Gems and Emus locked in for FIBA Oceania Championships

The next generation of Australia’s best and brightest basketballers have been selected to represent the green and gold at the 2023 FIBA Oceania Championships in Papua New Guinea from 2-7 October.

The women’s and men’s teams are both defending their titles at the Championship, the first major FIBA event hosted in Papua New Guinea since the global pandemic.

Eight Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (CoE) athletes are in the women’s team, including recent Seven Consulting Opals debutant Saffron Shiels.

The women are led by former CoE coach Kristen Veal, now head coach with the UC Canberra Capitals in the WNBL.

Two Tasmanian athletes feature in the men’s team, including FIBA 2022 U17 World Cup representative, 195cm guard Jacob Furphy, along with COE athlete Nash Walker.

The team also features Che Brogan, son of former Australian Opal Michelle.

The 2019 edition of the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships was held in New Caledonia, where current Boomer Josh Giddey was named in the All-Star Five, leading Australia to gold against New Zealand, while the women also beat the Kiwis.

This year’s edition of the tournament will serve as the first step in the qualification process to the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup with the top two finishers qualifying to the 2024 FIBA U18 Asia Championship.