Basketball Australia U18 and Junior Wheelchair National Championships 2024 day three live blog
You might think the tallest player at the U18 Nationals has grown up with a basketball in his hands – but WA’s Jongkuch Mach is only a newcomer to the court. Read the tournament live blog.
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When you’re taller than Brisbane Bullets’ 7’3” Next Star Rocco Zikarsky, you get used to being the centre of attention.
But 16-year-old 225cm high rise Jongkuch Mach – 7’4” in the old scale – takes it all in his massive stride.
Mach, who is representing WA Metro at this year’s Basketball Australia U18 National Championships, only found the game two years ago when he was encouraged by friends to take advantage of his remarkable stature on the court.
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Mach is so tall he has to sleep on an angle and requires a bar stool at the end of the physio table to support his feet when he is getting treatment.
In a short period, Mach’s taken big strides in his game, making his first nationals squad and learning the finer arts of professionalism as part of the Perth Wildcats’ junior academy.
The truth is, despite the incredible height that makes him one of the most intriguing players at the Brisbane tournament, he wasn’t overly interested in the game until he gave in to the urgings of friends.
“To be honest, I was kind of pushed into playing, because I was tall,” Mach said.
“But I love the game now, it’s just been fun to me ever since I played.”
And he now sees a future in the sport – with a focus on building up his ultra-lean body.
“I want to get better at my defence, sometimes I block a lot of shots, but I want to get better at that,” he said.
“I’ve been getting a lot of coaching and I want to improve on my touch around the rim.”
Mach is used to people staring at him. He doesn’t mind.
“To be honest, I tower over everyone, people stare, it’s great,” he said.
The gawkers tend to irk his WA Metro teammates more, who are protective over their much-loved teammate, team manager Brent Alexander said.
“They get around him and they’re very mindful of him,” Alexander said.
Mach’s height has presented Alexander with situations he’s had to problem solve during this week’s tournament.
“I’ve had to put a barstool under his feet on the physio table in the hotel room because he’s too long for the table,” he said.
WHY SON OF AN NBA DRAFT PICK IS MORE THAN JUST A NAME
When your father is a former NBA draft pick who played all over the world before settling in Australia, people in high basketball places are going to know your name.
But anyone who sees 16-year-old Marcus Vaughns quickly realises he’s an elite basketball prospect, regardless of his pedigree.
The broad shoulders, long limbs, huge hands and height – 6’6” with a remarkable 6’11” wingspan – immediately catch the eye before he’s even bounced a ball.
Then, when he hits the floor, there’s a breathtaking athleticism and will to play defence beyond his tender years that gives a tantalising glimpse of the player the Eltham Wildcats product is destined to become.
The son of respected Brian Vaughns, who was drafted by Milwaukee in 1987 and played four games in the NBL with Geelong Supercats in 1990, has had a whirlwind few months as one of the newest members of the prestigious NBA Global Academy, embarking on his first National Championships campaign as an U18 top ager.
It’s enough to catch the eye of South East Melbourne, with head coach Mike Kelly a friend of father Brian, who mentored a teenage Tommy Greer, the club’s chief executive.
“Mike was good friends with my dad and called me down to do some workouts,” Marcus said.
“I’ve been away from home since late January when I decided to join the NBA Global Academy.
“It’s my first time away from home but it’s been really good and really easy to settle in.”
Marcus is already becoming known for doing the dirty work. The little things few people notice, but coaches absolutely love.
It’s on the defensive end where it starts for him
“I feel like that’s one of my strong points in my game, defence,” he said.
“I know I need to improve, I want to get better at my on-ball defence and full-court defence.
“I think I’m really good at anticipating and getting blocks and steals.”
Vaughns might be the early favourite for Defensive Player of the Tournament, with five blocks and five steals across his first two games, one particular effort an instinctual, desperate close out rejection on a corner three from SA Metro’s talismanic point guard James Mackenzie.
The offence is raw, but developing. He’s right-handed, but shoots with his left, so the jumpshot, right now, is far from textbook – although he did bank in an and-one trey that helped lift Vic Metro to a 90-81 win over a competitive SA Metro outfit.
“Our boys, we’ve just got so much length and we have a lot of depth,” Marcus said.
“Anyone on this team can score 20 points on any night, so we have so many guys who can step up.”
College, the NBL – and the NBA, of course – sit among his goals for the future.
Those are my ambitions right now, but then I want to make the NBA, that’s the ultimate goal,” he said.
The opportunity to learn under three-time NBL champion – and immortal Illawarra Hawk – Matt Shanahan is already reaping dividends.
“I’m already learning things off Matt, he’s really good, very knowledgeable,” Marcus said of the Vic Metro head coach – who owns five nationals gold medals as a junior back in the day, said.
“He’ll get on you about stuff you wouldn’t even know you’re doing wrong.
“He sees that stuff and it helps you be and stay ready.”
Shanahan knows after the Metro team surprised by winning last year’s gold the likes of elite leader Harrison Beauchamp and ultimate winner Ryder Cheesman – who both started for Vic Metro in that shock run last year.
“Last year we won gold, we were probably underdog last year,” Shanahan said.
“I think we’re probably the hunted now, it’s probably different and everyone’s going to put their best foot forward against us.
“That will make the gold medal all the more sweeter – if they can make it through an ultra tough schedule.”
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