Personal Statement
Hi, my name is Nicholas Di Grazia and I am a 5'10'', 185lb point guard. I am from Melbourne, Australia and am a dual citizen of Australia and the U.S.
I played for Cuesta Community College in San Luis Obispo, CA as a freshman fall 2022. Medical redshirt obtained and I returned to Australia after semester 1. I had a GPA of 3.813 studied Communication.
When I played for Diamond Valley up until 2021, I also trained with my clubs NBL1 team, which is the second highest level of
basketball in Australia just under the NBL.
Basketball has been my passion throughout my entire life and being able to continue my studies and
athletic career overseas is my aspiration. I am a pure point guard and
take pride in leading my team on the court. I wholeheartedly believe that my ability to create
scoring opportunities for both myself and my teammates would be beneficial to any program.
I demonstrate diligence and determination both on and off the court, and would love nothing more than to fulfil my dream of playing college
basketball in the U.S.
I am the hardest worker I know, both for basketball and in my studies, and would love the opportunity to play college
basketball in the U.S. Please see my references below.
“ Nicholas is a high energy PG who can play multiple roles within his team, he can facilitate on the offensive end as well as penetrate to the basket and draw defenders away from his team mates. His ability to apply pressure in both the full and half court is at a high level due to his speed and strength to absorb contact on penetration or as part of a structured press. Nicholas ability to rebound is also an untapped resource as he possesses explosive power and strength and reads the ball off the ring reasonably well.
When he utilises his change of pace in the open court and when using ball screens it generally ends up with good opportunities for himself and his team mates off the ball. Nicholas sees the floor well and is a high character young player who brings plenty of energy and competitiveness to his teams both in practice and during games “
Alan McAughtry (Coaching Director)
"I am pleased to provide this reference for Nicholas (Nick) Di Grazia, with regard to his basketball and
educational aspirations.
I have coached Nick for nearly ten years, after he enrolled in my basketball upskilling program
‘Fastrack’ as a junior Eltham Wildcats player. As a former Australian national league player, my sole
focus is on upskilling players from under twelve to under eighteen age groups to build individual
competencies.
Without hesitation, I offer my opinion that Nick is one of the most exciting young players in his age
group in the country. Nick’s skillset, understanding of the game, athleticism, work ethic and mindset
set him apart from most other athletes his age. I have had the privilege of watching Nick grow and
develop as a player over a ten-year period with such relentless determination to improve his game
every time he steps on the court. Nick is now ready to transition into senior basketball, and he has
the ability to become a career player at both national and international levels.
Nick is highly self-motivated, and of all the young players I have ever coached, works the hardest on
his game away from organised or team training. To work with a young player with such talent, work
ethic and passion for the game is an absolute pleasure.
Both on and off the court, Nick is a very respectful, considerate and bright young man. Nick comes
from a family who have clearly provided him with a foundation of sound values.
I have no hesitation in recommending Nick as a candidate for a basketball and academic based
institution. Nick has a bright future ahead of him and he would be an asset to any program or
pathway he chooses to pursue.
If you would like to discuss this recommendation, please don’t hesitate to contact me on (Australia)
Eleanor Cesari (nee Sharp)
"Nick is a point guard who has great speed, strong ball skills, can score well attacking the rim against taller opposition and uses the on-ball well. Nick can play both ends of the floor and is a relentless up-and-in, full-court defender with good lateral movement. He has an ability to understand and implement a variety of structures and knows how to play to the strengths of his teammates when distributing the ball offensively. Nick possesses a strong work ethic and a passionate commitment to his own development. He has worked hard over recent years on strength and conditioning to maximize his physicality. Nick comes from a passionate family with strong values and expectations around commitment and effort."
Marcus Todd (coach)
Nick Di Grazia has been a member of a strength and conditioning academy called the
‘AV High Performance Academy’ over the last 4 years, where highly
skilled and dedicated young athletes will train twice per week
before or after school for 1 hour and participate in intensive strength and
conditioning training.
I noticed immediately Nick’s willingness to learn and engage during training,
which is something I highly value as a coach. As well as Nick’s proactive nature to
learn, he displays outstanding sportsmanship qualities and leadership skills by
assisting and encourages others that nurtures the development of his peers.
Over the last 4 years, Nick has produced outstanding physical qualities, with his
greatest asset being his speed, power and explosiveness. Nick has demonstrated on
multiple occasions a sub 3.00 second 20m sprint and 5.15 Broad Jump test. His
running technique, including change of direction and acceleration qualities are also
exceptional, which transfers to his basketball performances on-court.
Along with Nick’s outstanding physical qualities, his character within the training
environment is a class act. He will always assist other athletes when required and is
extremely respectful towards the coaches, equipment and facility.
By engaging in structured strength and conditioning training throughout his teenage
years guided by tertiary qualified and experienced coaches, Nick will have already
established a base level of strength and power, while also being competent in key
exercises including squat, hinge, lunge, push, pull, press, carry and core strength
movements. Furthermore, he will have a sound education behind why all aspects of
training are important including strength and conditioning, recovery and nutrition.
I believe Nick has enormous potential and is worthy of opportunities that present to
him in the future.
Adam Veli
