Ten of Australia’s top junior basketballers took part in Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia 2025, held in Singapore from 19–22 June, with six earning recognition for their standout performances.
Queensland’s Taryn Bond led the way, named MVP, Three-Point Champion and selected as an All-Star. She scored 12 points in the championship game to guide her team, the Valkyries, to a 16–15 win.
“It’s just been an unreal experience to compete against the best in Asia,” Bond said.
“It’s amazing to get the chance to compete in a different country and meet new girls. One of the highlights was probably winning the championship with my team – we just played so well together and fought hard to the end.”
Fellow Queenslander Cheyenne Bobongie also earned All-Star honours and received the Patrick Baumann Sportsmanship Award, highlighting her leadership and impact both on and off the court.
Victoria’s Taia McMechan rounded out the trio of Australian girls named as All-Stars following an impressive performance during the four-day camp.
Continuing a strong showing from the Sunshine State, Queenslanders Harry Cook and Issac Weldon were selected as All-Stars in the boys’ division, while South Australia’s Koby Moir received the Patrick Baumann Sportsmanship Award.
Cook said the camp was as much about connection as it was about competition.
“The people I met this week are just great people. I’ve made so many new friends from countries like Thailand and Qatar, and I really cherish those connections,” he said.
“Being at an NBA camp and earning a spot on the All-Star team is a great feeling, and it reminded me to stay composed and trust my game.”
Now in its 15th edition, the camp was led by NBA and WNBA coaches and players, who guided participants through on-court drills, competitive games and leadership sessions.
Among the guests was Australian Boomer and Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist Duop Reath, who attended the camp as a guest NBA player, fresh off completing his second season in the league with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The strong representation and success of Australian athletes at BWB Asia continues to reflect the depth of talent being developed through Basketball Australia's high-performance pathways and the state-led programs supporting athlete growth across the country.
