Basketball NSW to honour Hoops Capital trio

Basketball NSW has unveiled its 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees, honouring individuals who have left an enduring legacy on basketball in the state and beyond, which includes a trio of Hoops Capital legends.

Sydney King #8 Mark Dalton, as well as Flame #131 Katie-Rae Ebzery and Flame #24 Michele Austin (nee Landon) are among the eight individuals who will be inducted at this year’s Hall of Fame Dinner – set to be held on November 29 at the Crowne Plaza, Terrigal.

The Basketball NSW Hall of Fame, which will also see John Martin elevated to legend status, celebrates the outstanding achievements of players, coaches, officials, and contributors who have significantly shaped the game across generations.

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Mark Dalton

From the surf to the hardwood, Mark Dalton carved out one of Australian basketball’s most determined and inspiring playing careers.

Known for his grit, athleticism, and relentless work ethic, Dalton stood tall among a golden generation of athletes who laid the foundation for modern Australian basketball.

Dalton’s sporting journey began in Manly, where his extraordinary athletic versatility quickly became evident.

A junior Australian champion in surf swimming, Dalton won the national surf swim title at age 12 and was ranked second in Australia for the 100m and 200m breaststroke.

His coach was preparing him for a run at the Moscow Olympics, yet, in a defining life choice, Dalton pivoted away from elite swimming and toward basketball.

He was also an Australian Ironman and Malibu champion, and played representative rugby for several years with the Warringah Rats, further highlighting his prowess across multiple sports.

On the basketball court, his talent was clear from an early age. Dalton represented NSW Metro in the under 16, under 18, and NSW in under 20 teams, and in 1982 helped NSW win the Australian under 20 Basketball Championship.

He went on to captain the Australian under 20 team at the FIBA under 19 World Championships in Spain in 1983.

That same year, he earned a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), where he launched his elite basketball journey.

Dalton’s rapid rise continued in 1984 when, at just 19, he was selected to the Australian Men’s National Team, touring the US with the Boomers and earning selection to the Australian Olympic Team for the Los Angeles Games.

In a remarkable family milestone, he joined his siblings Brad and Karen Dalton to become the first trio of siblings to represent Australia in the same sport at the same Olympics.

His professional playing career in the National Basketball League (NBL) was equally impressive.

Dalton played for the Canberra Cannons (1984–85), winning a championship in his debut season, before joining the Geelong Cats (1986–87), the Sydney Kings (1988–1995), where he became a franchise stalwart, the Brisbane Bullets (1996–97), and the Illawarra/Wollongong Hawks (1998–2000), across both winter and summer seasons.

Across these years, Dalton was renowned for his defensive toughness, leadership, and warrior-like presence on the court.

Internationally, he helped Australia secure gold at the 1985 Australia Games and again represented the Boomers at the 1986 FIBA World Championships in Spain.

His playing career is remembered for the relentless determination, athleticism, and pride he brought to every jersey he wore.

After retiring from professional play, Dalton transitioned into sports administration with equal impact.

He served as general manager of Logan Basketball Incorporated (2003–2010) and of the Logan Thunder in the Women’s National Basketball League (2007–2010).

His leadership earned him widespread recognition, including:

• Basketball Australia Administrator of the Year (2007)
• Basketball Queensland Administrator of the Year (2007)
• Logan City Council Sports Administrator of the Year (2007)

While his achievements across a range of sports are extraordinary, Mark Dalton’s induction into the Basketball NSW Hall of Fame honours his outstanding contributions to the sport of basketball as a player, captain, and Olympian.

His legacy is one of passion, resilience, and a deep commitment to the game.

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Katie-Rae Ebzery

For over 15 seasons, Newcastle’s Katie-Rae Ebzery was a commanding presence in Australian basketball.

A dynamic guard with composure, leadership, and scoring prowess, Ebzery’s career in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) and on the international stage is one of remarkable consistency, growth, and achievement.

Ebzery made her WNBL debut in 2005 as a teenager with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), showcasing her potential early with 65 games under her belt by the age of 18.

After a season with the Dandenong Rangers and a brief break from the league, she returned stronger than ever in 2010, joining the Sydney Uni Flames, a move that marked the beginning of a standout period in her career.

By 2014–15, Ebzery had surpassed 200 WNBL games and was named Flames Club MVP, averaging 16.8 points per game, the sixth-highest in the league.

Her impact was further recognised when she was selected for the WNBL All-Star Five in the 2015–16 season.

Seeking new challenges, Ebzery took her talents overseas in 2016–17, playing with Dynamo Moscow in Russia.

She returned to the WNBL the following season, rejoining the Flames before signing a two-year deal with the Perth Lynx in 2018.

Her time in Perth was marked by further excellence. In 2019–20, Ebzery was named to the WNBL All-Star First Team and repeated the feat in the 2020 WNBL Hub season, where she finished fourth in league scoring (18 points per game) and ninth in assists (3.6 per game).

When she retired in October 2021, she left behind a legacy of 304 WNBL games, three All-WNBL First Team selections, and a reputation as one of the most respected players in the league.

Ebzery’s talent extended well beyond domestic basketball. She made her international debut for Australia at the FIBA U19 World Championship in 2007 and went on to wear the green and gold with pride throughout her career.

She won bronze at the World University Games in 2011 and 2013, and was a bronze medallist at the inaugural FIBA 3×3 World Championships in 2012.

Her senior debut with the Australian Opals came in 2015, winning gold at the FIBA Oceania Championship.

She went on to represent Australia at two Olympic Games, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, and added Commonwealth Games gold (2018), FIBA Asia Cup silver (2017) and FIBA World Cup silver (2018) to her impressive international resume.

Katie-Rae Ebzery’s career is a story of longevity, leadership, and elite performance.

Whether lighting up the scoreboard in the WNBL or wearing the green and gold on the world stage, she has been a shining example of professionalism and pride in Australian basketball.

Michele Austin (nee Landon)

Michele Austin, from her first steps onto the court as a young player at Bankstown to standing tall as a national and WNBL champion, has carved out a truly remarkable basketball journey, one defined by talent, tenacity, and an enduring passion for the game.

Austin’s basketball career began in the under-12s at Bankstown, where her skill and work ethic quickly set her apart.

At just 16 years old, she was elevated into the senior ranks at Bankstown, marking the start of a career that would soon capture national attention.

In 1989, Austin earned selection in the Australian under 20 women’s team, going on to co-captain the squad to a bronze medal at the FIBA World Championships in Bilbao, Spain, a moment that solidified her status as one of the country’s rising stars.

Her success continued at the professional level, with Austin being signed by the Sydney Flames, where she helped lead the team to a Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Championship in 1993.

Known for her exceptional court vision and leadership, Austin held the WNBL all-time assists record, a testament to her playmaking ability and selfless approach to the game.

But her achievements on the court stretch even further. Austin’s name features across nearly every junior representative level for NSW throughout the 1980s, including:

• Multiple state championships across under 14, under 16, and under 18 levels.
• NSW representative honours from 1984 to 1987.
• Back-to-back Australian School Championship titles with Nazareth College in 1986 and 1987.

In recognition of her incredible playing career, Austin has been awarded Life Playing Membership at Bankstown and the Scott Fenton Basketballer of the Year Award, and the Lorraine Landon Most Inspirational Player Award, fitting tributes to someone who has given so much to the game.

Though her playing days are behind her, Austin’s impact continues.

She remains deeply involved in coaching, nurturing young talent at Bankstown and across the state. Her recent coaching achievements include:

• Leading Bankstown’s under 14 girls team to qualify for the 2024 National Club Championships.
• Serving as Assistant Coach for the NSW under 16 Metro Girls team (2023/2025) and under 18 Metro Girls team (2024), both of which secured gold medals at the national championships.
• Championing basketball at the grassroots level, including introducing programs at Picnic Point Primary School.
• Coaching Sydney South West teams for over 20 years.

Michele Austin’s legacy is woven into the fabric of basketball in NSW,  a legacy of excellence, leadership, and unwavering dedication.

Her extraordinary playing career, backed by a lifelong commitment to the sport, makes her a deserving candidate for the Basketball NSW Hall of Fame.