Australia Keeps Momentum Rolling at the FIBA U17 Oceania Cup

Australia’s U17 teams have maintained their perfect starts at the 2025 FIBA U17 Oceania Cup in Apia, combining balanced scoring, defensive pressure, and team discipline across another day of competition.

With both sides undefeated through group play, momentum is building heading into the quarterfinals and seeding rounds.

U17 Women Continue to Impress With Commanding Win Over Guam

The Australian U17 Women delivered another authoritative performance in their group phase, dismantling Guam 127–16 with a complete team effort that showcased both offensive variety and defensive intensity.

Australia’s scoring balance was on full display, with several standout individual performances:

• Sitaya Fagan — 17 points, 10 rebounds (double-double), using her size and skill to control the paint. 
• Reece Anticevic — 17 points and 4 steals, a dynamic presence on both ends of the floor.
• Rebecca Donnelly — 16 points and 4 steals, contributing consistently across quarters.
• Andie Jade Smith — 14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, anchoring rim protection and finishing around the basket. 

Reflecting on her time in Samoa and the team’s progression, Smith said the group is moving in the right direction.

“Every game we’re just getting better and better,” she said.

“Hopefully as the tournament goes on, we’ll keep improving.”

Smith added that the experience of representing Australia has been a special one.

“It’s been amazing. Playing for Australia is such a surreal experience, and all the girls are so great to play with.”

The collective effort highlighted Australia’s depth, with every player contributing to the team’s scoring and defensive pressure.

U17 Men Hold On to Beat Guam and Secure Next-Round Position

In a physical battle at Tuanaimato Gym, the Australian Crocs held off a determined Guam squad to secure a 109–66 victory, keeping their unbeaten run alive and cementing a strong position ahead of the knockout stage.

Australia jumped ahead early and controlled the tempo for much of the contest, but Guam’s improved competitiveness kept the game within reach for longer than in past encounters — a credit to their own development.

Standout performances for the Crocs included:

• Isaac Riddle — 19 points, leading Australia’s scoring and providing consistent offensive impact.
• Koby Moir — 15 points and 2 blocks, energising both ends of the floor and reflecting his defensive mindset.
• Jai Fa’ale — 13 points, continuing his reliable scoring output.
• Harry Cook — 14 rebounds, anchoring the defensive glass, and Billy McRae — 8 rebounds, helping Australia control possessions.

Crocs guard Moir summed up the team’s approach.

"My role was to come onto the court and provide the energy," Moir said.

"I've always believed my defence guides my offence, so I just worked as hard as I could on defence for the offence to come to me."

Moir previously attended the Basketball Without Borders program in Asia, where he received the Patrick Baumann Sportsmanship Award.

Being selected for this program and being coached by basketball legends has significantly improved his game.

"Tyrese Maxey was my coach over there, and just to be able to learn off him, the way he moves, gets to the rim, passes. I've really seen that come out here, where I know where my teammates are, and I know where to pass it. I learned a lot from him," Moir said.