Wetherbee’s American journey has only just begun

 

By ANDREW DREISCHARF
The Independent

 

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Ben Wetherbee has been in America for almost a year now. The Woodstock High School senior has quickly adjusted to the United States since moving from Sydney, Australia, in June of 2007.
“They are very similar countries,” said Wetherbee. “Especially the people. They are much like back home, very nice.”
It’s not entirely similar, though, for one of WHS’ top basketball players. Wetherbee, who starred for the Blue Streaks in the first half of the season before an eligibility rule made him sit the second half, has had to make some adjustments in his new community.
“I come from Sydney, which is a big city,” said Wetherbee. “Moving to Woodstock was a big change, but I like it here.”
Wetherbee has experienced his fair share of changes since moving to the area, as well. A new school system, and a different style of basketball, food and weather have all been sudden changes for him.
“It’s colder here. We get snow back home, but this winter has been intense,” said Wetherbee. “It’s a nice change, though. Being here has been such a worthwhile experience for me, and I wouldn’t change any of it.”
The hardest part for Wetherbee has been being away from his close family and friends from home. His father was here for awhile, but he returned to Australia in January. Wetherbee’s mother and younger brother visited for two months in late 2007, but they too have since returned home. While in Woodstock he has been staying with WHS golf coach and assistant basketball coach J.C. Wise and his family, who are relatives of Wetherbee’s.
“That’s been really cool. It’s not my first time here. I visited before I moved here, and I have more family in the Midwest. It’s been great,” said Wetherbee.
For the next four years, Wetherbee will be away from them ,as well as he plans on staying in the U.S. to attend college and continue his basketball career. It’s not been an easy process, though.
“I’m narrowing it down,” said Wetherbee, who has not chosen a college as of yet. “It’s a very hard decision, and at times it’s tough. I have to find a school where I can play basketball but also study what I want to focus on. Studies are a big concern.”
Aviation was one of Wetherbee’s early interests, but he has since found a new love in architecture. Wetherbee has also learned that the U.S. school system and the Australian school system differ quite a bit. He enjoys physics and math most. He has also liked being able to take classes like architecture and mythology.
“It’s much harder back home,” said Wetherbee. “I attended one of the top schools in all of Australia and it was hard. Here I love the variety of classes offered. The best part is here I don’t have to wear a uniform. I love the social part of high school. I’ll really miss it.”
Wetherbee likes WHS very much. At first he was the “new kid” and everyone was so welcoming to him.
“It was neat being the only Australian. I was unique. It was an easy transition, though,” said Wetherbee.
Basketball also took a little bit of getting used to. In Australia, they play basketball under World Basketball Association rules. The 3-point line is different, the lane is shaped like a trapezoid, and the pace of the game is much different.
“The competition is about the same at the top, but the game is not,” said Wetherbee. “It was annoying at first, though, with the US rules. We can’t hold the ball at home. We have to keep shooting.”
In Australia, basketball is more of a minority sport, so it’s funny that it became Wetherbee’s best. He tried every sport starting in grade one from rugby to swimming to cricket, but it wasn’t until he went to his first basketball game that Wetherbee knew which game he wanted to play.
“I went to my first basketball game with my Dad, and he wouldn’t tell me where we were going,” said Wetherbee. “I was hooked as soon as I saw it. Since then I’ve not been without a basketball.”
Back home, Wetherbee played for the Australian equivalent of the All-American High School team. He played for a coach who was an assistant coach for a professional team and has played with and against some of Australia’s best including Andrew Ogilvy, a star at Vanderbilt University and Pat Mills, who is also doing well at St. Mary’s College. Both are a year older than Wetherbee, and have helped make basketball a more recognized sport back home.
“Basketball’s on the rise in Australia, and it makes me happy,” said Wetherbee. “When Andrew Bogut was the top pick in the NBA a few years ago, that was huge.”
The biggest thing Wetherbee has missed, aside from his family, is his home basketball court.
“When I was about nine or ten, all I wanted was a Play Station (video game system), but my dad offered me a basketball court instead. It was the hardest decision,” said Wetherbee. “It had lights and I miss that. I used to finish my studies, and then at night go out and shoot in the yard.”
The hardest thing for Wetherbee while at WHS was sitting out the second half of the season.
“It was pretty hard. When I couldn’t play, it was rough,” said Wetherbee. “All the close losses were crushing. Thank goodness it was only nine games. I love the game so much.”
Wetherbee longs for home, but at the same time, he likes being here.
“I miss the beach, and right now at home, it’s summer,” said Wetherbee.
Wetherbee says there are some differences here that are strange. The driving rules and the lack of the metric system are his two favorites.
“You’re holding the world back not using the metric system,” said Wetherbee in a joking manner. “And you guys have some weird driving rules like right turns on a red light. That’s strange.”
Wetherbee also has found other things in the U.S. that he really likes. He enjoys food. A Red Robin burger is his favorite since he can’t get anything like that back in Australia. He also loves television because there are more options here.
“The sports programming is the best. We have European ESPN back home, and it’s mostly soccer. Here I can watch basketball. I love the college game,” said Wetherbee.
Wetherbee isn’t sure if he will stay here or go back to Australia after college, but either way, he’ll be happy.
“It doesn’t matter to me. Both places are nice,” said Wetherbee. “I’m so glad I came over. The decision was good. I’m really going to miss the great fans at WHS. They were awesome.”
Wetherbee will graduate from WHS in June and return to Australia for about a month before returning to the U.S. for college in the fall.

 

This article was published in the March 12, 2008 edition of The Woodstock Independent.