Three McDowell-Whites unite for Indigenous All Stars

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Siblings Hayley McDowell-White, Jess McDowell-White and Kobe McDowell-White are continuing the rich sporting history of their parents with all three being named to the 2026 Indigenous Basketball Australia (IBA) All Stars team to face New Zealand's Poitūkohu Māori Aotearoa on July 7 in Cairns.

They are the children of three-time AFL premiership star Darryl White and former Northern Territory basketball representative Bianca McDowell.

Their eldest son William plays in Europe after a stint with the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL.

“The IBA All Stars series is exactly the kind of event the NBL and WNBL are proud to stand behind during NAIDOC Week,” NBL CEO Dave Stevenson said.

“It’s a chance to celebrate the incredible depth of Indigenous talent in our game and to mark 50 Years of Deadly in a way that brings community, culture and basketball together.

"We’re looking forward to seeing these athletes shine in Cairns.”

IBA All Stars Men's Team:‍

• Biwali Bayles – Bendigo Braves
• TJ Diop – Gold Coast Rollers
• Amarco Doyle – Cairns Marlins / Illawarra Hawks
• Jackson Harding – Ottawa Braves
• Harrison Hornery – Eltham Wildcats
• Anthony Mundine III – Bankstown Bruins
• Kobe McDowell-White – Cairns Marlins / Illawarra Hawks
• Johny Narkle – Cockburn Cougars / Illawarra Hawks
• Deshawn Ross-Paiwan – Sunshine Coast Phoenix
• Tamuri Wigness – Southern Districts Spartans
• Deonte Williams – Bankstown Bruins

IBA All Stars Women's Team:

• Hayley McDowell-White – Southern Districts Spartans‍
• Jess McDowell-White – Southern Districts Spartans / Adelaide Lightning
• Monique Bobongie – Mackay Meteorettes
• Cheyenne Bobongie – Mackay Meteorettes
• Indiah Bowyer – Geelong United
• Leichan Williams – Cairns Marlins
• Ambah Kowcun – Woodville Warriors
• Taryn Bond – Cairns Marlins
• Shaneice Swain – Knox Raiders / Sydney Flames
• Laniesha Paddon – Perth Redbacks

Key Dates:

• Monday 6 July - Team training, Welcome and Cultural Exchange event with Poitūkohu Māori Aotearoa, jersey presentations and team dinner
• Tuesday 7 July - IBA All Stars vs Poitūkohu Māori Aotearoa: Women's game 6pm and Men's game 8:30pm at Cairns Basketball Association

What is NAIDOC Week?

NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration held across Australia to recognise, celebrate and honour the history, culture, achievements and continuing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The name NAIDOC originally stood for the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, although today the acronym itself has become the recognised name of the event.

NAIDOC Week is celebrated each year during the first full week of July and includes events such as:

• Community festivals and family days
• Cultural performances and exhibitions
• Sporting events
• Awards recognising Indigenous achievement
• Educational programs in schools and workplaces
• Smoking ceremonies, Welcome to Country and cultural exchanges

Each year has a different theme. In 2026, the theme is "50 Years of Deadly", marking 50 years of NAIDOC Week celebrations and recognising five decades of honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.

For Australian basketball, NAIDOC Week provides an opportunity to celebrate the game's Indigenous players, coaches, officials and communities. Events such as the Indigenous Basketball Australia (IBA) All Stars series showcase elite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes while promoting cultural connection through basketball.

About the Author

Peter Brown is the head coach of the Sydney Comets Women’s Youth League team in the Waratah Basketball League in NSW. He is also the assistant coach for the Comets NBL1 women’s team in the NBL East Conference. Peter is a 30-year journalist, starting as a sports reporter at the NT News in the early 1990s. He played junior basketball for the Northern Territory at national championships from U16 to U20 and for the Territory’s senior men’s team at numerous international tournaments. Peter has been a basketball fan since the early 80s, especially the NBA. Basketball is his passion — and his opinions his own. Email peter.brown@basketball.com.au with feedback.