Torres Strait basketball prodigy Tamuri Wigness has been named as the captain of the Australian Emus team ahead of the upcoming FIBA U19 World Cup.
Wigness made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets last year, opting to stay in Australia under the competition’s Next Stars program, rather than sign with an American college.
Although his court time was limited with the Bullets in the NBL season, Wigness showed glimpses of brilliance while guarding some of the league’s best players.
That’s why he was named the club’s Rookie of the Year at their recent awards night.
“I think my first year as a pro has really shaped me as a player,” said Wigness.
“Obviously things didn’t go the way I thought it would but it showed me another side of working hard. Even though you’re not playing, you still need to be able to study the game and keep working on yourself, so this year has definitely made me a better player.”
Wigness will captain the Australian Under 19 team, the Emus, at the World Cup in Latvia, which tips off next week.
NBL coaches believe the young guard will take the next step this season and become an established player with the Bullets.
This article appeared in Cape York Weekly, 29 June 2021.