Under 23 Spinners Selection Camp Squad Announced

The Under 23 Australian Spinners are gearing up for an exciting few months to round out the year, starting with a selection camp from 26-29 September on the Sunshine Coast, followed by the Asia Oceania Championships (AOZs) in Bangkok, Thailand, from 16-22 November.

The camp will be a crucial preparation phase, as the top three teams at the AOZs will qualify for the Under 23 World Cup to be held in mid 2025.

Head Coach Brett Stibners OAM emphasises the importance of a rigorous selection process as the team prepares for the challenges ahead.

“We will be putting players through challenges to see what their strength and weaknesses are so we can put them in positions to succeed on the court, as well as providing feedback in where they can improve.”

Nineteen talented young hopefuls will battle for a spot on the final team, including 2024 Paris Paralympians Eithen Leard and Jaylen Brown.

Leard and Brown shined during their Paralympic debuts in Paris, impressing on the global stage at just 18 and 19 years old. Both playing for Italy’s Amicacci Abruzzo and unable to attend the camp, they remain in strong contention for the final team selection.

“Eithen and Jaylen delivered standout performances in Paris and they out-performed our expectations, which shows they are ready to lead our Spinners at the AOZs.”

As the junior wheelchair program continues to evolve, Stibners envisions a future where the team's goals go beyond immediate success, focusing on instilling lifelong skills and a genuine connection to basketball.

“My hope for the Spinners is that I want them learn how to play the game right way and find a love for it like I have.”