Victoria’s best junior basketballers named as future stars emerge

Victoria is the home of Australian basketball and the talent coming through our ranks is only getting better. Meet more than 100 of our state’s best juniors.

Victorian basketball is only getting stronger.

After Dyson Daniels and Jade Melbourne were selected in the NBA and WNBA Drafts earlier this year, the prospect of more Victorians heading to the United States is bright.

We’ve compiled a list of the best junior basketballers the state has to offer.

See who made the list.

Kofi Aden

Plays his basketball with one of Australia’s most famous clubs, the Melbourne Tigers. Has shown he can put up big scoring numbers at VJBL level.

Jasmine Ager

Was selected in the School Sport Victoria 12 and under girls basketball team which is currently competing in Bendigo. The Camberwell product is also part of Basketball Victoria’s Future Development program.

Brylee Anderson

Has consistently appeared on the right part as a Kilsyth junior and that doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Played for Vic Country earlier this year.

Krystal Arnason

The Korumburra Wildcat has capped off a stunning rise in the past 12 months to make her way into state calculations representing Vic Country at the under 16 titles. Arnason, who plays as a big, has the class to impact the game on the inside and outside.

Nick Beattie

One of the best scorers at junior level for Frankston. Represented Vic Metro earlier this year at the national under 16 titles.

Harrison Beauchamp

Captained Vic Metro at the recent under 16 national titles and has a tremendous all-round game. A Hawthorn Magic product.

Tabitha Betson

A leader of any side that she plays in. Bulleen has a special talent on their hands who can impact play at both ends of the floor.

Zen Blythe

A rising star out of the Mornington Breakers. Was selected in the SSV 12 and under boys team.

Ethan Bolton

A Vic Metro under 18 representative earlier this year hailing from the Casey Cavaliers. Has proven he can perform on the big stage.

Edward Brammall

Part of a Hawthorn Magic under 16s side which may just be one of the best junior teams in Australia with four Vic Metro representatives.

Carlin Briggs

One of the country’s brightest male prospects. A Knox junior, Briggs recently earned an NBA Global Academy scholarship which will see him head to Canberra. Pulled on the green and gold at the U17 World Cup.

Kayla Bristow

An up and coming star at Diamond Valley. Bristow’s performances in the VJBL helped her to earn selection in the School Sport Victoria team under 12 team.

Jesse Brock

From Seymour, Brock is regularly among his team’s best scorers when he pulls on Blasters colours. He impressed at the Under 16 Junior Country Championships.

Paige Burrows

The Knox star played an important role for Vic Metro at the under 18 titles. At 17, she’s got plenty of exciting years ahead of her.

Lucas Byrne

Playing a huge role in a Ballarat Miners side who will contest the Australian Club Championships in September. Scores at will and also brings his teammates into the action.

Ryder Cheesman

The young gun was part of Hawthorn’s under 16 National Junior Classic where he played an integral role. He has the ability to hit shots from deep but also has a canny ability to get to the ring. His passing range is also impressive. A Vic Metro representative.

Edie Clarke

Part of the Melbourne Tigers program, Clarke recently travelled to the US for the NBA Women’s Academy games. Has also starred on the national stage.

James Coleman

Won selection in the Vic Metro under 16 team earlier this year and hasn’t looked back. Part of the Camberwell Dragons.

Max Connick

Hailing from Bendigo’s basketball program, Connick can do a bit of everything. He will get the chance to compete on the national stage in September with the Braves set to compete at the Australian Club Championships.

Eve Covey

The Port Fairy teenager recently played for Vic Country at the under 16 national titles. She has also impressed when she played for the Warrnambool Mermaids.

Dakota Crichton

The Casey product has thrived at every level she has played at this season. Was named the Big V Youth Championship Women’s Player of the Month in May after brilliant displays.

Emilija Dakic

Dakic is an under 16 Vic Metro representative and is also part of the Victorian National Performance Program member.

Dash Daniels. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Dash Daniels

A skilful guard hailing from Bendigo, Daniels is the brother of recently NBA draftee Dyson. Has a fantastic ability to score quickly but also bring teammates into the game.

Indiana de Dios

This young superstar is one of several names to appear on this list from the Traralgon and Gippsland region. Played an important role in her side’s performance at the National Junior classic.

Tristan Devers

Played for Australia in recent months and impressed in a big way with his ability to score at three levels.

Lucy Dexter

Another Casey young gun to make the list. Represented Vic Metro at the under 18 titles earlier this year.

Arabella Dietz

Part of the Bendigo Braves. Dietz was recently picked in the School Sport Victoria under 12s team.

Tayli DiMarco

A star on the rise, DiMarco is a representative of Gippsland United and Sale. Her exploits with Gippsland have seen her play against some of metro Melbourne’s best juniors at a level where she has shown her class.

Boston Dowling

A star on the rise from Shepparton. Earlier this year he impressed at the Junior Country Championships.

Cooper Duff-Tytler

The Macedon Ranges and Sunbury product is one of the co-captains of an exciting country team. He has shown a fantastic ability to score in bunches at representative level in Victoria. Duff-Tytler is also a talented footballer.

Riley Dunn

Represented Vic Country at the under 18 national championships earlier this year. From Ballarat.

Louis Emmett

Another Hawthorn Magic under 16s representative to make the list. Emmett also played at the under 16 national titles. A true team player who knows when it’s his time to step up.

Sitaya Fagan

A player who can dominate the paint at both ends of the floor. Covers the court with ease due to her athletic profile.

Marianela Fakalata

A stunning season for the Nunawading young gun who continues to impress for the high flying Spectres.

Kristian Ferronato

Played for Australia at the U17 World Cup after brilliant displays in recent years. A strong Eltham product.

Luke Fennell

Part of a successful Knox Raiders program, Fennell has a fantastic ability on both ends of the court. He can stretch defences with his outside shooting.

Austin Foxwell

Foxwell is a walking bucket. At club level for Bulleen he is consistently putting together big numbers including multiple shots from deep.

Joel Foxwell

A Bulleen product who represented Vic Metro earlier this year. Foxwell has a strong defensive game but is more than capable on defence.

Jaime Gallatly

A Vic Country representative from the country town of Maffra. She continues to impress with her all-round ability.

Jamie Gilchrist

Gilchrist is a Kilsyth player flying through the ranks. Represented Vic Metro in the title winning under 16 national champs earlier this year.

Dylan Grollo

A rising star of the Bulleen Boomers program, Grollo is part of SSV’s under 12 boys team.

Nate Hargrave

A rising star of the Wyndham basketball program, Hargrave is a consistent performer at under 18 level. Has spent some minutes in the Big V Men’s Championship team.

Mia Harvey

Made the under 16 Vic Country team as a bottom age player at just 13 earlier this year. She is the daughter of Bendigo Braves legend Ben Harvey.

Sienna Harvey

Harvey is a Centre of Excellence prospect hailing from Wodonga. She has also represented Vic Country and looks set to have a big future ahead of her.

Corey Hastings

A guard with outstanding shooting ability at such a young age. From the Southern Peninsula, he can go big on any given night. Can also back it up on the defensive end.

Tess Heal

As the niece of former Boomer Shane and cousin of current Opal Shyla, Heal comes from a family of Australian basketball royalty. She has made four Vic Metro teams in the years she has been eligible, which puts her on par with Women’s Basketball Hall of Famers Michele Timms and Penny Taylor. Heal has also represented Australia at junior level.

Jada Hill

Already a player for the big stage. The Kilsyth youngster was named Grand Final MVP at the National Junior Classic. She’s in the School Sport Victoria under 12 team.

Lucas Impey

The Ballarat star uses this length and athleticism to impact the game at both ends of the floor. His defensive ability allows him to guard one through five.

Chantelle James

The Frankston gun represented Vic Country at the under 18 national titles and hasn’t looked back.

Lilah Jarvis

A Kilsyth young gun who recently performed strongly at the National Junior Classic. She was included in the SSV under 12 team.

Jasmine Jones

Another Kilsyth rising star to make the list. Jones has consistently put up big numbers in the VJBL this season to help earn selection in the SSV under 12 team.

Lachlan Kanngiesser

Was a standout for Vic Country at the under 16 national titles. He’s a shooter who can turn a game on its head from deep. Really balanced at both ends of the court.

Bridgette Kata

One of the most important players in the Casey Cavaliers line-up. Has 91 points for the season.

Liam Keogh

The second leading scorer in the under 14 boys Victorian Championship division. The Kilsyth youngster has been super impressive.

Adrian Kiliva

A member of the Sunbury Jets. Kiliva is currently part of the SSV under 12 boys team.

Ava Kirkwood

As Kirkwood’s Melbourne Tigers push for the top four, Kirkwood is playing a very important role for her side.

Lukas Koutoufides

The son of former AFL superstar, Anthony. Lukas is on his own path to greatness. He earned selection in the SSV under 12 team.

Amy Kurkowski

The Sandringham product is a star on the rise. She recently attended the NBA Women’s Academy games alongside two other Victorians before backing it up at the Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp, also run by the NBA. She’s a Vic Metro representative.

Grace Larkins

Spends her time in Gippsland United’s and Southern Peninsula’s basketball teams. Larkins recently was a Vic Country under 16 representative.

Dallas Loughridge

Loughridge is at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in Canberra on a scholarship, following in the footsteps of players including Dante Exum and Penny Taylor. She made her WNBL debut in February and is described as a lightning-fast point guard.

Alice Magnanini

Part of the Melbourne Tigers program, the young gun recently played for the Vic Metro under 16s team. One of the state’s best scorers for her age group.

Oliver Maxa

Another young gun on the rise out of Nunawading. Maxa recently earned selection in the SSV under 12 boys team.

Lenny Maxwell

Another member of the rapidly improving Sunbury Jets program. Maxwell has put up some strong numbers this season which saw him selected in the SSV under 12 boys team.

Georgia McBean

A player who can fill the stat sheet in a variety of different ways. The Kilsyth youngster was part of Vic Metro’s under 18 national title winning campaign.

Archer McMenamin

Represented Vic Metro at the under 18 national titles. Another Casey Cavalier to feature on this list highlighting the club’s strong pathway. McMenamin previously travelled to Spain on a Basketball Victoria program in 2019.

Victoria Meredith

Another star on the rise out of Casey. Has always found ways in state teams including most recently at the under 16 national titles.

Alex Molan

Molan is a talented multi-sport athlete who is the brother of Richmond AFLW star, Sophie. Hailing from Ballarat, he has the ability to see plays unfolding in front of him.

Riley Morehu

A Warragul gun with composure beyond his years. Shows plenty of poise with the ball in his hands and is considered an elite shooter. Represented Vic Country.

Oliver Muir

Currently playing for Victoria at the under 12 School Sport Australia titles. Spends his time playing with Dandenong and Warragul.

Poppy Myers

A Warrnambool young gun who is expected to have a big future in the sport.

Jesse Nassif

A dominant force for Whittlesea, Nassif is putting together a brilliant season for the Pacers. He impressed at the recent National Junior Classic too.

Caide Newnham

A member of the SSV under 12 team in 2022. Plays at club level for Frankston.

Cooper Newton

Another one of regional Victoria’s best young basketball products. A Wangaratta Warriors young gun who has a very bright future ahead of him.

Asha Nightingale

Coming from Traralgon, Nightingale will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Jack White and Jade Melbourne two of the region’s success stories. She represented Vic Country at the under 18 national titles.

Daisy Nousis

One of the best pure scorers at under 16 level in the state. The McKinnon star continues to put up big numbers at every level.

Sa Pilimai

Represented his club Keilor on the national stage earlier this year when he was selected in the under 16 Vic Country side.

Sarah Portlock

The Broadmeadows star recently represented Australia at the U16 Asia Championships then U17 World Cup. She was recently accepted into the Centre of Excellence.

Wil Rantall

The Warrnambool youngster has thrived in the Seahawks’ Big V team this impressing in limited minutes on court. Has a big future ahead.

Austin Rapp

The Knox big man represented Australia at the recent U16 Asian Championship and then U17 World Cup. Stands at 202cm at just 16 and will turn 17 on August 20.

Ned Renfree

At just 16, Renfree is a player to watch going forward. He has spent time on the Ballarat Miners NBL1 South roster this season playing one game.

Kendra Rivet

A Casey young gun who represented the Cavaliers on the national stage after earning selection in the Vic Metro under 16 team.

Joel Robinson

Earned state selection at under 16 earlier in the year. Standing at 6’3” he’s a difficult match up for any opposition defender.

Fraser Roxburgh

Has made massive strides in his development this year. Has the ability to score in may different ways. Standing at 196cm, the Knox young gun’s makes him a tough match for opposition defenders.

Madison Ryan

From the Sandringham basketball program, Ryan is the leading scorer in the under 14 Victorian Championships girls division with 160 points for the season.

Niamh Ryan

A member of the Coburg Giants, Ryan is a pure scorer who continues to excel at any level. Representing Victoria at the School Sport Australia under 12 titles.

Emily Scholtes

Has made a strong impression on Big V Basketball this season in Gippsland United’s inaugural season in the competition.

Indy Schwarz

Part of the Geelong United program, Schwarz is the daughter of former Melbourne AFL footballer. David Schwarz. She made the Vic Country under 16 team as a bottom-ager. Schwarz can play all positions but dominates the paint and loves to reel in big rebounds and make big finishes.

Georgia Sewell

The Dandenong product continues to thrive in the pressure moments and has been part of the Rangers’ NBL1 South program this season.

Henry Sewell

Hailing from the Dandenong Rangers’ basketball program, Sewell looks set to have his biggest impact inside the paint. He has consistent put up big numbers at local level including a 28-point outing against Mornington. A Vic Metro representative.

Zoe Shanahan

Another Vic Metro under 16 representative. Shanahan is part of the Nunawading basketball program.

Ben Shinkfield

The Kilsyth young gun was a Vic Country representative earlier this year and has been a consistently strong performer at club level.

Sophie Smith

The Warrnambool young gun earned selection in SSV’s under 12 girls team to highlight her brilliant potential.

Indy Springlett

One of four Kilsyth players selected on SSV’s under 12 girls team. A brilliant talent at both ends of the floor.

Martin Steen

Has spent time in both the Bendigo and Knox programs which has excelled him to an elite level. A Vic Country representative at the under 18 nationals.

Rachel Stewart

Another player who wears Melbourne Tigers colours. Stewart played for Vic Country at the under 16 national titles.

Tiernan Stynes

A powerhouse scorer from Nunawading, Stynes has already proven he can compete at the highest level.

Georgia Taylor

Taylor has played plenty of basketball this year having spent time in the NBL1 South and Big V Youth Championship with Dandenong’s women’s team.

Sophie Taylor

Give Taylor any room from deep and she’ll hurt the opposition with her elite three-point shot. Also performed strongly at the National Junior Classic.

Ben Waller

The Traralgon representative was part of the Vic Country side at the under 18 national championships earlier this year. A small forward who is involved in Gippsland United’s Big V team.

Jaymee Wadey

A big performer at all levels for Frankston. Wadey shone at the National Junior Classic this season, form which came off the back of a strong VJBL season. A Vic Metro representative.

Ben Ware-Drakeford

One of the rising stars out of the Dandenong Rangers in the VJBL. The young gun has consistently scored at ease for his club this year. Selected in the SSV under 12 boys team.

Kyra Webb

Recently attended the NBA’s Women Academy games in the US. She’s played minutes in Casey’s NBL1 team gaining more opportunity in the back half of the season.

Isabel Whitelaw

Represented Vic Country at the under 18 national titles and has continued to impress for Shepparton and Hawthorn.

Ella Wickstrom

Narrowly missed selection in the Vic Metro team but has put together a strong season for McKinnon in the VJBL with 172 points.

Hannah Wickstrom

A star for Sandringham. She is part of Basketball Victoria’s National Performance Program.

Isobelle Wightman

A star of a Hawthorn Magic basketball club which continues to make a big impact on Victorian basketball. Represented Vic Metro earlier this year.

Harry Wiltshire

Selected in the SSV under 12 boys team which is currently competing against some of the state’s best player.

Charlie Wilson

The Nunawading young gun leads all comers in the under 14 boys Victorian Championship division with 225 points for the season. Also impressed at the recent National Junior Classic.

Sierra Woolhouse

The Sandringham product made the Vic Metro under 16 team earlier this year. Has 188 points from the Sabres in the VJBL this year.

Cooper York

A co-captain for Vic Country at the under 16 titles earlier this year. The Diamond Valley junior has been hailed by the team’s coaching staff as a fantastic leader who will do what it takes to win games. York has played at the National Junior Classic and Junior Country Championships (with Whittlesea) this year.

Max Zalakos

From Geelong United, Zalakos is an athletic scorer who can get the job done on the outside as well as in the paint.