After putting in the effort with training and fighting through injuries, Saint John's Julian Roche is about to take a big step in his basketball career.

The seven-foot-tall Roche will board a plane bound for California on Saturday and make his way to Santa Clara University.

The 18-year-old was awarded a $280,000 scholarship to attend the institution that may bring back some fond memories for Canadian basketball fans. The university is Canadian basketball icon Steve Nash's alma mater.

"I feel like I'm ready and I know I'm ready," said Roche who has been preparing for this move since he was 11.

When he was 15, Roche began stepping up training by attending Proctor Academy in New Hampshire.

While there, Roche said he played in a league known for producing college stars and NBA prospects.

Already accustomed to squaring off against players bigger than him, Roche said he's looking forward to the challenge.

"I'm used to it and I'm looking forward to the growing pains which come with moving on to Division 1 basketball," he said.

Years developing skills

Roche is attending the alma mater of Canada's Steve Nash, who is a two-time MVP of the National Basketball Association. Nash has retired from the NBA and is now the general manager of Canada's men's basketball team. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

While Proctor Academy helped shape his play and maturity, Roche credits the Saint John Mill Rats for some of his success.

He was 11 years old when the National Basketball League team arrived in the city.

Roche said the team helped him further develop his skills.

Getting up early in the morning, Roche would train with members of the team who began to act as mentors.

The Mill Rats, he said, helped him develop "where I could play at the next level, play college basketball."

As huge as the opportunity of playing NCAA basketball may be, Roche hasn't lost sight of getting an education.

While he's heading off to his university this weekend to begin training, he'll also be attending summer courses to help with the school year.

Roche said he hopes to complete a health science degree with a plan to head on to medical school after.

"I'm hoping to help people," he said.

'Invaluable' support from family

Jules Roche said he's already making plans to travel to watch his son play basketball in the United States. (Matthew Bingley/CBC) Jules Roche, the basketball star's father, said he is excited about the major step his son is about to embark on.

While Julian will be on another coast, Jules Roche is already planning out trips to watch him play

"In order for me to go see him I'm going to have to do a little stop by like Denver of Vegas, so it's not necessarily a bad thing."

Through it all, Jules Roche said he's proud of how much work his son has put into the game, which includes fighting through a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee a year-and-a-half ago.

Julian Roche said the support he received from of his parents made the rehabilitation after two surgeries much easier.

"Them guiding me along through the tough times, though the rough patches, it's invaluable," he said.

Roche admits it's going to be difficult to leave the many people who have supported his basketball career.

"It's tough to say 'bye' to a lot of the people here, the people that have supported me, but I'm hoping that it's a temporary bye, that I can keep them in my life and move forward," he said.