Live stream: Top male players to watch at National Junior Basketball Classic this weekend (National Junior Classic )
Could the next Josh Giddey or Jock Landale be discovered at the National Junior Basketball Classic this long weekend? Here’s a look at the top boys players to look out for.
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Some of Australia’s best young junior talents will be on display at the National Junior Classic.
Teams from across Australia will descend on Melbourne’s southeast this Queen’s Birthday weekend for a huge three days of basketball.
The Herald Sun will live stream 128 games across the weekend thanks to a partnership with Basketball Victoria.
Here’s our list of top boys prospects across the weekend.
Mofeoluwa (Nathan) Adio, Casey under 12s
A young gun on the rise, Adio has already been named as a Jamboree representative.
Alex Adol, Norwood under 12s
A dynamic guard who loves penetrating and making plays. He has a good touch on floaters and an ever-improving outside game. Adol is a disruptive defender and his energy makes him a real barometer for the Flames.
Khoder Ali, Westgate Imperials under 12s
The tall and versatile centre is averaging just under 14 points a game in the VJBL as his team prepares to represent the Westgate association at this tournament for the first time. Ali took out his team’s MVP in his first season of representative basketball in 2021.
Lachy Bayly and Cooper Rosen, Sydney Comets under 12s
Two players with famous connections to the Sydney Kings. Cooper, the starting point guard, is the son of Kings legend Brad Rosen. Bayly is the grandson of long-time Kings team manager Laurie Watterson.
Ethan Bolton, Casey under 18s
One of the big name players at this tournament. Bolton is an under 17 Australian squad team member and was part of the Vic Metro team which won silver at the under 18 national championships earlier in April.
Mitch Buley, Southern Tigers under 16s
A dynamic and exciting guard who has been named in the SA Metro under 16s team.
Bailey Bruce, Geelong United under 18s
A crafty, savvy guard with great court vision and a deadly 3-point shot, Bruce is a player that opponents can’t let out of their sight. Whether it’s dropping a dime or draining a three from range, his composure and decision-making helps steer his team through tough situations time and time again.
Fletcher Burger, Ballarat under 18s
Burger has previously represented Vic Country at national level. He is a talented, strong and extremely athletic wing man whose effectiveness on both ends of the floor is a catalyst to his team’s success. A super lockdown defender who thrives on challenge of stopping an opponent’s impact and influence on a game. He will bure to throw down one, if not two, of the most prolific dunk highlight plays of the weekend.
Ace Burgiel, Dandenong under 12s
The captain of the Rangers team. He is a lightning quick and tenacious point guard who plays both ends of the court exceptionally well. Burgiel can out rebound bigger opponents while also showing off his ball handling skills. He comes from Maffra and was recently part of his hometown’s Country Championships winning team. Averaging 14ppg.
Truman Byrne, Casey under 18s
Byrne has previously represented Vic Metro at under 16 level having earned a call up last year. He is a Victorian National Performance Program member.
Tom Cunningham, Keilor under 16s
A stretch four, Cunningham has stepped into the starting five position with his teammate sidelined with a fractured footy. He can play across the three to five and has previously shown the ability to shoot the three ball.
Ethan Custodio, Hills Hornets under 14s
Custodio is a guard who has been part of the Hornets’ representative program since 2020.
Lachlan Dennis, Southern Tigers under 16s
A forward who can also play at the five, Dennis has been selected for the SA Country under 16 team.
Alex Dodson, Norwood under 18s
Dodson is currently the leading scoring in the South Australian under 18s division 1 competition, averaging 24ppg as a first year. Listed at 6’6”, he is a dynamic 3-level scorer who does it all on both ends of the floor. Dodson is also currently working at the AIS program in Canberra and represents the SA state team.
Emre Fisk, Woodville under 16s
Fisk is a combo guard who was recently selected in the SA Metro U16 boys state team, leading the District comp in scoring at just under 22ppg. He has the ability to score the ball in multiple ways. He is well respected by his teammates and is always front of mind in opposition minds when working out how to stop this Woodville group.
Luke Fennell, Knox under 18s
Made the Vic Metro 18 state team as a bottom age player. Has all the skills at both ends of the court. Can score inside and outside. Stretches the defence with his outside shooting.
Joel Foxwell, Bulleen under 18s
Played a key part for Vic Metro at the under 18 national championships where he averaged 13.75 points per game. He can also have a strong influence at the defensive end.
Ollie Greeves, Knox under 16s
A fine all-round multiple sport star that has a well-developed skillset at both ends of the court. Greeves has the ability to make everybody around him better.
Sam Hughes, Forestville under 16s
Hughes’ athletic profile allows him to play much bigger than he is. A state representative in the metro team earlier this year.
Elijah Honeyford, Casey under 12s
Another Casey player who is a Jamboree representative. A must watch player.
Oscar Humble, Sandringham under 18s
Humble has enjoyed a strong season in the VJBL regularly contributing on the offensive end while he is also disruptive defensively.
Jye Huppatz, Norwood under 12s
A Kevin Durant-type forward with a beautiful outside shot and nice floater game in the paint. Huppatz is an exciting prospect with the potential to reach the highest level going forward.
Brooklyn Ili, Hills Hornets under 16s
The co-captain of his side, the young guard has been selected in the NSW Metro team this year. He was a national club champion in 2019.
Lucas Impey, Ballarat under 18s
Impey has been selected in Victorian teams on three occasions including for the under 18 national championships in April. He is a versatile big man whose athletic attributes make him a very difficult match up both inside and outside of the paint. A strong and disciplined defender who can switch and guard 1 through to 5. The leader of the team, who was very stiff to miss out on Australian selection and now has a point to prove.
Ayden Kenshole, Geelong United under 14s
A playmaking guard who combines a blue-collar work ethic with a flair for the creative. Leading by example, Kenshole sets the tone at both ends of the floor, creating headaches for opposition defenders and coaches alike.
Sebastien Khan, Dandenong under 16s
Khan has previously won a silver medal at this event. He is a point guard with dazzling skills to break the game open with a moment of brilliance. He is part of the Victorian State Development Program.
Ben Lamb, Westgate Imperials under 12s
Lamb is his team’s starting point guard and has recently been voted as captain. His dad, Chris, is a former AFL player who also represented Australia at under 16 and 18 level. Ben has been selected for Basketball Victoria’s Jamboree for under 12s.
Thomas Lea, Dandenong under 16s
A shooting guard with previous big tournament experiencing having won a bronze with the Rangers at this competition before. Lea is also a Vic Metro representative and has shown off his skills on the 3x3 circuit this year.
James Mackenzie, Forestville under 16s
An athletic and well skilled guard, Mackenzie was recently selected in SA’s under 16 metro team.
Giancarlo Nalupta, Woodville under 16s
Nalupta is an all-round player who demonstrates exceptional basketball fundamentals both offensively and defensively at the age. He is highly recognised with his basketball IQ and has high respect for his coaches, teammates and opponents.
Jesse Nassif, Whittlesea
Nassif is a strong power forward who has a strong inside presence. He has played for the Pacers since 2019.
Liam Neville, Norwood under 18s
Listed at 6’2”, Neville is currently leading the SA under 18s division 1 competition in 2PM. The crafty left hander has an ability to weave through defences to put himself and his teammates in perfect positions to score. Along with his offensive abilities, Neville is a two-way player as he is the team’s defensive anchor. He is currently seventh in scoring averaging 16.6ppg.
Nicholas Nicolazzo, Whittlesea under 12s
Nicolazzo tried out for the Pacers side because he wanted to learn more about the game and it has paid huge dividends. He’s emerged into a dominant big man under the ring having put a strong focus on improving his inside game this season. One of the emerging young guns to watch.
Dusty Priela, Dandenong under 12s
At his young ag, Priela prides himself as a two-way player, impacting the result of his games on both ends. He is a triple threat player; he can drive to the ring, pull up for a mid-range, and knockdown threes at an efficient rate. He can play as a guard with his elite ball handling and passing but also as a forward with his physicality and rebounding.
Vaughn Prosser, Manly under 18s
Prosser is the captain of the team and the unit’s most complete player. He is a gifted athletic, blessed with speed, agility and some serious spring in his jump. He plays in the wing position and is very much the complete player at both ends. A player who can shoot from outside and finish at the rim, Prosser was a reserve for the NSW state team earlier this year.
Marko Rangan, Hills Hornets under 18s
A dominant forward who has been involved in the representative program since 2015. At the under 18 national championships with NSW Metro he shot 50.75 per cent averaging nine points a game.
Parker Rivet, Casey under 14s
Rivet has recently been part of the Country Metro Challenge and is a Future Development Program member, which is run by Basketball Victoria.
Fraser Roxburgh, Knox under 18s
A do it all player that has improved with every game in the 2022 season. Has the ability to score in many different ways, both inside and outside. Standing at 196cm and his athletic profile make Fraser a tough match-up for any defender.
Oscar Sabine, Norwood under 16s
A dominant five that can slide to the three spot and be a driving perimeter threat. Elite rebounder and defender who can guard 1-5. Smart offensive player who doesn’t force anything, is developing a consistent, soft and efficient touch around the basket. Great teammate, coachable, has the talent and ability to progress professionally if he chooses too.
El Scharfbilig, Norwood under 16s
An athletic, long, slashing wing who is great at getting on the rim. He has a quick second jump and good nose for the ball which makes him borderline elite at offensive rebounding. A developing defender at guarding multiple positions, a great teammate, very coachable and always looking to improve.
Tai Sendeckyj, Geelong United under 14s
A promising young forward who continues to go from strength to strength in his basketball development. A towering presence in the paint, his shot-blocking ability and presence on the boards makes him an x-factor in every contest.
Henry Sewell, Dandenong under 16s
A player with a big inside presence at centre. This level of competition won’t phase Sewell in the slightest having been named in the Victorian under 16 state team.
Wade Smithells, Casey under 14s
Smithells has recently been part of the Country Metro Challenge and is a Future Development Program member, which is run by Basketball Victoria.
Phoenix Somerville, Keilor under 16s
Somerville is a combo guard who was named an emergency for Vic Metro’s under 16 team this year. The left-hander has a fantastic ability to create in one-on-one situations and can get to the rim.
Ryder Swaffer, Norwood under 18s
A three-point specialist Ryder Swaffer is a 6’3” combo guard who can create on or off the ball and has a knack for breaking down opposition defences allowing himself to get shots off from deep. He is currently the third leading scorer in the under 18s division 1 competition averaging 19.3ppg. He was a reserve for the under 18s SA state team and is currently in the Norwood Flames NBL1 squad.
Jayson Symin, Hills Hornets under 16s
The co-captain of the Hornets side, Symin is a long serving player at the club having been a representative player since 2017.
Bailey Thom, Hills Hornets under 16s
A player for the big stage. Thom recently represented NSW Metro at the under 18 national championships where he shot 40.82 per cent from the field averaging seven points a game. The co-captain of his side.
MJ Uelehipa, Knox under 16s
A strong player who can play big or small. His shot has developed nicely over the last six months which has added skills to an already strong skillet.
Samuel Uzcategui, Norwood under 14s
An explosive guard with good length and who is a natural team leader. All around performer.
Jonah Vaysbakh, Manly under 18s
Vaysbakh is an exceptional offensive player, in particular an elite shooter. He is also a very smart player in creating opportunities for his teammates. He was selected to represent Australia in this year’s Maccabi Games in Israel. Unfortunately it’s an opportunity he has had to turn down as he was recruited and offered a scholarship to attend The MacDuffie School in Massachusetts at the completion of the representative season.
Charlie Wilson, Nunawading under 14s
Want to see someone shoot the lights out? Watch Charlie Wilson. He has regularly scored over 30 points this season in the VJBL and had a streak of four games over 40 points.
Cooper York, Diamond Valley under 16s
A guard-forward who has enjoyed a strong year after being selected to the Vic Country under 16s team. York is also currently attending Basketball Victoria’s National Performance Program.
Max Zalakos, Geelong United under 18s
Fresh off a strong campaign with the Vic Country under 18, Zalakos has carried his good form into the VJBL. Blessed with a combination of speed and size, he is a tough match-up for any opposition. His physicality at both ends of the floor sets the bar for his teammates and they willingly follow his example.
Oscar Zarins, Norwood under 14s
A consistent scorer who is strong threat off the dribble and spotting up.
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