NBL1 unearths twelve Gems for Asia Cup campaign

Image credit: Mitchell Barlow

In a massive victory for the NBL1, 12 of the League's rising stars will be heading to Malaysia as part of the FIBA Under-18s Asia Cup in October.

In a full reveal of the 'Final 12' by Basketball Australia on Wednesday, every player featuring will have played in the 2026 NBL1 season.

Madi Ryan, Isabel Smith, and new WNBL signing Cheyenne Bobongie (Townsville Fire) will lead the list of young stars that will take part in the week-long event.

The tournament will see three NBL1 conferences represented, with seven Australians deriving from the Centre of Excellence.

Also representing the NBL1, 2027 Keilor Thunder women's Head Coach and former Olympian Kristi Harrower will lead the Australian Gems.

The team's tournament will commence against the Philippines on October 4 as one of three matches in three days.

Australia will also play New Zealand and Korea during the group stages.

Australia's under-18 Women's Asia Cup squad

Cheyenne Bobongie – Mackay Meteorettes (NBL1 North)

Taryn Bond – Cairns Marlins (NBL1 North)

Aspen Crase – Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)

Jemyma Manyok – Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)

Lily Mapp – Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)

Olivia Olechnowicz – Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)

Sophie Richardson – Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)

Madi Ryan – Sandringham Sabres (NBL1 South)

Eliza Shanahan – Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)

Jade Sherrington – Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)

Isabel Smith – Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)

Matilda Trout – Dandenong Rangers (NBL1 South)