Basketball Australia have announced the team that will travel to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for the FIBA U16 Asia Cup in August to September.
Greg Vanderjagt who is currently with the Brisbane Bullets as an assistant will lead the team as the young group progress in the junior national team cycle.
Vanderjagt’s first formal engagement with the group was for the recent preparation tour in China which navigated 8 games in 11 days across three cities. The former NBL vet turned coach looks forward to the opportunity to lead the Crocs and represent the green & gold.
“Anytime you get the opportunity to represent Australia is an honour, having the opportunity to lead our nation in this campaign is something I am incredibly grateful for,” he said.
“Competing the right way for our country with a group of young men who have a common purpose and goal is what I am most excited about. Seeing the growth and development of each of these athletes across the journey is incredibly rewarding for me.”
The level of competition continues to adapt with ever-changing global trends and adaptations in Asia & Oceania.
“The athleticism and skill level of athletes is accelerating rapidly across the globe which presents us with significant challenges which we are ready to meet head on," said Vanderjagt.
“"The international junior landscape is constantly growing in terms of the level of athletes and coaches who are participating for their nations. The challenges we will face at the Asia Cup are diverse and each day will present a different style for our team to combat," said Vanderjagt.
“From the speed and shooting of Japan, to the physicality of New Zealand to the sheer size of the Chinese group we will face we have to be flexible and adaptable in our planning each day to put our athletes in a position to have success.”
Australia have won gold at the tournament in the U16 category since the migration to the FIBA Asia conference. The Crocs toppled New Zealand in a 79 – 76 classic against New Zealand in the finale of the last meet, which was hosted in Doha.
| Crocs Team | FIBA U16 Asia Cup | |
| Yahya Basaran (VIC) | Antonio Browne (NSW) |
| Lucas Byrne (VIC) | Tom Dammers (VIC) |
| Alexander Edwards (WA) | Will Hamilton (VIC) |
| Isaiah Jorgenson (QLD) | Alex Mabbott (VIC) |
| Josh McCann (VIC) | Luke Paul (WA) |
| Max Pavey (VIC) | Andrew Watene (QLD) |
