BASKETBALL

By TOM HAYES and BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

BASKETBALL Australia haves announced an initial 25-player squad for the Under 19 Australian Emus ahead of the 2025 U19 FIBA World Cup.

Included in the squad is Traralgon export Ben Waller, who has committed to the University of California, Riverside, beginning later this year.

Those selected in the initial squad will participate in a training camp from March 17 to 20 at the Centre of Excellence (Australian Institute of Sport) in Canberra.

Head coach Robbie McKinlay says the squad will serve as a foundation for the U19 FIBA World Cup campaign, which takes place in Switzerland from June 28 until July 6 later this year.

“This is the start of the journey towards the World Cup so it’s an exciting time for these young players,” McKinlay said in a press release.

“We are looking forward to having such a deep and versatile group in the camp.”

McKinlay will be assisted by former Illawarra Hawks coach Jacob Jackomans and current Illawarra Hawks assistant Joel Khlau.

Essentially, the initial squad is made up of youngsters who played for Australia’s Under 17 and 18 national squads last year.

Twelve of the players, including Waller, helped Australia win the title at the U18 Asia Cup in 2024 – McKinlay coaching them to success.

Big names will line up alongside Waller, with Brisbane Bullets’ Rocco Zikarsky – who has already made his Boomers debut, and Melbourne United development player Dash Daniels – the brother of Atlanta Hawks’ Dyson.

South East Melbourne Phoenix development player Luke Fennell – a strong performer throughout the National Championships for Victoria is also in the squad, as is Tasmania’s Jacob Furphy who has committed to play college basketball at UConn.

 

TRARALGON’S Will Hamilton has also been selected for the 2025 Under 18 Victoria Country team.

From April 5 to 13, state metro and country sides battle it out at the national championships in Brisbane.

The best young stars will take to the court, with Victoria Country pushing to improve from their bronze medal finish and takedown champion Victoria Metro.

Hamilton was named alongside 11 other players and five emergencies.

He recently won the Australian Country Junior Basketball Championships for the U18 Boys Victoria Bushrangers, and won a gold medal representing Australia at the FIBA Oceania Cup in which he was also named Most Valuable Player.