Step up for local ballers

By Lachlan Ellis

Two local basketballers have taken the next step in their sporting careers, being named in squads for two development league teams.

Bailey Wilson and Reece McGrath both play for the Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association (BMBA), but will wear opposing jerseys as they play for the Dragons and Hornets respectively in this year’s All-Australian Basketball League (AABL) competition.

The two 17-year-olds are among just 120 players from across the country to be picked for the competition this year, which features 12 teams of ten players, coached by former NBL and NBA players.

The non-profit, domestic league is open to males aged between 16 and 20, and is a chance for young basketballers with aspirations to play at American colleges and professionally to play at an elite level.

Last weekend marked Round 3 of the current AABL season, and both Wilson and McGrath are relishing the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best young Aussie players.

“I was thrilled to make the Dragons side. I’ve done a bit of research on the coaches, and to see that I had Warren [Estcourt] was awesome, I was so happy. The AABL is awesome, I’m going to get heaps of opportunities from it,” Mr Wilson told the Moorabool News.

“The skill level of the players is ridiculous. Some of the guys are six foot six, six foot seven, and super athletic. It’s been super challenging but fun, I love it.”

“It’s pretty exciting, I wasn’t expecting the news. It’s great playing against all the talent in the league, and the coaches are fantastic,” Mr McGrath added.

“It’s challenging compared to other division I’ve paid in, it’s fast-paced with some different rules they’ve put in for the colleges.”

The boys have a long history of playing on the same team, but their selections for two different AABL teams means they’re likely to wear opposing colours on-court.
It’s a match both are counting down the days to.

“I can’t wait to play against Reece. We’ve played basketball with each other since we were little, and we’ve been playing with each other in the Bacchus Marsh representative team. To play against him at such a high level would be awesome,” Wilson said.

“It’ll be fun, that’ll be good times. We haven’t really played each other over the years, so it’ll be a good match-up.” McGrath said.

AABL games are played at the Melbourne Sports Centre (MSAC) every Saturday, with the nine-round 2023/24 season commencing on 7 October and concluding on 9 December with the champions to be crowned that day.

For more information on the AABL, visit www.aabl.au.