Live stream: Meet the top boys at the Basketball Australia U16 National Championships

A kid likened to an NBL legend, the son of a triple-premiership AFL legend and an Insta-famous teen who’s trained with Josh Giddey are set to light up the U16 nationals. CHAMPS BIBLE

Sons, daughters, brothers and sisters of a host of current and former basketball and other sporting legends headline the diverse array of talent who will be on show at the 2023 U16 Australian National Championships in Perth.

Every match from the Basketball Australia Under-16s National Championships will be live streamed exclusively on KommunityTV from July 1-9.

U16 NATIONALS HUB: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, FULL SCHEDULE, DAILY STREAM LINKS

Victoria Metro have a shot at a third-straight Robert Young Shield after going undefeated last year, but they won’t have it all their own way in 2023 with two Queensland sides determined to upset the apple cart.

Everywhere you look across the boys tournament, there are stars of the future. From an Insta-famous teenager with the skills to back it up to a point-scoring national champion from the south of Adelaide, there is talent right across the boards in Perth.

News Corp Australia’s leading basketball writer Michael Randall takes a look at the players to watch at the tournament, hosted by Warwick Basketball Association.

U16 BOYS FULL ROSTERS AND PLAYERS TO WATCH

ACT

FULL SQUAD

Vinicius Thomson, Reece Harrigan, William MacLeod, Carlo Caranguian, Nicholas Wen, Jordan Doherty, Kanyi Menakaya, Sam Steel, Parker Hobbs, Ryan Gooch

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kanyi Menakaya, ACT U16 boys.

Reece Harrigan: A certified bucket-getting guard who is pouring in 34 points per game in the Molten Junior Premier League, putting him atop the MVP race. A consistent scoring threat from inside and out, Reece, who plays with Tuggeranong Southern Cross, has a 50-piece to his name (54) to go with a 46-point night.

Ryan Gooch: Second to Harrigan in JPL MVP voting, the big forward possesses a versatile scoring game that has allowed him to drop more than 28 points per game — including a 41-point monster. The Ginninderra Rats gun is focused and dedicated in his efforts to improve his game and take the next step in his journey.

Kanyi Menakaya: A perennial junior rep in the capital, Kanyi matches speed with a rapidly improving scoring game. He’s producing 25 points per game in JPL and that includes two 30-point games.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

FULL SQUAD

Jayden Newell, Aidan Anstess, Ashton Abbott, Jay-D Goodworth-Hanning, San Maher, Eamon McInnes, Mitchell Hardy, Liam Glencross, William Magrath, Romeo Link

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Aidan Anstess: With last year’s experience at the U16 Nationals under his belt, point guard Aiden will shoulder a heavy leadership load in what has been touted as one of the better squads NT has assembled in recent years. Aidan can create his own shot, reads the court like a book and equally loves to set up his teammates for easy buckets.

Romeo Link: One of the most-talented players on the NT roster, a huge guard who is great in transition with a knack for putting the ball in the hoop. A very athletic wing type who finishes well around the rim and is an excellent passer. Does a little bit of everything.

NSW COUNTRY

FULL SQUAD

Joshua Boyle, Tyrone Ah Wong, Benjamin Flegeltaub, Rohan Greentree, Solomon Liu, Charles Mogg, Isaac Turton, Aki Langford, Brodi Kirby, Jett Chaniotis

Josh Boyle, U16 NSW Country Boys.

Brodie Kirby, U16 NSW Country Boys.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Joshua Boyle is the only NSW Country boys player with nationals experience, having last year represented the side as a bottom ager. Joshua possesses lightning speed at the guard spot and will be a team leader for Country. Can’t miss big men Brodi Kirby and Jett Chaniotis are an imposing pair, while athletic guards Aki Langford and Charlie Mogg are key scorers and distributors.

NSW METRO

FULL SQUAD

Bol Diing, Kingsley Barnett, Bailey Hanson, Austin Prosser, Trasel Rone, Antonio Browne, Dominik Lisica, Zion Okeke, Jamaal Osikoya, Nikola Valkovic

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Players from associations all over Sydney have come together to form this year’s Metro NSW team, with players from Western Sydney (Hills and Blacktown) to North (Norths and Manly), South (Sydney Comets) and the South-West (Bankstown).

Kingsley Barnett, U16 NSW Metro Boys.

Trasel Rone, U16 NSW Metro Boys.

This team possesses good size in Nikola Valkovic, Jamaal Osikoya and Zion Okeke, smart guard play in Bol Diing and Bailey Hanson and tough defenders in Trasel Rone and Kingsley Barnett.

QLD NORTH

FULL SQUAD

Andrew Watene, Jackson Alderson, Noah Andersen, Regan Blachford, Braith Turner, Issac Weldon, Joshua Hosking, Saxon Toyne, Kai Hughes, Elijah Girdler

Andrew Watene, U16 Qld North Boys.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Andrew Watene: A crafty, bottom-age scoring guard, Andrew is one of the most exciting, young Queensland prospects in his age group. The Rockhampton native has great leadership qualities, able to carry his representative teams to success. It’s his first time playing at a national aged tournament and many eyes will be on how he handles the occasion.

QLD SOUTH

FULL SQUAD

Jayden Cecil, Noah Stauber, Sam McDowell-White, Sam Scott, Angus Kearney, Charlie Winks, Mitchell Chen, Elijah Tuupo, Harry Cook

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Basketball Queensland South U16 Boys player Sam McDowell-White. Picture: Basketball Queensland

Sam McDowell-White: With gun guard Noah Kirk withdrawing due to injury, much rests on the shoulders of the rest of the Queensland South squad to fill a gaping hole.

Fortunately, they can lean on the regal sporting pedigree of Sam McDowell-White, brother of New Zealand Breakers’ NBL star Will and son of Brisbane Lions three-time AFL premiership player Darryl White. Sam is a high-IQ passing point guard who has great ability to control the flow of a game — just like Will. He’s great at getting his teammates involved and is developing as a scorer, something North will need him to do in order for them to be successful.

Jayden Cecil: Another bottom-age point guard who will share duties with and alongside Sam, Jayden is already Insta-famous, with over 35,000 followers. Boasting plenty of swagger, Cecil tore up the U14 nationals and has worked with trainer to the NBA stars Jordan Lawley — alongside the likes of Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels. Jayden travels to AAU tournaments each year to compete against US talent and has a bright future in the sport.

SA COUNTRY

FULL SQUAD

Henry Pedler, Hudson Boal, Finley Roach, Kale Matthews-Hampton, Hudson Croser, Jacob Sim, Ethan MacDermot, Cooper Mugford, Lachlan Keynes, William Wimshurst

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kale Matthews-Hampton: Poured in 26 points and was named MVP in South Adelaide’s grand final victory at the National Junior Classic, Kale is a gun combo guard who will handle plenty of the ball but is equally proficient without it. Can get his own off the dribble or knock them down on catch and shoot chances. Scoring machine.

Ethan MacDermot: A big wing who might be one of the best pure shooters at the tournament. Three-pointers are like lay-ups if you leave this gun open. Poured in 22 points for Eastern Hills in a losing effort in the U16 Div 1 grand final at the SA Junior Country Championships.

SA METRO

FULL SQUAD

Aidan Grieger, Luke Pfitzner, Jordan Aldridge, Mack Schaftenaar, Charlie Pedler, Hudson Hynes, Kade Monteleone, Harrison Chambers, Koby Moir, Isaac Riddle

PLAYERS TO WATCH

SA Metro’s Koby Moir. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Koby Moir: A teammate of Country rival Kale Matthews-Hampton in South Adelaide’s National Junior Classic grand final win, Moir played a key role with 22 points, but will now square off on opposing teams. A natural scorer, he has regal sporting pedigree — brother Ashton Moir is rated one of the top AFL draft chances for 2023 and mum and dad both represented Australia in taekwondo.

Isaac Riddle: Dunking machine with size and athleticism, Finished sixth among scorers at this year’s National Junior Classic with Forestville Eagles.

TAS

FULL SQUAD

Harry Blyth, Mason Ling, Oliver Freeland, Alex Lamprey, Luke McCoy, Sam Percival, Tom Ryan, Jack Smith, Dexter Upton, Campbell Waterhouse

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mason Ling: The Tassie side will look for its leadership from the experienced Ling, who was the only boy to compete at last year’s nationals. He’s a versatile wing who loves to slash to the hoop and crash the glass. His work rate will set the tone for the team.

Mason Ling, U16 Tasmania Boys.

Campbell Waterhouse, U16 Tasmania Boys.

Campbell Waterhouse: A developing wing who has the versatility to defend multiple positions with his great size and length. Adds rebounding and a scoring ability that makes him a tough proposition at both ends of the floor.

VIC COUNTRY

Floyd Brooks, Hugh Buckby, Hamish Gill, Alex Gray, Samuel Haslett, Keegan Johnson, Sonny Maxwell, Finn McGinty, Elijah McKenzie, Zacharie Morrell

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hugh Buckby, U16 Victoria Country.

Hugh Buckby: An elite shooter, at 193cm Buckby is only 15, but has been dunking for several years. Buckby broke the all-time St Joseph’s College standing vertical leap record of 85cm as a Year 9 student and is a three-level scorer who could be one of the favourites for tournament MVP.

Keegan Johnson: An eye-catching lefty scoring point guard who is lightning quick and loves to get downhill and finish at the rim. A Vic source said Johnson had traits that reminded him of Perth Wildcats NBL legend Ricky Grace. The Ocean Grove kid had a 40-point game as an U12 and has been filling it up ever since.

VIC METRO

FULL SQUAD

Tom Dammers, Austin Kirikiri, Logan Hamilton, Sam Martin, Ivan Muric, Petar Talevski, Denver Warry, Charles Webb, Charlie Wilson, Zane Windsor

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tom Dammers: An athletic Nunawading Spectres guard who has the ability to slash to the hoop, but the bottom-ager’s calling card is his rugged defence, able to guard four positions on the perimeter.

Charles Webb: Inside giant who eats glass for breakfast, lunch and tea, if you score on the Knox big unit, you know you’ve earnt it. Webb is raw, but developing and his combination of size and mobility makes him a tough match up.

WA COUNTRY

FULL SQUAD

Gavin Deacon, Cale Buzzard, Zayde Parriman, Nicholas Brabazon, Lowell Jude Christopher, Joel Gillett, William Triffitt, Billy McCrae, Max De San Miguel, Trent Faulkner

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Billy McCrae, U16 WA Country Boys.

Billy McCrae: Billy is one of the returning team members from last years U16 Country boys team and will need to use that experience to lead his team at this year championships. He is a guard who has good size and athleticism. Country will look to him to provide both leadership and plenty of scoring punch at this year’s tournament.

Cale Buzzard: Basketball is often a big journey for Cale Bazzard, who hails from Karratha, 1500 kms north of Perth. His size and length give him a natural ability to impact the game at both ends of the floor. While this is his first time representing his state, he has already established himself as a key member of this year’s team.

WA METRO

FULL SQUAD

William Hantke, Luke Paul, Andreas Grubisa, Lasiana Edgar, Lachlan Burnett, Marley Sam, Channing Olowoyo, Max Dimmock, Alexander Powderly, Kuron Lodu Swaka Lo Buluk

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Max Dimmock, U16 WA Metro Boys.

Max Dimmock: Max is a member of the Perth Wildcats’ academy and brother of 2023 U18 Nationals representative Charlie Dimmock, who recently participated in the NBA ASIA Basketball Without Boarders Camp. Max brings a unique mix of size and mobility and will impact the game from the inside and out.

Lasiana Edgar: ‘Lasi’ is an athletic guard who plays for U16 National Championship host association Warwick Senators and is also a member of the Perth Wildcats academy. A three-level scorer who plays above the rim, Lasi will need to have a big impact for the WA Metro Boys team to have success at this year’s championships.