CLAREMORE, Okla. - While the attention of sports fans in America is on baseball during the summer months, former Rogers State basketball player Justynn Hammond is pursuing his professional career "Down Under."

Hammond, who spent two years on The Hill, is playing for the Newcastle Hunters of the Waratah League of the Australian Basketball Association with his brother Christian. The Australian Basketball Association is the second-tiered basketball league of the National Basketball League.

The six-foot-six-inch guard played in 28 games for the Hillcats in his senior season. Hammond averaged 12.3 points per game and 5.1 rebounds a game. The Seattle, Wash. native totaled 49 assists and 12 blocks. As a junior in 2011-12, Hammond was a Sooner Athletic Conference honorable mention selection as he led the Cats in steals and assists.

In the 2013 season for the Hunters, Hammond is averaging 23.3 points per game, shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 46.9 percent from three-point range.

Hammond explained his time in Australia, "I love it out here. It's a wonderful country and the people are really nice. The basketball is a pretty high level as well."

His best performance came in an 85-77 victory over the Sutherland Sharks as Hammond totaled 39 points made15-of-18 from the field and knocked in 66 percent from behind the arc. Hammond, who began his collegiate career at Portland State, has totaled eight double-doubles this year for Newcastle.

Being joined by his brother Christian has made Justynn's transition easier the younger Hammond explained. "He is my point guard and it's great to have him here with me to make the transition easier from playing college ball to professional ball," said Justynn.

Hammond and the Newcastle Hunters will face the Bankstown Bruins on July 20, 2013. Live stats of the game can be followed here. For more information on the Waratah League click here.