Illawarra remains one of the state's strongest basketball breeding grounds, with four players set to continue their promising careers with United States colleges.

Dom Cooks and sisters Lauren and Fiona Sparks are graduates of the Illawarra junior system, while Alex Gynes came through the Shoalhaven junior program and lined up with the Illawarra Seahawks two years ago. All four were perennial state representatives from the age of 16.

The son of Wollongong Hawks coach Eric Cooks, Dom attended Holy Spirit College and the Sparks siblings were part of a successful era at St Mary Star of the Sea College.

Lauren is returning for her sophomore year at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas where she is the starting point guard.

The physical education and sports administration student led the team in assists in her freshman year, helping Hutchinson reach the regional finals.

"It's been great being back in Australia on our college summer break, but I'm looking forward to heading back and preparing for the season ahead," Lauren said before leaving Sydney on Tuesday.

"The standard of play is pretty good over there.

"There's a lot of athletic players to contend with."

Fiona recently earned a scholarship with Columbia College in Missouri.

A member of the finals-bound Illawarra Women's Youth team, the 18-year-old captained the NSW under 20 team at the national titles earlier this year. Fiona will join former Illawarra junior Deanne Tonkin at Columbia.

Cooks, who has spent the past two seasons with the Seahawks, is heading to Utah State University.

The left-handed playmaker captained the NSW under 20 men's team and can't wait to throw himself into the highly competitive world of college sports.

"It'll be tough but I'm looking forward to it," Cooks said.

After playing with Virginia-based Radford University last season, Gynes has transferred to Nova South Eastern University in Florida.

The rugged forward was recruited by former Illawarra junior and NBL guard Chris Harriman, a Nova assistant coach.