Darwin basketball mentor Timmy Duggan says Indigenous Community Basketball League with NBA pathway is ‘epic’ opportunity

DARWIN’S trailblazing Indigenous basketball mentor, Timmy Duggan, has long cried out for stronger pathways so the plethora of Top End talent can strive to play in bigger and better leagues.Which is why Duggan – in his role as the Darwin regional coordinator for Indigenous Basketball Australia – is so delighted to open the Indigenous Community Basketball League at Marrara today.

Darwin regional coordinator for Indigenous Basketball Australia, Timmy Duggan, can’t wait for the Indigenous Community Basketball League to begin today. Picture: Che Chorley

DARWIN’S trailblazing Indigenous basketball mentor, Timmy Duggan, has long cried out for stronger pathways so the plethora of Top End talent can strive to play in bigger and better leagues.

Which is why Duggan – in his role as the Darwin regional coordinator for Indigenous Basketball Australia – is so delighted to open the Indigenous Community Basketball League at Marrara today.

The competition will be backed by Australia’s superstar Indigenous guard who plays for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, Patty Mills.

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Territorian Tim Duggan the founder and mentor of the NBL’s inaugural Indigenous Round

Ambah Kowcun the star guest coach at Timmy Duggan’s Hoops 4 Health clinic at Malak courts

The best players from around the country – also including Thursday Island, Cairns, Logan, Dubbo, Adelaide, Alice Springs and Perth – will then play in a national tournament during a camp on the Gold Coast from April 11-13.

Two standout boys and girls from each city will then be selected to participate in the Junior NBA Global Championship Asia-Pacific athlete selection pathway camp planned for later in the year.

“It doesn’t get any bigger than this – we’ve now got a pathway to the biggest league in the world,” Duggan told the Sunday Territorian.

“Flights to the Gold Coast will be paid for, and I can only describe something like this as being epic.”

Today’s Opening Ceremony will start with a Welcome To Country/Acknowledgement of Country.

It will then be followed by cultural performances, speeches by local leaders, announcements of players, coaches, managers, referees and volunteers, and a parents’ pledge of commitment.

The tournament’s opening round will commence from 5pm, and it will involve four boys’ teams and four girls’ teams in the 14-years-and-under age group, who have been selected from within the region.

“(Wheelchair basketball Australian representative) CJ McCarthy-Grogan is our ambassador, and our young players can now look up to him and Abby Cubillo,” Duggan said.

Close to a full house is expected at Darwin Basketball Stadium today.

Players to watch include Taneesa Hampton and Jayla Thorne (girls), and Calvin Peris Chong and Mick Marimowa (boys).

Coaches will be Jason Ah Sam, Frances Fatnowna, Leanne Ramsamy, Kylie Duggan, Brendan Lee, Nathan Agius, Jamie Lee Peris, Glenn Warrior and Chantelle Lee.