Zikarsky and Norton named in Australian team for Nissay Cup

A pair of Brisbane Bullets stars, Rocco Zikarsky and Mitch Norton have been named to represent Australia on the international stage with upcoming fixtures in Japan for the 2024 Nissay Cup on 22 – 23 June.

Young guns Rocco Zikarsky, Ben Henshall, Alex Toohey and Alex Condon have been named in the Australia select team alongside Mitch Norton, Mitch McCarron and Sam Froling who’ve had previous experience at the international level. 

Other inclusions include Elijah Pepper, Keli Leaupepe, Kyle Bowen, Reyne Smith  and Tyler Robertson.

With limited opportunities available across the international calendar, Jason Smith, Basketball Australia’s EGM of High Performance has reinforced the importance of providing additional avenues for players.  

“This tour of Asia helps us bring a broader group across our senior teams together and reinforce that they are a part of the whole,” said Smith. 
  
“The Boomers aren’t defined by the final 12 that eventually head to tournaments like the Olympics but a sum of every player that contributes and competes. 
  
“Our aspiration continues in providing a multi-faceted system where every player feels supported in their journey as an Australian basketballer. This starts from their days as a junior representative on to the biggest stages in the world.”  

There is a clear objective mirrored in the selections with young guns featuring alongside a host of career pros and seasoned veterans.  
  
An abundance of basketball talent has created a good kind of problem for Smith and the High Performance team who are committed to a holistic process.  
  
“Our players have a relationship with our programs in different shapes and forms over their careers and we are conscious of the demands that this game takes on each player, physically and mentally," Smith added. 

“We remain in communication with all of our players throughout the process and their insights and expectations play an essential part in their development. We are committed to providing as much opportunity as we can to invest in the improvement of our future.” 

A selected group from that series will return to attend training camp in late June with the Olympic-select Boomers squad in Melbourne.   
 

NISSAY CUP 2024   
Australia vs Japan  
 
22 June | 3:30pm (AEST) – 3:00pm (ACST) – 1:30 (AWST) 
23 June | 5:00pm (AEST) – 4:30pm (ACST) – 3:00pm (AWST) 

Hokkaido Sports Center – Hokkaido, Japan 
 

Australia Select - Nissay Cup 2024 

Kyle Bowen
Alex Condon
Ben Henshall
Sam Froling
Keli Leaupepe
Mitchell McCarron
Mitch Norton
Elijah Pepper
Tyler Robertson
Reyne Smith
Alex Toohey
Rocco Zikarsky