"Three-Level Fire, Explosive Finishes and High-IQ Vision"

Hamish Van de Kemp

@Hamish_volk

6'5, Class of 2027

Guilford Young College, Australia

Hamish brings a versatile, high-energy game with three-level scoring, explosive attacks to the rim, elite court vision, and the ability to create for himself or his teammates. He reads the floor well, understands when to attack and when to move the ball, and uses his basketball IQ to make decisions instead of forcing the action. His ability to play on or off the ball gives him different ways to fit into an offense, while his length and growing strength allow him to defend multiple positions and battle against physical competition. Hamish takes pride in being coachable and doing whatever the game calls for, whether that means putting points on the board, setting up a teammate, defending, rebounding, or making the extra pass. That balance between skill, energy, and feel has become the foundation of a game that continues to grow as the competition gets tougher.

This past season became the best of Hamish's basketball career as he averaged more than 20 points per game in multiple competitions while consistently testing himself against older and more experienced players. Playing with the Hobart Chargers NBL1 program, the Hobart Phoenix Senior Men's Championship team, and training through Strive Basketball Australia's elite development pathway placed him in demanding environments where nothing came easily. He became the youngest player selected to the Hobart Chargers NBL1 South roster, earned Senior Men's D2 League MVP and Senior Men's Championship D1 Club MVP honors, and received recognition as a Tasmanian State Team reserve. Hamish also maintained approximately 70 percent shooting while producing at a high level, showing jaw-dropping efficiency along with his scoring numbers.

One performance in particular showed just how comfortable Hamish had become competing against older players when he exploded for a career-high 38 points in a senior men's game while being the youngest player on the floor. That night was part of a season filled with opportunities to prove himself against strength, experience, and physicality beyond his age group. Instead of simply surviving those challenges, he found ways to produce within them, and that became a major part of his growth. Representing Strive Basketball Australia during its United States tour added another important chapter as he competed in front of college coaches in Nashville and Chicago, giving him firsthand experience against American competition while chasing his goal of eventually playing college basketball in the States.

The biggest improvement Hamish noticed in himself was confidence, but that confidence came with sharper decisions and a better understanding of how to handle pressure. Senior men's basketball forced him to process everything faster because openings disappeared quickly and physical mistakes were punished immediately. He became more comfortable creating offense when defenders crowded him, improved his shot selection, and learned how to finish through contact rather than allowing physical play to knock him away from what he wanted to do. His reads off the bounce also took a major step, allowing him to recognize when his own scoring lane was there and when the better answer was creating something for a teammate.

Constantly facing older, stronger, and more experienced competition has also provided Hamish with his greatest adversity. Being one of the youngest players on the floor could have made him hesitant, but he gradually learned to embrace the discomfort instead of running from it. Those battles taught him patience, resilience, and confidence while showing him that real development often comes when the challenge feels bigger than what he is used to facing. That lesson changed his approach because he now actively looks for difficult environments, knowing they expose weaknesses and force him to find another level.

That mindset has become especially important because Hamish has made no secret about his ultimate goal of playing college basketball in the United States. He hasn't simply talked about making that move someday, but has intentionally prepared himself for the differences he knows will come with it. Competing against grown men has helped build his physical and mental toughness, while the Strive Basketball Australia tour gave him a direct look at the speed and athleticism he will face in America. He studies college basketball, works on playing at a quicker pace, and continues developing the different pieces of his game because his goal goes far beyond earning a roster spot. Hamish wants to arrive ready to make an impact and help a college program win, which means preparing himself now instead of waiting until he gets there.

His offseason work reflects exactly where he wants his game to go next, with strength, explosiveness, shooting consistency, and ball-handling receiving heavy attention. Hamish wants to become even more comfortable creating with the ball while remaining dangerous away from it, giving coaches freedom to use him in different spots. Becoming more lethal from three-point range is another priority, along with improving his ability to stay in front of high-level perimeter players defensively. Adding strength remains important because he understands that the next level will demand even more physicality, and every bit of progress there can help his finishing, rebounding, and defense.

The work behind the scenes is five or six days most weeks and includes team practices, individual skill sessions, shooting, strength and conditioning, and film study. Hamish also understands that development isn't limited to what happens with a basketball in his hands, putting attention into recovery, nutrition, and mental preparation as part of his routine. That consistency matters to him because one great workout doesn't create lasting improvement, but stacking productive days gives him a chance to keep moving forward. The highlights may show the finished plays, but the preparation behind them is where he believes much of his progress is really made.

Every time Hamish steps onto the floor, a coach can expect maximum energy, a team-first approach, and a willingness to handle whatever responsibility gives his team the best chance to win. He takes coaching seriously, supports his teammates, and understands that valuable possessions are not always the ones that end with his own shot. Scoring is part of what he brings, but so are defending, rebounding, creating, and making the extra pass when another teammate has the better opportunity. That willingness to adjust his role while still playing aggressively gives Hamish a chance to affect games in several different ways.

The upcoming season is another opportunity for Hamish to move closer to his college basketball dream while continuing to produce against senior competition and chasing championships with his teams. He wants to earn a larger role within the Hobart Chargers pathway, continue building relationships with college coaches, and become an even more complete presence on both ends. Expectations are high, but Hamish has built his journey around looking for challenges rather than avoiding them, and he plans to keep testing himself against the strongest competition available. The goal isn't simply to prove that he can compete with the next level, but to keep elevating his game until he's prepared to thrive when that opportunity arrives.

I assess that Hamish brings a broad offensive arsenal highlighted by his ability to score at the basket, operate off the bounce, and stretch defenses from the perimeter. His feel allows him to recognize openings quickly, while his handles and passing instincts give him the freedom to initiate action instead of depending on others to create opportunities for him. He has already shown that he can remain productive against mature competition, and finishing through contact has become another valuable weapon of his attack. His defensive versatility adds another layer because he can match up in different areas while using his length, awareness, and activity to disrupt possessions.

Hamish has already placed himself in demanding basketball settings that should help prepare him for the jump he eventually wants to make to the American college game. Continued improvement in physical strength will help him handle stronger perimeter matchups, while greater consistency from deep can make closing space against him increasingly difficult. Developing an even tighter handles at higher speeds should expand what he can create when pressure increases and give him more control as a secondary initiator. His experience facing senior men and American competition has provided a good measuring stick, but his willingness to keep looking for tougher tests may prove just as important as any single accomplishment. If that daily commitment continues matching his determination, Hamish has a strong opportunity to turn his growing skill set into a game capable of translating when the stage and competition rise.