THERE are plenty of Australians that have taken the collegiate path over the past few decades, and while other pathways are becoming more prominent in reaching the top level, the NCAA is still seeing plenty of Aussies come through.

The college path offers plenty of spotlight and development against players at a similar age and skill level, so it remains an intriguing choice. This piece kicks off Rookie Me Central‘s look at some of the Australians who are currently in the NCAA system, and making a name for themselves with some standout performances.

Taran Armstrong – California Baptist

Armstrong has been making waves over the past couple of years, after committing to California Baptist college along with his brother Tre, and the duo have been leading from the front in the school’s big games. However, it has been Taran that has impressed in the last few games, backing up an impressive freshman campaign. Armstrong kicked his season off with a 19-point performance in his team’s social challenge loss last week, and has been able to maintain a similar output. The Burnie native has been able to score consistently over the last couple of years, but has improved his passing output at a gradual, and is firmly on the radar of NBA teams now, with the capability to score inside, shoot from behind the arc and also rebound and distribute the ball.

Josh Bannan – Montanna Grizzlies

The Melbourne-born forward has started his junior year in style, scoring the ball at a high clip and catching the attention of a few scouts in the process. At 6-foot-10, Bannan offers height at the four in comparison to some of his peers, and looks set to continue his gradual progression over the last couple of years. A season average of 15.1 points per game last year looks set to increase, with the 21-year-old not afraid to put up a shot, unfazed by any cold shooting streaks he may find. While there may be higher touted prospects, Bannan looks right at home in the NCAA system.

Reyne Smith – Charleston

The final player on this list might not be playing at the biggest club in the NCAA, but his impact is undeniable. An old-fashioned bucket getter, Smith has shown the capability of being a number one option on his team, despite some talented teammates. Coming out of Ulverstone, Smith has thrived in the collegiate system, outshining some of his teammates that have been in the NCAA for a much longer time. The volume shooting guard is just 20 years old, and while he might be undersized at 6-foot-2, his 46 per cent shooting from three on the year does most of the talking.