Cairns’ 26 best up and coming basketballers revealed
Here are the rising stars in Cairns basketball to keep an eye as possible future Taipans or WNBL players. SEE THE LIST HERE >>>
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There’s no denying it: FNQ bats well above its weight when it comes to basketball.
Whether it’s at a representative level for North Queensland, Queensland or Australia, or at a pro level with the Taipans, Marlins or Dolphins, the pathways for ballers in Cairns are many.
Cairns Basketball development manager Will Lopez said from a young age, basketballers in the Far North get attuned to conditioning, critical film review and mental skills.
“We are extremely proud of the depth of talent we have here in Cairns which is shown by the tremendous numbers of athletes selected to move on to various representative levels,” he said.
Here are the top junior talents in Cairns who one day might find themselves getting the call up to the Taipans or the WNBL.
Teyahna Bond
Age: 15
Bond has already collected plenty of selections in her young tenure with Cairns Basketball.
The 15-year-old has played in the state championships since under-12s, is a member of Basketball Australia’s Natonal Performance Program (NPP) and was recently named to the Queensland North side for the upcoming under-18 national championships.
Basketball Queensland state performance officer Kerry Williams said: “Teyahna is very young but already super talented and is quickly making a name for herself.
“She’s a great shooter, a quick defender and just fun to watch.”
Tyson Crees
Age: 15
This guard has been involved in Far North basketball since under-12s, having represented Queensland North on a number of occasions.
The 15-year-old also attended the under-17 Crocs camp at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in early March in preparation for selection to the Australia men’s team going to the FIBA Asia Cup.
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Coach Lopez says: “He’s a real floor general – he sees the floor well, he’s great at distributing the ball well through teammates.”
Andrianna Francis
Age: 14
A forward who was also named to the NPP, Francis has repped her state well including at the under-16s in Darwin last year.
Provided she remains on course, Francis will be in the conversation for Opals selection in the near future.
Coach Lopez says: “She’s got good hands, good finishing touches around the rim and is a real solid overall player.”
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Noah Kirk
Age: 13
A player in the Basketball Queensland State Performance Program (SPP), this will be Kirk’s first year of eligibility for under-16s making him a candidate for Queensland North at nationals.
Taryn Bond
Age: 14
Another Bond Basketballer, Taryn plays guard in under-16s and is in the SPP and NPP.
Coach Lopez says: “She’ll be looking to make that under-16 QLD North team and follow her sisters footsteps, playing in the national championships and making her way up to the Dolphins and potentially more.”
Jaylen Pitman
Age: 16
The former Cairns State High School student made the move south this year, but he is known as one of the region’s best remains.
As well as many a state and national call-up, Pitman also attended the Centre of Excellence camp with Crees.
Coach Lopez says: “He’s just a natural athlete, very silky smooth with his skills and another one who had a pretty good under-18 national champions and a pretty good state championships.”
Lecita Sherriffs
Age: 15
Also in the SPP and eager for under-16s nationals selection, the forward is another one to watch as someone who can make an impact locally or at a state level.
Coach Lopez says: “Lecita is a determined post player who has an ability to finish inside with both hands. She is a strong rebounder who is continually improving.”
Isabel Beecroft
Age: 14
Beecrofts and Far North basketball go hand-in-hand, and this forward shows it with a resume that includes SPP participation and state call-ups.
Coach Lopez says: “High IQ player who understand the offence and is able to make good passes to her teammates. Is all about the team and the club.”
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Isabel Tieppo
Age: 14
This 14-year-old guard is in line to represent the state for nationals this year, owed largely to her run up the scoreboard.
Coach Lopez says: “She is a tenacious defender who is super athletic. She is a strong outside shooter with a good ability to get to the rim.”
Leah Pearson-Pitt
Age: 14
A guard who was named to the Basketball Queensland North Emerging under-15 squad, Pearon-Pitt will also seek to head to nationals this year for under-16s.
Coach Lopez says: “Another three level scorer with a great improvement in her shooting. She gets the tough assignments on defence each game and is responsible for locking down the other teams’ best player.”
Milla Boodnikoff
Age: 14
A baller in the under-14 rep games, Boodnikoff will hope to maintain her best form as she moves up to under-16s.
Coach Lopez says: “Brings energy on the defensive end with good length and athleticism to disrupt and deflect in passing lanes. She has a great shooting form that will continue to develop.”
Breanna Edgerton
Age: 13
A forward who’s been named to a number of talent programs, including the SPP and Basketball Queensland’s FDP.
Coach Lopez says: “Bree is extremely tough and gritty. Does all the little things for the team and is always putting her body on the line.”
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Matilda Green
Age: 13
A talented player in the high demand centre position, Green will be eager for an under-16 selection this year.
Coach Lopez says: “An aggressive developing centre who is improving footwork and finishing around the rim. She is a sponge for learning and keen to continue to develop.”
Benjamin Accoom
Age: 15
Having had success in under-12s and under-14s at state champs, there’s no reason Accoom could ball out for the under-16s this year.
Coach Lopez says: “An athletic forward who has a great ability to penetrate to the rim and finish with either hand. He plays with great instincts especially on the defensive end as an interceptor.”
Sean O’Reilly –
Age: 15
An aggressive guard who’s repped FNQ in a number of junior tournaments, he’ll work on his craft more this year with the SPP.
Coach Lopez says: “Sean is a crafty guard with a solid outside shot and ability to penetrate the key. He has good poise and ability to finish around the rim with floaters and runners.”
Kyzen Luki –
Age: 14
An aggressive guard, Luki played lights out during the state champs in 2020.
Coach Lopez says: “Kyzen is a sharpshooting left hander who can get hot from the 3-point line quickly.
“He is good in transition and is effective in fast break opportunities.”
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Christian Jackson –
Age: 14
A speedster who runs up the scoreboard who’s excelled at a regional and state level.
Coach Lopez says: “Christian is a smooth player who uses his solid footwork and ball skills to fake defences and get open shots.
“He is an effective outside shooter who is developing his game more and more.”
Saxon Toyne –
Age: 14
Toyne – who plays forward – had a stellar game in the under-14 state championships final last year for Cairns in their loss to Southern Districts Spartans.
Coach Lopez says: “Saxon is a hard working forward who uses his length well to block shots, rebound and finish around the rim.
“He is a hard worker and great communicator on the defensive end.”
Orlando Geary –
Age: 14
Playing well at guard for the Cairns Stingers in division 2 under-14s last year, joining the SPP in 2022.
Coach Lopez says: “Orlando is a young point guard with good length and ball handling skills.
“His pull-up jump shot is one of his major weapons and he is developing as a point guard who is able to create opportunities for his teammates.”
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Joshua Hosking –
Age: 13
Winning at a Queensland North junior level, Hosking has excelled early in his playing time.
Coach Lopez says: “A hard worker who has developed his finishing around the rim.
“He is a solid defensive player who does all the little things for the team including rebounding, screening, defending and diving on loose balls.”
Michael Herjok –
Age: 14
Herjok is another member of the SPP program eyeing a trip to Perth for the under-16 National Championships.
Coach Lopez says: “Michael uses his length and energy to be extremely disruptive on the defensive end.
“He is a good finisher in transition and is developing his outside shooting with confidence.”
Felicity Crotty
Age: 17
In 2021, Crotty averaged 5.53 points and 2.38 rebounds per game for the Dolphins.
Coach Lopez says: “A Cairns junior who will once again be a member of the NBL1 Dolphins program.”
Emma Toombs
Age: 16
A high IQ player who’s on the playing list for both the Dolphins’ under-18 and NBL1 sides.
Coach Lopez says: “Selected in the QLD North U-18 Women’s side who will compete at the National Championships in Ballarat in April.”
Jacob Beattie
Age: 15
Another player to come from the Cairns High ballers nursery, Beattie is also an under-18 SPP Athlete.
Coach Lopez says: A tough defender who does all the little things for the team.
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Travis Drinnan
Age: 16
Part of the under-18 SPP, Drinnan helped win silver for Queensland North in the nationals last year.
Coach Lopez says: “Athletic young man who is a tough finisher, rebounder and defender.”
Andria Heard
Age: 16
Heard will be suiting up for Queensland North in the Under-18 National Championships in Ballarat this year.
She’s also played for the Dolphins in its under-18 and NBL1 teams
Coach Lopez says: “An athletic player who uses her speed and athleticism along with a great shooting touch. U18 SPP.”
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