Talented Melbourne basketball prospect Joel Foxwell had a choice to make.
Hit up the party of a lifetime with his mates at schoolies or continue his hoops education under the wings of NBL stars Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding and Ian Clark.
The 18-year-old point-guard's decision was an easy one.
"A lot of my mates are going away but I'd rather be here playing basketball," Foxwell told AAP.
"It's what I love. I want to be a professional, so whatever I've got to do, I'll do."
Foxwell has balanced his final year of school at Rowville Secondary College with commitments as a training squad player with NBL powerhouse Melbourne United.
The daily juggling act has been a struggle at times but the sacrifices have been worth the effort.
"Whenever I come back to school after training my mates are like, 'It's so sick that you get to play against Delly every day'," Foxwell said.
"They all idolise Chris Goulding and Ian Clark comes in, another NBA player, it's just 'wow'. Not many teenagers get this opportunity.
"All the older guys have put so much wisdom into me and I already feel like my game's developed so much more since being around them all."
A star in Victorian junior ranks, Foxwell accepted United championship-winning coach Dean Vickerman's invitation to join the training squad and has had an instant impact.
"You put him on the scout team and let him be (Sydney Kings import) Jaylen Adams for the day and he's a problem," Vickerman said.
"It's good for our practice to have someone with that kind of quickness and shot-making inside the keyway.
"Even with his size, he's a problem. There's a real bright future for him."
The 185cm Foxwell has added about five kilograms of muscle to his frame - now weighing 74kg - since linking with United as a 17-year-old earlier this year.
"His mum was picking him up and dropping him off so I knew (how young he was) then," Dellavedova laughed.
"But he competes and he's been putting a lot of work in upstairs in the weight room.
"It's great experience for him to get reps every day and I'm sure when he goes back and plays with his age group he feels a lot stronger.
"With his skill, quickness and how hard he works I think he'll have a successful career."
Training with United has given Foxwell the chance to show his wares in front of NBA scouts and Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian, who often visits the team's Hoop City headquarters.
Foxwell also learnt from Josh Giddey when the Oklahoma City Thunder sensation spent time training at home in Melbourne during the NBA off-season.
And he follows a strict diet under the guidance of 20-year-old brother Owen, who is in the early stages of his pro career with South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Set to represent Victoria at the U20 national titles in February, Foxwell has lofty ambitions but remains grounded.
"The dream is the NBA but sometimes you've got to be a bit realistic," Foxwell said.
"So the main goal right now is to either be here (at Melbourne United) next year as a development player or shoot off to a Division 1 college (in the US).
"I'm still making up my mind but hopefully I get the opportunity to choose either one."
