THE depth of Australia’s impressive young basketball talent was again on display yesterday, with squads announced for upcoming FIBA World Cup tournaments, which are set to take place next month.

The final teams for the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup in China and the FIBA Under-17 Men’s World Cup in Turkey were announced recently, with plenty of exciting young talent named to represent Australia on the world stage.

The Gems squad is stacked with impressive female basketballers, with the fifth-ranked side set to face off against Chinese Taipei, Malaysia and Korea in Group A. The team will be coached by Kristen Veal, who will have a talented and versatile list to work with.

Bonnie Deas and Monique Bobongie have been putting together strong performances at National Basketball League (NBL)1 level of late, and should feature heavily for the team, with nine players from last year’s FIBA Women’s Under-17 Oceania Championship set to don the jersey once again.

The Crocs squad was named shortly after, with Australia set to compete against Egypt, Germany and Canada in Group D as it looks to advance to the knockout rounds.

There is plenty of talent from the recent Under-18 National Championships named in the 12-man team, including tournament MVP Dash Daniels, who has been building a reputation for himself as one of the premier young basketballers in the nation. He will be one of the key players in the team, alongside Victoria Metro gun Harrison Beauchamp, who also had a strong tournament.

The Gems will compete June 22-30, while the Crocs will be in action June 29-July 10.

Australian Gems

Opal Bird
Monique Bobongie
Teyahna Bond
Jade Cook
Emilija Dakic
Bonnie Deas
Hilary Fuller
Sienna Harvey
Zara Russell
Saffron Shiels
Lara Somfai
Monique Williams

Australian Crocs

Roor Akhuar
Harrison Beauchamp
Ryder Cheesman
Indy Cotton
Dash Daniels
Alex Dickeson
James Dyson Merwe
Mading Kuany
Ajak Nyuon
Sa Pilima
Henry Sewell
Nash Walker