High school star warms to NBL over US college hoops
ATHLETIC Brisbane State High School sensation Roman Siulepa headlines a list of high school talent at the Australian Schools Championships on the radars of NBL clubs.
The finest high schools basketballers from across the country are on show at the championships on the Gold Coast.
About 1500 players and 145 schools are competing in 18 divisions in both boys and girls.
Scouts and clubs from across the hoops world are tuning in to evaluate the nextgeneration talent.
That includes most NBL clubs.
It comes as 15-year-old Queensland sensation Siulepa revealed his desire to play in the NBL, as opposed to US college basketball, as a pathway to the NBA.
The gun wing/forward, who has multiple NBL teams looking at him, has seen the likes of Josh Giddey and LaMelo Ball use the booming Australian league as a stepping stone to the world’s best competition and he wants to follow in their footsteps.
Siulepa’s intent to play in the NBL highlights the changing of the guard with teens now choosing to remain in Australia over the US college route.
The NBL’s rise recent seasons on the back of the Next Stars program, has given emerging talent a legitimate option to stay home to prepare for a potential shot at the NBA draft.
This has been shown through Giddey and Ball, who were both selected as top-10 draft picks following an NBL season with Adelaide and Illawarra respectively.
Now there is an extensive list of high school players who want to play in the Australian league to prepare for higher honours.
It’s a trend that excites legendary NBL forward Mika Vukona, who is attending this week’s Australian School’s Championship to watch his shooting-guard daughter Gia Vukona play in the women’s championship division for Brisbane State High School.
Vukona couldn’t be happier to see the NBL become a pathway for Australia and the Pacific’s finest high school basketballers.
“And it should be,” said Vukona, who played 476 NBL games for four clubs.
“The NBL is right in their backyard and it’s perfect for these high school boys, if that is what they choose.
“I’ve played overseas, but it doesn’t get any better than playing here at home.
“Everyone speaks the language, it’s summer, the facilities are great, you get paid on time.
“The skill level is also climbing. These kids now have so many NBA players, and also NBL players, to look up to as mentors.”