Looking at the Australian Crocs: Batang Gilas' next FIBA U-16 foes

FOSHAN, China -- The Philippines’ Under-16 national team will get its first look at Australia when the Crocs — as the Australian junior squad is nicknamed — take on Malaysia at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Lignan Mingzhu Gymnasium here.

The Australians earned a bye on opening day, and they watched the Malaysia-Philippines match that was won by Batang Gilas 62-57. Today, Tuesday, is the day the Philippines earns a bye.

The Crocs are coached by Justin Schueller, who was appointed to the job 11 months ago. Schueller currently coaches the Kilsyth Cobras in the SEABL and is the development coach of Melbourne United.

Like Philippine counterpart Mike Oliver, this isn’t Schueller’s first coaching job on a national or international level. Schueller served as an assistant for the Australian U17 team from 2009-11 before taking over in 2011. He was reappointed last year.

The team he brought with him to the FIBA U-16 Asian Championships stands an average of 6’4”, the same as the Philippine team they will face at 11 a.m. Wednesday. However, no Australian stands below six feet.

The guards include Liam Herbert, Hunter Madden, Hunter Clarke, Tamuri Wigness and Jay Rantall. Their forward line includes Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Luke Travers, Joel Capetola, Hayden Meakes and Luke Jackson. The team’s two centers are 6’7” Kobe Williamson and 6’8” Paul Tsapatolis.

Crocs coach Justin Schueller was impressed with the talent pool from Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia as he prepares for his first campaign at the helm of the Under-17 men.

The selection camp for this squad was held last year from September 4-6 at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence.

“We are excited for the guys that have made the squad to this point and we can’t wait to get started,” Schueller said. “The athletes have demonstrated their abilities in the areas we value and we believe it is a versatile and exciting group.”