The 18-year-old has picked up a roster spot with the Southland Sharks.
A 1.98m forward, Aitcheson scored 25 points for Otago in its pre-season game against the Sharks. He has become involved with the national league team recently and was on its bench when it played the Wellington Saints, but did not take the court.
With fellow Dunedin player Olly Smith opting to withdraw from the team, a roster spot became available.
That spot was offered to Aitcheson, who has now formally linked with the Judd Flavell-coached side.
He is hoping to gain as much experience as he can at the higher level.
That would help him in his goal of making the Junior Tall Blacks’ squad to go to the under-19 World Championships in Egypt.
He had enjoyed what he had done with the Sharks so far, getting to train at what he called "a really high level".
That comes as no surprise, as he now shares court time with the likes of Alex Pledger, Reuben Te Rangi and Duane Bailey.
He said having bigger and faster players around him was the most noticeable difference, making staying alert all the more important.
Aitcheson, who left King’s High School last year, would not be lost to Otago basketball.
He would travel to Invercargill on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays to be with the Sharks. However, he would live in Dunedin as he continued his law and finance degree at the University of Otago.
That would allow him to continue to play for the Magic in the Dunedin club competition.
While having to travel that regularly was not ideal, the Sharks were the closest team and it was something that had to be done if he wanted national league experience.
Travel was not new to him, as the Junior Tall Blacks meet around the country once a month for training camps preparing for July’s world championships.
They had their next camp over Easter weekend and Aitcheson said the team was clicking well after beating Australia to qualify for the tournament in December.
The Sharks’ next game is against the Supercity Rangers, in Invercargill on Saturday night.
