Another Smithton gun makes college call

Nash Walker will join fellow Smithton product Jacob Furphy in the NCAA division one after announcing his college of choice. Plus get the latest from the under-16 nationals.

Khobe Speed in action for Tasmania against SA Metro during the under-16 national championships. Picture: Ethan Cunningham/Basketball Australia

Smithton’s extraordinary talent production line continues after Nash Walker signed with NCAA Division One’s Marquette University.

The sharpshooting forward recently represented Australia alongside Jacob Furphy, also from the small northwest Tasmania town, at the under-19 world cup.

Furphy, a standout at the world cup, signed with back-to-back NCAA champions University of Connecticut in October.

Nash Walker in action for Tasmania at this year’s Basketball Australia Under-20 and Ivor Burge National Championships. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw

Walker was a member of the NBA Global Academy based in Canberra, as well as Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence.

“Super excited to announce my commitment to Marquette University,” the 17-year-old said on social media.

Tasmania's Chloe Neate assesses her options. Picture: JR Smith Media

“Massive thank you to NBA Academy, Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and Basketball Tasmania for their guidance and support.

“Thank you to my family and friends who support everything I do. I’m blessed to be on this journey and can’t wait to get to work.”

Meanwhile, Tasmania’s girls team secured a second straight win in their last pool game at the under-16 national basketball championships in Bendigo on Thursday.

Every match of the championships is live streamed on this website.

After losing its first three games, Tasmania backed up Wednesday’s tight win over SA Metro with a dominant 92-43 victory over WA Country.

Brydee McPherson in action for Tasmania. Picture: Ethan Cunningham/Basketball Australia

The size of the win allowed all players to make a solid contribution with Brydee McPherson continuing her strong tournament with 19 points and five steals, skipper Elka Hutton had 18 points, five rebounds and five assists and Chloe Neate racked up 12 points and six assists.

The bench was also productive with Bronte Krapf (nine points, five rebounds, five assists), Elliot Jordan (six points, five rebounds, four assists), Paige Nowland (six points, four rebounds, three assists), Georgia Freeman (nine points, two rebounds, three assists) and Maddison Mayne (six points, four rebounds) making an impact.

Tasmania’s boys team couldn’t back up their maiden win over Queensland North the day before in Thursdays’ 84-67 defeat to NSW Country.

NSW Country dominated the first quarter (25-15) and the final term (25-13), with Riley Powell (17 points, 11 rebounds) registering a double-double for Tasmania.