The countdown is on and anticipation is building as the next generation of star Australian basketballers get set to represent their state and compete at the 2023 Foot Locker Under-20 & Ivor Burge National Championships.
Held next month at Geelong Arena in Victoria between Tuesday 14 and Sunday 19 February, the event now boasts a refreshed title having previously been known as the U20 & Ivor Burge Australian Junior Championships.
A total of 33 teams will compete in the event across the Men’s, Women’s and Ivor Burge (intellectual disability) competitions, comprising of 119 games played throughout six action-packed days.
Tickets are on sale now so make sure you secure your seats today!
Please note: tickets will only be available to purchase online. The NBA Global Academy – featuring the likes of Dash Daniels, the younger brother of NBA New Orleans Pelicans’ Dyson Daniels, and Rocco Zikarsky, who stands at an imposing 7’1 – will once again field a team and feature in the Men’s Championship pool rounds.
Showcasing the talent in the Women’s Championships, five current WNBL players will also be on court including Southside Flyers’, Nyadiew Puoch, and Adelaide Lightning’s, Isobel Borlase.
State rivalries will sizzle as each team looks to be crowned Champions – Victoria will be aiming to defend its 2022 triumphs in the under-20 women’s and women’s Ivor Burge categories, while Queensland and South Australia will be aiming to once again take home the trophy in the under-20 men’s and men’s Ivor Burge competition respectfully.
At the end of the competition the Bob Staunton Medal will be awarded to the most outstanding male and female player, with icons of the game including Lauren Jackson (1999), Patty Mills (2006, 2007), Erin Phillips (2004) and Dante Exum (2013) all having this achievement etched next to their name.
The pool games take place across the first three days, while quarter finals kick off on Friday 17 February, semis on Saturday 18 and the grand final, play offs and closing ceremony conclude on Sunday.
Unlike previous years, the Ivor Burge Women’s Competition will be structured as 3X3 as Basketball Australia aligns it with the international rules and World Championships happening in Paris later this year.
For more information about the 2023 Foot Locker Under-20 & Ivor Burge National Championships including the fixture visit the Basketball Australia website.
