Port Macquarie basketballer Sunny Arndell eyes dream trip to United States and coaching by Australian Boomers star Patty Mills

The talented 14-year-old has not lost sight of his dream of one day playing in the NBA - the top-level competition in the United States.

And now he's starting to reap the rewards after being selected to represent Queensland at the National Indigenous Basketball Tournament.

If he can impress the right people and be selected as one of the 10 best players of the tournament, he will head to Florida where the opportunity to be coached by Australian Boomers guard Patty Mills looms large.

Mills' youth basketball program is aimed at empowering young Indigenous boys and girls and through the Jr. NBA - the league's global youth basketball initiative - the NBA will hold a camp on the Gold Coast next month.

Arndell is excited about testing himself against the best, but also nervous.

"There is a bit of pressure there so I have to keep at it because Patty is someone I look up to because he's a black fella," the teenager said.

"But I don't want to get too cocky, I know there's a lot of hard work ahead."

The secret ingredient Arndell has at his disposal is that he has played up several age groups in the Port Macquarie competition over the years.

He has played in the under-18 and under-16 divisions so the physicality which comes from playing against some of the best players in the country is unlikely to be an issue at nationals.

Mother Jodie said it was a three-year plan to head over to the United States.

"He's been selected for Queensland and the selectors that are there will mentor him and be there with him," she said.

"We're moving to Queensland so he can attend Cleveland District State High School.

"He gets his own key so they stay with him, mentor him and keep pushing him. The next step is college in America."

The reason Arndell chose to represent Queensland is because the trials for New South Wales were held in Dubbo.

"That's an extra couple of hours so it was closer to go to Brisbane than it was to go to Dubbo and the selectors said in week one that they wanted him," Mrs Arndell said.

"There were seven selectors from each school and we chose Cleveland because it's a bit closer to the water."

Sister-in-law Aalia won't make the move north, but she will be watching closely.

"I'm really proud of him; he's come a long way, but I've definitely taught him everything he knows," she laughed.

If the talented Port Macquarie basketballer keeps at it, he'll be over in the United States within three years.

What happens from there is up to him.

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