VJBL: The players to watch in season 2023-24

Famous names and state representatives are among the key players set to star in the Victorian Junior Basketball League this season. Here’s who to keep an eye on.

The Victorian Junior Basketball League is set to make an exciting return later this week.

The state’s premier competition will see teams from across Victoria compete for the title of state champion.

Here are some of the best young talents to keep an eye on from several clubs.

COBURG

Charlie Alapinar (u14.1 Boys)

One of the tallest boys in the state for the 2012 age group. He was the second highest scorer in the VC Championship last season.

Dimitrios Anagnostopoulos (16.1 Boys)

The young gun has been out for two seasons with a back injury but has come back with a vengeance.

Kuir Ayiik and Biar Ayiik (U16.1 Boys)

Basketball twins who have some extraordinary natural talent. Superb athletes and players.

Olivia Goldstein (16.1 Girls) 

Daughter of AFL ruckman Todd Goldstein, she continues to be one of the most exciting prospects at the club.

Zoe Steer (16.1 Girls)

The top scorer last year for the Giants VC team and now leads the 16 girls as a bottom ager.

Tom Faulkner, Campbell Harrison AND Riam Schlegel (18.1 Boys)

Three very talented players coming up from the Giants’ under-16 VJBL championship winning team.

DIAMOND VALLEY

CeeJay Caddy (U16 Girls)

CeeJay joins the under-16 age group fresh from a very successful Under-14 National Club Championships where she averaged 17 points a game. CeeJay is a quick explosive guard has an elite ability of getting to the basket and finishing with either hand. A definite star of the future.

James Coleman (U18 Boys)

James is arguably one of the best shooters in the country for his age group. He was a member of the successful gold medal winning U-18 Vic Metro team where he shot 42 per cent from deep. He will be in the running for national selection next year.

Emmerson Florance (U14 Girls)

The daughter of Opal Hollie Florance (nee Grima). Emmerson is a 186cm 11-year-old who has great touch around the basket. Her footwork for a young lady her size is excellent and will only improve once she starts to mature.

Cooper York (U18 Boys)

Cooper is a member of Basketball Victoria’s National Performance Program (NPP). He is a great all-round player who can impact the game in so many ways when he is out on the court. A tall guard who can play multiple positions.

GIPPSLAND UNITED

Willem Duursma (U18 Boys)

A top-five leading scorer in the U18 VC Championship in the 2022-23 season. Willem will look to take down the giant clubs in Melbourne this season. He is a duel athlete playing at Gippsland United and Power where he could follow down the path of his three siblings going down the AFL pathway or will it be basketball that steals his heart.

Hamish Gill (U18 Boys)

A bottom age athlete who come over from Leongatha for his first season at Gippsland United. A 6’5” stretch four will bring some size to the under-18 team and some high flying dunks. He gets to pair up with his fellow Leongatha teammates Willem Duursma and Lucas Allen in United colours.

Gippsland United has plenty of exciting talents.

William Hamilton (U16 Boys)

Hamilton is a respected leader amongst his teammates, who sets the example by regularly outworking his opponents. He is a dangerous three level scorer who can effortlessly score from anywhere on the floor.

Riley Morehu (U18 Boys)

Morehu is an electric point guard that started his craft at Warragul Warriors. He has been in the BV programs for years and he is looking to take the next step and get selected in the Victoria Country under-18 team. Some may see Riley as being the best Point Guard in VJBL this coming season and we know he will take it up to the best of them.

Jenson Rogers (U18 Boys)

A bottom age athlete who is coming back from a year off after tearing his ACL. Jenson has done all the work and is looking to set Gippsland United up for a tilt at the pointy end of the year.

KILSYTH

Brylee Andersen (U18 Girls)

An excellent point guard with great skills and smarts. She is very crafty and an impact player at both ends of the court. Selected in Basketball Australia’s Country NPP program and the Victoria under-16 state team this year.

Jordan Buccat (U12 Boys)

A quick and explosive guard with lots of energy. Very coachable and can score at will.

Jada Hill (U14 Girls)

A versatile guard who can shoot it and get to the rim both hands. Hill is also a real competition. After winning silver with the Cobras at the under-14 national club champs, she has also been selected in Basketball Victoria’s SDP country program.

Jasmine Jones (U16 Girls)

One of the best point guards in Australia in her age group. Jones is very smart, a good scorer and leader. She was a member of silver medal winning Cobras under-14 at thge Club Nationals in 2023. She has been selected in Basketball Australia’s metro NPP program.

Zane Miller (U16 Boys)

A tall guard who can shoot it from the outside and get to the rim. Also known as a great team guy and very coachable. He was selected in Basketball Victoria’s SDP program and under-16 East Coast Challenge.

Chayse Vincent (U18 Boys)

A very quick point guard who can shoot the lights out if left open. A great coachable player who is very motivated to be his best and hard worker.

MCKINNON

Megen Cooper (U18.1 Girls)

A super crafty shooter standing at 5’11”.She also has a finishing package around the ring that’s as good as they come. A Vic Country representative earlier this year.

Cooper os someone to keep an eye on.

Sam Martin (U18.1 Boys)

Described as an incredible point guard who can facilitate the ball but also extend the defence with his unlimited three-point range. Also a major factor defensively. He was a key performer in Vic Metro’s under-16 national success earlier this year.

Daisy Nousis (U18.1 Girls)

A six-foot, long super athlete with an enormous vertical leap and lightning fast who is absolutely deadly in transition. She averaged around 20ppg last year in the under-16s. Nousis has been a Vic Metro representative the last two years and is an NPP athlete.

PAKENHAM

Byron Anderson (U16 Boys)

Taking the reins as the number one-point guard, a leader on the squad who is looking set for a big season.

Kaylee Mann (U14 Girls)

She is a flyer. As a bottom age player, she has really impressed coaches this year already. With pace to burn, an ability to read the ball and a never say die attitude, Kaylee is proving already that if teams don’t look out for her, they will pay a heavy price.

Linden Moon (U18 Boys)

Moon is a shifty guard that keeps defenders off balance. At 15, he already has two seasons of Men’s Country Basketball League experience under his belt already. He is a Pakenham player to watch in the coming years.

Steph Nellen can score with ease.

Steph Nellen (U16 Girls)

Described as coachable, resilient, and a natural athlete with an instinctive scoring ability. Her length, speed, agility, and athleticism make her an excitable and impactful player that should be on everybody’s radar this VJBL season.

Ivy Pemberton (U12 Girls)

A very headsy player with a real nose for the ball and love of the game. She has a great motor and makes everyone around her better.

Xavier Roberts (U12 Boys)

Coming of a grand final win at the Southern Peninsula tournament in November and winning the MVP. Xavier’s pace, ability to move the ball team and defensive pressure has him as someone to keep an eye on in 2024 and beyond.

SUNBURY

Christian Beecroft (U16 Boys)

An exciting guard with the ability to score big but also facilitate for teammates. Has a strong ability of getting to the free throw line.

Alex Gray

An exciting young talent who is part of Basketball Victoria's pathways.

Samuel Haslett (U18 Boys)

Also plays for Macedon Ranges as part of his basketball commitments. An outstanding young talent.

Reyvon Latosa (U16 Boys)

Part of Basketball Victoria's Country State Development program.

Rachel Stewart (U18 Girls)

Part of Basketball Victoria's Country State Development program, Stewart is a former Victorian representative.