VJBL: The players to watch in season 2022-23
The next stage of the VJBL season is set to get underway later this week. Here are some of the best junior talents to keep an eye on.
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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.
Jasmine Ager, Camberwell
A Victorian representative earlier this year at the School Sport Australia titles. Ager will be a key player in the Dragons’ under 14s.
Isla Airey, Sandringham.
Looms as a key player for the Sabres in the coming 12 months. Airey is already putting up big numbers in pre-season and you’d expect that to transition to the VJBL.
Brylee Anderson, Kilsyth
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.
Finn Barnes, Westgate
Despite entering the season as a bottom aged player in the under 14s, Barnes is expected to put together a strong season. The classy guard played a key role in Westgate’s under 12 team last season.
Charlie Beck, Mornington
Part of the Breakers’ under 14 boys team, Beck is a rising talent who is set to compete at the Australian Junior Country Cup in 2023.
Corben Bell, Bendigo
Part of Bendigo’s under 14s team, Bell is a player on the rise having recently been invited to the Southern Cross Challenge.
Xavier Berry, Blackburn
His coaches can always rely on him to hit the scoreboard and bring his teammates into the game.
Joshua Blaikie, Sandringham
Has earned a place in the Sabres’ team under 16 boys team this season and looks set to bring his scoring talents to a higher level.
Eddy Brown, Bellarine Storm
A star on the rise out of the Bellarine basketball program. Eddy is a member of the Vic Country squads that will compete at the Southern Cross challenge in January. A dominant physical presence with ability to create shots for himself and others off the dribble, Eddy began the season in strong form at the Geelong pre-season tournament. Expect his ability to get in the paint and score on multiple levels to have a significant impact on his team‘s performance this season.
Charlie Calder, Blackburn
Enjoyed a strong season for the Vikings last campaign and looks set to go to another level.
Alannah Carnell, Sunbury
Also plays her basketball with Macedon Rangers when the Rockies compete. Carnell has shown an ability to compete strongly at both ends of the floor.
Will Clancy, Sandringham
A rising star of the Sabres program who looks set to excel in the under 14 boys team.
James Coleman, Camberwell
Looks set to have a big future in the game after earning an invite to the national performance program.
Tadhg Condron, Sunbury
Set for his second season in the under 18s program. Condron is a consistent scorer.
Lavinia Cox, Bendigo
One of the best scorers in the entire Bendigo program. Cox enters the VJBL in ominous form after hitting 67 points across three games at the Southern Peninsula tournament last weekend.
Mia Cox, Bendigo
Set to step up into the under 14s, Cox is a free scoring player who hits double figures on a regular basis. Was an impressive performer at the Basketball Victoria Country Jamboree this year.
Cooper Cunnington, Bendigo
Able to put up big numbers himself but can also bring his teammates into the game.
Dash Daniels, Bendigo
The younger brother of Australia’s latest NBA star, Dyson, Daniels is on his own path to stardom. Has a fantastic ability to score quickly but also bring teammates into the game.
Henry Darker, Sandringham
Now a top age talent in the under 14s, Darker is looking set to take his game to the next level. Can easily score at will at this level.
Rise Fairweather, Mornington
The under 14 girls star is a talent on the rise and is a member of Basketball Victoria’s future development program.
Eddie Fleming, Bendigo
A player who does a little bit of everything and can hurt opposition teams from deep.
Jake Greenacre, Blackburn
Has crossed from the Hawthorn Magic where he was a big scorer who has the ability to hit shots from deep.
Fred Hardman, Camberwell
New to the Dragons program and will be hoping to put his high scoring power on regular display.
Mia Harvey, Bendigo
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.
Archie Herdman, Bendigo
An impressive scorer at all different levels and looms as an exciting talent.
Brody Hull, Kilsyth
Hull is expected to be among Kilsyth’s leading scorers this season as he prepares for his top age year in the under 18 side.
Oscar Humble, Sandringham
Looms as an important player for the Sabres in the under 18s. Has shown he is a player who can get the job done on both ends.
Jack Innella, Pakenham
A super fast guard who just returned from a stint with the Australian Boomerangs where they claimed a gold medal. Innella also plays for the Warriors’ Big V side.
Kaleb Johnson, Sandringham
Set to play an important role in the Sabres’ under 16 side, this time as a top age talent.
Jasmine Jones, Kilsyth
A Victorian representative earlier this year. At that tournament Jones put up brilliant numbers as she consistently does at club level.
Eve Kalms, Bendigo
Back for her second season with the Braves’ under 16s, Kalms is a wonderful talent who does the things coaches love.
Cooper Kanngiesser, Mornington
Quickly growing as a must watch talent in Victorian basketball. Kanngiesser will play in the Australian Junior Country Cup next year and is part of Basketball Victoria’s future development program. Will play in the under 16s team.
Lachlan Kanngiesser, Mornington
A talented youngster with the world at his feet. Kanngiesser will represent Australia at the FIBA Under 15 Oceania Championships next week on the back of Vic Country selection earlier this year. Will also play in the Australian Junior Country Cup next year. Plays in Mornington’s under 18s side.
Kijana Katramados, Mornington
Set to be a key player in the Breakers’ under 16s girls side. Katramados played in the Big V Youth League team earlier this season which helped further her development.
Holly Kearney, Sandringham
The under 14s rising star recently earned selection in the future development program run by Basketball Victoria, highlighting her promising talent.
Harrison Keating, Bendigo
Arguably his side’s greatest offensive weapon his season, able to score in a variety of ways.
Emily Kelly, Sunbury
Steps up into the Jets’ under 18 team where she looks set to be a key player. You can back Kelly to score in almost every game.
Riley Knight, Kilsyth
An exciting player who looks set to light up the under 14s competition.
Lukas Koutoufides, Camberwell
The son of former AFL superstar, Anthony. Lukas is on his own path to greatness. He earned selection in the SSV under 12 team earlier this year.
Zach Kovac, Sandringham
Has shown promising signs in pre-season tournaments and practice games. Kovac can score big but also bring his teammates into the action.
Ben Lamb, Westgate
Will be a bottom aged player in the Imperials’ under 14s best boys team this season. A classy guard who enjoyed a strong season in the under 12 Victorian Championship side last campaign. Was recently selected in Basketball Victoria’s future development program.
Cooper Lanting, Pakenham
Brings plenty of energy to the court with his lightning pace making him a constant threat on both ends of the floor.
Bayley Lattenstein, Sunbury
Can score big at any time and has the ability to hurt the opposition from three different levels.
Harry Lawson, Westgate
Lawson is starting his third VJBL season, having started with the Imperials as a double bottom age player in 2020. He is a high IQ player, who will be a leader in his team. He does it all being a strong offensive and defensive player. Lawson was selected to participate in the Basketball Victoria Metro Jamboree last season, and had a key role in Westgate under 12 Victorian Championship finalist team, as a bottom age player.
Elijah Lever, Westgate
Lever joins Westgate this season as a big forward inside can play inside and out. He is new to the club and will provide the 14.1 boys side with outstanding rim protection. Lever will be an anchor to this 14.1 boys side, who are expected to grow their VJBL ranking with an impressive lineup this season.
Raf Luppino, Mornington
Included in Basketball Victoria’s future development program and is considered an exciting talent. Part of the Breakers’ under 14 boys team.
Nirvana Martin, Sunbury
One of the most consistent scorers in the under 18 girls team and that is expected to continue.
Oliver Maxa, Nunawading
Another young gun on the rise out of Nunawading. Maxa recently earned selection in the SSV under 12 boys team.
Lenny Maxwell, Sunbury
Put up strong numbers last season to see him earn a place on the School Sport Victoria under 12 team.
Sonny Maxwell, Sunbury
A finely balanced player who has the ability to bring players into the game or score big on his own.
Georgia McBean, Kilsyth
McBean is a star point guard and one of the players to watch this weekend. She represented Vic Metro at the under 18 national championships, winning the gold medal. She also attended the Australian under 17 women’s camp.
Parker McCreadie, Blackburn
Scores for fun and has the ability to put up incredible numbers. He’s part of Basketball Victoria’s future development program.
Jake Meagher, Pakenham
Uses his height and athleticism to get to the consistently, often causing opposition defenders to foul.
Linden Moon, Pakenham
Still in the under 16s side at the Warriors, Moon is an elite guard with a bright future ahead of him.
Elsie Noonan, Bendigo
A new player in the Braves’ program after crossing from Macedon Ranges. Noonan represented Victoria at the School Sport Australia titles earlier this year.
Amy O’Brien, Sunbury
A consistent threat on the offensive end given her ability to score in every game.
Max Pavey, Camberwell
Quickly rising up the ranks and looks set to play an important role in the under 16s boys side. Recently invited into the state development program.
Lila Price, Mornington
Price looks set for a big season with the Breakers under 14 girls team after earning selection for the Australian Junior Country Cup 2023.
Sienna Quinlan, Bellarine Storm
Quinlan has often gone under the radar through her junior career. A long wing with the ability to shoot the 3 and make sound decisions getting to the basket, her game has blossomed in the past 12 months. Improvements in her defensive footwork have allowed her to have an impact on the defensive end of the floor as well. As a top age under 18 player Sienna is primed for a strong VJBL season.
Sophie Richardson, Camberwell
Richardson is a forward who is involved in some of Basketball Victoria’s pathway programs. She is a strong scorer who can add 15 points a game.
Basil Risvanis, Sandringham
Is in promising form heading into the season after scoring 62 points in four games at the recent Southern Peninsula tournament. Enjoyed an impressive campaign during the 2021-22 season.
Charlie Roberts, Blackburn
A highly talented player who is coming off a brilliant under 12s 2021-22 campaign for the Vikings.
Jack Rutter, Mornington
In Mornington’s under 14 boys team, Rutter recently earned an invite to the Southern Cross Challenge.
Harper Ruzicka, Westgate
Starts her second VJBL season with the Imperials and will be a starting guard in 12.1 team. After a solid season as a bottom age player in the 12.1 last year Ruzicka is well placed to improve on her solid foundations and with her high level basketball IQ she knows how to get to the right spot on the floor and make an impact. She has an impressive finish and long shooting range and great decision making to bring her teammates into the game.
Maddison Ryan, Sandringham
Set to participate in the Southern Cross Challenge and state development program. Ryan is a player who can consistently put up big numbers.
Meg Ryan, Westgate
Returning for her second season with the Imperials. Ryan has the height and athleticism to have a big impact this season and her defensive intent and ability to run, means opposition players will find her hard to get past.
Harry Smith-Jones, Sunbury
Preparing to step up into the under 16s, Smith-Jones will be hoping to bring his free scoring ability into the higher age group.
Mikayla Stacey, Westgate
A dominant offensive who looks set to be the primary scorer for the Imperials’ under 16 side this season. She has strong ball-handling skills and a very good read of the game. Stacey is exceptional at identifying gaps and drives to the basket and finishing with contact. She won the MVP for the 16.1 Girls in 2022 and was the top scorer in her VJBL league as a bottom-age player.
Rachel Stewart, Sunbury
New into the Sunbury program as she prepares to move from the Melbourne Tigers.
Chiara Sultana, Westgate
The under 16 girls’ starting point guard for the Imperials. She has exceptional dribbling, passing, and finishing skills around the basket. When Sultana is on the floor, she lifts her teammates and makes everyone around her better. She plays with a high level of IQ, makes optimal decisions on the floor, and picks up new skills at a rapid pace that she then implements into her game. She is also very quickly developing into an elite defender.
Milly Surkitt, Sandringham
Recently earned selection in Basketball Victoria’s future development program and will play a key role for the Sabres under 14s side.
Ivan Suslov, Sunbury
Joins the Jets for this season after a stint with Keilor. Played at the National Junior Classic with the Thunder earlier this year.
Ella Tankovich, Camberwell
A new Dragon for the upcoming season after previously playing for Hawthorn Magic. The club is excited about her ability.
Lilly Teuma, Bendigo
Included in Bendigo’s under 14 girls team, Teuma is a well balanced player at both ends of the floor.
Max Threatt, Westgate
Threatt joins Westgate Imperials for his second season in the VJBL. He will play a key role as the starting point guard in the 12.1 boys side. Threatt has incredible ball handling skills, is a skilled on ball defender and demonstrates facilitation skills beyond his age. He won the MVP in his VJBL grand final last season, as well as an MVP at the Ballarat Tournament.
Sebastian Van Der Brink, Sandringham
A new player in the Sabres’ program having played for Casey last season. Has already shown good signs in pre-season.
Ava Verrier, Camberwell
Makes the step up to under 16 level where she’s expected to continue developing at an exciting rate.
Olivia Walton, Blackburn
Walton was recently selected in Basketball Victoria’s future development program.
Milly White, Camberwell
A shooting guard who can consistently score over 20 points. She put together a huge game earlier in the year with 41 points.
Kal Willis, Bendigo
A talent on the rise who has shown great development in the last 12 months.
Tanner Wilson, Camberwell
Recently invited to the state development program and Southern Cross Challenge. Will play in the Dragons’ under 16s.
Jake Zeunert, Camberwell
Was a dominant scorer in the under 12s last campaign and looks set to carry on with that trait despite moving up an age group.
Angela Zhou, Camberwell
Enjoyed a strong season in Camberwell’s second team but looks set to step up to the challenge.
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