2023 U18 Australian Junior Championships: All-AJC First Team

A comprehensive breakdown of five standouts from the U18s in Brisbane.

All fifteen and sixteen year olds have their flaws.

Most of the time, it’s that their room is untidy, they think they already know everything, they listen to Ed Sheeran. But the thing is, we expect them to have flaws.

Teenage basketballers are the same. If one were to be harsh, every player at the most recent U18s in Brisbane could be considered a ‘but’ player. “He’s an elite defender, but he can’t score”. “He’s an amazing passer, but he can’t shoot”. That would be the glass-almost-empty take.

Instead, what we are working with here are only vague outlines of selfhood. Every player at the tournament has the capacity to grow, literally, to develop their game, and to expand upon their craft. Not one of these players is a finished product. So, with that in mind, let’s introduce you to a new gimmick.

Welcome to the 2023 All-Australian Junior Championship Teams.

Factoring in notes from scouts and coaches at the event, our two Michaels (Houben and Kruger) over at The Pick and Roll form the selection committee. The All-AJC teams are based largely on performance at the event —mirroring the style of the All-NBA awards— but Houben and Kruger will also discuss each of the top players’ game and their future potential. With that said, here we go.