Indigenous Basketball Australia names All Stars teams for Cairns clash with Poitūkohu Māori Aotearoa

Joseph Guenzler Published July 7, 2026 at 2.30pm (AWST)

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Indigenous Basketball Australia's Men's and Women's squads have been released ahead of this week's games against New Zealand's Poitūkohu Māori Aotearoa. (Image: Edited by National Indigenous Times from NBL/Geelong United)

NBL and WNBL talent will headline the 2026 Indigenous Basketball Australia All Stars games in Cairns during NAIDOC Week.

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 Poitūkohu Māori Aotearoa on Tuesday.

The annual showcase, presented by VicHealth, will be held at Trinity Ford Stadium in Manunda.

The event celebrates Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori athletes while using sport to strengthen culture, connection and community.

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.

Former Brisbane Bullets guard Tamuri Wigness will also return to the All Stars line-up.

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.

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.

Bindal man and IBA Basketball Operations Manager, Tyson Demos, said the event had become a key part of the organisation's calendar.

"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.

"The event is about much more than basketball. It's an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous and Māori culture, bring communities together, and inspire the next generation through sport."

The games will also include cultural performances and presentations.

"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.

"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."

National Basketball League CEO, Dave Stevenson, said the NBL and WNBL were proud to support the series during NAIDOC Week.

"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.

"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."

The women's game will start at 6pm, followed by the men's game at 8.30pm.

Tickets are now available via INTIX.

IBA All Stars Men

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

Will McDowell-White - JL Bourg

Johny Narkle - Cockburn Cougars / Illawarra Hawks