The Tasmania Jewels final Australian rostered player Brooke Basham credits the rough and tumble of backyard basketball with two older brothers for preparing her for the WNBL.
The South Australian born shooting guard said the grit and grind reputation of Tasmanian basketball matched her own origin story of hard work and perseverance pays off.
“When it was first announced that Tasmania would be joining the WNBL I said to myself ‘I want to play for them’,” the 28-year-old said.
“I’ve followed the JackJumpers since they started and everything Tasmania stands for resonates with me, and the Jewels will be a part of that and I want to be part of the Jewels.”
The Jewels Head Coach Claudia Brassard and Jewels Assistant General Manager of WNBL Kayla Steindl had their eyes on Basham.
“Kayla emailed my agent saying, ‘we’d love to talk to Brooke about playing here’ and I was shocked in the most exciting way. Then I spoke with Claudia and my heart was set.”
Basham is playing NBL1 for the Cairns Dolphins, having played five WNBL seasons with Adelaide Lightning, including a breakout Most Improved Player performance in WNBL25.
Brassard said Basham’s proven record on and off the court made her a prime candidate.
“Brooke is someone who has worked hard for every opportunity she’s had, and that really matters to us,” Brassard said.
“She brings shooting, scoring punch and WNBL experience, but she also brings maturity and competitiveness.
“We’re building a group that values consistency, team-first habits and high standards every day, and Brooke fits that really well.”
Basham said her path to WNBL wasn’t always smooth, but she backed herself and worked hard.
“I grew up watching the Adelaide Lightning and I’m not sure I would be playing professional basketball if I hadn’t been able to watch them and see that pathway,” she said.
“I did take my own path to get there though. I didn’t make every team I aimed for, I wasn’t selected as a Development Player till my early 20s and I was a DP for three or four years.
“But, I always had this innate belief that I could get there, to be a rostered spot player, and I worked my butt off to make it happen.
“Growing up with two older brothers, beating me up in backyard basketball, really shaped the way I play and train hard.
“I hope I can be that role model to others, to show that there’s not one single path to your dream, you can carve your own way there.”
Basham is committed to join the Jewels pending WNBL review and approval, leaving only two import spots at the Jewels.
General Public Memberships will go live at 9:00am on Tuesday July 14, with the first game for the Jewels scheduled for October 15 at the MyState Bank Arena in Hobart and the first game at the Launceston Silverdome on October 31.
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