Tess to lead Opals' Cup charge
TOKYO Olympian Tess Madgen - one of a couple of fairly notable absentees from the ill-fated Rio Olympic team - today was named captain of the Opals for their charge at the FIBA World Cup and restoration of Australia's international reputation and once much-admired culture.
Opals in camp, #1 Boomer in town
THE Australian Opals national women's team has gone into camp on the Gold Coast ahead of the FIBA World Cup later this month and Patty Mills, the architect of the Boomers' Bronze Medal success opens his "UNEARTHED" tour tonight. The bad news? Steph Talbot and Ezi Magbegor are still playing WNBA semi finals.
WNBL lands exciting new broadcast deal
THE WNBL's new two-year broadcast deal with the Nine Network formally announced today means fans through the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons will be able to see more free-to-air games and action than ever, the league also following the NBA, NCAA, WNBA, NBL and FIBA by partnering with ESPN for additional hoops coverage.
Southside signing LJ a 'circle of life' moment
THERE'S a wonderful "circle of life" moment today in Lauren Jackson's decision to return to the WNBL with Southside Flyers. When her mother Maree Jackson (nee Bennie) plied her trade in Melbourne, it was at the same destination - except at that time, Southside was still the Dandenong Rangers.
Get in early for dad's big day
THE NBL may be busy with its draw for the 2022-23 season, open roof game on December 23, Christmas Eve matches and even a breakthrough Christmas Day (Night?) fixture. But coming up much faster is Father's Day and maybe this year it's time to start thinking early to find dad the ideal gift.
Taking a (short) break
JUST finished a terrific project for WILKINSON PUBLISHING so taking a few days off to recharge the batteries. Guessing you'll survive without the website's take on what should have been a Boomers' avalanche over Saudi Arabia. Looking forward to being back next week. Cheers all.
Good, Bad and Ugly for the week
THERE'S a lot going on right now in basketball, Boomer Olympic Bronze Medallist Dante Exum signing at Partizan Belgrade after a successful season with Barcelona, his Utah Jazz pal Joe Ingles at Milwaukee Bucks and Australian players pushing their cases at the NBA Summer League. It's time for "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly".
Joey's 'one-stop' 24-hour spot for ballers
FINALLY and at long last! Adelaide has its first and only 24-hour basketball training facility at SHOOT HQ in suburban Beverley, all courtesy of "the Coach" Joey Wright. As if his all-inclusive Transition Sports programs were not already enough, the NBL championship winner has branched even further out.
Bendigo finds new Spirit as Kereama appointed coach
ONE-time New Zealand national women's coach Kennedy Kereama, more recently an assistant at Canberra Capitals, Melbourne Boomers and Dandenong Rangers, is the new head coach of two-time WNBL champion Bendigo Spirit as the club goes through a comprehensive revamp.
WNBL in off-season overdrive, new owners, coaches
THE futures of multiple championship winners Adelaide Lightning and Bendigo Spirit appear assured with new ownerships at both clubs, several coaching changes afoot, but the downer of the off-season being the WNBL losing several marquee players ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.