2025 Basketball Australia U16 National Championships: Meet the Geelong young guns to watch for Vic Country

Seven rising Geelong United talents are set to fly the flag for Vic Country at the U16 Nationals in Bendigo. Meet the young guns and see how to watch them LIVE.

Seven emerging Geelong United basketballers are ready to make their mark on the national stage for Vic Country at this year’s Basketball Australia Under-16 National Championships.

Jade Chow and Georgia Fitzgerald, alongside Malakai Walker, Hendrix Van Den Ham, Wil Nisbet, Eddie Brown and Eli Whiteford feature across Vic Country’s U16 girls and boys squads ahead of the week-long tournament in Bendigo, starting Sunday.

Joining the players are Geelong United coaches, Ainslie Howard and Steph Whatley, with Howard the U16 girls’ assistant coach and Whatley a development coach for the squad.

SEE HOW TO WATCH THE U16 NATIONALS LIVE

Geelong United representatives in the Vic Country teams for the upcoming Under-16 National Basketball Championships - Malakai Walker, Hendrix Van Den Ham, Jade Chow, Wil Nisbet, Eddie Brown and Eli Whiteford. Picture: Brad Fleet

Chow said she was “nervous but excited” for the week ahead, and expected tough games against Vic Metro, Queensland and South Australia.

The 6’0” post player, who took up the game three years ago, said she was inspired after watching the Australian Opals at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, with the 14-year-old’s dream to play for the Opals one day.

Brown was hopeful Vic Country would make it all the way through to the boys’ gold medal match, while Walker was also eyeing a medal, the 15-year-old confident the existing connection between the five Geelong boys would help Vic Country’ cause.

“We notice it on the court and off the court, (and) with the rest of the boys,” Brown said.

Whiteford said he was looking forward to the possibility of facing off against traditional rivals Vic Metro, while off-court, he was excited to meet new people throughout the week.

“I really like getting to know people, spending time with others, I love the friendships that are made,” Whiteford said.

Nisbet, a bottom-ager for Vic Country, felt the experience gleaned from playing with older players would help his game.

“Learning from how they (top-agers) lead the team, and how they play, that will definitely help me a lot with my game,” Nisbet said.

Howard said it was a huge milestone to have seven players represent Geelong United in Bendigo – also acknowledging Brown and Fitzpatrick’s former associations, Bellarine and Colac.

Malakai Walker, Hendrix Van Den Ham, Wil Nisbet, Eddie Brown and Eli Whiteford. Picture: Brad Fleet

She praised the player’s sacrifices and hours put in into elevating their games, and was confident they were well set up for success at the tournament off the back of nearly four months of training sessions and camps.

“It’s absolutely a testament to each of those players, to their parents, to the club, it’s just a really huge achievement across the board,” Howard said.

“So pleasing for our region and we know basketball numbers here, participation numbers are through the roof in our region.

“The talent and the depth of talent that’s coming through our ranks is really going to hold our club in good stead for the future.

“This is a really big thing for these young people to be selected to play for their state, and to go out and leave their mark and have the opportunity to put their stamp on part of the legacy that is Vic Country basketball.”

Meet the Geelong athletes set to step on court for Vic Country:

WILL NISBET

The 14-year-old started to stamp his authority on the game in January at the Southern Cross Challenge in Melbourne, with the Iona College student boasting excellent ball-handling skills and an innate ability to facilitate play and set up his teammates. can set up teammates, scan the floor and ability to facilitate play.

“I can shoot the ball, and likes to do the little things to help teammates,” Nisbet said.

HENDRIX VAN DEN HAM

One of Geelong United’s most elite defenders, Van den Ham, 15, is often tasked with shutting down the opposition’s best players – something he thrives on.

The Western Heights College student, who has been playing for six years, said he liked to bring defensive intensity, and can shoot the ball.

MALAKAI WALKER

A post player at U14 level, Walker has transformed himself into an one-two combo guard at the U16 level.

MVP for Victoria at the National Indigenous Basketball Tournament, the St Ignatius College student said he liked to “pass the ball, get downhill and get to the ring.”

With an ability to roll through all positions, even into an unconventional five if needed, the 15-year-old is a coach’s dream, such is his versatility.

ELIJAH WHITEFORD

A natural born leader, Whiteford can stretch the floor from the wing position, while he is a threat from the three-point line.

Armed with high basketball IQ, the 14-year-old Western Heights College student said he likes to defend at a high level, and get to the rim when he can.

EDWARD BROWN

Joining Geelong United from Bellarine Basketball Association 12 months ago, Brown boasts great athleticism, while his brute strength allows him to win plenty of boards.

“I look to get downhill, use my finishing moves,” Brown added.

The Geelong College student will likely have a target on his back from other teams heading into the tournament, such is his ability to put his team on his shoulder and get the job done when needed, while also looking to be a team player who can do the one-percenters.

JADE CHOW

The 6’0 “centre’s ability to run the floor and space the floor and keep Vic Country’s shape will be key to their success, as is her ability to set up their transition game.

A strong rebounder, the 14-year-old also brings great energy to the floor, and can be used in the four if needed.

“What we’ve seen with Jade, is every training session, she’s progressively gotten better, stronger and more confident,” Whatley said.

GEORGIA FITZPATRICK

A back-up centre to Chow, Fitzpatrick – a bottom-ager originally from Colac Basketball Association – has also been developing in the four position to add another string to her bow.

“She’s a little bit more mobile around the floor, having a little bit of a different role to play and she’s really taken that on and loves the challenge of that,” Howard said.

“Her understanding of the systems and structures is excellent.”

Originally published as 2025 Basketball Australia U16 National Championships: Meet the Geelong young guns to watch for Vic Country