Meet the young stars changing the game for Basketball in Queensland
From game changers to the next best thing, the future of basketball in Queensland is as bright as ever as we reveal the 35 young talents leading the charge. SEE WHO MADE IT
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The future of basketball in Queensland is as bright as ever and from juniors who are changing the game as well as talents who could be the next big thing, we reveal the 35 young stars leading the charge.
Basketball in the state is going through arguably its most successful period ever with participation increasing by more than 50 per cent since 2020 to eclipse a membership base of 45,000 players.
More than 50 Queensland athletes have also gone on to represent their country in the past three years, both on junior and senior national teams.
There has been no shortage of team success as well with Queensland winning five national championships in the last three years.
As a result, The Courier-Mail have highlighted the junior players who have helped influence that growth and success in the past 18 months.
They are young, talented and likely to make it to the next step as professionals – here are 35 young stars, including 10 game changers and 25 top guns to watch in the coming years.
GAME CHANGERS
Rocco Zikarsky (Northside Wizards/NBA GA)
Apart from being a giant, Zikarsky is an exceptional listener.
Zikarsky is a coachable young talent with high basketball IQ, take it from Brisbane Grammar School coach Dan George, who once had the young gun in his ranks before he joined the NBA Global Academy.
“That’s what sets him apart and will continue to do so as he gets older,” George said.
“He is such a good athlete, runs the floor, has great hands finishing around the rim and has the ability to shoot jump shots very well. He’s not limited to being tall and close to the basket.
“(He’s a) great rim protector.”
Roman Siulepa (Brisbane Capitals/NBA GA)
Siulepa is a dynamic athlete with a team-first outlook.
The Year 10 is not only a good passer but also a leader both through example and his voice.
Arguably one of the best in the country for his age group, the 16-year-old can do everything. He’s often the biggest player on the court in schoolboy competitions, standing at 200cm.
Jessica Petrie (Gold Coast Basketball/BA CoE)
Petrie is a strong post player who can finish around the rim with ease.
She has a big presence down low and can shoot the lights out too.
Petrie represented Australia in the Under-17 FIBA World Cup and it’s worth noting the young gun has the pick of mentors in father Anthony Petrie, an ex-NBL player, and mum Sarah who is a former WNBL player.
Ella Gordon (Gold Coast Basketball/BA CoE)
Gordon plays both big spots, her strong footwork and post moves help put her rivals to the sword.
She has a scholarship to the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and represented Australia at the Under-19 FIBA Asia Cup in India.
It’s safe to say the Gold Coast product has a bright future in the sport.
Joshua Hughes (Northside Wizards/NBA GA/BA CoE)
Hughes hasn’t played school basketball as he has been in Canberra at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and in the NBA Global Academy.
He was on the Australian under-17 team with Siulepa and Zikarsky, winning gold in the under-16 FIBA Asia Championship and coming sixth in the Under-17 FIBA World Cup.
Rory Hawke (Townsville Basketball/BA CoE)
Hawke is at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence on a scholarship.
He debuted for the Australian Boomers this year in an exhibition game played in Bendigo. The Townsville guard shoots the lights out and what better reward for his sharp shooting is there than selection in the Boomers squad for their World Cup Qualifier?
Monique Bobongie (Mackay Basketball/BA CoE)
Bobongie is a dynamic guard who plays an aggressive style of basketball, can score at will and locks down several positions on the defensive end.
She has a scholarship to the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence, represented Australia at the Under-17 FIBA World Cup and is one of the most promising emerging talents coming out of Mackay.
Lulu Twidale (Southern Districts Spartans)
A guard who can shoot the lights out from the perimeter, has a strong handle and can also distribute.
Twidale represented Australia at the Under-17 FIBA World Cup and also had an impressive rookie season in the NBL1 with the Southern Districts Spartans.
She also won MVP at the NBA Basketball Without Borders camp.
Summah Hanson (Southern Districts Spartans/BA CoE)
A talented power forward who has a strong game inside the paint and is dynamic defensively, possessing the ability to guard multiple positions.
Hanson has a scholarship to the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and also represented Australia at the Under-17 FIBA World Cup.
Luca Yates (Townsville Basketball/BA CoE)
Yates is a machine at the centre position with his strong finishing around the rim and relentless rebounding efforts seeing him dominate on the court in recent times.
The Townsville product was on the Queensland Under-20 team, which won the gold medal this year in Mackay and has a scholarship to the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.
YOUNGSTERS TO WATCH OVER THE COMING YEARS
Vahayliah Seumanutafa – Logan Basketball
One of the most explosive guards in the country for her age, Seumanutafa has freakish athletic ability and has starred both for her club in Logan Basketball and on the national stage for Queensland.
The youngster can score at the rim or shoot from the perimeter, is a tough defender and is a difference maker with her ability to make big plays in big moments.
Prasayus Notoa – Logan Basketball
One of the best prospects in the country, Notoa didn’t get the opportunity to represent Queensland on the national stage because of an ankle injury and as such her team ended up finishing fifth overall in Australia.
Queensland South would have been a strong chance at a gold medal of she had played.
Notoa can do it all, whether it be point guard or as a big down low, she also distributes well to her teammates and has a high basketball IQ.
Alleah Hanson – Logan Basketball
Alleah Hanson plays power forward or centre and plays representative basketball for Logan. She is the younger sister of Summer, and is a talented and mobile athlete who uses her length to finish efficiently around the rim and crash the boards.
Emma Petrie – Gold Coast Basketball
Basketball runs in the Petrie family.
Emma is the sister of Jess and daughter of The Southport School premiership winning coach and former NBL player Anthony Petrie as well as former WNBL player, Sarah Petrie.
Emma plays a similar game to Jess – she’s long, can attack the basket and can shoot well from behind the arc.
She was selected on the under-15 Oceania team for Australia.
Indy Cotton – Gold Coast Basketball
A natural hooper, Cotton has all the tools along with the right mindset, athleticism, incredible vision, determination, and above all is a team player.
We can’t forget he’s in Year 9 and despite being younger, he was a force in the GPS First V basketball competition.
He made the under-15 Oceania team for Australia and there’s little wonder why – he’s one of the best young talents Queensland has to offer.
Matthew Amoamo – Brisbane Capitals
Amoamo plays both forward spots and holds down the defensive end like his life depends on it.
A hustle guy who is given the assignment of guarding the opposition’s best player.
On top of his defensive talent, he’s a natural scorer and when he gets two feet in the paint and he will showcase his signature floater.
Kurt Siwek – Southern Districts Basketball
Big man Kurt Siwek will get to his spots and make you pay.
He’ll box you out, block your shot and impress with his smooth jump shot.
Siwek is on the radars of national selectors after attending an Australian camp and made an impressive impact for Churchie in the GPS competition this past season.
He also helped Queensland South to a National Under-16 Championships silver medal this year.
Ashley McGrath – Logan Basketball
A talented guard on the rise who was one of the top scorers in last year’s under-16 state championships for the Logan Thunder.
McGrath can shoot, attack the basket and was part of the starting five for Queensland South when they won a National Championships silver medal this year.
Adrianna Francis – Cairns Basketball
Don’t be fooled by the fact she plays centre, Francis is still a flamethrower from three point land and is a really good finisher around the basket.
Francis is also on the radar of national selectors after attending an Australian camp and is the younger sister of Opals and WNBL star Cayla George.
Taryn Bond – Cairns Basketball
A guard/small forward, Bond is a talented athlete who can shoot, finish and is a defender you don’t want to deal with.
Bond is always pressuring her rivals, forcing turnovers and lifting the intensity for whichever team she is representing.
Cheyenne Bobongie – Mackay Basketball
Point guard Cheyenne Bobongie has unearthly handles and uses them to get past her defender and distribute her teammates who are left open thanks to her attention-drawing game style.
She is an impressive game organiser, who has starred for both Mackay Basketball and for the Queensland North state team.
Benjamin Accoom – Cairns Basketball
Ben Accoom’s play style is erratic and hard for his opponents to predict – he plays unorganised but makes it work in his favour, leaving his rivals in two minds.
It’s worth noting the unique talent is a big but can also play the guard positions.
Noah Kirk – Cairns Basketball
Kirk is a point guard with great handles.
He gets his teammates involved, shoots the three-ball efficiently and has the athleticism and skill to attack the basket.
Has starred for Cairns Basketball and for Queensland North on the national stage.
Teyahna Bond – Cairns Basketball
Shooting guard Teyahna Bond plays a similar game to sister Taryn, who we mentioned earlier. She’s a ruthless defender who uses her speed to get in the lanes and cause turnovers for her opposition.
At just 15-years-old, Bond was a revelation in the NBL1 for the Cairns Dolphins, performing well in a league against seasoned professionals.
Jaylen Pitman – Cairns Basketball
Pitman has an offensive which is beyond his years and he has showcased it at the highest levels for a junior.
The skill that stands out is his blinding speed, which makes him one handful to deal with when coming downhill.
He’s a brilliant finisher, has a nice jump shot and is a fierce defender, so much so that you rarely see his opponent take him on.
Ben Tweedy – Rockhampton Basketball
Tweedy is a big time bucket getter.
He has a knack for the game and when you add in his fierce competitive nature, he’s impossible to stop.
Not even a fire extinguisher could put him out when he gets it going – Southport’s 6-0 run to finish the 2022 GPS season is all the proof you need.
Watch out for Southport once again next year, with Tweedy and Pitman lacing up for their senior year.
Abass Bodija – Gold Coast Basketball
Bodija’s athleticism and 223cm wingspan is earning him plenty of interest from NCAA colleges.
He does everything, his “arms are ridiculous” says Brisbane State High basketball coach Kris Robinson and he has the work ethic and talent that could see him take his talents abroad.
Lebron Brooks – Northside Wizards Basketball
Brooks has an automatic mid-range jump shot.
As his opponent, you don’t want him to see one go down because that’s usually the first of many buckets to come.
If he catches fire he can single-handedly erase a deficit or storm his team ahead.
He’s not the tallest but he’s not afraid to drive to his spots and get high-percentage looks by sheer physicality and will.
Brooks is as tough a competitor as they come.
Elijah Kamu – Gold Coast Basketball
Kamu plays bully ball, the paint is his and he lets you know about it as well.
He has a soft touch around the rim, has footwork in the post and has stretched his range out to the three-point line.
Kamu was key in Brisbane State High’s Round 8 encounter against Toowoomba Grammar School, when the basketball powerhouses butted heads for the GPS premiership.
He had the assignment of guarding 204cm centre Samuel Geu and by the end of the fourth, Geu had resorted back to the perimeter due to Kamu’s presence.
Blocks, boards and taunts – you name it, he had it.
Lilly Rotunno – Gold Coast Basketball/Sydney Uni Flames
Rotunno plays for the Gold Coast Rollers in the NBL1 competition and was recently picked up as a WNBL development player with the Sydney Uni Flames.
Rotunno is a court general, who does most of her damage with her speed in transition and ability to attack the basket.
Indiah Bowyer – Logan Thunder/Sydney Uni Flames
Bowyer played for Logan in the NBL1 competition and also joined the Sydney Uni Flames in the WNBL as a development player.
She’s an athlete, really long, great on defence and a sharp shooter from the three.
Bowyer also had a 40-point game for the Thunder in the NBL this season, where she played a significant role for the competition’s minor premiers.
Max Mackinnon – Brisbane Capitals/US College
Max Mackinnon was a development player for the Brisbane Bullets last season after starring for St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace and for the Brisbane Capitals.
He is unbelievably crafty and quite long which allows him to play positions one through four. He’s a really good finisher with a complete game.
His polished skills were on show in the NBL1 this year for the Brisbane Capitals but now they are on show for Elon College, a division one school in America.
Geordan Papacostas – Brisbane Capitals
Papacostas played for the Brisbane Capitals in the NBL1 competition this year.
He’s big, strong and at only 18-years-old made a significant impact against older professionals, using his skill, touch and IQ to perform.
He was a prodigy in the Gregory Terrace First V for four years and now he’s developing as a training partner with the Brisbane Bullets.
Preston Le Gassick – Gold Coast Basketball/US College
Le Gassick was a star in the Southport First V last year and kept his hot form playing for the Gold Coast NBL1 side this year, who won the men’s championship.
The dynamic guard also helped the Queensland Under-20s team to back-to-back gold medals.
He’s now in America at the minute playing division one college basketball.
More Coverage
Originally published as Meet the young stars changing the game for Basketball in Queensland
Strange way Sydney to Hobart sailing guns found their yacht
There’s no cat or celebrities but women will be ruling the waves, two Sydney to Hobart supermaxis will resume hostilities and an adventurous pair will race on a yacht they sourced on WhatsApp.
‘Extremely disappointing’: Fire coach delivers brutal reality check
A visibly frustrated Shannon Seebohm didn’t pull his punches in the press conference, accusing Townsville of playing without passion. Read why the eight-point defeat wasn’t up to standard.