Adelaide University enters the 2026 New Balance University Basketball League season in a new era, but with an identity that is already deeply established.
The program will continue to compete as the AU Waatu, retaining the name first adopted in 2022.
Waatu means “Coming Together” in the Kaurna language, and the meaning behind the name has become the foundation of the program’s culture.
When the name was introduced, Kaurna Elder Uncle Rod O’Brien described Waatu as bringing a community together, in partnership with one another and to play as one team.
That message has taken on even greater significance following the merger that created Adelaide University, with students from across the new institution now coming together under the one banner and wearing the university’s North Terrace Purple.
For many students, the merger has created an opportunity they have been waiting for – the chance to join teammates and friends who had already been part of the Waatu program and represent the university together on the national stage.
As the sole UBL representative from South Australia, Adelaide University embraces a unique responsibility.
The program aims to showcase the best basketball talent in the state while providing a genuine pathway for student-athletes to test themselves against the strongest university programs in the country.
“Waatu brings a community together, in partnership with one another and to play as one team.”
The AU Waatu have built their identity around connection, intensity and playing to their strengths at both ends of the floor.
For the women’s team, defence is the foundation of their success.
Over recent seasons, the group has developed into one of the league’s strongest defensive teams, embracing a high-pressure style built on communication, effort and creating opportunities through their defensive work.
That defensive mindset fuels an exciting offensive approach, with the AU Waatu looking to play with pace, poise and confidence while using the versatility and skill of their playing group to create opportunities.
2025 Captain Jem Whitton believes the team’s diversity is one of its biggest strengths, saying “We pride ourselves on defence, keeping teams to low scores with high pressure and hassling defence. This drives our offensive style, playing with pace and poise. Having such a diverse set of skills in our team helps us play our way.”
With players coming from different basketball backgrounds and areas of study, the women’s program has developed a strong connection both on and off the court – something that continues to shape the identity of the AU Waatu.
For the men’s team, the identity is summed up in two words:
“Fun and Dangerous.”
While they are leaving opponents to discover exactly what that means on game day, the message is clear: the AU Waatu want to play with confidence, energy and freedom, bringing an unpredictable style that keeps teams guessing.
The AU Waatu program is led by Scott Freer, who serves as Head Coach of the overall UBL program while also guiding the men’s team.
Freer brings extensive experience from NBL1 and other high-performance basketball programs, with a reputation for being highly detail-oriented and relentlessly driven in his preparation.
His energy and competitive edge have become defining traits of the men’s program and have helped set the standard for the wider Waatu environment.
Balancing that intensity is women’s head coach Lachlan Coppick, whose calm and measured approach provides an important counterpoint within the program.
Coppick’s background as a sports administrator also gives the AU Waatu an additional advantage away from the court, with a strong focus on operations, logistics and creating a professional environment for student-athletes.
Together, Freer and Coppick have created a program that combines high-performance expectations with strong organisational support, giving the AU Waatu the platform to continue pushing for finals success as they enter their first season representing the newly merged Adelaide University.
After joining the AU Waatu midway through the 2025 season, Scott immediately made his presence felt, leading the league in scoring per game. Following that impressive UBL campaign, he has continued his strong form with the Eastern Mavericks in the NBL1 Central and enters 2026 as one of the competition’s most exciting offensive threats. He’s got UBL MVP in his range of outcomes this year, no pressure!
A new addition to the AU Waatu, Majok brings an exciting skill set and a different dimension to the men’s program. Standing out with his ability as a passer and his impact defensively, Majok adds versatility and creativity to the floor. After making his mark through South Australian basketball pathways, all eyes will be on what he can bring to the AU Waatu in his first UBL season.
Fresh from a gold medal-winning campaign with South Australia at the Australian Junior Championships, Niemann arrives at AU Waatu with a reputation as one of the state’s exciting young talents. A defensive stopper with the ability to make an impact offensively, she combines intensity on the defensive end with a dangerous shooting ability that will add another weapon to the AU Waatu lineup.
A key leader within the AU Waatu program, Whitton brings experience, composure and strong basketball IQ to the team. One of the few students in the league studying a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, Whitton’s unique journey reflects the diversity of the Waatu program. As a member of the Norwood Flames program, she brings valuable experience and plays an important role as a floor general, helping drive the team’s culture both on and off the court.
As the sole representative from South Australia, we’re looking forward to showcasing the best talent in the state and providing a pathway for our students to showcase their basketball on the National stage.
Adelaide University UBL
A unique rivalry has begun to emerge with the University of Tasmania.
Separated by distance but connected by a shared identity, both AU and UTAS represent their respective states as the only UBL programs from South Australia and Tasmania.
That creates a different type of rivalry – one built around state pride, proving the strength of their local basketball pathways and showing that talent extends beyond the major basketball markets.
The rivalry gained extra spice in 2025, with UTAS ending the AU Waatu men’s finals campaign.
Now, Adelaide University has its sights set on turning the tables and returning the favour.
With many players from both programs already connected through the broader basketball community, every AU Waatu and UTAS matchup carries a little more meaning – a battle not only for the result, but for state pride.
The AU Waatu are entering a new chapter, but the heart of the program remains the same: coming together.
Following the merger that created Adelaide University, the AU Waatu identity has provided a powerful connection point for students, athletes and the wider community.
As the sole UBL representative from South Australia, the program carries the opportunity to showcase the state’s best basketball talent while creating a pathway for student-athletes to compete on the national stage.
That next chapter will begin at a new home, with Adelaide University set to host its UBL games at Pridham Hall in the heart of the CBD.
After building strong support through watch parties at UniBar, the AU Waatu are excited to bring the full game-day experience on campus and create an atmosphere worthy of the new era — with the goal of “Painting Pridham Purple.”
The impact of the program will also extend beyond the court, with Adelaide University creating valuable work-integrated learning opportunities through partnerships including the Adelaide Crows Institute of Sport Business.
Students studying sport management will gain experience across team management and game-day operations, while opportunities in performance nutrition, physiotherapy, coaching and strength and conditioning will provide practical experience within a high-performance environment.
With a proud identity, a passionate community and a talented squad representing South Australia, the AU Waatu are ready to embrace the next era of Adelaide University basketball — bringing people together and playing as one team.
University: Adelaide University
2025 Result: Men’s Quarter Finalists | Women’s Quarter Finalists
Claim to Fame: A program built on connection, representing South Australia’s best basketball talent on the national stage
Style of Play: High-pressure defence and fast-paced basketball
Rival to Watch: University of Tasmania
Players to Watch: Curtis Scott, Kaman Majok, Zahlia Niemann, Jemima Whitton
2026 Goal: To embrace the new Adelaide University era while building a strong, connected UBL program
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