Adelaide, Australia – The highly anticipated Trans-Tasman Throwdown between Australia and New Zealand is set to kick off, featuring nine electrifying games across Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, and Hamilton. Scheduled to start on May 7, the series will be broadcast live and free on the 9Network and will also stream on Sky Sports in New Zealand.
This new rivalry showcases eight debutants, with four players representing the Seven Consulting Opals and four for the Boomers. The series marks the first senior appearances for Abbey Ellis, Miela Sowah, Alex Fowler, and Courtney Woods, all of whom have unique stories leading to wearing the Green and Gold jersey.
Abbey Ellis, a former Purdue Boilermakers star and WNBL Breakout Player of the Year in 2025, is excited for her debut. Miela Sowah, formerly Goodchild, has made a name for herself in 3×3 basketball, winning gold at the FIBA 2025 3×3 Asia Cup. Courtney Woods is keen to continue her impressive form after being named the 2024 WNBL Rookie of the Year. Alex Fowler joins her Townsville teammate Woods as they step onto the international stage.
On the Boomers side, Keli Leaupepe, Owen Foxwell, Austin Rapp, and Harry Wessels will also make their first appearances. Leaupepe previously represented an Australia Select side in Japan, while Foxwell is making strides in his career. Rapp brings a unique perspective, being a Wisconsin commit, and Wessels, standing at 7 feet, adds depth to the roster.
Coaches Dean Vickerman and Paul Goriss will lead the Boomers, with Sandy Brondello and Adam Caporn providing support from afar. Vickerman acknowledged Caporn’s critical role in the team’s preparation, emphasizing his contributions and insights into player performances. ‘He called every person when the players were selected, so you will see his fingerprints over everything. He’s already watched practice and has thoughts on improvements,’ Vickerman stated.
Caporn, who is currently with the Washington Wizards in the NBA, expressed his support for the players. ‘I want to congratulate all players and staff selected to represent Australia in the upcoming TTT Series. The rivalry between the Boomers and the Tall Blacks has a proud tradition, and this group is eager to add to that legacy,’ he said. ‘The coaching staff has done an outstanding job preparing the team to play connected and committed.’
The Opals will also be under Brondello’s watchful eye as she prepares for the upcoming WNBA season with the New York Liberty. Meanwhile, Goriss, along with his team of Shannon Seebohm and Kristi Harrower, aims to integrate the squad amidst a short preparation period.
The series will take place at key venues, starting with the Opals vs. 2Degrees Tall Ferns on May 7 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, followed by Boomers vs. Tall Blacks on May 9 at UniSC Arena in Sunshine Coast, and concluding with the final game on May 11 at GLOBOX Arena in Hamilton.
The excitement surrounding this new era in Australian and New Zealand basketball is palpable, as fans anticipate witnessing young talent take the stage in this fierce rivalry.
Basketball Australia and Basketball New Zealand officially announced the Trans-Tasman Throwdown in February 2025, marking a new chapter in their sporting heritage, with events partner TEG Sport and support from local councils. In recognition of the traditional custodians of the land across Australia, Basketball Australia pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledges their ongoing connection to the country.
