NBL veteran, former state league stars lead talents to watch in Basketball Qld QSL1 competition
It’s the inaugural year for the Basketball Queensland QSL1 competition and we have identified some of the top talents to watch. SEE WHO MADE IT
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An NBL veteran, returning former QBL stars, state league veterans and up and coming prospects are all headlining the inaugural year of the Basketball Queensland QSL1 competition.
The league, which tipped-off last week, still features some of the state’s top basketball talents despite it being Queensland’s second-tier arena behind the NBL1 North and ahead of the QSL2.
It is the highest level for some clubs around the state including Gladstone, North Gold Coast and Toowoomba while also featuring some association’s second teams such as Southern Districts, Logan, the University of Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
With talents such as former Illawarra Hawks star guard Rhys Martin as well as former QBL sharpshooter and Gold Coast Blaze squad member David Gurney featuring for the North Gold Coast Seahawks, the QSL1 will be something to watch for basketball fans.
And The Courier-Mail will have the action with a game of the week livestreamed each round.
See the top talents to watch in the inaugural year of the QSL1 below:
BRISBANE CAPITALS
Aaron Tseng - Guard
A smart point guard, who leads the way on the defensive end, Tseng is a fast and physical player. Along with his intensity on defence, he is a guard who can finish around the basket as well as score from beyond the arc and also create for his teammates.
Alistair Campbell - Guard
Another good defender, who forms an incredibly tough backcourt with Aaron Tseng, Campbell is also tough in transition on the offensive end. He has a high basketball IQ with an impressive outside shot and ability to make plays inside the paint.
GLADSTONE PORT CITY POWER
Shay Telford - Guard
A player described as a “pocket rocket” by her coach Scott Lloyd, Telford is short in stature but is a giant on the defensive end. A mother-of-five, who are all under 12-years-old, and will have a massive impact for the Gladstone side this year.
Jameson McMullen - Guard
A dynamic guard, who comes to the team from Brisbane, and was a highly sort after player. Coach Scott Lloyd says McMullen “can defend all positions on the court and is our best scorer”. Will also bring some much-needed experience to the Gladstone side after years in the QBL with Mackay, South West Metro and Southern Districts.
Dylan Owen - Guard
Dylan is a local Gladstone product, who is a physical specimen. A Pure athlete that can jump out of the gym and can shoot the three and is unstoppable when he’s going down hill.
Daniel Green - Forward
Green is a savvy veteran that can score when needed. Has an extremely high basketball IQ and leads by example.
GOLD COAST ROLLERS
Jordan Billing - Guard/Forward
A talented rookie playing at senior level for the first time, Billing has been a part of the dominant Gold Coast junior girls sides, which have claimed multiple state championships, including the Under-18 title in January, as well as a National Club Championship in under-14s. Billing is an athletic wing, who can score inside and out.
Mikaylah Frankland - Forward/Centre
A strong post presence, who is also a Gold Coast junior, and will be a massive contributor to a Rollers side expected to be a strong contender this season. Frankland is a strong competitor and beloved teammate.
Josh Leaney - Forward/Centre
A bruising big man, who comes to the Gold Coast after years in the Brisbane Capitals program as well as in the US college basketball system. Leaney is a talented and mobile forward, who has exceptional touch around the basket and has an underrated offensive game from outside the key as well.
Kallum Marks - Guard
Another person who will have a massive impact on the Gold Coast’s chances of winning a QSL1 title, Marks is a solid point guard that makes his teammates better on both ends of the floor. Can create for others on the offensive end as well as find his own shot.
LOGAN THUNDER
Mary Barnett-Keresoma - Centre
A strong and physical big, Barnett-Keresoma has spent the past two seasons as part of the successful Logan Thunder women’s program and will be a key part for the club’s QSL1 team. A mobile and talented player on the offensive end, the New Zealand Tall Ferns squad member has the ability to score from the post or use her ball handling to make plays from further out.
Maya Entrop - Guard
Another member of the Thunder senior women’s program for the past two seasons, Maya Entrop will look to have a bigger impact on the QSL1 competition after having success at the junior level in under-21s and under-18s. A terror on the defensive end, Entrop also can score from the inside and outside as well as create for her teammates on the offensive end.
Javarne Hunt - Guard/Forward
A talented swingman, Hunt comes into the Logan senior program after an impressive past season, where he represented Queensland South at the National Championships. Hunt is an exceptional talent on the offensive end with the ability to light it up from the perimeter but also do damage in the paint.
Jahpri Watene - Forward
In his first year in the Thunder senior program, Watene comes in on the back of helping the club’s under-21 men’s team to a gold medal. A stretch big who can get hot quickly from the perimeter but also has the physicality and toughness to be a leader for Logan on the defensive end.
NORTH GOLD COAST SEAHAWKS
Lauren Jansen - Forward
A long, athletic, versatile small forward/power forward, who is an elite rebounder. Is a past Canberra Capitals development player and will be one of the top players in the competition after several impressive years with the Seahawks when they played in the QBL competition.
Krystle McKenzie - Guard
A strong, athletic, high IQ point guard who controls the tempo of the game. Makes her return to the court after several years on the sidelines following an impressive college career with the Washington State University Cougars. McKenzie is also a past under-17 Australian sapphires squad player.
Rhys Martin - Guard
The man with the best resume in the QSL1 competition, Rhys Martin suits up for the Seahawks with a long career in the NBL behind him, having played more than a decade for the Illawarra Hawks. Was known as one of the smartest players in the NBL and will bring an incredible amount of experience, knowledge and firepower to the Seahawks.
David Gurney - Forward
A sharpshooter who was previously a star in the QBL for the Gold Coast Rollers and also spent time as a squad member of the Gold Coast Blaze in the NBL. Returns to the court after several years in retirement but along with Martin, will form one of the best combinations in the league.
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SPARTANS
Lulu Twidale - Guard/Forward
A talented Spartans junior who comes into the QSL1 competition for her first season in the senior league. Twidale is an impressive athlete, who was part of the Queensland South team to recently compete at the National Under-18 Championships. Can score from both inside the paint and from the perimeter and is also an exceptional defender.
Summah Hanson - Forward
An extremely athletic forward, Summah Hanson is one of the top prospects for her age in the country and will get her first taste of senior basketball. A player who can do damage on the inside on the offensive end but also has the mobility and touch to extend her range, can also make an impact on the defensive end with her length.
Jordan Schwalger - Centre
A versatile, athletic and crafty big man, who is also part of the Spartans NBL1 squad. Schwalger will be a big presence inside the keyway for Southern Districts with his size and athleticism but can also hit from beyond the arc.
Kian Milburn - Guard
An energetic and hardworking point guard, who is also a member of the Spartans NBL1 squad. Milburn is a leader for the Southern Districts side who can cause issues for his opponents with his tough defence but can also make a big impact on the offensive end.
TOOWOOMBA MOUNTAINEERS
Shanelle Tolley - Guard/Forward
A long athletic swingman, who is a tenacious rebounder both offensively and defensively. Will be a threat putting heat on the basket all season long and will have a massive impact on the team. Comes to Toowoomba after being part of the Gold Coast Rollers team, which went to the QBL grand final series in 2019 and after a year playing college basketball.
Raquel Spies - Forward
An experienced player, who has spent several season in the state’s top league with the Brisbane Capitals who will being much-needed firepower to Toowoomba. Spies is a very active defender and regular gets herself into disruptive positions. A player, who is evolving on the offensive end and should continue to grow and thrive in the QSL.
Bailey Nwanevu - Forward
An extremely athletic but raw talent, who emerged in the QSL last season and was tasked at guarding the opposition’s best player each game. Nwanevu is a player who is a massive threat in transition and a flashy finisher around the basket.
Chris Longford - Forward
A big focal point for the Mountaineers, Longford has the physicality to be physical inside and bring offensive firepower for Toowoomba with his ability to finish at the rim. A strong offensive rebounder, who also provides a tough physical presence defensively.
UNIVERSITY OF SUNSHINE COAST RIP
Francis Donders - Guard
A sharpshooting guard, who will add firepower to the Rip side with her ability to hit the outside shot, as well as control the game from the point guard position. Will also bring experience to the USC team after several years in the QBL with Toowoomba, USC and the Brisbane Capitals.
Camryn Hughes - Forward
A talented forward who has also played at the QBL level and is a member of the USC NBL1 squad, Hughes is one of the key players for the Rip. Hughes is an athletic talent who can score in transition or from the outside.
Kai Bloom - Guard
An exciting young and athletic guard, Bloom will go into the season with extra confidence after getting his first taste at the top-tier in the QSL last year. Bloom has the ability to make plays with his speed and athleticism in transition, can hit the perimeter shot and will also make a big impact defensively.
Callum Parsons - Forward
A blue collar worker, Callum Parsons is one of the glue guys for the USC Rip side and also had time at the QSL level last year. Can make plays on the offensive end, especially above the rim but his impact will mainly be felt on the defensive end and on the boards.
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