Luke Travers has set his sights on reaching the NBA after inking a three-year deal with Melbourne United.
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The 21-year-old forward, who was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers last year, has joined United from bitter rivals the Perth Wildcats.
He hopes the move will be a stepping stone from the NBL to the world's premier competition.
"It's a super exciting opportunity. I'm just looking forward to getting there and getting to work," Travers said.
"Learning from guys like Dave Barlow, Chris Goulding and the vets that are in this (United) group, I just can't wait to get together with this team.
"It's an opportunity for me to take my game to the next level. United have sent guys to the NBA and that's where I'm trying to get to."
Travers, a 200cm prospect who spent four seasons with the Wildcats, will seek to form a strong local front-court pairing with Jo Lual-Acuil Jr under United coach Dean Vickerman.
"He can come in and play the four (power forward) for us, which is a crucial position in this league," Vickerman said.
"It starts our defence and initiates our offence, which is a massive strength for Travers.
"He's a guy that can grab it off the rim and start the break or someone we can flip it to in the half-court to create for others."
Perth-born and raised Travers averaged 9.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists for the Wildcats last season.
Vickerman can see further growth in Travers' game as he looks to nurture the prospect's talent.
"The shooting is really developing, we saw that this year, and then he's a crazy athlete - someone who can be a lob threat and a dangerous cutter," Vickerman said.
"I think with the ball movement that we can generate, people like him are going to have opportunities to attack mis-matches and play at a higher pace than he has in the past.
"This is an opportunity for him to take his game to the next level."
Travers joins Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Tanner Krebs, Flynn Cameron, Zac Triplett, Campbell Blogg and Lual-Acuil Jr on United's roster for next season.
Australian Associated Press
