NBL1, state representatives lead talented field for 2021 GPS basketball season
Some of Queensland’s most exciting athletes are showcasing their skills in the GPS basketball competition as we name the top talents to watch. SEE WHO MADE IT
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NBL1 North talents, Queensland representatives and athletes who rise to another level when they put on their school colours.
This year’s GPS basketball competition has some stars of the future that hoops fans need to catch in action.
And while most have starred on the big stage for their club teams, the intensity and pressure of school competition brings out the best in these young athletes.
With fans back in the stands this season, even though we are already two rounds in, it is set to be one of the most exciting competitions yet.
See who made our list for the GPS basketball top talents to watch in 2021 below.
ANGLICAN CHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Harrison Pennisi – Forward/Centre
A returning player from last year’s undefeated premiership and CBSQ championship-winning side, Harrison Pennisi is now the leader of this Churchie team following the departure of several key players. Pennisi, a Year 12 student, is a big man with immense talent, especially on the offensive end with the ability to play both inside, using his size and athleticism, but also from the perimeter where he can do damage from beyond the three-point line.
Quinn Lambert – Guard/Forward
A Year 11 Churchie First V player, Quinn Lambert is a 203cm combo guard/forward who has the athleticism, shooting and skill to impact this year’s competition at both ends of the court. His shooting and length should cause trouble for the opposition in his first season on the First V at Churchie, the defending GPS and CBSQ champions.
BRISBANE BOYS COLLEGE
Rafferty Morris – Guard/Forward
Having already starred at the junior level for the Brisbane Capitals, Rafferty Morris will lead the way for BBC with his ability to put up massive numbers on the offensive end and cause problems for opposing team’s defence. Morris can also make big plays on the defensive end with his athleticism and ability to get into transition.
BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Rocco Zikarsky – Centre
A new addition to the Brisbane Grammar School team, the young seven-footer has already been identified as a star of the future, having recently helped the Northside Wizards Under-16s claim a State Championship in April. Zikarsky, who is also a talented swimmer, brings a massive presence for BGS, and with his length, mobility and athleticism – will be one of the rising stars to watch this season.
LeBron Brooks – Guard
An exciting young guard, LeBron Brooks is a talent on the rise for Brisbane Grammar. Having helped his rep side, the Northside Wizards, claim back-to-back State Under-16 Championships – the youngster will get some invaluable experience against older and bigger bodies in the GPS competition.
BRISBANE STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Mason Amos – Forward
One of the best scorers in the competition, Mason Amos will be a tough player to stop for any opposition’s defence this season. Coming off an impressive 2020 season, where he helped State High to the CBSQ grand final, Amos will look to lead from the front as his team look to contend for a GPS premiership. The big man is one of the craftiest in the business on the offensive end, with the ability to do work from the block or stretch out beyond the three-point line, where he can catch fire quickly.
Xavier Chio – Guard
A lightning fast point guard, who can wreak havoc on both ends of the floor, wither by picking his opponent up the full length of the court on defence or pushing the pace for his team with the ball, Xavier Chio is one of the many dynamic guards to watch this GPS season. Chio burst onto the scene with a massive performance in last year’s CBSQ grand final and also put in an impressive season with the Southern Districts Spartans in the Under-18s competition.
Elijah Kamu – Forward/Centre
One of the hardest workers you’ll see, Elijah Kamu is a huge addition for Brisbane State High School this year. The mobile big is one of the toughest for his age to stop from the post, using his strength and athleticism to get to the basket, and is also a dominant rebounder who will form one of the best frontcourts in the competition alongside Mason Amos. Comes into the GPS season on the back of a successful past representative season with the Gold Coast Waves, where he also played for the Queensland South under-18s team.
Jalen Blanchard – Shooting Guard
An elite sharpshooter, Jalen Blanchard is another big addition for Brisbane State High School this year, alongside his former Gold Coast Waves teammate, Elijah Kamu. Blanchard is one of the best shooters from behind the three-point line in the GPS competition and provides floor spacing around the likes of Kamu, Mason Amos and more.
Shareef Mwechiwa – Guard
A dynamic athlete, Shareef Mwechiwa can be an x-factor for State High with his ability to make game-breaking plays on both ends of the floor. Alongside the rest of a talented State High team, Mwechiwa has the ability to play in the lanes and get deflections or steals and can play above the rim on the offensive end.
Wesley Briggs – Guard
A leader for this talented Brisbane State High team, Wes Briggs will make most of his impact on the defensive end, picking up opponents full court and causing problems with his pressure, physicality and energy. The Brisbane Capitals junior will be looking to lead State High to a GPS premiership in his final year at the school.
IPSWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Jeremy Brown – Guard
The captain of Ipswich Grammar’s First V, the starting shooting guard will lead from the front this season and is expected to put some big games together. Can shoot the ball at a high percentage and get hot from the perimeter quickly but can also mix it up by causing trouble inside the paint by attacking the basket. Is playing in his fourth season with the school’s firsts team.
Damon Stevens – Forward
Playing in his third year in Ipswich Grammar’s firsts team, Jason Ralph’s starting power forward is a versatile big man who has nice touch with an impressive jump shot. Stevens also has the ability to make plays from the post and around the rim. He is also the team’s vice-captain this season.
TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Ngaa Ngorima – Guard
In his fifth year with Toowoomba Grammar’s firsts team, Ngaa Ngorima has established himself as an exciting young point guard leading the way for his team. His extreme pace makes him one of the most exciting players to watch in the competition and started the season off in impressive fashion with 37 points against Brisbane Boys’ College.
Samuel Geu – Forward
Making his First V debut this year, Samuel Geu an extremely athletic Year 9 forward – put together an impressive first game for Toowoomba Grammar, grabbing 17 rebounds against Brisbane Boys’ College. The performance shows the young talent has a bright future in the game and in GPS basketball ahead and is also a good sign for Toowoomba Grammar’s future.
THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL
Lloyd McVeigh – Forward
An absolute young gun of Queensland basketball, Lloyd McVeigh has already showed what he can do on the big stage, helping the Queensland Under-20s team to a national title earlier this year and playing a role with the Gold Coast Rollers NBL1 team. The athletic forward has a unique ability to score the ball, similar to his older brother and NBL player Jack McVeigh, and will try to help lead a star-studded TSS team to the GPS title this year.
Preston LeGassick – Guard
One of the best up and coming guards in the state, Preston Le Gassick is having a breakout year and has so far continued his dominance in the first two rounds with TSS following big wins in consecutive weeks. The lightning fast guard, who can light it up from the perimeter, find his way to the basket or create for others, plays with maturity beyond his years and will look to add a GPS premiership to the national title he won with the Queensland under-20s in May.
Amarco Doyle – Forward
Another part of the premiership favourite side for TSS, Amarco Doyle helps form arguably the best forward combination in the competition with teammate Lloyd McVeigh. Doyle, who played juniors for the Gold Coast Rollers and is playing QSL with the North Gold Coast Seahawks, is an athletic forward who can make plays at both ends of the floor and is a Queensland junior representative as well.
Liam Claverie – Guard
A no-nonsense guard who makes the right plays at the right time, Liam Claverie is the perfect fit next to TSS’s stars such as Le Gassick and McVeigh. Having played in big games, such as the State Under-18 Championships grand final with Gold Coast, Claverie can take tough challenges on the defensive end and make timely plays on the offensive end, including from beyond the three-point line.
Joshua Wolff – Guard/Forward
Another hard-nosed guard/forward to compliment the already star-studded TSS outfit, Joshua Wolff is a quality leader who can make an impact on the defensive and offensive ends of the floor. Having come off an impressive junior season with the Gold Coast Rollers and representing Queensland at the National Under-18 Championships, Wolff will play a big role in the school’s premiership hopes.
ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, GREGORY TERRACE
Geordan Papacostas – Centre
The best big in the 2021 GPS basketball competition, Geordan Papacostas is not only one of the best youngsters in the state but also the country. Having represented Queensland throughout his juniors and been selected in national programs, the Brisbane Capitals junior is the leader for this year’s Terrace team. Papacostas also comes into the season with a boost in confidence after impressive performances in his senior debut season with the Capitals in the NBL1 North.
Nazar Angallo – Guard
Arguably one of the top offensive players in the GPS competition, Nazar Angallo has already shown in previous years for Terrace as well as on the representative stage and with Queensland teams that he can do it all on that end of the floor. For his size, Angallo is one of the best finishers when attacking the basket, can hit from the mid-range area and do damage from behind the three-point line.
Sam Schmidt – Guard
An old school type point guard, Sam Schmidt is now one of the leaders for Terrace in his final years at the school. Schmidt doesn’t have the pace or athleticism that some other top players in the competition has but he gets the job done with his impressive basketball IQ. He can make plays for himself off the dribble and also create for others and forms a talented starting backcourt with Nazar Angallo.
Phoenix and Hunter Trego – Guard
New additions for Gregory Terrace this year, Phoenix and Hunter Trego are youngsters but exciting ones at that. Both of the Trego brothers are quick and athletic guards with the ability to hit the perimeter shot but also attack the rim using their athleticism either in the half court or in transition.
ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE
Mason Davis – Guard/Forward
One of the most competitive players you will see in the GPS basketball competition, Mason Davis can play multiple positions on the court and is the leader for Nudgee College. Following in his dad, Shane’s, footsteps after he stared for Nudgee College in his younger days, Davis can handle the ball, attack the basket, shoot from mid-range and from the perimeter and has sheer determination to go along with his impressive talent.
Originally published as NBL1, state representatives lead talented field for 2021 GPS basketball season
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