AUSSIES have been thriving in the NCAA throughout season 2022/23, catching the eye over the first month of play with many players getting increased minutes and opportunity in that time.

Although the NBL is on the rise, the collegiate path is still a genuine option for some of Australia’s best and brightest young players, with a number of offers pitched to the strongest prospects our shores have to offer on a yearly basis.

With the season well and truly up and rolling, Rookie Me Central will be taking a look at which Australians are making the most impact with ball in hand, and are scoring the rock better than their peers. With plenty of players sitting pretty with a double-digit average next to their name, there is plenty of production coming from Aussies to start the fixture.

1. Tyler Robertson (Portland) – 15.62

Leading the way scoring-wise for the Aussies is Robertson, with the 22-year-old thriving with a starting spot for the Portland Pilots. He has been outstanding in the guard position, bringing plenty of height for the position at six-foot-six and punishing the opposition with his ability to drain a jump shot. The Melbourne native has been able to average 15.6 points across 13 games this season while playing just under 34 minutes a game.

>> TYLER ROBERTSON PLAYER FOCUS <<

Considered a volume shooter, Robertson has not been the most accurate from the field, shooting just 39 per cent, but he has still been able to provide valuable and consistent scoring. Across Portland’s last five games, he has dropped below 12 points just once, and his accuracy has improved, with three of those games seeing the senior make over half of his attempts from the field. A willing three-point shooter, Robertson has been excelling from the field to start the season.

2. Keil Leaupepe (Loyola Marymount) – 15.09

Second on the list is Loyola Marymount’s Leaupepe, with the forward also enjoying his best season from an individual perspective. The forward is also in his senior year, and appears to be excelling with more responsibility. Across 12 games, he has been able to cement himself as one of his side’s most reliable scorers, taking full advantage of the power and precision he possesses.

>> KELI LEAUPEPE PLAYER FOCUS <<

The Lions appear to be a better side when Leaupepe is attacking with ball in hand, while he has also proven himself as a capable rebounder, reaching double-digits in this category over the course of the season. The past couple of games have seen Leaupepe lift as a defender, with the forward racking up four steals across two outings. He appears to be a well-rounded prospect and his side is reaping the rewards of his consistent output.

3. Josh Bannan (Montana) – 14.7

Rounding out the top three in scoring is Bannan, who is a year younger than his two predecessors and still has plenty of buzz surrounding his prospects moving forward. Another Melbournian, the forward shows no hesitation to put up a shot, undeterred by any scoring droughts he or the team may be on and appearing determined to make an impact on the scoreboard.

At six-foot-10, he brings plenty of height to the four, and fore, and has proven more than a handful for opposition defences at times. The past couple of years have seen plenty of progression from the 21-year-old, and there appears to be no bucking that trend, with Bannan enjoying his best season at NCAA level, averaging nearly 10 rebounds too. Sunday saw the forward produce a season-best showing of 27 points at a 69 per cent shooting clip in the Grizzlies’ seven-point triumph, so it appears his best is yet to come.