Players to watch at National Junior Classic championships
Some of the best juniors in the country are coming to Melbourne this weekend to compete in the National Junior Classic. We look at the players to watch.
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Some of the best junior basketballers from around the country are set to spend their long weekend in Victoria as part of the National Junior Classic.
The best 128 teams from the country will compete at the classic, which sees teams from Victoria and interstate compete to be the best.
Teams needed to qualify for the tournament with previous results in the classic helping to be selected.
With plenty of talent expected to take to the court at Dandenong and the State Centre here are some of the names to look out for ahead of the event.
Bradley Ballinger, Illawarra under-18s
Ballinger is one of the best prospects in the nation, competing at the under-18 nationals earlier this year for NSW Country. He had a season high 27 points in one game during the tournament and is one of the best shot creators in the country.
Cooper Duff-Tytler, Keilor under-18s
In new colours with the Thunder this season, after previously playing for Macedon and Sunbury, the young gun was recently invited to an Australian under-17 training camp.
Georgia McBean, Kilsyth under-18s
A guard with plenty of exciting talent. McBean can go big in any given game.
Tahlia Leeson, Bulleen under-18s
Leeson can play in any position from point guard to centre. A talented player who is averaging more than 12 points a game at VC level and is constantly appearing in the Big V Blue Carpet awards.
Harry Beauchamp, Melbourne under-18s
Fresh off an invite to Australian under-17 training camp, Beauchamp is one of the future stars of the sport on show this weekend.
Lenny Mitchell, Sturt under-12s
Mitchell is the captain of the side and is a player who leads by example. He played last year at the classic and is expected to improve significantly in his second year in the tournament.
Isobel Daley, Sturt under-14s
A very good shooter who will compete in the under-14 girls team.
Luka Cuda, Illawarra under-18s
Cuda has recently impressed for Illawarra in the New South Wales Junior Premier League, averaging 24 points per game. He has also recently made the under-16 NSW All Schools state team. Cuda is one of the best offensive rebounders for the team and knows how to track the ball off the rim.
Keira Lindeman, Bulleen under-18s
Lindeman, according to her club, is a highly athletic talented player that can play inside or out depending on what is needed. She provides a defensive edge to her team and leads her team in blocks and steals for the season with 21 and 30 respectively.
Leila Gasci, Sturt under-14s
A player who will make her debut in under-14 girls and is a good player on her day, according to her coach. Last year she played for South Australia at the 12 and under nationals in Bendigo.
Caitlin Toll, Kilsyth under-16s
Can score at will for the Cobras and will be hoping to continue her strong form this weekend.
Chase Johnson, Frankston under-12s
The tallest in Frankston’s under 12 boys line-up for the classic. He can both score and facilitate for others.
Achilles Gulic, Knox under-16s
Achilles is a sharpshooter from the three point line and has smart interior post moves. The under-16 boys player is a constant inside and outside threat.
Chloe Garnon, Hills under-18s
One of the point guards of the under-18 team who works hard at both ends of the floor. Known as CJ she has developed over the last few seasons and has been selected as a development player in our Youth League team. She has a strong drive to the basket and her perimeter game is also a threat. Her value to the team is emphasised by her ability to stay in front of the player she is defending.
Valerija Ljubicic, Nunawading under-16s
A big time scorer who is enjoying a fantastic season for the Spectres.
Ryder Cheesman, Knox under-18s
Cheesman’s advanced game sense and on court leadership make him a must watch in the tournament. He’s already a National Junior Classic champion and has represented his country before. Cheesman has also helped Victoria Metro win gold at the national titles during his career.
Evie Bell, Sturt under-14s
A great first year guard who is playing under-14s for Sturt. She was a reserve for South Australia’s 12 and under team last year.
Kendra Rivet, Casey under-16s
A recent addition the under-16 Victoria Metro team, Kendra will be looking to lead her under-16 Cavs Team to a gold medal. Kendra’s ability to defend multiple positions and play on and off the ball offensively will make her a difficult match up for most opposition teams.
Jasmine Jones, Kilsyth under-14s
Represented Victoria at the Southern Cross Challenge earlier this year. Jones can consistently score in double figures and go big if required.
Alex Gray, Sunbury under-16s
Consistently one of the Jets’ leading scorers at VJBL level and will now look to test himself against some of the nation’s best.
Luke Atacador, Knox under-16s
Atacador is an up-tempo point guard and creative passer with acrobatic finishing around the rim. He’s also a tenacious on ball defender with elite speed and recently was added to the Victorian State Development Program.
Lucy Allen, Sturt under-14s
A good first year guard according to her coach.
Denver Warry, Frankston under-16s
A utility player who can play anywhere for his team, Frankston. He is currently in the Victoria Metro under-16s state team.
Sienna Drmic, Nunawading under-12s
An exciting young talent from the Spectres program who will consistently give her opponents a headache of defence.
Malakai Walker, Geelong United under-14s
Has been a brilliant player for United throughout the 2023 season and is a consistent threat from deep.
Victoria Leuluai, Broadmeadows under-14s
Leuluai arrives at the NJC at the perfect time having found her peak scoring form in recent weeks. She’s coming off a big 21-point outing in the last VJBL game before the long weekend tournament.
Charles Webb, Knox under-16s
Webb is a powerful, hard working centre who provides intimidating rim protection. He has been selected in the Vic Metro under-16 team that will compete in the National Junior Championships later in the year.
Ziva Whinston, Frankston under-14s
Whinston represented Victoria last year at School Sports and will play in under-14 for Frankston during the event. She is currently the highest scorer in the team and will be looked upon to be one of the leading scorers in the team.
Fred Hardman, Camberwell under-14s
Hardman is a two-way guard will put on a show with his athletic slashing and playmaking. He will be one of the leaders for the team.
Siennah-Lily Bourke, Hills under 18
A talented guard who works hard at both ends of the floor to be a valuable member of the team. She is a constant threat from beyond the arc and applies great ball pressure as a defender. Her recent success has seen her part of the Hills NBL1 team.
Lexie Jackson, Moe under-14s
A talented ball handler who brings an aggressive offence. Jackson can also defend and has a strong IQ. She recently compete for Moe in under-16 girls at the state country championships.
Maddison Mazzitelli, Sutherland under-12s
She is the defensive anchor of the Sutherland team and never gets out hustled. Phenomenal rebounder and finisher around the basket. Also has great passing touch, creating plays for others.
Zachary Taylor, Frankston under-12s
Consistently putting up some impressive scoring numbers with his side flying at the top of the VJBL VC under-12 boys division.
Lachlan Reymesey, Broadmeadows under-12s
A big time scorer who has all of the tricks to hit shots from deep when needed. Don’t be surprised if he has a 30-point game or two.
Jasmine Ager, Camberwell under-14s
Ager is a great point guard and a natural leader. She plays the game at pace, loves to run transition and is not afraid to shoot from anywhere on the court.
Ruby Francis, Moe under-14s
Francis is a tall, athletic centre with large wingspan and great vertical leap. She is also an impressive rebounder with a strong defensive presence. She played for Moe in the under-16 girls state country championships recently.
Luella Carneiro, Sutherland under-12s
A great scorer with a deadly outside shot. Is able to still make plays as a guard for others while also being a ferocious defender.
Sitaya Fagan, Frankston under-16s
A recent Australia under-15 representative who has also played for Victoria Metro under-16 last year. A player to look out for.
Zoe Rakogiannis, Knox under-18s
Zoe is a talented, versatile under-18 girls player who is one of the leading point scorers in Victorian Championship. Her competitiveness makes her extremely difficult to guard and shut down. She has also made her debut in the NBL1 this year.
Will Borrello, Camberwell under-14s
Borello will compliment teammate Fred Hardman in the back-court. He is a crafty finisher who knows how to shoot.
Ben Waller, Casey under-18s
New to Casey, Waller has fit right in, off the back of a silver medal at the under-18 national championships with Victoria Country. Ben will be looking to go one better this weekend. Ben’s athleticism and ability to shoot from deep will be on full display throughout the tournament.
Ella Philpin, Camberwell under-14s
A super athletic forward with an incredible vertical leap. She enjoys running and is a solid defender who can match up well on taller players.
Mofeoluwa (Nathan) Adio, Casey under-14s
Nathan has shown outstanding improvement off the back of his 2022 season seeing his team win last year’s National Junior Classic and Victorian Championship, where he was finals MVP. As a bottom age player, he continues to take on the competition and grow his overall game.
Rod Ali, Knox under-18
Rod is an explosive pure athlete with unique basketball attributes. He combines raw dunking, hustle and intense shot blocking to energise his team. The barometer for Knox.
Zachary Thompsett, Hills under-14s
After experiencing the NJC last year as a bottom age player, Zachary will be returning to the under-14 competition in 2023. He will be looking to use his experience, size and skill to make an impact at both ends of the court for the Hornets.
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