THREE local up and coming basketballers are taking their game to the next level, selected for Basketball Victoria’s State Development Program.

Josie Herman, Lily Purss and Sam Lupo have all been selected for the SDP, which identifies athletes who have the long-term potential to play for Victoria and beyond.

These athletes will attend weekly sessions, multiple camps, and offers to try out for further state and national selections.

Hernan said she was looking forward to making the most of the opportunity.

“This is my first year participating in SDP, I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the program,” she said.

“This is only my third year playing basketball and I’m very proud of how far I’ve come and now, with this opportunity, I’m able to keep developing my skills and play at a state level.

“I’m hoping that following along this basketball pathway, training hard and seizing all opportunities just like this one I’m able to achieve playing in high level teams, perhaps even be able to play college basketball.”

Purss and Lupo have also been selected into state teams in their respective age groups.

Purss will represent Country Victoria at the 2025 Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup held in Albury in January, while Lupo will represent Country Victoria at the 2025 Southern Cross Challenge held in Melbourne, also in January.

“I'm really happy to be selected for SDP again,” Lupo said.

“It was tough but I enjoy the challenge and catching up with friends from all over Victoria that I have met so far in my basketball journey.”

Additionally, Purss has been selected in the exciting new State Performance Pathway Program.

The SPP is designed to provide Victorian basketball players aged 15-19 an elite springboard for their sporting ambitions, for athletes that have been identified by high-performance coaches as having the potential to play the game beyond the junior landscape.

“I am ecstatic to be able to continue through the Vic Country pathway, joining the SPP program and being selected into the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup,” Purss said.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for these opportunities and the friends from across Victoria and the country that I have made.

“My goal for basketball is to be selected into the upcoming U16 Vic Country squad and to play at nationals.”