THE future of Australian men's basketball is on show at Dandenong with the nation's best under-14 boys competing in the week-long national championships that tipped off
yesterday.
Twenty-four teams from around the country, including local hopefuls the Dandenong Rangers, took part in yesterday's opening ceremony at the Stud Road stadium.
The defending champions the Werribee Devils relinquished the cup after failing to qualify this year.
More than 3000 players, parents, supporters and officials are attending the championships, the premier under-14 event for boys in Australia.
It provides the chance for the national selectors to cast their eyes over the talent for future selection in the Australian under-16 and 17 teams.
The event consists of four pools of six teams that include interstate teams from Townsville, Albury, West Adelaide, North Tasmania, Manly Warringah, Canberra, Rockingham and the Northern Territory, and several Victorian teams including Knox, Keilor and Bulleen.
The Dandenong Rangers have been drawn in pool B with the Albury Cougars, Knox Raiders, North West Tasmania, Stirling Senators and the Townsville Heat.
Their first game was against Townsville last night.
The gold medal game will be played next Saturday followed by a closing ceremony.
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