The competition takes place in Melbourne, with the best Victorian junior teams in each age group squaring off against the nation’s best for a tilt at the title. 

The Under-16 Miners will compete as part of group C with North Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra at Dandenong Basketball Stadium from June 9-11, while competition is also held at the State Basketball Centre.

Basketball Ballarat’s Nathan Cooper-Brown, who is athlete and coach development manager, described the tournament as one of the biggest events on the junior basketball calendar. 

The Under-16 Miners had to finish in the top four of the Victorian Junior Basketball League Victorian Championship to qualify.

“It is the most prestigious junior basketball tournament in the country,” Cooper-Brown said.

“So it takes the best teams from all over the nation in terms of their club leagues.

“We’re excited for our boys to qualify and go into that tournament and represent the community.”

VJBL general manager John Hilton said the invitation-only contest is set to raise the bar again this year as 128 sides descend on Melbourne.

“For the best teams across Victoria, the classic is the perfect opportunity for our own to showcase their talents in an elite tournament environment,” he said.

“The interstate sides are always excited to attend this tournament – as they get the chance to take on the best in their age group from across the country.

“We wish all the competing teams the best of luck heading to the classic.”

The national tournament is capped at 16 teams per age group with invitations to the classic extended to the top interstate teams and the highest ranking Victorian teams.

Entry is free for spectators.