Napier joins star studded Asian basketball tour

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. 

And Echuca-Moama rising star Elise Napier is one of those in South Korea to stake a claim on their sporting futures (see story page 21).

A VIC Select women’s team has arrived in the South Korean capital of Seoul to compete in the prestigious WKBL Futures League tournament, which runs until August 6.

At the same time an all-Victorian AUS Select men’s team will head to Shanghai, in China, for the Shanghai Future Stars Basketball Championship starting on August 9.

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. 

Basketball Victoria pathways general manager Dom Linossier says the tours are about far more than the games themselves. 

“Tours such as these are incredibly valuable for our athletes and staff,” Dom  explains.

“They challenge players in new environments, expose them to different styles of basketball and help accelerate their development both on and off the court,” he says.

“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 six-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 has wished 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.