The 2024 graduating class of women includes Bonnie Deas, Sarah Portlock, Monique Bobongie, Opal Bird, Sienna Harvey, Monique Williams and Sienna Lehmann.
Bird, Bobongie, Deas, Harvey and Williams were team mates of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup championship team that won gold in July.
CoE alumni Jade Melbourne made an appearance to speak to the class and celebrate their graduation from the program.
Melbourne has carved out a professional career in the WNBA for Washington, WNBL for UC Capitals and was an integral player in the Australian Opals bronze medal campaign in Paris this year.
The next step of the journey is forming for some of the athletes.
Bonnie Deas (Sydney Flames), Monique Bobongie (UC Capitals) and Opal Bird (Bendigo Spirit) are currently playing in the WNBL.
Deas and Bird have committed to NCAA colleges for the 25/26 Season and are headed to University of Arkansas and Wake Forrest.
Sarah Portlock is headed to the Lone Star State for Texas Christian.
Two other stars from the U18 Gems team will be following the NCAA pathway next year with Sienna Harvey (University of Washington) and Monique Williams (Vanderbilt)
About | Basketball Australia | Centre of Excellence
The Centre of Excellence is headquartered at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra and has been a world-leading junior development program since 1980.
The program takes a holistic approach to the development of elite international athletes and integrates education, basketball services, sports science and personal excellence into a daily training environment.
Alumni includes Australian stars Andrew Bogut, Lauren Jackson, Patty Mills, Penny Taylor, Joe Ingles, Ezi Magbegor and many more.
