Get to know the young guns from Australia's Sapphires

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• Australia start Asia Cup with 81-point victory
• Aussie Crocs win FIBA U16 Boys Asia Cup

Gold medals at Asia Cups has become the norm for Australian teams in 2025 and the Sapphires are the final group aiming to complete a dream run for national teams at the FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup in Malaysia.

The tournament, which started on September 22 and runs until September 28, will see Australia's top young female stars attempt to bring a fourth consecutive Asia Cup gold home.

Featuring young guns from all around the country, and coached by former NBL player Tom Garlepp, meet the Sapphires who will do the green and gold proud.

Sapphires team for FIBA Asia U16 Cup

Eden Catip (QLD)

One of the best defenders in the country - a player who will terrorise opposition ball handlers the full length of the court with her length, speed and toughness. A Mackay product, a state champion with her hometown Meteorettes and a regular feature of those no-nonsense Queensland North state teams throughout her junior career.

Marianela Fakalata (VIC)

This Victorian talent is a crafty guard who adds to the backcourt firepower the Sapphires already have. Marianela Fakalata is exceptional playing out of the pick and roll and can also do damage from the perimeter with her ability to shoot the ball.

Daisy Hocking (SA)

A young South Australian known for being tough as nails. Daisy Hocking is a relentless competitor who has shown that toughness on the national stage. Not only does she impact games with her hustle and effort plays but she is a great playmaker on both ends of the floor.

Jemyma Manyok (QLD)

A latecomer to the junior representative scene, Jemyma Manyok was playing division two representative basketball for the Ipswich Force in Queensland, where she dominated so much that she earned a spot at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and also with the Australian team for last year's under-15 Oceania tournament. An athletic big who is still raw but has mountains and mountains of potential.

Lily Mapp (QLD)

A young big who has just moved to Canberra after accepting a scholarship to mould her skills at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence. The Mackay product has been a massive part of the Meteorettes' success in Queensland competitions and will have the same impact in the green and gold. An athletic and mobile big who can impact both ends of the floor.

Mya Moke (QLD)

A sharpshooter who has developed into a more well-rounded player with her ability to create off the dribble, attack the basket and also score from the mid-range area. Originally from Cairns, Mya Moke currently plays under-18s representative basketball at the Southern Districts Spartans and has established herself as one of the best scorers in the country while starring for Queensland South at the national championships level.

Olivia Olechnowicz (QLD)

Olivia Olechnowicz is a dominant force who is currently a scholarship holder with the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence. A Logan Thunder junior, Olechnowicz has dominated nationals, taking Queensland South to the under-16s gold medal in 2024, scoring 40-plus points in the grand final against Victoria Metro. A guard/forward who can play multiple positions, attack the basket at will, has a improved perimeter shot and is hard-nosed player at both ends of the floor.

Sophie Richardson (VIC)

One of the most versatile defenders in the Sapphires team and at the Asia Cup, Sophie Richardson also provides a different look to every offence she is involved in, using her exceptional cutting ability. As one coach said "she just finds a way to score".

Madison Ryan (VIC)

This marks another international tournament for Victoria's Madison Ryan, who was part of the Australian Gems team which made a remarkable run to the silver medal at this year's FIBA U19 World Cup. Ryan was a permanent fixture in the starting five for the Gems at that tournament, so will be a dominant force for the Sapphires with her ability, even at her height, to play both guard positions.

Laura Seiz (VIC)

Seiz, a Melburne Tigers junior, is a great shooter who gives the Sapphires ability to take down opponents from beyond the three-point line. She is also known as a great cutter and is a suffocating defender, especially in one on one situations.

Isabel Smith (QLD)

A crafty left-hander, also from Mackay, who has become one of the best scorers in the country. With her impressive athleticism along with exceptional handles and ability to shoot the ball, watch for Smith to go close to leading the Asia Cup in scoring. A talent who, like Catip and Mapp, has helped Mackay reach state championship success and also been a leader for Queensland North at national tournaments.

Matilda Trout (VIC)

Matilda Trout is a forward/centre with an incredibly high basketball IQ. Trout is a talent who makes great plays for herself and others and has the unique ability at her size to switch out to the perimeter on defence.