Former Weipa basketballer Thurston Bosuen is making strides in the game as a bottom-age representative for Queensland North in Basketball Australia’s National Championships in April. Photo: Supplied.
Despite only being 15 years old, a former Weipa basketballer will be taking the national stage alongside bigger and older players as a representative of Queensland North’s under-18 boy’s team.
Thurston Bosuen will be donning maroon at Basketball Australia’s 2026 Foot Locker U18 National Championships in Brisbane on 12-19 April, but it is not the first time he has been selected to represent his state.
The baller was named in the U16 Queensland North line-up last year, but as he is turning 16 this year, he was bumped up and had to trial for the U18 boy’s team.
He said this year’s achievement was even sweeter, making the team as a bottom-age player against boys with more years of experience on the court.
“I am extremely excited and proud to have made the under-18s Queensland North team as a bottom-age player, as I will still be 15 when we go to Nationals in April, competing against some big boys who are already 16 and 17,” Bosuen said.
“I definitely had a few nerves when we were trialling for the team, but by the second and third trial, I was feeling confident that I could compete with the older boys.
“Having made the under-16 squad last year, I knew I’d have to go up another level, but was quietly confident that I’d put in all the hard work with my training and strength and conditioning work in the gym to compete at this level again.”
Bosuen made the move to Cairns four years ago to chase his dreams of basketball glory, and said he believed the work was paying off.
“Coming from Weipa, I never really imagined I’d be playing on the national stage, but it was always a goal I hoped to reach one day,” he said.
“As a player, I’ve definitely grown from last year and the experience of competing at Nationals; I have more self-belief, and am extremely driven to continue to put in the work and improve my game.
“It hasn’t always been easy, initially being away from home at boarding school, then my family moving down here, but it’s given me a chance to train harder, compete at a higher level, and keep chasing my dream of one day playing for Australia and in the NBA.”
The player said he was also proud to represent his community, and hoped his achievement could be an example for other remote kids with big dreams.
“I hope it inspires young kids on the Cape to believe that big things are possible, even if you come from a small community,” he said.
“There’s so much talent back home, and if they keep working hard, staying dedicated and believing in themselves, they can achieve great things too.”
