THERE is plenty of emerging talent named to feature in the 2025 Trans-Tasman Throwdown, which pits the Australian Boomers and Opals against the Tall Blacks and Tall Ferns respectively in the coming days.

Australian and New Zealand basketball will lock horns in a best-of-three series, with two games taking place in Australia while the third game will be held across the Tasman in Hamilton. It is a revival of the cross-continent rivalry, which has not resumed hostilities for some years in an exciting chapter on the international calendar.

With basketball on the rise in Australia, there are some exciting names on the roster for the series, particularly for the Boomers, who have injected plenty of youth into their list in a great opportunity for the next generation of players to get some experience at international level.

Headlining the inclusions is Jacob Furphy, who is currently honing his craft with the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in the NBL1 East Men’s competition. Throughout the 2025 season, he is averaging 14 points, five rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, and is one of the team’s best performers to date. Furphy has also committed to play for the UConn Huskies, so he is firmly one of Australia’s brightest prospects.

Speaking of college players, Austin Rapp and Harry Wessels have been named in the Boomers squad as well, having both completed their collegiate commitments for the next few months.

Rapp’s Freshman campaign with the Portland Pilots was seriously impressive, averaging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists, and the forward looks set to make his mark on the international stage with the Boomers this week.

Wessels on the other hand, was in his third season with the Saint Marys Gaels, where his numbers continued to improve alongside his court time, averaging career highs in minutes, points and blocks. The center may not see too much playing time, but the overall experience will be beneficial, especially considering he will be surrounded by some experienced teammates.

After breaking onto the scene as a standout for the SEM Phoenix in the NBL last season, Owen Foxwell is an exciting name to watch in the squad as well. The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign with the Phoenix and will now be able to add some international experience to his resume as well.

On the other hand, the Opals have named quite an experienced roster for their clash with the Tall Ferns, although young star Isobel Borlase will be one to watch. A bona fide superstar of the WNBL, Borlase looms as a crucial piece of Australian basketball moving forward, so her presence at this tournament will likely be immense.

The first game kicks off tonight at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, before game two heads to the Sunshine Coast on Friday.