Just over two years ago, Josh fell seven metres out of a tree and suffered injuries so shocking, that when he arrived in Sydney for treatment, doctors told his parents to not expect him to live for more than a few hours.
With a broken arm, punctured lung, fractured eye socket and broken skull, Josh was given little chance of surviving, let along leading a normal life again.
But Josh has defied the odds to be picked by Basketball NSW to travel to the United States and Canada at the end of the year on a basketball tour, that will signal the beginning of a new lease on life for the avid sports fan.
Josh said he hoped the trip would help his development both as a player and as a referee, and in turn, allow him to bring back skills from the Mecca of basketball to Griffith
to pass on to other junior players.
“In a way the tour allows me the opportunity to go over there and learn from the best,’’ Josh said.
Playing in representative teams is not new to Josh, who pulled on the Riverina jersey in 2004, shortly before his tragic accident that stunted his blossoming career.
But representative basketball was the furthest thing from Josh’s mother Amanda’s mind, when she got the phone call all parents dread.
“After he was flown to Sydney and we got there by car, they (doctors) said, ‘don’t expect him to be alive by this afternoon’,’’ Amanda said.
After three days in intensive care and five days in an induced coma to help his body heal, the long road to somewhat full recovery took place, but that road was still fraught with dangers, as Josh’s head was still very fragile.
“It was still touch and go for a long time after the accident – he spent 29 days in St George hospital,’’ Amanda said.
“And for about three months after the accident, the doctors said if he, say, rolled over in bed at night and bumped his head he could die in his sleep from massive bleeding in his brain.”
Despite being lucky to be alive, Josh still suffers from his injuries, with poor concentration and headaches harming his schooling and the injured eye socket now means he is colour blind in his left eye.
Josh, 17, will join basketball players from around Australia in the Varsity Boys under 18 team, which will travel for three weeks learning from the best.
The tour, selected through Basketball NSW, will also be a valuable opportunity for Josh to be recognised as a future
talent, with the idea of playing in front of scouts a tantalising thought for the youngster, who is set to fly out on December 26.
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