How Aussies fared in college basketball this season
The US college pathway is a top choice for young Aussie basketballers. Ahead of the NCAA tournament, we’ve broken down the season of every Aussie male in Division 1 — from future NBA stars to possible NBL talents.
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Australia’s impact on the US college basketball system continues to grow.
As the NCAA tournament prepares to kick off on Wednesday AEDT, we’ve taken a look back over the season to see how Aussie men at Division 1 schools fared.
Several players have already been touted as NBA prospects while there’s no reason we might not see others back at home in the NBL in future seasons.
Here’s a look at how all of our young guns have fared.
Angok Anyang, Alabama A&M
The 6’9 big man from Adelaide joined the Bulldogs on the back of an impressive redshirt freshman campaign with Ottawa University. He’s gone onto average 8.8 minutes per space, shooting 44.1 per cent from the field.
Bowyn Beatty, Sacramento State
The 7-footer’s season was hampered by injury, failing to make an appearance after mid-January. He was a key piece of the rotation when he did feature. He is the son of former Opal, Tracey Peacock.
Oscar Berry, North Florida
Finished his season year averaging 3.8ppg and 1.1 assists.
Louis Bleechmore, Fairfield
Started every possible game out of 32. The 6’7 guard improved his three-point shot but his shooting percentage fell overall. Averaged 6.6ppg.
Jensen Bradtke, Montana
The son of Melbourne Tigers and NBL legend Mark. The 6’10 freshman has seen his minutes go up and down throughout the season. He averaged 3.4ppg. He’ll want to up his three-point percentage heading into year two.
Lachlan Brewer, Sacramento State
The freshman guard out of Tasmania started in 28 out of 31 games he played. He averaged 6ppg and was reliable from deep shooting 44.6 per cent.
Elias Cato, Central Arkansas
The Queenslander has been his team’s second leading scorer this season with a career best 14.5ppg. Cato started all 28 games for the Bears in his senior year. He’s proven to be a versatile offensive player.
Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State
Transferred from Washington State at the start of the season. Super efficient around the ring, shooting 63.4 per cent, averaging 17.6ppg in his senior year. A double-double machine from the Sunshine Coast, Cluff sets screens which open the offence right up for his teammates.
Alex Condon, Florida
The West Australian has exploded in his sophomore season to rocket onto NBA Draft boards with some predicting he will be a first round pick. To date, he’s averaged 11.2ppg on 50.7 per cent shooting. He’s shown a fantastic ability to switch out onto guards and defend. He has a deal in place to join Collingwood’s AFL program in the middle of the year if his NBA dreams aren’t met.
Nate Deer, Texas State
The South Australia has been a plug and play man off the bench for the Bobcats, averaging 6.5 minutes per game.
Anthony Dell’Orso, Arizona
Joined the Wildcats at the start of the season after an impressive stint with Campbell University. He’s averaged a career best 40.4 from three this season, spending more time off the ball.
Bol Dengdit, Portland
The 6’11 big man came through the NBA Global Academy and has increased his number this season. He started 24 out of 30 games, averaging 7.4ppg. Consistently showed a willingness to shoot the three ball.
Joshua Dent, Saint Mary’s
The freshman guard has been made to work for his opportunities, usually playing single figure minutes off the bench. Against San Diego in December, he had eight points, three steals and two assists which proves why he’s a name to watch going forward.
Marshal Destremau, UT Rio Grande Valley
In his first season with the program after redshirting from Clarendon College. Averaged 13.3 minutes per game.
Tyler Fearne, Charlotte 49ers
The Cairns guard has played eight games this season but found his minutes limited.
Daniel Foster, Nevada
In his final season with the Wolf Pack, the senior guard averaged 3.3ppg and 1.8 assists. Started 12 of 18 games he played.
Matt Hain, James Madison
Opportunities have been few and far between for the freshman forward from WA, featuring in just five games.
Harrison Hornery, USC
The senior forward from Toowoomba has managed just seven games this season. He was named USC’s Sportsmanship honouree.
Cameron Huefner, Sam Houston
The senior 6’8 forward has put up the best offensive numbers of his college career with 13.4ppg. An improved rebounder who started all 30 games.
Joshua Hughes, Evansville
The Queensland forward showed plenty of growth this season, upping his PPG to 7.2. He found more opportunities, playing 29.8 minutes per game, but his shooting percentages were down.
Josh Ibukunoluwa, High Point
The freshman forward out of WA averaged 9.8 minutes off the bench, shooting 57.1 per cent on limited chances.
Charles Johnston, Furman
In his first season in the college program, Johnston played 30 games, starting two. He averaged 5.5ppg on 43.4 per cent shooting. Made the move after impressive at CSU Monterey Bay.
Alex Kovatchev, Sacramento State
The sophomore guard’s season was ruined by injury and did not feature after November.
Mawot Mag, BYU
The 6’7 forward has received greater opportunity after transferring from Rutgers. The Melbourne product has played 31 games, starting 19, averaging 5.8 points per game, shooting 49.6 per cent from the field. His 38.8 per cent from deep is the best of his career. He is better known for his defensive ability and able to play one through four.
Hunter Jack Madden, Abilene Christian
The 6’2 guard has been a consistent starter for the Wildcats during his senior year, starting 30 of a possible 33 games in his third season. He averaged 8.6 points per game, 2.1 assists and show a career best free throw percentage.
Max Mackinnon, Portland
The son of Sam Mackinnon, a former NBL high-flyer. The high IQ guard has made the most of his chances after crossing from Elon. He is his team’s leading scorer at 14.5ppg and also averages 3.2 assists.
Lloyd McVeigh, Buffalo
The brother of Houston Rockets sharpshooter, Jack. In his sophomore season, he’s gone from 30 games played last season to 16. His best performance was the final game where he scored 11 points and recorded six rebounds.
Tuburu Naivalurua, Oakland
Finished as the second leading scorer for his team in his senior year. Averaged 13.9ppg but was super impressive with his highlight plays at the ring on both ends of the floor.
Bailey Nunn, Sacramento State
Emerged as a key starter for the Hornets in the back half of the season, starting 20 out of 30 games for the season. He averaged 6.5ppg but his shooting numbers dipped. Nunn was his team’s best playmaker with 3.6 assists.
James O’Donnell, San Francisco
The freshman out of NSW averaged 12.7 minutes per game and when he did shoot made 58.8 per cent of his shots. A super skilled big man who continues to develop nicely.
Stephen Olowoniyi, Southern Indiana
Transferred for his sophomore season and repaid the faith of his Ohio Valley Conference. Ranked in the top-10 for scoring with 13.9ppg on 59.1 per cent shooting. An undersized five but his athleticism makes him a standout. His ability to run the floor is a strength.
Riley Parker, St. Francis
Out of Mandurah in WA, the 6’2 guard has been a consistent shooter from deep this season, shooting 39.9 per cent. Started all 33 games for his school.
Leigh Rickwood-Pitt, Northern Arizona
The 208cm forward from Western Australia played 30 of his 31 games in his junior year off the bench, averaging around 10.4 minutes.
Tyrese Proctor, Duke
One expected to be a one-and-done prospect, Proctor returned for a third year with the Blue Devils and has seen his numbers steadily increase. The Sydneysider has averaged a career best PPG, field goal percentage and three-point shot. He led Duke to the ACC title with a huge performance.
Austin Rapp, Portland
He’s already proven to be a key piece for the Pilots in his freshman season, averaging 13.8 ppg and a team-high 6.5 rebounds. Rapp has consistently played big minutes this season.
Ryan Rapp, Hawaii
The 6’5 guard enjoyed his best season in the US College system. He started 21 of 28 games averaging career high points, rebounds, three-point percentage and steals per game.
Jaron Rillie, Northern Colorado
The son of Perth Wildcats coach and sharpshooting NBL legend John Rillie. The point guard enjoyed hies best season from deep since year one in the system. He started all 34 games for the Bears averaging 12.1ppg and 4.6 assists.
Harry Rouhliadeff, Hawaii
The 6’9 forward out of Queensland became a consistent start for the Rainbow Warriors, starting 17 of 31 games. He averaged 6.5ppg.
Reyne Smith, Louisville
One of college basketball’s best shooters. The senior guard is expected to field plenty of offers when his time with the Cardinals does come to an end. He’s averaged 9.2 three-point shots a game after transferring from Charleston at the start of the season. The Tasmanian sent a scare through his team’s camp when he went down last week but it’s been confirmed he’s right to go for the NCAA Tournament.
Greg Spurgin, Bowling Green
Opportunities have been hard by for the 6’7 forward from Toowoomba. He played in just three games and averaged eight minutes across those.
Ben Tweedy, Green Bay
Part of a struggling team which won four games. The freshman guard out of Queensland earned nine starts in 32 appearances, averaging 5.3ppg and 2.2 assists.
Harry Wessels, Saint Mary’s
The 7’1 centre from WA has been one of Australia’s leading performers in college hoops this season. Possesses a soft touch at the wring and shoots an impressive 83.3 per cent from the charity stripe. Hasn’t started a game but is a valuable contributor.
Jack Whitbourn, UC Riverside
Has come off the bench for all but one game in his freshman year. In the mix for the Australian under-19 squad this year. Has averaged 12 minutes per game and shot a respectable 47 per cent from the field.
Deonte Williams, Sacramento State
The NSW born guard earned more opportunities in the back half of the season with the Hornets backcourt depth being tested. Averaged 3.4ppg and 1.1 assists.
Kobe Williamson, Seattle
Holds his school’s record for blocks and hasn’t slowed down this season with 1.2 per game in his 20 appearances. He shot career best percentages from the field including from three.
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