NBL and WNBL talent will headline the 2026 Indigenous Basketball Australia All Stars games in Cairns during NAIDOC Week.<\/p>\n
Indigenous Basketball Australia has named its men’s and women’s All Stars teams, with leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander basketball players to face New Zealand’s Poit\u016bkohu M\u0101ori Aotearoa on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The annual showcase, presented by VicHealth, will be held at Trinity Ford Stadium in Manunda.<\/p>\n
The event celebrates Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and M\u0101ori athletes while using sport to strengthen culture, connection and community.<\/p>\n
The men’s team includes Biwali Bayles, Kobe McDowell-White and Johny Narkle, alongside Illawarra Hawks guard Amarco Doyle and Adelaide 36ers recruit Deonte Williams.<\/p>\n
Former Brisbane Bullets guard Tamuri Wigness will also return to the All Stars line-up.<\/p>\n
The women’s team will feature WNBL players Jessica McDowell-White, Hayley McDowell-White and Indiah Bowyer, with emerging and established players from across the country also selected.<\/p>\n
The 2026 event is the second edition of the Trans-Tasman series after IBA won both the men’s and women’s games in Melbourne last year.<\/p>\n
Bindal man and IBA Basketball Operations Manager, Tyson Demos, said the event had become a key part of the organisation’s calendar.<\/p>\n
“Our annual All Stars event presented by VicHealth provides a platform for the country’s premier Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander basketball players to proudly represent their culture on an international stage,” Mr Demos said.<\/p>\n
“The event is about much more than basketball. It’s an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous and M\u0101ori culture, bring communities together, and inspire the next generation through sport.”<\/p>\n
The games will also include cultural performances and presentations.<\/p>\n
“Fans can expect two high-quality international contests, complemented by cultural performances and presentations that celebrate the rich traditions of First Nations peoples from both sides of the Tasman,” Mr Demos said.<\/p>\n
“We’re excited to bring the event to Cairns and encourage the local community to pack out the Fish Tank for what’s shaping up to be a fantastic night. For those unable to attend, we encourage supporters across Australia and New Zealand to tune into the live stream.”<\/p>\n
National Basketball League CEO, Dave Stevenson, said the NBL and WNBL were proud to support the series during NAIDOC Week.<\/p>\n
“The IBA All Stars Series is exactly the kind of event the NBL and WNBL are proud to support during NAIDOC Week,” Mr Stevenson said.<\/p>\n
“It’s an opportunity to celebrate the incredible depth of Indigenous talent within our game while recognising 50 Years of NAIDOC Week in a way that brings together basketball, culture and community.”<\/p>\n
The women’s game will start at 6pm, followed by the men’s game at 8.30pm.<\/p>\n