At 17, Troy Hornbeck has turned his “Road to D1” series into one of the most influential platforms in youth basketball.

Built on a relentless work ethic, his consistency has inspired a new wave of hoopers chasing their own shot.

It all began with a simple question: “What would happen if a 16-year-old boy worked out, trained, and did everything he could to reach his dream of being a D1 basketball player?”

That idea sparked a viral journey.

Now playing at IMG Academy in Florida, Hornbeck documents his daily grind throughout high school as he works to become a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) prospect, amassing over 473,000 TikTok and 482,000 Instagram followers along the way.

Building the blueprint

Before the cameras, Hornbeck was already a standout for Brooklyn Tech's JV team, averaging 19.7 points and 13.6 rebounds per game.

But the jump to Varsity brought challenges.

Unsatisfied with his role and development, Hornbeck turned to social media as a new way to hold himself accountable.

In 2023, he uploaded his first video, a short clip that quickly went viral, garnering over 55,000 likes and setting the tone for what would become a daily discipline both on the court and online.

Since then, he's seen steady improvement, lifting his free-throw percentage from 65 to 97 per cent, tightening his handle, and earning valuable experience after a season with Overtime Elite's Diamond Doves before transferring to IMG for more exposure.

Inspiring the next generation Down Under

Hornbeck's "Road to D1" has become more than a personal challenge: it's a blueprint for others.

One of them is Baxter Newman, a 6'6 wing from Melbourne's Bulleen Boomers.

Newman has posted over 500 videos and amassed 1.7 million likes on TikTok by documenting his daily grind toward earning a spot in an American basketball program.

On Instagram, even Hornbeck has taken notice, following Newman and recognising the young Australian's consistency and dedication.

Together, their stories highlight just how global this digital basketball movement has become.

A New Kind of Exposure

Only 1 per cent of high school players make it to the NCAA Division I level.

But Hornbeck's story proves there's more than one way to get seen.

By merging hard work and storytelling, he's redefining the recruiting process for a social-first era.

"Even if I'm tired, I have to go out there," he stated for the Brooklyn Technical High School Survey.

"Since my content is an everyday thing, it forces me to get better."

Whether his road ends with a Division I offer or not, Hornbeck has already achieved something bigger, inspiring thousands to take the first step on their own.