As the Castec Rural Mount Gambier Pioneers begin to get busy preparing for the upcoming 2022 NBL1 South season, one of its brightest stars has reached the big time.

Within 12 months, young star Nick Marshall (pictured) has risen from the Pioneers to making his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers and now he has just been named in the Australian Boomers squad at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers later this month.

The opportunity of a lifetime will send Marshall to Japan alongside some of the biggest names in the game as the Boomers look to keep the good times rolling from their historic performance in the Tokyo Olympics.

Although it is a heavily depleted squad with Nak Kay being the only member of the Bronze medal winning team taking on the journey with NBL commitments at the front of mind.

The absence of the big stars opened the door for Marshall and the 198cm athletic player will now wear the green and gold.

Castec Rural Mount Gambier Pioneers head coach Richard Hill said he was aware the exciting opportunity was coming for Marshall and was pleased as punch for his player.

“I knew it was happening because we had been talking about it for a while,” he said.

“He is really excited and hopefully he can make the final cut and play.

“It is a great opportunity for him and I am thrilled he will be playing for the Boomers.

“The chance to play with other high-level players and work with the coaching staff will help him grow as an individual.

“Its just excellent stuff.”

Hill wishes Marshall all the best, but revealed not all is certain for the Pioneer to board the plane.

Marshall is currently stuck in quarantine due to his partner testing positive for COVID-19.

Since last year’s NBL1 South season was cut short, the growing talent was picked up by the Adelaide 36ers and has played two games in the big league.

Due to the COVID-shortened NBL1 season, Marshall was only given the chance to step onto the court 13 times for the Pioneers, but made a big impression averaging 16 points, six rebounds and two assists per game.

Hill said last year’s Pioneers’ coach’s award winner would bring a lot of great qualities to the Boomers.

“His improvement stood out more than anything,” he said.

“He actually struggled in the first few games because it was all new for him having only played serious basketball for a short period of time.

“He made mistakes and took a while to pick things up, but his last few games were very good and became one of those players always doing something.

“He is a really good athlete being active on the floor and always looking to score.

“He is an improved player and worked hard for us when he was here and in Adelaide, so I think the next two years are really vital and hopefully we can keep watching his development.”

The sky is the limit for Marshall when he heads to Japan, but the only downside is he will miss his Mount Gambier team mates as they ramp up the intensity with NBL1 tip off just over two months away.

Time is running out with the first of preseason games coming up against Woodville in the middle of March before a busy period ahead of round 1.

Hill said things were starting to get serious with some giant strides on the recruiting table the number-one priority.

“We have had a huge weekend of training with Tom Kubank and Michael Harris down which has been good,” he said.

“Our squad is still very light on and thin because we are still trying find some imports which has proven to be very difficult.

“We are looking at a lot of players and just when you think you get there, something goes wrong.

“We are limited budget wise and the costs of players is skyrocketing, while the NBL season going deep into our season also makes life difficult.

“It is harder now more than ever, but we just have to do it and keep our fingers crossed.”