AIC Basketball 2023: Top 24 talents to watch this season

From state representatives to youngsters making their way up – this year’s talent pool for AIC Basketball is stacked as we reveal the 24 names to catch in action. SEE THE LIST

TOP TALENTS: The 24 names to watch in AIC Basketball season 2023.

As school basketball competitions tip-off all around the state, we reveal the top talents to watch across AIC Basketball in 2023 and from state representatives to youngsters making their way up – this year’s player pool is stacked.

This year’s campaign will start on July 22 as seven schools aim to chase down the back-to-back defending champions in Villanova College to bring a premiership to their campus.

Led by Queensland state guard Mason Honeyman, Villanova will prove a tough challenge to overcome but other schools are hot on their heals and a ready to contend after finalising preparations during the preseason.

See 24 of the top players to watch this AIC Basketball this season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN AIC BASKETBALL SEASON 2023

IONA COLLEGE

SAM COLLEY

Iona College AIC Basketball talent Sam Colley.

Sam brings intensity and high-level basketball IQ into Iona’s First V Team for 2023.

He has representing division one at club level as well as Metropolitan East in the school sport domain, which brings along a wealth of experience in what will be a strong AIC competition. Sam is the type of player that will have his fingerprints all over games and he’ll do so on both ends of the floor.

ROBERT HINKLER

Iona College big man Rob Hinkler.

Iona’s big man comes into his senior year full of confidence after developing throughout the 2022 AIC Season. Under the tutelage of head coach, Carl Forbes, Rob has really come into his own and will look to dominate at the centre position. He is a big man who plays at both ends of the field and has the ability to take over games at any moment.

ZANE MACRAE

Zane will be one to watch over the upcoming AIC season – a young man with a dynamic skill set and athletic ability to match, his ceiling knows no bounds. An athlete who can set the tone with rim-rocking dunks down one end but makes a significant two-way impact with lockdown defence. Zane will captain the side again in 2023 after leading Iona in 2022 as a Year 11 student and has high expectations for the team again this season.

MARIST COLLEGE, ASHGROVE

MATT GIBSON

A talented point guard who is in his third season with the Marist College First V. Matt will lead the way this AIC season for his team with his high energy and hustle plays, which can lift a team towards victory.

JACK FORRESTER

Another returning player for Marist College is power forward Jack Forrester. The versatile talent is a good mover and is fast on his feet, which will give Marist a major boost on both the defensive and offensive ends of the floor.

WILL FORD

Continuing Marist College’s returning contingent from the 2022 season is Will Ford. The youngster is a shooting guard who can do damage from the perimeter and also has good hands to make a difference on defence but also boosts his side with his team-first mentality.

DECLAN TUNNY

Helping Marist feature a strong front court is another power forward in Declan Tunny, who is also another returning player from 2022. Declan’s biggest attribute is arguably his consistency with his ability just to get the job done with no fuss.

PADUA COLLEGE

SAM MANSFIELD AND DARBY BREEDAN

Sam Mansfield is Padua College’s anchor on defence coordinating their structure and standing tall to provide a presence inside the keyway. Darby Breedan is a crafty point guard with a soft touch from beyond the arc and together the pair form a potent duo that will look to shake up the AIC season.

ST EDMUND’S COLLEGE IPSWICH

JOSH AFFLECK

Josh Affleck from St Edmund's College.

Josh Affleck is a young scoring guard who’s back in the St Edmund’s First V for his second season. He is a strong shooter who’s starting to score at all three levels and causes problems for opposition side with his speed as well as crafty and strong handle.

BRODIE BETTIENS

Brodie Bettiens from St Edmund's College.

A young wing who had a very good season last year in the AIC competition, Brodie Bettiens has been developing his guard skills as he looks to transition from the forward spot to the guard spot, which he has been working hard at this in the offseason. Is a player who uses his strong frame well to get heat on the rim and attack in transition.

HAMISH ASQUITH

Hamish Asquith from St Edmund's College.

Hamish is a third year player who’s bounced back from missing out on opportunities last year. He’s put in a lot of hard work and improved out of sight and has been a standout in St Edmund’s preseason. He’s a great shooter off the dribble with his coach saying he “should be proud of his improvement and will be very important to the team this year”.

ETHAN BATTENSBY

Ethan Battensby from St Edmund's College.

Another young player who’s coming back for his second season, Ethan Battensby rovides great length and athleticism and brings great energy to the team. He is a developing offensive player, who was the team’s Defensive Player of the Year last year.

ST LAURENCE’S COLLEGE

TOMAS KOKO

St Laurence's College AIC Basketball guard Tomas Koko.

Tomas Koko is a lightning fast point guard, who can cause havoc on the defensive end but most of all is developing into a great team leader for St Laurence’s College as they embark on another AIC Basketball season.

SAMUEL GEARY

A quickly developing forward with good hands, Samuel Geary is a late comer to the game but is quickly developing into a very useful front court player.

ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE

GEORDIE MURPHY

A 191cm versatile power forward or centre, who can play in the post but becomes very difficult to guard when he steps out to shoot three pointers. The senior will be the key for St Patrick’s as a senior member or the team his experience will be vital for a successful campaign.

HUNTER ADAMS

Hunter Adams has great size for guard and is a very quick, quality athlete. His speed allows him to create shots for himself either on drives, in transition or by gaining separation on the perimeter. Using a quick release, he is an effective shooter from mid-range to beyond the three-point line, hitting shots off the dribble and coming off screens.

MASON KEOGH

The Year 11 student’s vision and passing is easily one of the most controlling influences on the court. Knows how to run a team and raises the level of play of his teammates. Mason has an excellent handle on the ball, dynamic speed and is very tough to contain one-on-one.

ANGUS KEARNEY

A youngster, who is only in Year 10 but is already set to make a major impact. When he is hot, Angus is almost unstoppable. He’ll score on three pointers, mid-range jump shots and floaters in the lane. Will burn defenders up the court with shear speed for easy transition points. Although in Year 10, Angus is already one of the best guards in the AIC competition.

ST PETER’S LUTHERAN COLLEGE

TSUBASA DUGGAN

A senior combo guard who has had a good offseason developing his game. Tsubasa is a disruptive creator off the bounce with a sweet stroke, look for him to bring his creative style of play to the ST Peter’s Firsts this season.

TOM GRAETZ

Tom Graetz is a senior guard who can play multiple positions. His leadership, energy and IQ will play an important role for the team this season and his knack for 50/50 balls and never-say-die attitude is essential for his side’s success.

EFRAM WANANDI

St Peter’s youngest player making his debut this season is Efram Wanandi. As a Year 9 student, Efram consistently shows passion, skill, and grit on the court. With excellent court vision and confidence, Efram continuous to flourish each practice and game and look for him to gain experience at the point guard position this season.

VILLANOVA COLLEGE

MASON HONEYMAN

Villanova College guard Mason Honeyman.

A talented combo guard who is arguably the best player in the AIC Basketball competition. At a young age, Mason has already done it all as far as representing his state on the national championships stage. Coming from good stock in his dad and former Brisbane Bullet Aaron Honeyman, Mason is a player who can score the ball at will, is a high IQ player and a great leader.

JACKSON MOLONEY

Forming a dynamic combination with Mason Honeyman is power forward Jackson Moloney. Jackson is a hard-nosed, versatile forward who isn’t afraid of the moment and will have a big impact for Villa this season.