Following strong performances of our Opals and Boomers in Paris, the excitement now shifts to the Paralympics, set to tip off in just nine days on August 29. The Australian Rollers, stacked with talent and featuring three Victorians, promise to deliver intense and competitive basketball.
Victorian star and Captain of the Australian Rollers, Tristan Knowles is set to compete in his sixth Paralympics, marking an extraordinary two-decade Olympic career. Knowles, who began his journey 20 years ago, was part of the gold medal-winning team in Beijing 2008. His impressive resume includes participation in the Athens, Beijing, London, Rio, and Tokyo Paralympic Games. Over the years, Knowles has represented Australia at five Paralympic Games and five World Championships, earning medals at all but one of these events. His accolades include gold at the 2008 Paralympic Games, silver in 2004 and 2012, World titles in 2010 and 2014, and bronze in 2006 and 2018.
Joining Knowles is Jannik Blair, a seasoned competitor heading into his fourth Paralympics. Blair's basketball career began in 2005 with the Dandenong Rangers in the National Wheelchair Basketball League, and he has since become a key player for the Rollers. His experience from previous Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Rio, and London will be invaluable in Paris. Rounding out the Victorian trio and making his Paralympic debut is Jaylen Brown, the Charles Ryan Wheelchair Athlete of The Year (2023). Brown, known for his determination and grit, has rapidly risen in the Rollers’ ranks and is a must-watch player. His basketball journey began early, inspired by watching his mother, Louise McLean, also play basketball at the elite level in the WNBL.
Zoe Carr, High Performance Head Coach Country Women and Wheelchair Program for Basketball Victoria is excited to see our Victorian athletes on the court with a mix of veterans and debutants, "We are incredibly proud of the selected athletes for the Paralympic Games. It is fantastic to have powerful Victorian role models for our State Development Program (SDP) and the Kevin Coombes Cup (KCC) athletes to look up to and it encourages them to strive to one day represent Australia.”
The Rollers have already arrived in Paris and are gearing up with practice games against Canada and France ahead of their opening match against the Netherlands on August 29. The tournament will be held at the Bercy Arena, where the Rollers will also face Spain and the USA in Group B. The competition will feature eight teams from around the world vying for the gold, with Australia placed in a challenging pool that includes the formidable U.S. team. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the Rollers are poised to deliver thrilling performances.
The anticipation is palpable as fans eagerly await the start of the Paralympic Games. Stay tuned for all the action and to catch every game and keep up with the latest Roller news from Paris, click on the button below.
