THE NCAAM season has wrapped, and although there was plenty of attention on some of the homegrown heroes from the United States, there were a few Aussies making a name for themselves in the 2022/23 season.
There were plenty of eyes on Geraldton native Alex Ducas as he suited up for the Saint Mary’s Gaels in his senior season with the team, having shown gradual progression during his first three years.
Ducas joined the Gaels in 2019, and has taken more responsibility as each year has gone on. Now in 2023, he has established himself as a core member of his team’s lineup and delivered career-best numbers for Saint Mary’s in the fixture that recently wrapped.
Across 35 appearances in the 2022/23 season, Ducas averaged 12.5 points per game, which is 2.2 more than last season. He is one of the most consistent bucket-getters for the Gaels at this stage in his collegiate career, and has fully proven himself as a damaging offensive player in the NCAAM.
One of the biggest factors in Ducas getting his points total higher on a yearly basis has been his progression as a shooter, particularly from behind the arc. He has one of the sweetest jumpshots going around, and when given the space, he can hurt the opposition.
Ducas shot 41 per cent from behind the arc, which is efficient for someone that shoots from downtown as much as he does. The team looked to get the ball in his hands on the perimeter, and when they did, Ducas showed no hesitation in firing off a shot. He has gotten much better at being unfazed by the contests from the opposition, often shooting over hands or arms in his face, and looks unstoppable at times.
Over a two-month span, Ducas delivered double-digits in 15 out of his 17 appearances, showcasing the consistency he displayed during this time. It was during this patch that he looked at his most dangerous, working extremely hard off the ball to find space, and knocking down shot after shot.
As for the future, Ducas will be staying in the United States for one more year, taking advantage of a ‘pandemic exemption’, which allows him to stay with the Gaels for a fifth and final year. He was helped off the court with a back injury in his final game of the season, so this rule sets up Ducas for one last ride with Saint Mary’s, who will be hoping to win it all next year.
Perth adds pinch of Pepper with latest signing
ONE of the most exciting aspects of the National Basketball League (NBL) off-season is the addition of young talent to Australia’s premier competition, with Elijah Pepper the next rising Aussie to put pen to paper. Following an outstanding collegiate career, Pepper has agreed to a two-year deal with the Perth Wildcats ahead of the 2024/25 […]
March Madness over with cracking college crescendo
THE National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s and Women’s Division I basketball tournaments wrapped this week, with two sides claiming the ultimate prize after a mesmerising fortnight of action. Both competitions had some enthralling action filled with genuine star power that will feature at either NBA or WNBA level in the coming years. In arguably […]
Robertson rips through defence in close loss
DESPITE his team being overrun in the second half, Aussie guard Tyler Robertson was immense for the Portland Pilots during the team’s loss against their cross-town rivals in the Portland State Vikings on Wednesday. Now in his senior year, Robertson has already enjoyed a stellar college career with the Pilots, and has more responsibility than […]
Proctor powers Duke past La Salle in career-best outing
AUSTRALIA’S best prospect for next year’s 2024 NBA Draft delivered his best performance at NCAAM level, as Tyrese Proctor steered the Duke Blue Devils to a dominant 29-point win over La Salle. Coming into his sophomore season, Proctor had already established himself as one of the most exciting talents in college basketball, cementing himself as […]
Here’s your Furphy; Aussie youngster heading abroad
THE LIST of Australians making a name for themselves in the NCAA college basketball system continues to grow, with forward Johnny Furphy committing to the Kansas Jayhawks for the upcoming season. The talented youngster has been a highly touted prospect for several years, working his way through Australia’s basketball ranks. Although it was later than […]
Schweizer steps up in junior campaign
THE NCAAW is one of the best pathways for rising women basketball stars to take in order to reach the top level, although it does require a certain level of patience at times. That has been the case for Aussie Rosie Schweizer, who just wrapped her third season as a member of the Pacific Tigers […]
Triantis takes terrific next step for Jacks
THE 2022/23 college basketball season saw a number of Aussies shine in the system, with some strong individual campaigns from some of the country’s young guns. That trend extended to Loukas Triantis, who enjoyed an eye-catching season as a member of the Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) Jacks. After an impressive campaign with the team […]
Smith steps up for Tigers in third season
THE collegiate system is one of the biggest in the world for player development, with the best prospects from all across the globe heading to the United States to try and take their game to the next level. This is extended to Australia’s brightest young talents, including guard Sara-Rose Smith, who joined the Missouri Tigers […]
Ellis’ extra opportunity produces growth
AUSSIES continued to hit the court in the NCAAW during the 2022/23 season, with the number growing on a yearly basis and that trend rolling on over the past 12 months. Although some have to bide their time on the bench for their first couple of years, they often reward coaches whenever they are given […]
