Victorian Talent Ready for International Challenge

28th July 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge

Melbourne, VICTORIA – Victoria's next generation of basketball talent is set for another exciting international opportunity, with two Select teams preparing to test themselves against some of Asia's best young athletes. 

A VIC Select women's team will travel to Seoul, Republic of Korea to compete in the prestigious WKBL Futures League tournament from 29 July to 6 August, while an all-Victorian AUS Select men's team will head to Shangahi, People’s Republic of China for the Shanghai Future Stars Basketball Championship 9th – 16th August.  

Together, the tours showcase the strength of Victoria's high-performance pathway, with athletes from the Metro and Country High-Performance Programs, earning the opportunity to compete against international opposition. 

The VIC Select women's team features some of the state's brightest emerging players along with professionals Kelsey Griffin and Olivia Pollerd (Bendigo Spirit), and will play against the WKBL professional franchises, along with two invitational teams from Japan and the Vietnam Women’s National Team. 

The AUS Select men's team secured its place in Shanghai after Victoria Metro claimed gold at the 2026 Under-18 Australian Junior Championships and will matchup against known U18 powerhouse teams including the Shanghai Sharks, China Basketball (B-Team) and Montverde Academy (USA). Bringing together athletes from both the Metro and Country programs, the squad reflects the strength and depth of talent being developed right across Victoria. 

Dom Linossier, GM Pathways at Basketball Victoria said the tours are about far more than the games themselves. 

"Tours like these are incredibly valuable for our athletes and staff. They challenge players in new environments, expose them to different styles of basketball and help accelerate their development both on and off the court," Linossier said. 

"One of the things we're most proud of is seeing athletes from right across Victoria earn these opportunities. Whether they've come through our Metro or Country pathway, they've all worked incredibly hard to get here, and we're excited to see them represent Victorian basketball on the international stage." 

“It is also an incredible reflection on the value of the program that professional athletes Kelsey Griffin, an adopted Country Victorian and WNBL superstar, and Olivia Pollerd, herself a 6-time Victorian State Team athlete, are so willing to share their experiences in mentoring our next generation of athletes by playing alongside them”. 

While it is the athletes will proudly wear VIC Select and AUS Select colours, the tours also reflect the strength of Victoria's high-performance pathway and the work being done every day by associations, coaches and support staff across the state to help young players reach the next level. 

As both teams prepare to take on the challenge ahead, Basketball Victoria wishes every athlete and staff member the very best and looks forward to watching them represent Victoria with pride on the international stage. 

All WKBL Futures League games will be streamed via the WKBL YouTube channel.

VIC Select Team – WKBL Futures League, Seoul    

AUS Select Team – Shanghai Future Stars Championship 

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