30 Aug 2025
Meet Jimmy Zhang, the electrifying face of Kingston’s Rep Prep Camps & Sessions! With his boundless energy and passion for the game, Jimmy is an inspiring role model for young basketball players everywhere.
Whether it’s a weekday training session — where you’ll find him up to three times a week — or the school holiday camps, Jimmy’s presence is a constant.
His journey is a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance, proving that anyone can reach their goals, regardless of where they begin.
How it started
Jimmy first heard about rep basketball through his brother’s friend, and he decided to give tryouts a shot.
“I was really nervous at my first tryout.” Jimmy said.
“I thought I’d probably end up on the lowest team.”
Jimmy put his best foot forward and took the first step on his rep basketball journey.
Moving up
Jimmy began his rep career with the Dandenong Rangers 12.4 team.
Through dedication and consistent effort, he moved up to the 12.2 team the following year.
This year, he achieved a major milestone by making it to the 12.1 team.
“Making the 12.1 team was a big goal for me,” says Jimmy.
The path hasn’t always been smooth, but Jimmy’s progress shows what’s possible with commitment and resilience.
Facing challenges
After spending four months in China, Jimmy returned feeling out of practice. Instead of giving up, he dedicated himself to training every day for a month.
“When I returned, I felt pretty rusty. I dedicated myself to daily training for a month to get my skills back.”
“It was tough, but I knew that I needed to put in the effort if I wanted to catch up,” Jimmy recalls.
Jimmy's tips for tryouts
Jimmy’s advice for tryouts is straightforward: focus on defense and boxing out.
“Coaches always notice defense and boxing out. If you do those things well, you have a better chance to make a higher team,” he advises.
He also shares specific tips for young athletes:
For taller players: “If you’re tall, don’t just stand in the key. Work on your dribbling, footwork, and running.”
For shorter players: “If you’re short, use your speed. Work on dribbling and shooting.”
For everyone: “Always train hard. Even small improvements matter. If you keep working, you’ll get better.”
The importance of Kingston Camps
Jimmy never misses Kingston camps.
“I always go to Kingston camps. You get to train with different people and learn new things. It helps you get better at working with different teams,” Jimmy says.
He believes giving your best effort at every session leads to improvement in all areas of the game.
“If you always train your hardest, you’ll get better at everything,” he insists.
Check out the schedule for our Rep Prep Camps & Sessions during the upcoming school holidays. www.kingstonbasketball.org/repprepbasketballcamps
Role models
Jimmy looks up to his Coach Andre.
“Coach Andre always says, ‘Hard work beats talent.’ That’s something I try to remember every day,” Jimmy shares.
Goals for the future
Jimmy’s current goal is to improve his three-point shooting.
“I want to get better at shooting threes. My plan is simple: practice, practice, and practice,” he says.
With his dedication, there’s no doubt he’ll continue to reach new heights.
Jimmy’s story is proof that anyone can improve with effort and the right attitude.
Keep working hard, never give up, and reaching your basketball goals is within your grasp.