from as far as Warrnambool and Mildura – will be assessed on their skills, physique and aptitude for the game.

“We obviously want to spot the guys with potential in game situations, to look at their body types and to assess their ability to play in the NBL, and from that point we’ll nurture them through to the next step,” Timms said.

“The aim with our development players over the next year is to fast-track their development via specialised coaching.

“If they’ve got a dream to play in the NBL this is a wonderful opportunity for any young player out there to get a bit of a headstart and to have that chance to come out and show your game in front of the South Dragons, I don’t know too many other clubs that offer that opportunity.”