Wildcat cubs to Eltham NBL1: O'Connor and Davies sign on

In what has become a recent tradition, each season the Eltham Wildcats announce their first player signings as those who started in the beginner levels at the club and have moved through the ranks to now be at the highest level available – NBL1.

Emily Davies and Tom O’Connor enter their first full season of NBL1 in 2022.

Both Davies and O’Connor started their basketball in Eltham’s ‘Cub Squad’ program (Aussie Hoops) before playing for the Wildcats in the Eastern Districts Junior Basketball Association (EDJBA).

As with any talented an aspiring player, Davies and O'Connor featured in the Eltham Junior Championship program from U12 through to U18 before graduating into the Youth Men’s and Women’s teams, where they both grew into leaders.

Both individual have gained opportunities at the NBL1 level in recent years, but 2022 will represent the first season where their sole focus will be on the NBL1 season.

"Having played basketball with Eltham since I was little, I’m excited and grateful to Grant (Spencer) and to Eltham for giving me the chance to move into NBL1 for the 2022 season," Davies said.

O’Connor said: "I can’t wait to be on court again ‘repping’ Eltham in NBL1.

"I have always wanted to reach the highest level for Eltham and I am very excited for my journey to continue at my home club!"

Eltham CEO Greg Jeffers was equally excited about Davies and O'Connor reaching the pinnacle of Wildcats basketball.

"Congratulations to Tom and Emily," Jeffers said.

"It is an important value to the club, for our junior graduates to get the opportunity to take on Australia’s best at a senior level in NBL1.

"For a junior (Domestic or Championship) player to look ahead and have confidence that their club’s first priority will be to give their own a chance – that’s important to us.

"Not only are Tom and Emily emerging players, but they have also coached junior teams voluntarily, they are true club people and the kind of people we want representing the Eltham Basketball Club."

The Eltham Wildcats will enter the 2022 NBL1 season playing out of a brand-new stadium in Montmorency which is due to be completed in early April 2022.

Both the men's and women's NBL1 teams will play their home games out of the new facility. 

View the 2022 NBL1 roster tracker here.