Aussies in the NBA: Meet the next generation of Australia’s NBA Draft hopefuls ready for the big leagues
Australian basketball is on the verge of a new golden generation, with at least 17 players eyeing off the NBA draft in the next four years. See who is ready to take the next step.
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Australia’s NBA production line is set to continue with an influx of the country’s finest rising stars in the mix to feature in the draft in the coming years.
Up to 17 Australian players will be eligible to enter the NBA draft over a four-year period, starting in 2024.
It’s an impressive reflection of basketball’s rapid growth and successful pathways that so many young Aussies are in consideration for the world’s premier hoops competition.
Based on the level of talent – and career trajectories – it’s inevitable we’ll see Australia’s current tally of 10 NBA players added to.
It comes as the NBL’s Next Stars program is already targeting more Australian rookies to join its proven pathway that’s helped draft the likes of Boomers and OKC Thunder guard Josh Giddey.
GM of Next Stars recruitment Liam Santamaria has secured gifted Aussie duo Rocco Zikarsky (Bullets) and Alex Toohey (Kings) for this year’s class.
Zikarsky and Toohey – both NBA Global Academy products – are projected to feature in NBA draft calculations from next year.
Santamaria is thrilled to see more Australians in the NBL’s Next Stars program – and he is determined to continue the trend.
It’s why he is currently travelling across America attending key events, like last week’s NBA Global Games in Atlanta, with the view of signing more Next Stars.
Santamaria was fortunate to watch an Australian Centre of Excellence team loaded with talent win the championship game in an event featuring the world’s best hoops prospects outside of America.
Emerging guard and Perth Wildcats recruit Ben Henshall proved he is ready to immediately excel in the NBL, even at 19.
Santamaria was particularly impressed by Victorian small forward Johnny Furphy, who has been described as the tournament’s ‘breakout player’.
Furphy’s skill and athleticism caught the eye, prompting the 6’9 wing to receive 20-plus major college offers.
Duke has reportedly expressed “heavy interest” in the 18-year-old.
The Blue Devils are a program with proud Aussie connections through Boomers Jack White and current alumni Tyrese Proctor.
Santamaria also won’t rule out Furphy as a potential NBL Next Star.
“I was very impressed with Johnny and from a Next Stars perspective, we’re tracking his progress really closely,” Santamaria said about Furphy, who was initially in the 2023 class but opted to reclassify for 2024 after not receiving enough interest.
“He’s certainly someone we have an interest in continuing to evaluate.
“That young man has been rapidly improving over recent times and he really was spectacular across the week in Atlanta. He was knocking down shots, playing above the rim and getting himself to the free throw line.”
Santamaria believes Australian basketball is primed for sustained success on the back of “unselfish” and “high IQ” talent.
He will continue to monitor the next generation, including emerging Victorians like Luke Fennell and Dash Daniels, the younger brother of Boomers and Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels.
AUSSIES ON THE NBA DRAFT RADAR
** Players are eligible for the NBA draft in the year in which they turn 19
ROCCO ZIKARSKY – Draft eligible in 2025
Centre, 17, Brisbane Bullets/NBL Next Star multi-year deal
One of the brightest talents in Australian basketball – the seven-foot-three teen is an imposing figure at the rim. Currently a scholarship holder at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Zikarsky has already been on NBA team radars thanks to outstanding performances with Australia’s junior national teams and throughout other junior championship tournaments, including last year’s FIBA Under 17 World Cup.
DAVID OKWERA – Draft eligible in 2024
Forward, 20, Perth Wildcats
The 20-year-old is known for his length and athleticism, protecting the rim, defending at a high level, and can also get it done on the offensive end of the floor. The proud Western Australian has signed a three-year deal with the Wildcats, but has his sights set on higher honours having previously attracted close to 20 NCAA D1 offers before opting to turn pro.
TARAN ARMSTRONG – Draft eligible in 2024
Guard, 21, Cairns Taipans
Armstrong was touted as a top recruit when he entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this year, but the 21-year-old has instead chosen to sign with Cairns on a two-year contract, ahead of declaring for the NBA Draft.
The Tasmanian point guard from California Baptist University where he has made a name for himself as the best passer in the college system.
BEN HENSHALL – Draft eligible in 2024
Guard/forward, 19, Perth Wildcats
The Western Australian talent is blessed with speed, attack off the bounce, shooting and sharp defensive instincts.
Henshall’s young but he’s also very talented and he’s ready to play minutes for Perth right away.
ALEX TOOHEY – Draft eligible in 2024
Forward, 19, Sydney Kings/NBL Next Star
Toohey, currently at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence, is NBL bound after recently de-committing from Gonzaga University.
Born in Canberra, he joined the COE and NBA Global Academy in 2020, and has progressed to excel on the NBL1 stage while making his senior Boomers debut in 2021.
TYRESE PROCTOR – Draft eligible in 2024
Guard, 19, Duke (US College)
Proctor has confirmed he will return to college basketball powerhouse Duke for a second season. The Sydney-born and Sutherland raised talent had a slow start to his collegiate career as he averaged 9.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in his freshman year. Proctor found form in the latter stages of the season as he scored 16 points and chalked up six assists in the NCAA tournament defeat to Tennessee as well as a double-double against Pittsburgh in the ACC tournament. He is now focused on boosting his stocks for the 2024 NBA Draft.
BOWYN BEATTY – Draft eligible in 2024
Centre, 18, Sacramento State (US College)
Standing at 6’9, Beatty has a dominant presence in the paint and a silky touch to match.
The NBA Global Academy product is aiming to use a US College stint for Sacramento State under former Boomers assistant coach David Patrick to add polish ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft.
JOHNNY FURPHY – Draft eligible in 2026
Forward, 18, Centre of Excellence
According to NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givony, Furphy has emerged as one of the best prospects after his stellar performances at the NBA Academy games. 6’9 wing can shoot running off screens, pass off a live dribble with either hand and has some real downhill explosiveness.
LUKE FENNELL – Draft eligible in 2025
Guard, 17, Centre of Excellence
The NBA Global Academy product is gifted with a strong all-round ability, as he showcased to lead Victoria Metro to the National Under 18s title earlier this year. NBL legend Chris Anstey was sitting courtside for the semi-final when Fennell dropped a game-high 26 points and five rebounds.
“Luke was the best player on the court by a long way,” said Anstey, who played 336 NBL games for three teams.
“He has a good balance, and he shoots it well.”
ROMAN SIULEPA – Draft eligible in 2025
Forward, 17, South West Metro Pirates (NBL1)
Athletically blessed with speed and skill, Siulepa ticks a lot of basketball boxes.
He has dominated playing for his school (Brisbane State High), state (Queensland) and country with an aggressive ability to attack the rim.
Siulepa has also spent time at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra and has improved his outside shooting and passing game.
DASH DANIELS – Draft eligible in 2026
Guard, 15, Centre of Excellence
Much younger brother of New Orleans lottery pick Dyson Daniels but already plenty of hype. Will play against opponents much older but won’t be overawed. Already a better shooter than Dyson. A natural ball handler and shooter, while physically very similar to Dyson at the same age.
JACOB FURPHY – Draft eligible in 2025/2026
Guard, 16, Centre of Excellence
The Tasmanian has enjoyed a rapid rise, which is even more impressive considering he is a bottom ager compared to most of his teammates and rivals.
Furphy represented Australia at the Under 16s FIBA Asia Championships and the Under 17 World Cup last year, opening the door to secure a scholarship at the NBA Global Academy.
JOSH BANNON – Draft eligible in 2024
Forward, 22, Brisbane Bullets
The 6’10 forward joins the Bullets on a three-year deal following a successful three years in US College with Montana.
Bannon – a former NBA Global Academy product – excelled to earn first-team All-Big Sky Conference selection this past season.
He averaged 15.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game to go along with a team-high 112 assists. Bannon hopes to use the Bullets – and the NBL – as a platform to the NBA.
LACHLAN OLBRICH – Draft eligible in 2024
Forward, 19, Illawarra Hawks
Olbrich arrives in Wollongong on a three-year deal after a successful Freshman season at the University of California, Riverside. Originally from Adelaide, the 6’10 Olbrich averaged 11.5 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes per game in his only season with the Highlanders.
Olbrich is no stranger to the Illawarra. His UC Riverside squad faced the Hawks in the most recent pre-season, where he left a lasting impression on the organisation after starring with 19 points and ten rebounds.
ALEX CONDON – Draft eligible in 2024
Forward, 18, Florida (US College)
Chose basketball over AFL last year and has blown up the hoops world. A great athlete who is physical and a great rebounder. Still developing his offensive skill set. Father Damien Condon was a triple-premiership star with East Fremantle in the WAFL. Was touted as a potential top-five AFL pick. He will hope the same happens in the NBA.
JENSEN BRADTKE – Draft eligible in 2026
17, power forward
Son of Boomers and Melbourne Tigers legend Mark Bradtke, Jensen is very slim, but very skilled. Moves really well up and down the floor, can shoot, handle and pass. Projects as a centre and needs to fill out but, if his dad is anything to go by, it’s not a matter of if, but when.
KLAIRUS AMIR – Draft eligible in 2024
18, guard, Sydney Kings
Amir Joins the reigning two-time NBL champions on a three-year deal, with the first two as a development player before becoming a fully contracted player in NBL26.
In doing so, he becomes the youngest local talent to ever sign a multi-year deal with the Kings – eclipsing the previous mark held by 19-year-old Matt Nielsen.
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Originally published as Aussies in the NBA: Meet the next generation of Australia’s NBA Draft hopefuls ready for the big leagues
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