Illawarra Basketball Association stars clean up at 2022 Basketball NSW Annual Awards

The Illawarra Basketball Association has been recognised for a highly successful 2022 season, with two individuals taking home top prizes at the Basketball NSW Annual Awards. READ MORE ABOUT THE WINNERS.

THE Illawarra Basketball Association has had a very successful 2022 season, recognised through the Basketball NSW Annual Awards.

The awards were announced on Sunday the 29th of January, with this being the first time since 2019 the awards have been held due to Covid.

The Illawarra Basketball Association was awarded the Chairman’s Award, recognising the top association of the year.

Oscar Forman, Executive General Manager of the Illawarra Basketball Association, said: “Basketball Illawarra are delighted to have won the Chairman’s award for Association of the Year.

“This award recognises the hard work the organisation has put into developing new programs and fostering a great family atmosphere for NBL1 games.

“We look forward to continuing to provide quality programs for our members, and to growing our presence within the basketball community.

“We believe that everyone should have access to the fun and excitement of basketball, and we are dedicated to working together to ensure more people have access to a range or programs to suit all needs.”

Joshua Dent, NSW Country Junior Male of the Year recipient, at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in 2022. Photo: Contributed

After a stellar 2022, youngster Joshua Dent was the recipient of Basketball NSW’s Gordon McLeod Country Junior Male award.

The 17 year old from Wollongong is currently in New York as a part of his travels with the NBA Global Academy, of which he received a scholarship for in 2017.

As a part of this scholarship, the talented point guard now plays for the Centre of Excellence out of the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

In 2022, Dent captained the NSW Country team at the U18 National Championships, where they picked up 4th place.

Joshua Dent taking a drive at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in 2022. Photo: Contributed

He was a part of the Australian U17 side that competed in the Asian Cup in Qatar.

He also captained the Australian side for the U17 FIBA World Cup in Spain, in which the side finished in 6th place.

A very busy year for the talented teenager resulted in a stress fracture in his back, which he has only recently recovered from.

Looking ahead to 2023, Dent will be looking for more continual development of his game competing in the NBL1 East.

Luke Pople for the Wollongong Roller Hawks. Photo: Ashlee Willis Photography

The other award winner for the Illawarra was Luke Pople, who was awarded Wheelchair Player of the Year by Basketball NSW.

One of Wollongong’s prized sporting exports and a highly decorated wheelchair basketball player, in 2022 Pople took a 4th straight WNBL title with the Wollongong Roller Hawks, as well as captaining Australia to a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in the 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball.

Luke Pople (R) during the para-men's Wheelchair 3x3 Basketball event on day one of the Commonwealth Games at Smithfield in Birmingham, central England, on July 29, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK / AFP)

“It’s great to be recognised for this award,” People said.

“I cannot take all the credit though.

“I have great teammates, coaches and my family behind me to push and help me succeed.”

Pople has recently signed a deal in the French Wheelchair League with CS Meux, offering a new challenge to a great of the sport.

“The goal here is to continue to better my game and hopefully push for a French Championship going into the back end of the season,” Pople said.

Pople has his eyes set on selection for the upcoming World Championships in Dubai, as well as the Paris Paralympic Games in 2024.