The Championship, which tips off this afternoon, will be played as a best of three series over three straight days, with game two being played on Friday 23 September and the third and final game schedule for Saturday 24 September. The winning teams will be awarded a ticket to the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship.

The next generation of top Australian basketballers will be competing for Australia at the Championship, and a number of them are continuing a family trend of great basketball athletes.

Playing for the U17 Men’s team is Dante Exum, the son of ex-NBL import Cecil Exum, as well as Jack Purchase, the son of ex-Melbourne Tigers NBL player Nigel Purchase.

Suiting up for the women’s team are twins Alicia and Keely Froling, the daughters of four-time WNBL title winner Jenny Froling and Townsville Crocodiles great Shane Froling.

Also suiting up for the women’s team is Alana Smith, the daughter of ex-NBL star player Darren Smith.

Every game of the tournament, which tips off when the U17 Australian Women’s team face-off with New Zealand at 4.00pm today, before the men’s game which is scheduled for 6:00pm this evening, will be played at the Australian Institute of Sport Training Hall.

U17 FIBA Oceania Championship for Women

Game 1: Australia vs New Zealand, Thurs, 22 September, 4:00pm, AIS Training Hall

Game 2: Australia vs New Zealand, Fri, 23 September, 5:00pm, AIS Training Hall

Game 3: Australia vs New Zealand, Sat, 24 September, 5:00pm, AIS Training Hall

U17 FIBA Oceania Championship for Men

Game 1: Australia vs New Zealand, Thurs, 22 September, 6:00pm, AIS Training Hall

Game 2: Australia vs New Zealand, Fri, 23 September, 7:00pm, AIS Training Hall

Game 3: Australia vs New Zealand, Sat, 24 September, 7:00pm, AIS Training Hall

2011 AUSTRALIAN U17 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM

Kaylee BIDDELL, SA Country

Louise BROWN, VIC Metro

Stephanie COLLINS, VIC Metro

Alicia FROLING, QLD North

Keely FROLING, QLD North

Grace LENNOX, Tasmania

Tiana MANGAKAHLIA, QLD South

Vanessa PANOUSSIS, NSW Metro

Lauren SHERF, VIC Metro

Alana SMITH, VIC Metro

Carly TURNER, VIC Metro

Abigail WEHRUNG, VIC Country

Head Coach: Marissa Fillipou

Assistant Coaches: Chris Lucas & Simon Pritchard

Team Manager: Michelle Menso

Physiotherapist: Rosie Molloy

2011 AUSTRALIAN U17 MEN’S TEAM

Sam DALY, SA Metro

Mirko DJERIC, NSW Metro/AIS

Dante EXUM, VIC Metro/AIS

Michael LUXFORD, VIC Metro

Darcy MALONE, ACT

Cade TOWERS, QLD South

Nick DUNCAN, NSW Metro 

Matthew JACKSON, VIC Metro

Fabijan KRSLOVIC, NSW Metro

Felix VON HOFE, VIC Metro

Jonathan MBAKWE, NSW Metro

Jack PURCHASE, VIC Metro

Head Coach: Guy Molloy

Assistant Coaches: Alan McAughtry & Jamie O’Loughlin

Team Manager: Kevin Smith

Physiotherapist: Eirik Ulvestad

Doctor: Cliff Baxter