(12-25-24) The search for a missing Australian teen, Luca Bennett (15), who was swept into the ocean on Christmas Eve, has now shifted to a recovery operation.

Bennett was with two friends at North Avoca Rocks on Tuesday afternoon when the group was taken into the sea from a rock shelf at about 2:40pm.

His two friends managed to get back on the rocks and notify lifeguards, but Bennett disappeared.

A multi-agency of the Brisbane Water Police District, Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance, Surf Life Saving NSW, Marine Rescue NSW and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter helped in the rescue effort.

Luca Bennett

Bennett, who was an upcoming young basketball player, attended the prestigious US-based Phenom National Camp in Orange County in July last year in California. Past alumni from the program include NBA heavyweights Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ja Morant, as well as 200 other NBA and 68 WNBA players. Bennett was also part of Basketball NSW’s High-Performance Program designed to prepare young athletes to represent the state at the national championships.

Luca started high school at Terrigal before transferring to Scots College.

A recent newsletter from The Central Coast Academy of Sport shows Luca and his basketball teammates standing together and smiling.

Luca played under-16s basketball for the Norths Bears in Sydney.

On Facebook his parents Michelle and Jason –

“Yesterday we lost our darling beloved Luca J.

Everyone is doing the best they can to search for him and bring him home to us … we are so grateful.

He was the most perfect son and we can’t believe it’s real.”