BASKETBALL

FIBA

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

RETURNING to the promise land, a group of Australia’s best junior basketballers continued an impressive run on the international stage.

Coming off a bronze medal finish at the FIBA Under 17 World Cup, Traralgon’s Will Hamilton was again included in Australia’s top side, arriving at the U18 Asia Cup hosted in India.

The Emus completed an undefeated run to claim gold at the continental event, getting past China in a tough final match, 89 to 79.

While Australia got off to a strong start, leading by eight points at quarter time, China swiftly responded to trail by just two at the main break.

In returning, it took a period for the Emus to break away from its opponent. Australia increased its defensive intensity to finish with its largest lead.

While Hamilton struggled in the gold medal match, scoring just seven points on tough shooting percentages, the Traralgon star was impressive in a bigger role as Australia’s starting forward.

In the Emus’ demolition of Thailand of 70 points to start its Asia Cup campaign, Hamilton poured on a tournament-best 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Overall, Hamilton averaged 9.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists across his six games.

The latest Asia Cup performance continues a great two-year stretch for Hamilton in the green and gold, most recently featuring in Australia’s U17 World Cup bronze medal team in July.

Hamilton has now secured three gold medals (U15 Asia Cup, U16 Asia Cup, U18 Asia Cup), a silver medal (U17 Oceania Cup) and a bronze medal since the end of 2024.

In the leadup to the most recent Asia Cup, Hamilton was profiled as one of the most experienced on the Emus team, saying he models his leadership after NBA and Boomers star Josh Giddey (who’s mother Kim grew up in Morwell).

“I think he’s become a real leader at such a young age, I look up to him,” Hamilton said.

As leader of the young Emus, Hamilton was the one to receive the Asia Cup trophy to be hoisted in the air.

At the end of July, Hamilton also concluded his first full NBL1 East season with the Centre of Excellence, out of the Australian Institute of Sport, losing in the elimination final to Central Coast by 13 points.

In the closing game, Hamilton scored 22 points and grabbed five rebounds.

In 18 matches for CoE, Hamilton averaged 10.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.