Bayles stars in Nate's farewell

The Indigenous Basketball Australia All Stars scored a 104-90 win over the Poitukohu Maori o Aotearoa team in Melbourne.

Biwali Bayles has put his hand up for an NBL return after a starring role in the Indigenous Basketball Australia All Stars' win on Wednesday night in Melbourne against New Zealand's Poitukohu Maori o Aotearoa.

There was no shortage of former, and perhaps future, NBL talent out on the State Basketball Centre floor for the All Stars contest. By the end of it, the Indigenous Australia team beating their Poitukohu Maori counterparts 104-90.

The contest featured players across both teams with NBL experience including Bayles, Kian Dennis, Tamuri Wigness and Illawarra Hawks NBL25 championship winning development player Kobe McDowell-White for the Indigenous Australia team.

There was also Taane Samuel on the Poitukohu Maori team along with son of Pero, and brother of Flynn, Tobias Cameron out there, but the night was a celebration for the wonderful playing career of Nate Jawai.

He was NBL Rookie of the Year at the Cairns Taipans and championship winner at the Perth Wildcats along with having played in the NBA, throughout Europe and represented the Australian Boomers including at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

The powerhouse last played in the NBL1 North at the Darwin Salties the past two years since departing the Taipans, and Wednesday night was the last game of his career at the top level.

He finished with nine points, six rebounds and three assists including hitting his last shot attempt.

The Indigenous Australian team scored the 14-point victory, with Bayles at the forefront backing up the NBL1 East form he's been delivering with the Sydney Comets.

Having previously spent time in the NBL at the Sydney Kings and Illawarra Hawks, he showed that another chance isn’t beyond the 23-year-old with 20 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds with 4/9 three-point shooting.

Mount Gambier Pioneers NBL1 South star also produced Amarco Doyle 16 points, three rebounds and two steals with Tamuri Wigness delivering 16 points and six boards.

Anthony Mundine III put up 12 points on 4/6 from three-point range, while Geraldton Buccaneers NBL1 West champion and grand final MVP Johny Narkle provided 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Meanwhile for the Poitukohu Maori team representing New Zealand, Nathaniel Salmon was mighty impressive with 19 points and nine rebounds with 4/8 three-point shooting.

Cameron added 15 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, with Samuel finishing with 12 points, three boards and three assists backing up his NBL1 South form from the Frankston Blues.

Earlier, in the women's contest the Indigenous Basketball Australia team scored the 93-61 win against Poitukohu Maori o Aotearoa.

Sydney Flames WNBL star Shaneice Swain starred in the win for the Indigenous Australian team with 26 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals, while knocking down 6/14 from three-point territory.

Monique Bobongie has been starring so far this NBL1 North season at the Mackay Meteorettes and brought that form with her with 16 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots.

Nes'eya Parker-Williams was instrumental in the NBL1 West championship last year for the Rockingham Flames and provided 12 points, six rebounds and four steals, with Cairns Dolphins star Leichan Williams adding 11 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Kayla Manuirirangi led the charge for the Poitukohu Maori team with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists, while it was yet another step in the remarkable return of cancer survivor Tiana Mangakahia.

She is in the middle of a standout return for the undefeated Southern Districts Spartans in the NBL1 North and had four points, seven assists, two rebounds and two steals.

ALL STARS GAME

INDIGENOUS BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA 104 (Bayles 20, Doyle 16, Wigness 16)

POITUKOHU MAORI O AOTEAROA 90 (Salmon 19, Cameron 15, Samuel 12)

BOX SCORE

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