The athletic 18-year-old was left off the playing roster during his first year with Concordia University in Irvine, California because of a salary cap based on scholarship payments.

“It’s been really tough, probably the toughest year of my life,” Gliddon said.

“And now I can’t wait – I honestly can’t wait to be part of the team and pull on the uniform.”

Six senior players from last season have now graduated, freeing up a place for the 198cm shooting guard.

Gliddon moved through Bunbury City Slammer sides from U14s to one season at league level and last year was a late pick up by the University from the Australian Institute of Sport.

After spending the first season travelling and training but unable to play, Gliddon has had plenty of time to assess the American style of basketball.

He said the emphasis was on man-on-man contests rather than team oriented Australian game plans.

“You get to be really good at what you do – when you shoot you can’t miss and when passing you’ve got to hit your marks,” Gliddon said.

“And it’s more flashy – if you’ve got the ball and take your man on you just do it.”

The athletic 18 year old plays an aggressive shooting game and was able to blow off some cobwebs recently while playing for the state U20s team.

“They were my first games in five months so that was really good for me,” he said.

Gliddon said living a half hour from Los Angeles was an “awesome” experience in itself.

“It’s just like in the movies and a lot of nice beaches and people around.”

“Orange County is a nice area to live in and people want to talk to you because you’re an Aussie which is nice as well,”

Gliddon said he had told a few stories about eight foot tall kangaroos that people ride on down the street.

He said people look amazed when they work out what he has said through the Australian accent.

“Sometime you have to repeat yourself, but you just laugh it off because they do love the accent.”