Ranked: Northern Territory junior basketball stars set to make the big time
Junior basketball has grown substantially over the past five years in the Northern Territory, and these are the players to watch. See where your favourite ranks.
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The Darwin Basketball Association is enjoying a surge in kids hitting the court with memberships increasing by an astounding 39 per cent in the past five years.
Figures from August revealed 1622 kids now play basketball in the Territory, a jump from the 1324 kids in 2017.
However, the biggest increase has been seen from young girls signing up for Aussie Hoops – Basketball Australia’s official introductory program – where numbers have leapt by 48 per cent from 63 players in 2018 to 102 in 2022.
DBA executive officer Kerri Savidge said the increase in junior basketball players throughout the Northern Territory is a result of the Salties.
“We are definitely preparing ourselves for continued growth in our sport with the Salties,” she said.
“When the teams go and run activities at a school we will get anything up to 20 phone calls that day.
“Our coaching clinics in the last school holidays also attracted more than 300 kids.”
Salties captain Jerron Jamerson said the highlight of the teams’ inaugural season was not making finals, but the connection they have made with the community, especially the younger players.
“I think it is so fantastic for the kids to not only come to the game, but also to be able to shake our hands,” he said.
“I do a lot of coaching with the kids and I think the impact of the Salties has been felt most by the girls.
“I have definitely seen an increase in girls picking up the sport over the past few years and it is so important for them to have role models to look up to.”
However, the increase in numbers has resulted in clubs struggling to find space to train, Ms Savidge said.
“There are very few basketball courts in Darwin and as a result clubs are struggling,” she said.
“Because we have so many players and teams games are now played every night of the week and all day on Saturday and Sunday.
“We have developed draft plans for an additional three courts and are also in planning stages with some clubs regarding assisting them with training courts.”
With more and more young Territorians hitting the court we have compiled a list of the rising stars you need to watch. Tell us who we missed in the comments.
Jak Allen
Ansett (Darwin)
Under 14s
Career highlight: Chosen to represent the Darwin Cyclones in 2022.
Heidi Mcconachy
Razzle (Darwin)
Under 14s
Career highlight: Selected to represent the Darwin Cyclones in 2022.
Mitchell Hardy
Ella’s Titans (Darwin)
Under 16s
Career highlight: Bottom age player for NT at 2022 U16 Australian Junior Championships.
Toby Materne
Razzle (Darwin)
Under 16s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2022 U16 Australian Junior Championships.
Aiden Mckenney
Ansett (Darwin)
Under 16s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2021 and U16 2022 Australian Junior Championships.
Taj Murray
TV Jets (Darwin)
Under 16s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2021 and 2022 U16 Australian Junior Championships, Named Captain in 2022.
Leon Zammit
TV Jets (Darwin)
Under 16s
Career highlight: Bottom age player for NT at 2022 U16 Australian Junior Championships.
Kaylani Duggan-Cole
TV Jets (Darwin)
Under 16s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2021 and 2022 U16 Australian Junior Championships.
Taneesa Hampton
Rebels (Darwin)
Under 16s
Career highlight: In an impressive feat, Hampton has been named MVP in each season of basketball she has ever played. As a result it is no surprise she was selected to represent the NT at the both the 2018 U12 and 2022 U16 Australian Junior Championships.
Aaliyah Mukhlis
Rebels (Darwin)
Under 16s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2022 U16 Australian Junior Championships.
Alyssa Reid
Eagles (Darwin)
Under 16s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2021 and 2022 U16 Australian Junior Championships.
Jayla Thorne
TV Jets (Darwin)
Under 16s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2021 and 2022 U16 Australian Junior Championships.
Hayden Brauer
Ansett (Darwin)
Under 18s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2021 and 2022 U18 Australian Junior Championships. Was named Captain for Ansett in 2022.
Ricky Mentha
Rockets (Alice Springs)
Under 18s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2022 U18 Australian Junior Championships.
Lachlan O’Brien
Ansett (Darwin)
Under 18s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2021 U16 and 2022 U18 Australian Junior Championships
Jason Ramsamy
Rebels (Darwin)
Under 18s
Career highlights: Ramsamy first played with the senior mens at just 14-years-old and has represented the NT in the 2021 and 2022 U18 Australian Junior Championships. Ramsamy has also been names MVP twice in his junior career.
Julia Pollon
Ansett (Darwin)
Under 18s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2021 U18 Australian Junior Championships and 2022 U18 SA Country Championships.
Kira Lesh
Ansett (Darwin)
Under 18s
Career highlight: Played for NT at 2021 U16 Australian Junior Championships and 2022 U18 SA Country Championships.
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