Teyahna Bond, Cairns star, invited to NBA Basketball Without Borders camp

She is one of the brightest basketball prospects in the Far North and this week, Teyahna Bond will be put through her paces in one of the biggest opportunities in her life.

She is one of the brightest basketball prospects in the Far North and this week, Teyahna Bond will be put through her paces in front of NBA scouts for one of the biggest opportunities in her life.

The 16-year-old is in Abu Dhabi for the annual Basketball Without Borders program, an annual session which brings the world’s best junior basketballers together and allows NBA scouts a close eye at the next generation of potential stars.

And Bond is there among them, hoping to put her best foot forward and secure her path to college, then a professional career in the game.

Promising Cairns junior basketball player Teyahna Bond. Picture: Brendan Radke

A shooting guard, Bond started out in the Tiny Taipans program as a youngster and has risen through the ranks from Cairns Basketball to state and national programs.

She made her NBL1 North debut with the Dolphins last season as a 15-year-old but has never looked out of place, and she has put up some decent numbers with 12.37 points, 2.83 rebounds, 3.4 assists and more than one steal per game across her 30 appearances in NBL1.

Earlier this year proved her pedigree with an outstanding campaign at the Basketball Australia Under-18 Nationals.

“I’m loving this season, just like last year,” Bond said.

“We’re doing really good and individual terms, I think I’m going well just playing more role.

“I have help from senior ladies as I’m still quite young and I’m still learning.

“But it’s been a really good learning experience.”

Teyahna Bond was invited to the Basketball Without Borders training camp, held in Abu Dhabi in June. Picture: Brendan Radke

While the St Monica’s College student puts in an immense amount of work herself, she also credited the influence of WNBL duo Cayla George and Penina Davidson, who were part of the Dolphins’ set-up over the past two years.

George was among the best performers in the NBL1 North competition last season, and the Opals star would likely have returned to FNQ before she secured a return to the WNBA with Las Vegas Aces.

New Zealand international Davidson is one of the Dolphins’ rebounding machines this season.

“I feel like I’ve bettered my skills and confidence, my reads and knowledge to make plays has gotten better,” Bond said. “Being a leader.

“Last season I had Cayla George and Penina Davidson, they were very good leaders so I’ve taken what they’ve taught me and when I go back to my own age group I bring out what I’ve learnt from then.

“I’ve learned a lot in skills and leadership.

“Just going into hard games with a positive mindset and to have that next play mentality if I make a mistake.”

Teyahna Bond was among the best at the recent Under 18s Australian Basketball Championships. Picture: Brendan Radke

Bond is also following in the footsteps of fellow Dolphins star and decorated junior Shaneice Swain, who was recently drafted to the LA Sparks.

This week could very well put her on a similar pathway to the highest highs of basketball.

Bond, who was part of the National Performance Camp at the Centre of Excellence at the start of the year, said she idolised Boomers and NBA star Patty Mills.

“He’s a good leader and I want to be like him,” Bond said.

“His characteristics, and being able to be a leader, and his shooter mentality.

“He’s paving the pathway for Indigenous athletes.”

And on what she’s been able to achieve so far, she’s on the way to following that path to the top.

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Originally published as Teyahna Bond, Cairns star, invited to NBA Basketball Without Borders camp