E AIMING HIGH
Spain or Germany, but they didn’t really grab me but this came along. I knew what to expect and people speak English and I’m glad I made the decision to sign here,” he said.
He feels that children in Ireland need more exposure to the sport in order for it to grow, but he says there is definitely a good foundation on which to grow the sport.
“The level is higher in America because it’s a bigger sport. In Ireland it’s growing but you have gaelic and football and hurling. The kids though, once they experience it they love it. Since I’ve been here I can see there’s a huge interest once they play. They can’t watch it on TV because the NBA is on at three in the morning here. There’s not the same exposure. They’re very receptive to learning. The fundamentals are there. There has to be more emphasis on the game.”
Noel is one of the very few non- locals who play for the club.
The team boasts some of the hottest talent in Sligo at the minute.
One of those is Luke McLoughlin, who has played a huge part in EJs All Stars’ season so far.
Basketball has been in his life since he was a mere 11 years of age.
His twin brother began playing the sport for Community Games, and when a mutual friend joined the All Stars along with his brother, he also felt he should give it a try. “I liked it straight away,” he told The Sligo Champion. He played the sport all throughout his time in Summerhill College, during which they came close to glory. “We came second in U14 All Ireland and second in the U16 All Ireland which was tough but it was alright. I played gaelic in first year but basketball took over so I gave that up.”
This year has seen his love for the game completely renewed. Playing against a higher level of players, with a higher level of players has increased the enjoyment factor.
“It’s good. There’s lots of groups coming in for sponsorship like Orreo. It’s a different level of basketball as well. When you’re younger you’ve played with teams who have two or three good players. Then you come up here and everyone is equally as good. It’s completely different.
“It’s been great. I wasn’t enjoying basketball last year but this year has completely boosted that.”
The increase in professional has added to the enjoyed, and he says the fact that all the young players have matured means they too can act more professional.
“It’s a lot more professional. It used to be a thing whereby you just turned up to training and did what you could but now it’s kind of more professional.
“There are some really good people involved, everyone’s older and more mature.”