This time last year, Archie Smith was fielding offers from a range of US Colleges to join them on a basketball scholarship.

Standing at 200cm and with an incredible leap, Smith had long dominated Brisbane’s junior basketball scene and had good pedigree considering he’s the son of former NBA player and Brisbane Bullets star, Andre Moore.

So Smith seemed destined to follow in his famous father’s footsteps and pursue a professional basketball career – that was, until he was identified by the Brisbane Lions and invited to train with the Hyundai Lions Academy.

Now, after only a short period of time in the system, he finds himself a listed Lions player after being selected by the Club in Wednesday’s Rookie Draft.

And he couldn’t be happier.

“It is fantastic and I'm over the moon,” Smith told Tom Boswell at Quest newspapers.

“People were a bit confused why I had given up basketball and I was tentative myself but I'm happy with the success I have had so far.”

With only limited background and training, Smith has realistic expectations ahead of his budding AFL career.

“I want to strive to improve and the best way to do that is to play in the NEAFL,” he said.

“Hopefully I'll build my body up a lot more, gain some strength and get a really good football sense.

“My goal is to have a successful year next year and push for a spot in the senior team in 2015.”