Basketball On The Internet.

IT was too easy for Ezi Magbegor. From Day One of the WNBL season, she stood out as the only possible winner of the Betty Watson Rookie of the Year award and she hasn't let anyone down.

In becoming Canberra Capitals' historic first winner of the long-standing award, Magbegor polled a whopping 41 out of a possible 42 votes as collated on coach and captain votes.

Magbegor averaged 6.6ppg at 52 percent, with 3.8rpg and a team-high 1.2blocks in her WNBL debut, mixing it with the likes of Suzy Batkovic, Liz Cambage, Jennifer Hamson, Abby Bishop and Co.

And all the while completing her Year 12 studies at Lake Ginninderra College.

“It’s hard to play against the likes of Liz and Suzy but it’s definitely forced me to be stronger in the post and stand up against physicality,” she said.

Magbegor, 18 and 193cm, already has a Gold Medal as part of Australia's Sapphires Under-17 World Champion, the world at her feet.

But she is equally studious, last year honoured with the University of Canberra Vice Chancellor’s Award. That award identifies the student who combines the demands of study in conjunction with performances in other pursuits while achieving outstanding results.

“Before the season started, Sarah Conlon planned out with (coach) Paul (Goriss) and myself how our
games and training sessions would work with exams and it worked out pretty well,” Magbegor said.

“Being organised and speaking to my teachers, who were pretty lenient and understanding, helped it work out.”

Magbegor is going to become a keyway colossus, taking it to Bendigo Spirit with her season-high 16-point game.

“Coming off the bench was a different experience for me, but our starters said for us to always be ready,” she said.

And she was, Magbegor now preparing for an Opals camp in Italy ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

2017/18 Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Votes:
1. Ezi Magbegor (41 votes) UC Capitals
2. Maddison Rocci (24 votes) UC Capitals
3. Kiera Rowe (14 votes) Dandenong Rangers

MVP: Ezi Magbegor was MVP of the Worlds as the Sapphires won Gold.