Big V Championship, Division 1 and Division 2 players to watch in 2022
The Big V basketball season is set to kick off this weekend with old and new faces ready to take the league by storm. Here are 25 players to keep an eye on.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Lou Agon, RMIT, Division 1 Men
Redbacks coach Oliver Reid described the big man as a “7-foot dunking machine” and a “joy to watch”. While he is a major presence on the court, it’s his infectious smile which makes people happiest.
Ida Andersson, Sunbury, Championship Women
Described as a “phenomenal talent” by her coach John White, Andersson looks set to be one of the top players in the competition. She is a player who can impact at both ends of the floor on any given night.
Brandon Armstrong, Gippsland United, Division 2 Men
A social media celebrity and even better basketball player. Armstrong is an outstanding player and a massive signing for Gippsland in their first season in the competition.
Denzel Brito, Blackburn, Championship Men
An aggressive point guard who will bring international experience to the Vikings line-up. He is a product of the Loyola University basketball program in the US.
Tenille Cann, Coburg, Division 2 Women
The former Bulleen Boomers WNBL player is a major signing on the eve of the season. She’s been tipped to be the best point guard in the league by some onlookers.
Tegan Cunningham, McKinnon, Championship Women
The former WNBL player turned AFLW ruck has signed on with the Cougars for the 2022 season. She’s a double-double threat on a nightly basis and has a tremendous ability to impact opposition offences.
Joe Davis, Pakenham, Division 2 Men
Hailing from Canada, Davis has the ability to play across the forward or centre positions. He won a college MVP for Thompson Rivers University.
Asia Glenn, Southern Peninsula, Championship Women
The club has described her as “a revelation” since her arrival and Glenn is set to bring an excellent level of skill to the competition. She is strong under the basket and is expected to play at the five.
Kavione Green, Wyndham, Championship Men
Out of Bloomfield University, Green is a wing who averaged a double-double in his senior year of college basketball. He also can shoot a terrific 3-ball and looms as one of the most exciting players across the Big V competition.
Naaman Hightower, Western Port, Championship Men
Having originally signed with the club in 2020, Hightower returns to the Steelers. He has previously played with Keysborough in the Big V competition.
Anthony Hill, Mildura, Division 2 Men
Hill arrives at the club with plenty of experience after stints in France, Germany, Mexico and Portugal. A 6’8 forward out of Milwaukee he could well and truly be in MVP calculations come the end of the season.
Chloe Hogg, Gippsland United, Division 2 women
Hogg has had quite a busy summer before signing on with Gippsland United. She took out the Country Basketball League Gippsland Women’s Division MVP before leading her Korumburra side to the Junior Country Championships title.
Olivia Howman, Chelsea, Championship Women
The guard was unveiled as one of two Gulls signings and brings NBL1 experience to the competition having spent time with the South Adelaide Panthers.
Garrett Jefferson, Shepparton, Division 1 Men
Jefferson was first signed by the club ahead of the 2020 season which was eventually lost to Covid. He is considered to be an elite perimeter defender who can score in a variety of ways at the offensive end.
Samantha Keltos, Western Port, Division 1 Women
Keltos could give plenty of headaches to opposition bigs given her ability to step out and hit threes. She has also shown at college level she is more than capable of putting up big scoring numbers.
Arcaim Lallemand, Wallan, Division 2 Men
A 6’6” forward out of South Florida, Lalleman is an exciting prospect with the ability to score big as he showed in a practice match against Division 1 side Shepparton with 25 points last month. He has previously played for Eastern New Mexico College.
Troyce Manassa, Western Port, Championship Men
Manassa is a former Big V MVP and Championship winner with Southern Peninsula in 2019. He is a big scorer, shown by his average of 28 points a game, three years ago.
Jake Martin, Hume City, Championship Men
Martin has been with the Broncos since 2019 and is one of the most exciting players in the competition. He brings a sensational swagger to the court and will form a strong partnership with fellow import Chris Elder.
Gerrard Newbury, Keysborough, Division 1 Men
Newbury returns to the club having played for the Cougars in 2018. He will have most impact at the defensive end after being described as a “long athletic wing” by his coach.
Haille Nickerson, Pakenham, Championship Women
A Canadian guard who has shown an ability to score big regularly. During her stint with Memorial University she earned All Canadian Second Team Honours and led the country in field goals made.
Amanda Paschal, Wyndham, Championship Women
Paschal is Wyndham’s big name import and she brings quite a strong resume to Australia. She was a member of the University of Kentucky’s basketball program, one of the biggest in the United States. Her impact has already been impressive in practice games and can play several positions.
Ish Sanders, Sunbury, Championship Men
Sanders has settled in well with his new teammates according to Jets coach John White. He comes into a Sunbury outfit who will play a different style to previous seasons and is expected to make a big impact on the offensive end.
Alana Strom, Warrnambool, Division 1 Women
Storm comes into the competition off the back of a sensational Country Basketball League season. She will now be hoping to take the next step in her career.
Jordan Vandenberg, McKinnon, Championship Men
The big man, who stands at 7’1, has an impressive basketballing resume which puts him in the top echelon of players in the competition. He has experience in the NBA G-League and in the NBL with the Sydney Kings.
Lewis Varley, Bellarine, Division 1 Men
A veteran who will bring critical experience to a young Bellarine side who will look to shock opposition teams this season.
Hawks AFLW fly north to claim Cazalys fortress
Hawthorn’s AFLW side fly into Cairns looking to make their Northern Nest a fortress beginning with Thursday night’s blockbuster against Melbourne to kick off Indigenous Round.
Premier Cricket: Men’s and women’s Team of the Week
Young guns lit up Victorian Premier Cricket in men’s and women’s sections. We’ve named our teams of the week. SEE THEM