AS EACH week passes by, more Australians continue to hone their craft in the NCAA, which showcases the best talent at collegiate level and offers the opportunity for selection into the NBA.

Although mainly home to United States-born talents, Australians have been known to receive and accept offers from some big name schools and face off against some of the best talent around the same age.

Currently forging his own career in the NCAA is Sydney native Akol Maewin, with the forward currently suiting up for the Sacramento State Hornets and benefiting from an increase in opportunity.

Standing at six-foot-nine, Maewin brings size and presence to the forward position, physically imposing himself on a number of contests throughout the 2022/23 season.

There is a lot to like about how Maewin has started his time with the Hornets, slowly progressing after building a solid foundation last season. In Sacramento State’s 2021/22 campaign, he averaged just three minutes a game, but showed glimpses of promise.

Prior to that, he had shown the capability to be a consistent scorer during his time with Navarro College, including a stretch where he scored 28, 22, 31 and 25 points.

During the 2022/23 season, the 22-year-old is averaging numbers of 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, certainly imposing his presence during his 28 minutes per game.

From November 27 to December 8, Maewin posted 17, 12 and 15 points, shooting more than 60 per cent in each of those outings, even chiming in for some three-pointers, which is an area of improvement in his game.

The power forward can score in the low block thanks to his height, wingspan and size, often backing down his opponent or crashing the boards to register some second chance points for the Hornets.

An area he will need to improve is his work at the free throw line. Given his physicality in the paint, Maewin can easily draw contact and make his way to the free throw line.

However, he cannot always punish the opposition for some undisciplined defending, shooting just 62 per cent from the charity stripe as a member of the Hornets. If he can become more consistent with his free throws, it will boost his offensive output in a significant way.

Maewin is one of the most promising forward prospects to come out of Australia, and although the 22-year-old is still a ways off NBA hype, he is keeping the dream alive with a vastly improved campaign this season.