Victoria's Berwick College takes on Asia’s best

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Two Australian high school basketball teams — Berwick College and Flinders College — are preparing for a tournament of a life-time at the NBA's Rising Star Invitational in Singapore between June 25 and June 29, 2025.

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It started with an urgent phone call.

Three months ago, a representative from Basketball Australia rang Berwick College with little explanation, only that they needed the basketball staff on a video call as soon as possible. What followed was the sort of news that would leave most high school coaches scrambling: Berwick College had been selected to represent Australia at the inaugural NBA Rising Stars International Tournament in Singapore.

With barely a term to prepare, the school now finds itself sending its boys' basketball academy team to compete against some of Asia’s top high school programmes in what is shaping up to be a landmark international showcase for the sport.

From Local Champions to International Representatives

Berwick College earned its place at this prestigious event after a record-breaking 2024 season. The team secured a rare triple crown of school basketball: winning the Australian Schools Championships on the Gold Coast, the Champions Cup, and the VCC Cup. A feat unmatched in recent years.

“They won all three titles last year,” explains Gerard Leonard, the team’s head coach. 

But even with those achievements, the call from Basketball Australia came as a shock.

“We only found out about this three months ago,” says Shannan Davey, the assistant coach and acting director of the Basketball Academy. “Basketball Australia contacted us with this opportunity, explaining that the NBA had created this new tournament showcasing high school teams from across Asia.”

More Than Just Basketball

For many of the players, the Singapore trip represents more than just competition, it's a first taste of the world beyond Victoria.

"Some of them have never even travelled interstate,” Leonard says. “So, when we announced it to the group, they were yelling and screaming, they were really keen to get it all organised and started.”

Josie Millard, the school’s principal, is proud of the students’ academic maturity as well as their athletic commitment.

“In the end, education is the most important thing,” she says. “One of the reasons why they play such good basketball is that you can see their critical thinking skills on the court. You can see their ability to solve problems before they arise.”

Davey adds, “They're really good students: good behaviour, good manners, and they stay on top of their academics, which we make sure we're across.”

A Global Basketball Experience

The tournament will feature pool matches followed by knockout rounds. Berwick College is scheduled to open against Singapore, then face India in their second game. If successful, they could play up to four games in total.

But it’s not just about competition. Students will take part in NBA-led clinics, gain exposure to elite coaching, and learn from legends such as Lauren Jackson, Yao Ming and Domantas Sabonis all expected to attend.

“What we’re really looking forward to is networking with NBA coaches, learning new drills, and getting a feel for where they think the game is heading,” Davey says. “We want to bring that back to the academy and keep growing.”

Players to Watch

The Berwick College team boasts several standout talents who could make a major impact:
• Harry DeKoning – At 203cm (6'8"), the Victorian under-18 state rep adds valuable size and mobility.
• Zane Windsor – A lightning-quick guard with a smooth shooting stroke; he represented Victoria at under-16 level. Leonard calls him “an excitement machine.”
• Parker Rivet – A Year 10 standout who’s shone since his under-12 days at Casey Cavaliers.

Full Roster

• Jack Byrne
• Xavier Osmond
• Harry DeKoning
• Lachlan Pickering
• Eddie James
• Parker Rivet
• Elijah Kata
• Jake Shaw
• Zac Morrell
• Zane Windsor

Pathways to Success

While the tournament offers international exposure, Berwick’s academy remains focused on long-term development.
“Basketball is great if you can make it a career,” says Leonard, a former Development Player with the Melbourne Tigers. “But we always tell the boys, the percentage of players who go pro is small. We lead with that reality.”

Still, the school has carved out impressive pathways for its athletes. Several alumni have secured places in NCAA college programs in the United States, with four boys, and potentially one girl, from this year’s class heading overseas.

Cultural Exchange and Learning

This experience is as much about people as it is about basketball. Davey hopes the players will gain the confidence to connect with their peers from other nations: “I hope they’ll network with kids from across Asia, maybe make friends they’ll stay in touch with afterwards.”

Millard agrees, emphasising that the values of the programme extend beyond the court: “They’ve got stars in their eyes and big opportunities ahead. But the reality is, they’ve just finished their Year 10 and 11 exams, and they’ll come back and get on with their studies.”

For Berwick College, the Singapore tournament is both recognition and reward.

“This is a great reward for the academy and the work we’ve put in,” Davey says. “It shows we’re heading in the right direction.”

Tournament Details

The team departs Melbourne on Monday night and arrives in Singapore Tuesday morning. An opening ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, with games commencing Wednesday. All matches will be streamed live on Basketball.com.au, allowing supporters at home to follow every moment.

Despite the short preparation window, both coaches bring valuable experience, having led six previous basketball tours to the United States, a grounding that will help guide the team through this international debut.