Young South Australian basketballers Brad Newley and Joe Ingles head the list of Philips Championship stars named to play in the 2006 Virgin Blue NBL All-Star Game on November 25 at the Distinctive Homes Dome in Adelaide.

Newley (Townsville Crocodiles) and Ingles (South Dragons) are two of the true rising stars of Australian basketball and have been standouts this Philips Championship season for their teams. Both will now return to the state they were born and raised in to participate in the 2006 Virgin Blue NBL All-Star Game.

Ingles, who has burst onto the Philips Championship stage in his rookie campaign this year, has averaged 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season and already drawn comparisons from national team coach Brian Goorjian to NBA star Toni Kukoc.

Newley, who is eligible for NBA Draft selection himself next year, is no stranger to the All-Star limelight having earned selection to the annual league showcase in his own rookie season in 2004/05 and going on to take out the All-Star MVP trophy. ‘Newls’ is currently averaging 21.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

All-Star rookie Ingles was delighted at the prospect of playing in the league gala before his hometown crowd but admitted to being in a state of shock over his selection.

“I’m really excited to be selected but it is a bit of surprise to be named in this team,” said Ingles. “When you look at the caliber of players in both teams, it’s great to be noticed and considered to be on the same level as them.”

“Brad (Newley) and I went to school together and played in the same school team so this game should bring back a few memories. Brad is great player and I’m sure we can combine to produce some entertaining basketball for the Adelaide crowd.”

The modest Ingles said being an All-Star was far from his thoughts when he went out to play each game.

“I was obviously very surprised with my first few games,” Ingles added. “I sat down and had a chat with Hammer (Shane Heal) and he basically told me to keep doing what I’m doing. I’m not trying to go out and score 40 points a night or be the superstar in the team in just trying to do my thing and it appears to be paying off so far.”

Newley said he was looking forward to playing on the same side as childhood friend and school teammate Ingles.

“It’s great honour to be selected in the All-Star team, Newley said. “It is nothing to hang your hat on just yet, as it is early in the season, but I am really happy to have made the team.”

“Joe is a great player and he has really earned his strips so far this season.”

Newley said he was looking forward to returning to Adelaide.

“It will be nice playing down there again. It’s always good to play at home and my parents and friends will all be there in Adelaide so it will certainly be special.”

NBL legends Andrew Gaze, Cal Bruton and Steve Carfino were charged with selecting the two teams - the Aussie All-Stars and the World All-Stars – and chose ten players for each side plus five injury reserves.

The Aussie All-Stars team will consist of Newley, Ingles, CJ Bruton (Brisbane Bullets), Darryl McDonald (Melbourne Tigers), Martin Cattalini (Cairns Taipans), Sam Mackinnon (Brisbane Bullets), Ben Pepper (New Zealand Breakers), Chris Anstey (Melbourne Tigers), Tony Ronaldson (Perth Wildcats) and Paul Rogers (Perth Wildcats).

The Aussie reserves will be James Harvey (West Sydney Razorbacks), David Barlow (Sydney Kings), Shane Heal (South Dragons), Glen Saville (Wollongong Hawks) and Mark Worthington (Sydney Kings).

Fans from Adelaide will have to choose carefully who to support in the match however with the World All-Star team, which is made up of the best non-Australian talent in the Philips Championship, including 36ers star imports Nick Horvath and Willie Farley. The pair will be joined on the World team by Cortez Groves (Wollongong Hawks), Larry Abney (Townsville Crocodiles), Jelani Gardner (Townsville Crocodiles), Dave Thomas (Melbourne Tigers), Shawn Redhage (Perth Wildcats), Mike Helms (Singapore Slingers), Rashad Tucker (Melbourne Tigers) and Kevin Owens (Cairns Taipans).

The World reserves are Kavossy Franklin (South Dragons), Adam Ballinger (Wollongong Hawks), Carlos Powell (NZ Breakers), Ebi Ere (Brisbane Bullets) and Dusty Rychart (Brisbane Bullets).

The five starters for each team will be determined by a fan poll which will be conducted on nbl.com.au. Voting for the World starters will commence immediately and will continue until Tuesday 7 November. Polling for the Aussie All-Star starters will be conducted on nbl.com.au between Wednesday 8 November and Tuesday 14 November.

The All-Star coaches and assistants will be announced on 14 November and the invited participants in the Philips Dunk Competition will be revealed on 8 November.