Michael Luxford isn’t just "the basketballer" anymore.

In just his second year on the list, the 20-year-old, who recruited by the Cats as a Category B rookie (meaning he had not played an official Aussie Rules game in more than three years), has shed the tag thanks to his consistent improvement.

Luxford’s development has been evident through his performances in the VFL so far in 2015, including an outstanding game against Port Melbourne on Saturday.

He racked up the most touches of any Geelong player on the day and also recorded a season-high six clearances. He excelled in all aspects of the game, laying seven tackles, taking four marks and kicking a quality goal.

Despite the team’s loss, Luxford was pleased with his overall performance and his extended run in the midfield.

“I was pretty happy how I went. It was pretty good, just getting around the ball and keeping in the game, it will help me along the way,” he said after the match.

“I definitely rather playing in the midfield, being in the action.”

VFL Coach Paul Hood was also impressed with Luxford’s performance and sees his basketball background as a key to his success.

“We love his work that he does tight in congestion and from his basketball background he sees the space really well,” Hood said.

“He got out of a few really tight situations today as a midfielder and opened the game up, so we are hoping to see more of that in the coming weeks.”

Luxford has prospered playing more time in the midfield after last season spending the majority of his games up forward.

The young Cat attributes the successful position change to his weight-loss over the pre-season.

“I’ve put on more muscle this year and lost the fat, which has really helped me. Especially in the midfield now because you are always getting banged around and you’ve got to have the muscle to be in tight,” Luxford said.

“I’ve lost nearly seven kilos since last season, I’ve been working with the dietician closely and the new fitness staff which has been really good for me.

“My endurance is head and shoulders above what it was. It wasn’t up to scratch last year but it’s really ticking along now.”

The new fitness base, combined with ongoing improvement and a willingness to learn from the senior players at the club, has given Luxford hope of an AFL debut.

“I want to play AFL. I’ve just got to keep doing what I need to do, working with the coaches,” he said.

“Just doing the basics and even just looking at the older players, learning off them, watching their vision and asking questions.”

Luxford is enjoying life down at the Cattery and feels accepted by all the players.

“At the start I really had no idea what to expect because I’d never been in the footy environment before," he said.

“Wondering if people would get along with me and all that stuff. But it was completely different to what I thought.

“From Sel down to the first year players, they are all caring and want to help you.”

It was a bold move by Luxford to change career paths, but after two years at an AFL club he feels like it was the right choice.

“I’m enjoying footy. It’s an amazing place to play and I’m loving every minute of it,” Luxford said.

“I thought I would’ve missed (basketball) more, considering I played it since I was four years old, but the transition has been really smooth.”

Being an Australia junior basketballer has its perks as Luxford usually comes out on top in any shootaround or basketball scratch-match he faces at the Cats.

But the Geelong players have been more envious of Luxford’s friendship with certain NBA stars, most notably Utah Jazz point guard Dante Exum.

Exum was spotted watching Luxford when the Cats took on Footscray in the VFL, causing the young Cat to receive some extra attention from other Geelong players.

“It was funny, one guy asked me when Dante will be around. I told him he is here today and then the word got out and everyone was coming up to me.”

With Luxford now a fully-fledged footballer, he has set his sights on an AFL debut after getting a taste of AFL action during the NAB Challenge.

Luxford played in the Cats’ NAB Challenge match against Gold Coast in Townsville, which he saw as a great learning experience.

“I wasn’t really expecting much in the preseason. I just thought I’d do my thing and I was lucky enough to go to Townsville, which was a pretty amazing experience,” he said.

“I was pretty proud of myself, getting that opportunity to play. Even though it was just one game, you still get the taste of how the AFL system works.”