60+ next gen hoopers: Aussie stars gather on Gold Coast for school champs
Future star ballers from across the country have gathered on the Gold Coast this week for the 2024 Basketball Australia School Championships. See the full list of hand-picked top players from U17 and U15 division 1:
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Future star ballers from across the country have gathered on the Gold Coast for the 2024 Basketball Australia School Championships, the week-long tournament attracting schools from east to west.
As the 13 men’s and seven women’s divisions get underway, we’re on the hunt to find the top talents across under-17s and under-15s division 1 plus under-20s division 2.
From speedy sharp shooters to elite rim protectors, see the full list of stand outs of whose names are sure to become household.
Boys
Southport SHS (QLD) U17s
11 - Brodie Cleary
A play making guard who can take the ball to basket against bigger players. He gets himself on the stat sheet for steals and moves the ball quickly.
37 - Sam Scott
A strong target under the basket with the handles to move the ball around before steering his way through traffic in the key.
31 - Mason Christiansen
Stellar lockdown defence on the perimeter, putting pressure on his player and causing turnovers.
Kings Christian College (QLD) U17s
33 - Leroy Kaesler
A small but powerful guard with class handling skills. Able to find his way to the basket despite mismatches and is always switched on on defence.
6 - Ayden Merrylees
Not afraid to shoot the ball and show his range. A big communicator with a keen eye for his teammates.
5 - Luciano Hutchins
A keen rebounder with impressive hops.
Flinders College (VIC) U17
14 - Bailey Marshall
Imposing big man with impressive hops affording him boards. Size above his years and body control to complement the skills. Can shoot from range.
29 - Spencer Mitchell
Moves the ball well and controls the pace of game. Is able to back offensive efforts with solid defence all the way to the basket.
10 - Jack Nagy
Elite shooter with a range of shots to boast. Particularly accurate jump shot and will catch his player off guard to draw the foul.
33 - Tom White
Top tier defensive pressure from beginning of transition affords him a spot on the scoresheet for steals. Impressive elevation and scoring.
Mountain Creek State High (QLD) U20
6 - Jahru Jackson
A high-energy communicator who collects points in the paint and is just as efficient down the floor on defence. Not afraid to take it into traffic and draw the foul.
7 - Brooklyn Albert
Versatile guard/ forward who boasts crafty handles. he makes low percentage shots look easy and capitalises on free throw attempts to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Varsity College U15
12 - Sam Pikunic
Elite rebounder and rim protector, forcing the opposition to take low percentage shots. Makes crucial shots in high pressure games.
10 - Cooper McGregor
All over the stat sheets with points, rebounds and assists, making him a high quality player who can stretch the floor.
6 - Bob Henderson
Can play the point or the 2 and is an exceptional shooter.
7 - Will Remington
A classic ‘point-forward’ as they say: an all-round talent with size.
Barker College U15
59 - Lachlan Raeburn
Great movement under the basket and use of his body against bigger players. Offers a variety of shooting and makes the most of his free throw opportunities.
00 - Lucas Ajaka
Can move the ball down court with A-class handles. Sets the screen and rolls off to create space for his big man while providing another option.
22 - Tom Turchini
Impressive close out on defence but sure not to over-commit and allow his player to a good look at the basket. Quality shooter beyond the arc.
Trinity Grammar U15
8 - Jason Lan
Can be left to bring the ball up and is smart with his decision making; whether to pass or shoot.
10 - Kobe Manu
Shot creator who penetrates to the basket through traffic and boasts an impressive floater.
Parade College U15
7 - Ricki Panzarino
Stretches the floor with elite athleticism and an uncanny ability to know where his players are, affording tricky offloads. Works off the ball at a high rate and offers a good passing game.
20 - Joel Bensch
Plays with energy and is a great rim protector with height on his side. Good offer off the pick and roll.
4 - Samuel Saccone
A true workhorse on defence around the perimeter. Makes up for size with handles and can bring the push the pace thanks to his zippy nature. Certainly underestimated.
Berwick College U17
8 - Zane Windsor
An athletic play making guard who shows a class defensive effort from transition to force turnovers. Reads the play to stun with an intercept outside.
35 - Jack Byrne
Sharpshooting guard who can drop them from behind the arc. Great talk.
5 - Zach Morell
Impressive step through and crafty work under the basket are just the beginning. He’s selfless on offence and will pass off to prioritise high percentage shots. Efficient rebounder.
Salesian College (VIC) U20
12 - Oliver Mann
Explosive elevation from nowhere and can finish at the rim. Crafty with his handles but selflessly shares the ball round to get the best look at scoring. Can be relied on to bring the ball down and also man the post if needed.
13 - Ben Fardell
An elite rebounder with the stamina to stay on court for big minutes.
34 - Charlie Cochrane
A shot creator, taker and maker in all one. Clever with his pass selection to create a smarter and more efficient option, plus high quality rim protection to eliminate second chance points.
Hunter Sports High U17
22 - Cooper O’Neill
A top tier shot blocker with clean hands who dominates in a 1-on-1 at the basket.
Rowville Secondary College U15
7 - Vlado Ivkovic
A jack of all trades small forward with point guard capabilities. He hassles for steals, can shoot and selflessly facilitates the play for his big men.
51 - Riley Carns
Plays a classic forward role with great passing and offensive rebounding skills.
45 - Caleb Limanto
Lightning fast on offensive transition with nice shot variety to polish it off.
35 - Blake Douglas
Works coast to coast as a big man taking boards at either end.
Girls
Bishop Druitt College (NSW) U17
4 - Lila Barber
A creative shot maker with flare and quality handles. Moves the ball well around the perimeter with vision into the key.
11 - Indigo Savage
Isn’t afraid to take the ball to the basket, draws the foul and executes her shooting opportunities.
Varsity College (QLD) U17
17 - Elke Graham
Good run protector with an abundance of both defensive and offensive boards to her name. Tough defender from the beginning of transition.
6 - Mali Witt
A guard with smarts, a smooth shot and a lethal pass to push the ball when her opponent is struggling to match the pace.
11 - Scarlette Ware
Great footwork on defence inside the key and body control to not give out fouls. She’s not the tallest of bigs but athletic enough to play a post role.
13 and 4 - Charlotte Brown and Lani Warneke
Quality pair of shooters from range both boasting a clean action start to finish.
Templestowe College U17
15 - Cailee Martin
A versatile big with a defensive mindset. Solid rebounder and keeps out of foul trouble.
7 - Rosie Young
Class facilitator and playmaker with a clean shot. Good from under the basket and at mid-range.
Hunter Sports Hugh U17
8 - Zoe Keeble
High work rate and constantly switched on. Drives to the basket and can control the pace of possession.
1 - Izzy Morgan
Runs the point and can organise her players.
Berwick College U17
18 - Jorja Harfoot
Creative with the ball and can finish a variety of touch shots.
27 - Jas Pickering
Tall and athletic which affords her steals and rebounds. Commonly plays the 4 but versatile enough to stretch the floor and score points off a fast break.
2 - Latysha Iotua
Selfless guard with a high assists count as a result of moving the ball round both in the perimeter and closer to the basket.
43 - Kitara Fatuleai
A strong body target under the post with a mean step through and rebounding strength for second chance points.
Flinders College U17
5 - Sitaya Fagan
An incredibly talented centre with all the tricks of the trade down pat at her young age. She towers over players and uses her height to all its advantage. An elite shooter inside the paint who dominates the rebound count and boasts great passing skills too.
75 - Nyachoop Muot
A high energy guard with elite passing and able to take on a mismatch inside.
60 - Tina Petrovic
High volume shot taker with quality ball handling.
Rowville Secondary College U17
7 - Vanessa Tavete
Great passer and rebounder. Tall but mobile with the ball in hand.
44 - Bridgette Kata
Reads the play, shuts down her opponent and takes countless steals.
Brisbane State High School U15
10 - Jay Sebasio
The hoop may well be twice the size for this sharpshooter, able to execute touch shots under pressure then back it up as an elite shot blocker.
11 -
A talented forward who won’t be caught shying away from a challenge - or mismatch - to get the ball to basket.
8 - Blair Nuku
Gives high energy and high effort on defence to force turnovers.
St Luke’s Grammar U15
42 - Olive Waters
Confident shooter from mid-long range with impressive work ethic off the ball and handles. Equally good on defence and a knack for awareness of her teammates’ next move and whereabouts at all times.
16 - Emma Klarenaar
Complements her point guard well with a good passing game, defence and a smooth shot.
49 - Alexis Dee
Tall and long-limbed like your typically talented centre, she offers rim protection/ shot blocking without falling into foul trouble.
Trinity College U17
4 - Mikalya Taschkiin
Aggressive to the basket and a high quality rebounder. She can dribble through traffic, take a 2-on-1 with ease and back it up with full court defence
5 - Diaz Horne
Plays a classic guard style of game, bringing the ball up with crafty handles and putting up a high volume of shots.
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