Centre of Excellence adds new wave of scholarship holders

Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence program has adding a new wave of scholarship holders to replace those who have recently graduated.

The five rising stars accepting scholarships are Charlise Dunn, Chyra Evans, Kate Deeble, Ruby-Belle Macdonald and Daniel Rogers. The incoming class will join with the 19 athletes returning to the program in 2020, with spoke sides set to compete in New South Wale's Waratah League next year.

Western Australia's Rogers is the only male athlete being added to the men's program, a versatile player who was named to the East All Star team at the Basketball Without Borders Asia 2019 event in Tokyo, Japan. Men's head coach Adam Caporn was enthused to be able to add someone to the program with his unique skillset.

“His combination of size, length and intelligence make him an exciting prospect and we are looking forward to having him in the program,” Adam Caporn outlined in the official release.

“We appreciate the support and development he has received through his pathway in Western Australia and know that he will bring great focus to taking full advantage of the CoE and all opportunities that come his way.”

Like Rogers, Macdonald also earned recognition at the Basketball Without Borders Asia this year, named to the East All Star team. Women's head coach Kristen Veal said that 2020 looks to be an exciting year with the four talented additions to the women’s program.

“We have a diverse young group of four athletes that will add to a vibrant and intelligent returning group,” said Veal.

“We have no doubt that Ruby, Chyra, Charlie and Katie will flourish in the CoE daily training environment, will work hard academically and will transition well in to the CoE’s first season competing in the new Waratah 1 League.

“The CoE Women’s program will play 24 home and away games across the Waratah 1 season, providing key game play for the girls to test themselves against senior women.”

The men’s program will return in the new year to compete at the Canberra Classic on Wednesday January 22, before all athletes are released to play for their states at the U20 Australian Junior Championships from February 5-9.

CoE Scholarship Holders for 2020

Women

• Charlise DUNN | VIC

• Chyra EVANS | NSW

• Kate DEEBLE | QLD

• Ruby-Belle MACDONALD | NSW

• Jade MELBOURNE | VIC

• Olivia POLLERD | VIC

• Millie PRIOR | NSW

• Kelsey REES | SA

• Emily SEWELL | VIC

• Shaneice SWAIN | QLD / NBA Global Academy

• Lauren WISE | TAS

Men

• Taran ARMSTRONG | TAS

• Josh BANNAN | VIC

• Biwali BAYLES | NSW

• Hunter CLARKE | ACT

• Joshua GIDDEY | VIC

• Blake JONES | ACT

• Keanu RASMUSSEN | SA

• Patrick RYAN | VIC

• Lucas SCHMIDT | QLD

• Banjo TALBOT | NSW

• Wil TATTERSALL | VIC

• Tamuri WIGNESS | QLD