Basketball Australia Under-18 & Kevin Coombs Cup National Championships 2023 live blog – Day 5 (U18 & Kevin Coombs Nationals)

They’ve booked a spot in the finals and now Tasmania’s U18 National Championships side is gunning for a title push. Read more in the tournament live blog.

The Tassie girls side flew to Queensland for the Under-18 National Championships with one goal – to win.

While it hasn’t been a clean sweep, they’ve been pulling out the big guns and are keeping eyes on the prize.

On day five of the competition, Tasmania went head-to-head with New South Wales Country.

The clash, which was a make or break for NSW, kept coaches on their feet and crowds on the edge of their seats.

Ava McDonald, wearing No. 34, stunned crowds with her seamless dives to the basket double a two-on-one defence.

Tasmania's Ava McDonald at the Under-18 National Championships. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw Photography

Tasmania's Millie Baker at the Under-18 Nationals. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw Photography

On transition, the Australian junior representative kept her player out of the mix and ultimately added the necessary pressure to turn possession.

It’s no wonder the score stayed within four points until the end of the third quarter.

The NSW lineup features leading rebounder Jade Crook, who has averaged 12 boards per game.

Claire Martin and Lucy Aherne both contributed to a mix of relentless offensive and tight defence.

With McDonald, Martin and Aherne standing at just 178cm, 179cm and 183cm respectively, the triple-threat combo have been excelling at using their ball handling and footwork to get to post.

After closing the match 59-54, Tasmania are guaranteed a position into finals but their work is far from done.

“We’ve got 10 great contributors on the court who are doing their job,” said head coach Nic Martin.

“We are where we want to be heading into finals.

“But that’s when the real competition starts, so to speak.”

Every player will need to bring their A-game when quarter-finals commence Friday on day six of the tournament.

“We are ready as ever, and right where we want to be,” Martin said.

HOW NBL GREAT IS LEADING NEXT GEN TO COLLEGE SUCCESS

For NBL legend and former league MVP Derek Rucker, giving back to basketball is just part of his DNA.

Rucker last bounced a basketball in anger back in 2006 with the Brisbane Bullets, but he has been collaborating with junior players since retiring.

The American-born guard has set up his own premium basketball skills development program in Brisbane, called: Derek Rucker Basketball.

Rucker proudly tells me his program has paved the way for 19 girls to secure US College scholarships while another four have already committed.

He also has another three girls who have turned professional out of high school.

Rucker took time out from his busy schedule on Thursday to attend the Under-18 National Championships in Brisbane.

Former NBL MVP Derek Rucker was in attendance at the Under-18 National Championships on Thursday. Picture: Paul Braven / The Observer

He concedes his professional life these days is often a juggle, but he wouldn’t miss a chance to watch the next generation.

“Because it’s your service – I’ll be doing this until they put me away,” grinned Rucker, who won the NBL MVP award with the Bullets in 1990.

“The sport is in such a strong position, and this is just my way of giving back.”

Rucker was courtside to watch Victoria Metro surge past South Australia Metro with a dominant 96-71 win.

He was impressed with the talent on show, but singled out Vic Metro guard Luke Fennell as a star prospect.

Rucker thought Fennell “struggled” in the first half, but he displayed impressive resolve to lead his side to victory.

“He obviously has the talent, but I just like that he came out in the second half looking to have an impact on the game,” Rucker said about Fennell, who finished with 25 points, five rebounds and two assists in the victory.

“He got a dunk late in the second quarter, and I thought that was a trigger. “Then he was knocking down his threes and he was on a roll.

Rucker in action for the Bullets in 2006. Picture: Adam Smith

“It’s hard for pros to bounce back when expectations are high – and here at the nationals the expectations are high, especially when he is the type of player that he is being projected to be.

“But he came out and responded, and look what it did for his team. They were down by two at the half and went on to win the game by 25 points.”

Rucker is working with a host of girls players from the Queensland South team, including Hilary Fuller and Sharni Reisinger.

“Hilary is a legit prospect,” Rucker said.

“She will go away to college, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Sharni goes to the WNBL, but she is only in Year 10.

“She came off the bench and had the perfect game the other day. She had 15 points and went six of six from the field.

“The future is exciting.”

REVEALED: THE U18 NATIONALS STARS ON THE NBL HIT LIST

The NBL is on the lookout for its next Josh Giddey success story at this year’s national Under-18s championships in Brisbane, with Australia’s finest rising players in the mix to become Next Stars.

Giddey is a tremendous example of a bright young Aussie talent taking the Next Stars pathway towards a successful NBA career.

The OKC Thunder star led Vic Metro to the title at the U18 national championships in 2019 before impressing NBA scouts as a Next Star across the 2020-21 NBL season with the Adelaide 36ers.

Josh Giddey impressed at the U18 National Championships in 2019 before going on to NBL and then NBA success. Picture: Christian Petersen/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP

He was then selected sixth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft and continues to develop into a genuine star at that level with the Thunder.

Giddey’s remarkable rise from the NBL to the NBA is the ultimate proof that the Next Stars program is a legitimate pathway.

Charlotte Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball is also a beneficiary of the NBL’s Next Stars program.

Ball spent a season with the Illawarra Hawks in 2019, which paved the way for the Hornets to select him at No.3 in the 2020 NBA draft.

These success stories are why Next Stars General Manager of Recruitment Liam Santamaria is attending this week’s Under-18 National Championships.

“We are always on the lookout for emerging talent and, for decades, this tournament has been a breeding ground for future NBL and NBA players as well as national team representatives,” Santamaria said.

“From a Next Stars perspective, we’re continuing to track the development of numerous young Aussies, many of whom are competing at this event.”

Santamaria has an open mind when it comes to evaluating potential NBL Next Stars, but he reserved special praise for four rising stars.

Queensland South big man Rocco Zikarsky. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw Photography

Roman Siulepa at the Under-18 National Championships. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw Photography

He believes Queensland South’s seven-foot centre Rocco Zikarsky has enormous upside.

Zikarsky’s ability has been on show at the nationals, with the NBA Global Academy product stuffing the stat sheet in every game he plays.

The 16-year-old could follow a host of pathways, including US College, but Santamaria says the NBL is also a genuine option.

“Rocco is clearly one of our country’s brightest young talents,” he said.

“He is a really impressive young man, on and off the court, and we believe the Next Stars pathway would provide a great platform for him to achieve his massive potential in the game.”

Fellow Queensland South sensation Roman Siulepa is also on the NBL’s radar.

Siulepa has dominated the Under-18s nationals with his potent physicality, athleticism and skill.

The 16-year-old is being courted by the Brisbane Bullets to attend training, but he also has a busy schedule ahead this year.

Siulepa is on the radar to represent the Australian Under-19s side at this year’s World Cup in Hungary this June and July.

It’s understood the gifted forward is open to all avenues when it comes to the next step in his young career, including US college.

Victoria Country star Dash Daniels at the Under-18 Basketball Nationals. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw Photography

Victoria Metro guard Luke Fennell. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw Photography

The NBL is also tracking the progress of Victoria Country guard Dash Daniels – the younger brother of Australian NBA star Dyson Daniels.

Fellow Victorian guard Luke Fennell is another talent with major ability, according to Santamaria.

“It’s exciting that the junior coaches and development pathways across the country,” he said.

“This includes Basketball Australia’s CoE and the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, continue to foster such a high level of improvement and growth in our country’s young talent.”

NBL’S HIT LIST:

Rocco Zikarsky (QLD South)

Dash Daniels (Vic Country)

Roman Siulepa (QLD South)

Luke Fennell (Vic Metro)

Originally published as Basketball Australia Under-18 & Kevin Coombs Cup National Championships 2023 live blog – Day 5 (U18 & Kevin Coombs Nationals)