Bears Overseas
Following a successful NBL1 East season, six former Bears are taking their next steps overseas in 2026-27.
From the NCAA in the United States to professional opportunities in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, six former Norths players are continuing to develop their careers on the international stage.
Some familiar faces…
The Norths Bears are proud to see six members of our NBL1 program earning opportunities overseas, with players representing both collegiate and professional teams throughout the 2026-27 season.
Bec Donnelly - UC Davis
Donnelly is heading to California to begin her collegiate career with the UC Davis Aggies, competing in NCAA Division I.
A standout across the Norths pathway, Bec arrives at UC Davis following an impressive period of development with the Bears. Her performances earned recognition as the league's Junior Player of the Year, alongside selection in the NSW U20 team for the 2026 National Championships.
The 6'1 guard also represented Australia at the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships and showcased her ability on the international stage with AUSA Hoops. Bec will now take on a new challenge in the United States, joining the Aggies as they prepare for their first season in the Mountain West Conference.
Bol Diing - Miami Dade College
Diing is continuing his basketball journey in the United States, joining Miami Dade College in Florida for his first season of college basketball. A talented guard who has developed through the Norths program, Bol now has the opportunity to test himself in the NJCAA, the junior college system in the United States.
His move to Miami provides an exciting opportunity to continue developing his game, gain collegiate experience and take another step towards his basketball ambitions.
Caitlyn Martin - Fordham University
Martin is taking her game to the Bronx, New York, where she will represent Fordham University in NCAA Division I. Having been a key contributor to the Bears across multiple NBL1 East seasons, including a championship year in 2023, Caitlyn has established herself as a versatile guard and an important part of the Norths program.
Her move to Fordham marks a new chapter in her basketball journey, having taken an alternative pathway to college basketball. After gaining several seasons of experience in Australia's semi-professional NBL1 competition and professional WNBL environment with the Sydney Flames, Caitlyn will bring valuable senior playing experience into her first collegiate opportunity.
Now classified as a junior, she joins the Rams for the 2026-27 season, continuing her development in one of the world's most competitive collegiate basketball environments.
Emma Donnelly - Oaklands Wolves
Donnelly is heading to the United Kingdom after signing with Oaklands Wolves for the 2026–27 Super League Basketball Women season.
Following a strong campaign with the Bears in the NBL1 East, Emma now has the opportunity to take her game to the professional level in England. The 6'1 forward averaged 12.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 made three-pointers per game during her 2026 NBL1 East campaign, establishing herself as a versatile contributor with the ability to stretch the floor.
Emma has already made her regular-season debut for the Wolves, recording seven points, seven rebounds and two assists in just under 23 minutes of action. A promising start to her professional campaign, she will look to build on that performance as Oaklands continues its 2026-27 season.
Lulu Hastings - Butler University
Hastings is continuing her basketball journey in the United States, joining Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The 6'3 forward will compete in NCAA Division I as a freshman, providing her with the opportunity to develop her game and experience collegiate basketball at one of the highest levels.
Olivia was the youngest player to feature for the Norths NBL1 team in 2025, having progressed through the Bears' junior pathway. Her representative experience includes representing New Zealand at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, as well as selection for the 2025 Basketball Without Borders Asia camp in Singapore. A two-time Norths Defensive Player of the Year, Olivia now takes the next step in her development with the Bulldogs.
Talya Brugler - Northern Kāhu
After an outstanding season with the Bears, Brugler is taking her talents across the Tasman, joining the BNZ Northern Kāhu for the 2026 Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa season.
The American forward made an immediate impact during her time at Norths, averaging 18.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in the 2026 NBL1 East season. Talya arrived at the Bears following her first professional season in Greece, having previously enjoyed a highly successful four-year NCAA Division I career with Saint Joseph's University.
She has carried that form into New Zealand, producing several strong performances for the Kāhu, including a 20-point, 10-rebound effort against the Tokomanawa Queens in September.
A pathway beyond the cave?
From developing through our junior programs to representing Norths at NBL1 level and now earning opportunities across international basketball, these six players reflect the immense opportunities that can grow from being part of the Norths Basketball community.
Whether pursuing collegiate basketball or professional opportunities, we are proud to see our former players continuing to represent Norths on the international stage.
We caught up with Talya after landing in New Zealand, and she fondly reflected on her time at Norths:
"I enjoyed the relationships I was able to build with my teammates, coaches, and North’s community. It was so much fun to go to trainings and do anything with my teammates, and now they are friends I will have for life! Also playing in the Bear Cave was unreal! Such a great atmosphere to play in and I loved every second of that."
Talya's comments reflect the connection that makes Norths special, with the relationships built at The Cave continuing well beyond the final game.
We look forward to following our ex-Bears, as they progress throughout the 2026-27 season and beyond.
How to watch?
NCAA Basketball
Follow our Bears throughout their collegiate seasons via their respective university athletics websites.
Watch Bec Donnelly's games with UC Davis.
Watch Bol Diing's games with Miami Dade College.
Watch Caitlyn Martin's games with Fordham University.
Watch Olivia Hastings' games with Butler University.
Super League Basketball Women
Watch Emma Donnelly and the Oaklands Wolves throughout the season via DAZN.
Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa
Follow Talya Brugler and the Northern Kāhu via Sky Sport Now and ThreeNow, with selected games available free-to-air through ThreeNow.
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