Top NBL1 Central basketball young guns to watch in season 2024 revealed
The NBL1 Central basketball season tips off this weekend and we’ve listed the top young guns to watch in both the men’s and women’s competitions. See who made the cut.
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The 2024 NBL1 Central basketball season tips off this Saturday with a number of SA’s top up and coming stars ready to compete for silverware in what should be one of the competition’s most exciting years yet.
Ahead of this weekend’s opening round, we’ve listed the top young guns of both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Here are our picks in alphabetical order.
LEM AJITH
(Southern Tigers)
Selected in the 2023-2024 SA U20 state program, Ajith was recruited by the Tigers ahead of NBL1 season 2024.
A versatile player who can perform in a number of roles on the court, Ajith provides plenty of length to his team and boasts reliable finishing skills on offence while also remaining a big presence defensively.
ROSIE AKOT
(Sturt Sabres)
A member of the U20 SA state performance program squad, 18-year-old Akot will be one to watch for the Sabres this season.
Akot is a tall and athletic forward who possesses guard skills, can bring the ball up and run an offence, and score from anywhere.
The rising star can finish as well as anyone inside and also shoot consistently from the outside.
ANGUS CROSBY
(North Adelaide Rockets)
Part of the U18 boys in Basketball SA’s emerging athlete program, Crosby has developed into one of the state’s top basketball prospects.
The 17-year-old is a skilled and explosive guard who can create for himself offensively and also defend multiple positions.
He could provide a youthful boost for the Rockets if he receives regular minutes this year.
PATRICK D’ARCY
(Sturt Sabres)
Patrick ‘Paddy’ D’Arcy is one of SA’s top young basketballers and is set to play an important role for Sturt this NBL1 Central season.
Currently representing Australia at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany, 17-year-old D’Arcy is a smooth and athletic wing who can defend and score as well as anyone on the perimeter.
SARAH DENG
(Central District Lions)
One of the quickest and most athletic players in the NBL1 Central women’s competition, Deng could be set to explode for Central District this season.
The 19-year-old has extensive experience representing SA at the national level and played her second season of NBL1 in 2023.
A skilled guard who can get to the rim and finish or hit shots from range, look for her to have a breakout year in 2024.
ALEX DODSON
(Norwood Flames)
One of the state’s fastest rising young prospects, 17-year-old Dodson has represented both the state and country through the past year.
An athletic and dominant forward who can score in a number of ways from range and in close on offence and also defend and rebound at a high level, Dodson could be set for a big year with the Flames.
SPENCER GAZE
(Central District Lions)
The nephew of Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze, Spencer has emerged as one of SA’s top prospects at the guard position.
At just 17 years old, Gaze can take over a game in a number of ways, whether it’s with his smarts on the defensive end, or his ability to dissect a defence as a floor general and setup his teammates or create for himself.
STEFAN GOULD
(Forestville Eagles)
One of the youngest players on Forestville’s NBL1 list, Gould is coming off of a 2023 season during which he showed positive signs of what might be to come in the future.
A promising 19-year-old shooting guard who can create for others and play solid defence, Gould could take the next step in 2024 and earn regular minutes.
SIENNA GRIEGER
(West Adelaide Bearcats)
Recently an SA U20 player, Grieger co-captained SA to a gold medal at the national championships last season.
The rising young star is an elite three-point shooter who can also facilitate for others while running the offence as a point guard.
If Grieger can continue her upward trajectory, the Bearcats will be hard to beat in 2024.
COCO HODGES
(West Adelaide Bearcats)
Another young star guard for West Adelaide who has had experience playing for both SA and Australia, 16-year-old Hodges could be set to make her mark at NBL1 level this season.
A smart and athletic player who can score, rebound and assist, Hodges could provide valuable minutes for the Bearcats.
HUDSON LINDNER
(Woodville Warriors)
A bright young star out of the Barossa, Lindner continues to make a name for himself for both Woodville and SA.
The 17-year-old is a skilled and versatile player who can perform as a winger, forward or guard when needed and impacts the game on both ends of the floor.
Was recently selected for the U18 SA Country Emerging Athlete Development Program.
LIAM NEVILLE
(Norwood Flames)
An SA U20 development player this season, teenage Norwood guard Liam Neville is set for a big year in basketball.
Neville is an explosive player in the backcourt who has elite handles and can finish inside over any defender.
He also has the ability to collapse defences and find the open man.
MIA PARKIN
(Norwood Flames)
Another U20 SA performance program player and a previous SA U18 player.
Parkin’s speed and athleticism in the open court can be dangerous against any defence and she can also spread the floor with reliable shooting from distance.
Look for her to have a big impact for the Flames this year when on the floor.
AIRLIE RAMSEY
(Eastern Mavericks)
A recent representative for the SA U20 team, sharpshooting playmaker Ramsey continues to prove she is one of the state’s top prospects in the sport.
A versatile with the ability to dominate games in a number of ways, Ramsey’s best performance for the Mavericks last season came against the championship-winning Flames, the young star posting a statline of 11 points, eight assists and four rebounds on the road.
LAURA RICHMOND
(South Adelaide Panthers)
A part of the SA U20 side which competed at nationals, star guard Richmond has continued to develop into a reliable player for South Adelaide.
Richmond is a strong and consistent defender who can run an offence and open up opportunities for teammates, Richmond could provide a consistent boost for the Panthers this season.
EMMY ROACH
(Eastern Mavericks)
A key part of the SA U20 side’s silver medal finish at the recent national championships, young wing Emmy Roach will fill an important role for the Mavericks this season.
Standing at six feet tall and boasting impressive all-round skills on both ends of the floor, Roach is set to bring a high level of energy and a big presence for her club this year.
JAXON SANGSTER
(North Adelaide Rockets)
An up and coming prospect at the guard position for North Adelaide, 20-year-old Sangster should see consistent bench minutes for the Rockets this season.
A solid defender and effective shooter, Sangster has the potential to be an important role player for his side.
JESS SIMONS
(Forestville Eagles)
A 2024 Adelaide Lightning development player, Jess Simons should play an integral role for Forestville’s women’s side this year.
The 19-year-old is a well-rounded guard who can score, create for teammates and defend at a high level.
Should provide valuable minutes for the Eagles this season and could help to lead her team to finals success if she continues to develop.
JONTY SMITH
(South Adelaide Panthers)
Brother of fellow South Adelaide young gun Daniel Smith, 19-year-old guard Jonty could be ready to reach another gear after time with the SA U20 side.
An athletic player who stands out defensively on the perimeter and can score and set up others, Smith could be someone the Panthers look to on their bench for impactful minutes.
BIANCA STASINOWSKY
(Southern Tigers)
Another Adelaide Lightning listed player, 19-year-old Stasinowsky is set for a standout season with the Tigers.
Stasinowsky is a strong and skilled forward who can defend and rebound at a high level and also score or find teammates for easy looks on the offensive end.
SEAN STOCK
(West Adelaide Bearcats)
A former SA U20 player who has major upside, 19-year-old guard Sean Stock has been identified as one to watch for West Adelaide after a standout preseason with the Bearcats.
Stock is a well-rounded player in the backcourt who can score from anywhere, rebound and create for teammates.
His athleticism and basketball IQ could prove to be important for his club in 2024.
WILL WIMSHURST
(Eastern Mavericks)
A superstar for SA Country’s U16 side last season, rising star wing and forward Will Wimshurst will be one to watch when he hits the court for the Mavericks this season.
Wimshurst is a gritty player who brings a high intensity on both ends of the floor and often makes winning plays for his team.
LUCY WOOTTON
(North Adelaide Rockets)
Often a dominant performer for South Australia, Wootton should play an important role for the Rockets when called upon.
A talented scorer who can finish at the rim or hit shots from distance, Wootton has also been selected as part of the SA U18 state performance program for this year.
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