The 16-year-old recently returned from a month long tour of the US in the Threatt Australian All Stars invitational team last December where he played high school and college prep squads.

Palmer said the experience opened his eyes to the wealth of American players and school teams.

“It just showed us the different US lifestyles,” he said.

“One school we played against was very rich, a friend of mine was billeted by an ex NBA player who lived next door to a professional tennis player.”

With aspirations to pursue a career overseas, Palmer has since been offered an exchange program with a US school during his last two years of high school.

“I would really like to go pro someday and play for a college over there.”

Coached by former NBA player Sedale Threatt, the All Stars team was made up of Australian high school aged players who were individually selected for the first time program.

The 11-man squad played in three tournaments where they came up against high school and college prep teams from Arizona, New Mexico, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

“Some of the teams were really strong and played a very physical game,” he said.

“I learnt how to play against more athletic players and it showed us that they really defend their positions so we had to be a lot stronger with them.”

Following games in the Marana Classic in Arizona the team drove to Phoenix where Palmer watched his idol, NBA star Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns.

“He plays the same position as me, point guard, and his technique is really good because he doesn’t use his athleticism like other players,” Palmer said.

But it wasn’t all court time and practice for the Hunter Valley Grammar student, he did take time out to visit Disneyland and Hollywood.

Palmer said he couldn’t have financed the trip without the support of the RSL Sub Branch, Masonic lodge and local Rotary, Lions and Lioness clubs.