“Can My Child Make the NBA or WNBA?” – GUIDE FOR sydney’s Inner West Basketball Parents
As a parent, it’s exciting to see your child fall in love with basketball—whether they’re shooting hoops in the driveway or watching WNBA and NBA highlights on repeat.
Big dreams naturally follow:
"Could my child one day play professionally?"
"What does it take to make the WNBA or NBA?"
At One Thru Five Basketball, we work with players of all skill levels across Sydney’s Inner West, and we understand both the aspirations and the realities. So, here’s what parents need to know—without the hype, but with plenty of hope.
The Big Leagues: wNBA and NBA by the Numbers
Every year:
WNBA Draft: Just 36 players selected—and even fewer make final rosters
NBA Draft: 60 players selected from thousands of prospects globally
Last year were 3 Australians who were selected in the 2024 WNBA draft
Currently, there are around 10 Australians in the NBA and 6 in the WNBA
Recently, there are 6 Australians who have declared for the 2025 NBA draft with Alex Condon, Tyrese Proctor, Rocco Zikarsky, Alex Toohey, Ben Henshall and Lachlan Olbrich working out in the 2025 draft combine earlier this week.
These are elite outcomes—less than 0.01% of players globally will reach this level.
But here’s the positive truth: the life-changing benefits of basketball don’t depend on going pro.
Your Child Doesn’t Need to Be in Reps to Start Developing
Many players in the Inner West are not playing for a representative (reps) basketball team (yet). They may be playing across a number of local club-level competitions — learning the basics, gaining confidence, learning new skills and figuring out if they truly love the game.
Not being in reps doesn’t mean your child is behind or missing out. What matters is how they’re supported to develop skills, habits, and mindset—all of which can be built right now through the right development program and skills training.
In fact, some of the best players start at their local club level and gradually work their way up. The path might look like this:
Local club comps
Development programs and skill training
Rep basketball (e.g. Comets, Spirit, Bulls)
State Performance Programs (SPP)
National Performance Programs (NPP)
U.S. college scholarships or NBL1 / NBL / WNBL pathways
NBA / WNBA Global Academies
The journey starts with and is supported by quality coaching, skill-building, and end to end encouragement—not early reps selection alone.
Supporting Boys and Girls Equally
It’s important to recognise that the pathway for girls in basketball can look different at all ages and skill levels — even at the WNBA level, there are less draft and rosters spots compared to the NBA.
But there the WNBL, U.S. college scholarships, state team selection, and professional leagues in Europe or Asia offer incredible professional opportunities for those who commit and develop.
At One Thru Five Basketball, we understand that training needs for girls and boys may differ throughout each individual’s basketball journey, we encourage training side by side where skill and age appropriate, with equal opportunity, standards, and support.
What Parents Can Do Right Now
You don’t need to know everything about basketball to support your child—here’s where your influence matters most:
✅ Focus on development, not comparison
Every child develops at their own pace. Keep the emphasis on effort, not early results.
✅ Prioritise good coaching and training environments
Structured training sessions build confidence and reinforce the right habits.
✅ be present and Celebrate their passion
Let them enjoy the game. Pressure and burnout often come from well-meaning over-involvement.
✅ Be patient with reps trials and selections
Missing out on a team now doesn’t mean they won’t make it next year—or go further later.
✅ Let them dream—then help them do
Dreaming of the NBA or WNBA is fine. Just make sure they’re backing it up with practice, learning, and the right mindset.
Final Thoughts
Your child doesn’t need to be a rep player (yet) to have a future in basketball. If they love the game and are willing to learn, grow, and commit — they’re already on the right path.
The WNBA or NBA might be the dream. But the real reward is in the journey:
The friends, the fitness, the focus, the life skills—and yes, the chance to go as far as they want.
At One Thru Five Basketball, we are here to support that journey—every step of the way.
Explore our Inner West Basketball training programs, 1:1 training where we can focus on reps trial prep sessions, and school holiday skill clinics for girls and boys of all basketball skill levels at One Thru Five Basketball.
