Roman Siulepa knocked back rugby union and NBL to chase basketball dream in college

Roman Siulepa had the sporting world at his feet — he could have played rugby or in the NBL. Instead, he’s off to Pittsburgh to play college basketball. Matt Logue finds out why.

The chance to escape his “comfort zone” and earn “crazy” cash in a proven NBA pathway convinced Queensland basketball sensation Roman Siulepa to knock back the NBL and rugby union to chase his hoops dream in US college.

Siulepa — one of the brightest young talents in Australia — recently committed his future to the Pittsburgh Panthers in America’s NCAA competition.

It wasn’t an easy decision for the gifted power forward given he has long received significant interest from the rugby ranks.

As a talented union player in his own right, Siulepa has attracted the eye of the Queensland Reds and Australian Wallabies.

Roman Siulepa during his junior rugby union days

He met with officials from the Reds and Wallabies recently, with both parties reinforcing the door remains open should basketball not take off.

“It was more them giving me reassurance that they’d still be around if I came back to rugby,” Siulepa told Code Sports.

“They weren’t pitching themselves because they knew I was going to US college, but it was more that were letting me know they are here for me if I decided to come back.

“I seriously considered rugby union. I love rugby just as much as I love basketball, but the money thing plays into it, in terms of setting yourself up.

“Also, the opportunities I had in basketball compared to rugby were also a bit different.”

#Pitt basketball target Roman Siulepa just absolutely threw this one down for a slam dunk at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup for Australia against the USA

Have to think Pitt fans would love to see him doing this next season pic.twitter.com/gOCZdSNgub

— Dominic Campbell (@DOMISMONEY) June 28, 2025

It’s why 19-year-old Siuelpa is locked in on hoops. He plans to use his US college stint with Pittsburgh as a platform to grow as a player and person and ultimately one reach the NBA.

He also wanted to follow in the footsteps of his basketball friends in Luke Fennell (Syracuse) and Jacob Furphy (UConn) and try the college route.

“Luke and Jacob joining US college opened my eyes and I thought I could see myself going to college as well, working hard and paving a career,” said the 195cm forward, who averaged 24 points, eight rebounds, and four assists as the MVP of the 2024 U20 national championships.

“I think more so to get out of my comfort zone.”

Jacob Furphy, Roman Siulepa, Luke Fennell. Photo: NBA Academy.

Siulepa revealed he had an opportunity to remain in the NBL this season as a Next Star with the Brisbane Bullets.

It would have been an ideal move given he hails from the Queensland capital, but he was searching for a bigger challenge.

“The NBL is in Australia, you’re not far from home on the Sunshine Coast, so I was drawn to the personal development in US college to push myself,” he said.

“The basketball should follow if I lock in, but it was definitely hard to leave (the NBL).

“With Rocco (Zikarsky) leaving the Bullets there was a Next Stars spot open at the Bullets. That is right at home, but I wanted to take the US college path.”

2025 6-7 230 pound 🇦🇺 Roman Siulepa has put together a dominant season in Australia

He’s averaging, 26.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 4.4 APG in U20 competition and averaged 21.7 PPG in NBL one play

The rugby/basketball talent displays a combination of strength + playmaking that we rarely… pic.twitter.com/zejwi6TQ4d

— Arman Jovic (@PDTScouting) June 9, 2025

Siulepa is completely comfortable with where he sits in his basketball career, including his decision to leave his Next Stars position at Tasmania last August to return to Brisbane to play rugby, which was against the JackJumpers wishes.

“My cousins were in my rugby team and I’ll never get that opportunity again to be a Year 12 student and be young,” he said.

“So, I picked that over the JackJumpers and backed myself to get another contract.

“I made my decision and I stand by that.”

NBL Next Star Roman Siulepa works out with the Tasmania JackJumpers. Pictures: JackJumpers Media

Siulepa is only looking forward these days and he can’t help but be excited about the significant earning potential in the NCAA US college system.

This year’s No. 1 NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg reportedly made approximately $28 million through NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals during his one year at Duke University. This includes a $13 million deal with New Balance and a $15 million deal with Fanatics. He also has undisclosed, multi-year NIL deals with Gatorade and Walmart.

Siulepa isn’t expecting to earn Flagg type money, but he sees the importance of setting himself up for the future.

“I like to focus on the basketball side of things, but when there is that much money out there and the amount they are paying anyone it’s pretty crazy,” he said.

“Obviously that played a big part as well.

“It’s a lot of money and being able to navigate through my financials, save for the future and set myself up is a big thing and a good first step for my career.”

Roman Siulepa dunks at the Australian Basketball Schools Championship on the Gold Coast in 2022.

Siulepa is moving to America with his girlfriend Lucia, who also gained entry to study at Pittsburgh.

He believes the presence of his partner will only help him excel on the court for the Panthers.

“I’m excited about the coaching,” he said.

“Their pitch to me was that I’ll have to earn everything and not to be afraid of the grind. I’ve never been afraid to earn my spot.”

Originally published as Roman Siulepa knocked back rugby union and NBL to chase basketball dream in college