First international call-up for Australia earns Albany’s Billy McRae silver medal at FIBA under-17 Oceania Cup

Albany’s Billy McRae came home with a silver medal this week after playing his first tournament in Australian colours.

McRae was picked for the national side that reached the final of the FIBA under-17 Oceania Cup, which finished in Samoa on December 13.

Absolutely cock-a-hoop at his selection for the Crocs, his best performance in Samoa came in the semifinal when he bagged a personal haul of 19 points in Australia’s 124-51 victory over Guam.

He also racked up 14 rebounds, seven assists and four steals in a stellar game.

McRae, who started his basketball career with the Raiders in Albany, was disappointed with the silver medal but loved the whole experience.

“The silver wasn’t great because Australia doesn’t often lose those tournaments, but the experience was so special,” he said.

“Just seeing Australia on my jersey was so cool and something I had always dreamed of.

“It wasn’t like anything I had ever done before, it really meant a lot to me.”

A Perth Wildcats Academy player, he has just signed for Warwick Senators in the NBL1 West, leaving Perry Lakes Hawks in search of more game time.

He said he wanted to acknowledge all the coaches in both Albany and Perth who had helped him on a journey which he hopes will take him to under-21 internationals next year and then to the under-18 Asia Cup.

“There have been so many people who have helped get me into the sport and into teams,” he said.

“I am so grateful to them all.”

Having just left school, he is aiming to concentrate on basketball next year.

“I am definitely enjoying life at the moment,” he said.

“I was so committed heading to the Oceania tournament that it is nice to have a week off and hang out with my mates before heading to Albany to spend time with family.

“After that I want to be as professional as possible, do my best with the Senators and try to get better and better.”

The Oceania final against New Zealand was a chaotic affair as the Tall Blacks nicked the first quarter 21-20 and there was still just a point in it after the teams shared the second quarter 18-18.

After half-time, however, the Kiwis edged in front to lead 61-54 and then switched on the afterburners to roar home 82-62 with an unstoppable fourth-quarter blast.

Both sides qualified for the 2026 FIBA under-18 Asia Cup in Qatar with the World Cup also on McRae’s horizon the following year.