1 00:00:05,480 --> 00:00:09,360 Speaker 1: Shyla hel debuted in the WNBL at just fourteen years old. 2 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,240 Speaker 1: In the decade since her debut, she's gone on to 3 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:15,640 Speaker 1: play for five clubs in the Australian Women's Basketball League, 4 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: including the championship winning Townsville Fire in twenty twenty three. 5 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:22,200 Speaker 1: But one of the biggest moments of Shilah's career came 6 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:24,720 Speaker 1: when she was drafted by the Chicago Sky in the 7 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one WNBA draft. Shila played just four games 8 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 1: before being traded and way from the roster in the 9 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:35,000 Speaker 1: most brutal of ways, but now she's using it as 10 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:37,879 Speaker 1: motivation to one day make her return to the world's 11 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:41,240 Speaker 1: best women's basketball league. Welcome back to the Female Athlete 12 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 1: Project and thanks for pressing play on today's episode. 13 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 2: My name is Sophie Norris and I'm. 14 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:48,560 Speaker 1: The producer here at Teafat. This week Close hits down 15 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:51,440 Speaker 1: with Shila as the twenty four year old Opal opens 16 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 1: up on what drives her and how she's bounced back 17 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: from rejection. 18 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 3: Now back in. 19 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:59,440 Speaker 1: Australia, heel is awaiting her return to basketball as she 20 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:01,920 Speaker 1: recovers from knee injury, ready to take to the court 21 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: this season for the league's rebranded team, the Geelong Venom. 22 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 3: We hope you enjoyed this episode. 23 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 2: Shylah Hill, Welcome to The Female Athlete Project. 24 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 3: Thank you, excited to be on. 25 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:15,399 Speaker 2: I'm looking forward to having a chat you. You live 26 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:17,920 Speaker 2: kind of a crazy life. You don't really have a 27 00:01:17,959 --> 00:01:22,120 Speaker 2: home home, just all over the place. But take us 28 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:25,480 Speaker 2: back to your childhood. What was Shilah like as a 29 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 2: little kid. 30 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 3: Shyla was crazy. She was this really outgoing, super competitive 31 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:37,040 Speaker 3: girl that ran around the stadiums while my sister, my sisters, 32 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:40,520 Speaker 3: and my dad played basketball, just always wanting to, you know, 33 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:44,680 Speaker 3: play basketball against people, boys, girls, anyone. Just super competitive. 34 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:46,160 Speaker 3: That was Shilah in a nutshell. 35 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 2: What order are you in the siblings? 36 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 3: I'm the youngest of three girls. 37 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 2: Yeah right, And what's the age gap with the other sisters. 38 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 3: So my eldest sisters the age gap six years and 39 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:56,240 Speaker 3: the other ones five years? 40 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,320 Speaker 2: Yeah okay, yeah, So you were little when they were 41 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 2: already running around and doing things. Were you just always 42 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 2: trying to keep up? Yeah? 43 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 3: I loved it. We barefoot somewhere bouncing a ball, trying 44 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 3: to compete with someone that was we That's cool. 45 00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:11,640 Speaker 2: Was it always basketball for you? Like Obviously there was 46 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:14,520 Speaker 2: your dad and that family connection, But were there any 47 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:15,520 Speaker 2: other sports on the radar? 48 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 3: I actually really loved tennis as well. Okay, I got 49 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:21,400 Speaker 3: to a stage a bit random tennis, but got to 50 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 3: a stage where I got pretty competitive with that too, 51 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 3: and my parents were like, look, you got to choose. 52 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 2: Okay. 53 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 3: They were really supportive in the fact that they never 54 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 3: pressured me. They were like, do what you love. But yeah, tennis, well, yeah, 55 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 3: I would not have fixed that. 56 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:37,680 Speaker 2: What was it about tennis? Like, did you love it 57 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 2: or you just good at it? 58 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:41,680 Speaker 4: I think I was good at it fair. 59 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 3: Yeah. I don't know about a single sport. I kind 60 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:45,519 Speaker 3: of like the team aspect. 61 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:48,120 Speaker 2: I feel like, of all the sports, I feel like 62 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:50,560 Speaker 2: swimming and tennis to me seem like they're the most 63 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 2: head noise. 64 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:52,959 Speaker 3: Yeah, it would be pretty full on. 65 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 2: Yeah. So, at what point was that when you had 66 00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 2: to kind of make that choice between tennis and basketball? 67 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 3: Dicond I'm still pretty young, like a twelve yeah. 68 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 2: Okay, And how did it kind of progress from there? Like, 69 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 2: you obviously grew up dribbling a basketball. It was kind 70 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:11,079 Speaker 2: of in your blood at that age when you're like, hey, basketball, 71 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 2: this is it? It wasn't long to you made your wnblue, 72 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:16,960 Speaker 2: but kind of that if you talk about that like 73 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:19,400 Speaker 2: early teens, like eleven twelve age, what was it like 74 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:20,000 Speaker 2: at that point? 75 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 3: Pretty full on, Like I'd go to school when straight 76 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 3: away after training, I'd either be in my driveway doing 77 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:30,080 Speaker 3: workouts or I'd be going to training double sessions. I 78 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 3: was pretty locked in at a young age, like I 79 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 3: just one of my biggest strengths since a young age 80 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 3: has always been my work ethic. So I've always loved 81 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 3: to work and get better. And yeah, I was pretty 82 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 3: locked in from. 83 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 2: Age Yeah crazy. Can you like touch on that work 84 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 2: ethic piece, like what is it what motivates you to 85 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 2: get out there? Because particularly when it is like I 86 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 2: feel like basketball, you think about like having the hoop 87 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,280 Speaker 2: in your driveway and getting up shots when people aren't 88 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 2: really watching, Like, what is it for you that drives you? 89 00:03:57,800 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 3: I just want to be the best I can. I 90 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:01,360 Speaker 3: really don't want to be average. I really want to, 91 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:04,520 Speaker 3: you know, show people how good I can be. And 92 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 3: you know what, show young girls that if you work hard, 93 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 3: you can achieve anything. And that's really what drives me. 94 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 3: Just want to be the best I can. 95 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 2: Yeah. Cool, so at fourteen, you make your WNBL debut 96 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:19,599 Speaker 2: with the Southeast Queensland Stars. It starts. Yeah, yeah, it 97 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:22,840 Speaker 2: feels like a lifetime ago. What was that twenty sixteen? 98 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:26,039 Speaker 3: That's about right, I think something like that. I know 99 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:27,480 Speaker 3: I was year nine, that's all. I know. 100 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 2: How much of that do you remember? 101 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:31,599 Speaker 4: I remember a lot of it, actually, Okay. 102 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:35,119 Speaker 3: I remember I was supposed to be a development player 103 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 3: that year, and then there was injuries and there was tryouts. 104 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 3: My dad was the coach, and you know, I went 105 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:44,360 Speaker 3: up against some other girls and he thought I was 106 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 3: good enough. So I didn't play that much. It was 107 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 3: more learning. And I think I played fourteen games, So 108 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 3: I mean, as a fourteen year old, it's pretty insane. 109 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:57,040 Speaker 3: Like I would get like the last two three minutes 110 00:04:57,080 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 3: of the game, and I remember shaking before I went on. 111 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:02,080 Speaker 3: I was just like, oh my god, I'm bursting WNBA 112 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 3: imports like it was such good experience. But uh yeah, no, 113 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:08,240 Speaker 3: it was really cool. It got me ready for the 114 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 3: next chapter. And I really signed my next pro contract 115 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 3: at seventeen. 116 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 2: So yeah, wow, And what was it like being a 117 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 2: fourteen year old up against like fully grown women when 118 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 2: you probably hadn't even been in the gym for that long. Like, 119 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:22,119 Speaker 2: obviously you were locked in with your skills and getting 120 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 2: shots up and all that stuff, but physically you would 121 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:25,800 Speaker 2: have been very different to where you're at now. 122 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:29,480 Speaker 3: Physically, I was very skinny, Like you could tell straight away. 123 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 3: I was young. Yeah, not up to the strength level 124 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 3: of as women. 125 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:33,560 Speaker 2: Yeah pros. 126 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 4: Yeah, so in that aspect. 127 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:38,160 Speaker 3: I wasn't ready. I couldn't even shoot threes. 128 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:40,720 Speaker 2: Then you didn't have the strength to shoot them. 129 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 4: I just didn't. 130 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 2: I couldn't shoot them, yeah, which is maybe now, Yeah, 131 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:45,719 Speaker 2: that's crazy. 132 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:50,159 Speaker 3: So it's pretty insane looking back at that, Like did. 133 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 2: The defenders know that at the time when you were 134 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 2: getting your two minutes at the end of the game, now. 135 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 4: You couldn't shoot the Probably I wasn't even on the 136 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 4: scout scheet. 137 00:05:57,560 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 3: Let's for real, that's probably yeah. 138 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:03,600 Speaker 2: Yeah. Back in my day, we were talking about how 139 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:06,839 Speaker 2: I just recently retired, but the WNBO was my first 140 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 2: sporting career and I sat on the bench of the 141 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 2: Flames many years ago, and I was so similar, Like 142 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:13,800 Speaker 2: I would literally get two minutes when we were losing 143 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:16,159 Speaker 2: or winning by like forty points, and I was so 144 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 2: nervous that I barely could do anything at all. It's 145 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:21,880 Speaker 2: not a good time when you're that nervous. Yeah, yeah, 146 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 2: full shakes. So between that fourteen to seventeen, what happened 147 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:27,080 Speaker 2: in that period of time. 148 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:29,919 Speaker 3: I went to the ais So Institute of Sport. I 149 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:34,440 Speaker 3: went there when I was fifteen. I spent a year there. 150 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:39,280 Speaker 3: I went away with the under seventeen national team for Australia, 151 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:40,599 Speaker 3: won a bronze medal. 152 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:44,120 Speaker 2: There's been some serious success in like the junior pathways 153 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:46,400 Speaker 2: for Australian basketball have been really strong for a long time. 154 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 3: Definitely, Yeah, I think we've won bronze gold. I think, yeah, yeah, 155 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:52,920 Speaker 3: really successful. 156 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, that's awesome. What was that experience like for you? 157 00:06:55,720 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 2: Like pulling on while in a junior program, but pulling 158 00:06:57,760 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 2: on Theossie colors. 159 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:01,680 Speaker 3: For me, it was really because most of our team 160 00:07:01,760 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 3: was at ais together, so we're really close and we've 161 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:07,680 Speaker 3: lived together, so it was cool going out and winning 162 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 3: a medal with them and just having like a real 163 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 3: close knit group. 164 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 2: And that's really cool. Yeah. And then when you're seventeen 165 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 2: you sign your next contract to go to go back 166 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 2: into the WNBL. 167 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 3: Yes, I went to the Perth Links. I had a 168 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 3: stress fracture on my foot. So it actually was out 169 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 3: for like three quarters of the season. 170 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 2: And you only found that right before the season started. 171 00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 3: I got it during pre season, okay, hectic preseason, full on, 172 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 3: and then two days before the first game did. 173 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 4: All the hard work? 174 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 2: Should have just not bothered with, right, Yeah? 175 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:44,960 Speaker 3: So nah, it was a good learning curve just because 176 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:47,120 Speaker 3: I was so young and just wanted to work, but 177 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 3: I wasn't really good at managing my body. Kind of 178 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:52,520 Speaker 3: just pushed through the pain. So that was a good 179 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 3: learning curve in the fact that look after your body. 180 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:57,040 Speaker 3: If you get a n negle, go to the physio, 181 00:07:57,680 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 3: because it's pretty important in the long run. 182 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 2: Yeahbsolutely. Then twenty twenty towns Will Fire? Is that next? 183 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 2: Bendigo was in between that Ben and Bender Go, Yes, 184 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 2: Bender go for one season? 185 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 3: One season? 186 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 2: Yeah cool? And then so that was twenty nineteen, twenty nineteen, 187 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 2: I think, yeah, yeah, and then COVID hits COVID. Were 188 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 2: you already in Townsville? No. 189 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:20,720 Speaker 3: I signed for Townsville the following year, and it was 190 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 3: the Hub, The Hub year, The Hub year. 191 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:25,239 Speaker 2: Okay, what was your experience like in the Hub? 192 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:29,920 Speaker 3: It was one of my favorite seasons. Okay, breakout year, 193 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:32,600 Speaker 3: I would say in the WNBL. Yeah, we had a 194 00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 3: really cool team, Like everyone was just real close. It 195 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:39,080 Speaker 3: was cool in the fact that because we were from 196 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:40,920 Speaker 3: Townsville and the hub was in Townsville. 197 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 2: Got yah. 198 00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:44,800 Speaker 3: So we had all our fans and we were the underdogs. 199 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:47,280 Speaker 3: You weren't expected to do real well. But we made 200 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 3: the Grand Final with a real young team and got 201 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 3: to play alongside Laura Nicholson. 202 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:55,960 Speaker 2: I love she's the best. I love her very much. 203 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 2: She's an absolute legend. 204 00:08:57,320 --> 00:08:59,679 Speaker 3: That was pretty cool playing alongside her, kind of the 205 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:03,720 Speaker 3: back court duo. And yeah, it was a good season. 206 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:07,320 Speaker 2: And that so that Grand Final series you dropped thirty 207 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 2: and then twenty eight in back to back games. Yeah, 208 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:11,960 Speaker 2: and I think your name like the youth player of 209 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 2: this season that year. Yeah, what was it like for you, 210 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 2: Like you obviously had had a bit of movement between 211 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 2: different clubs, you felt really comfortable in townsle in that 212 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:20,880 Speaker 2: harb and you're thriving. Like what was it for you 213 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 2: that kind of clicked where that was your season where 214 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:24,480 Speaker 2: you really started to shine. 215 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:29,560 Speaker 3: I think really just becoming the starting point guard. That 216 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 3: was my first year of getting more minutes and really 217 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:35,720 Speaker 3: taking on that role. And I think I really showed 218 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 3: that at a young age I could do that, and 219 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:41,680 Speaker 3: it kind of just kept laying over for the years 220 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:44,480 Speaker 3: after that. I really can be a starting point guard. 221 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 2: Yeah. Cool. And playing in a big final series like that, 222 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 2: with that pressure and that hype, Like what was that experience? 223 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:54,440 Speaker 3: Like? I just remember because the HUB season was so condensed, 224 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,440 Speaker 3: so we had so many games in a row, which 225 00:09:56,520 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 3: usually doesn't happen. I just remember in that final series, 226 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 3: I had an ice bath right before the warm up 227 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 3: because my legs I could not feel them before the 228 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 3: warm up for the warm up. 229 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:11,560 Speaker 4: That's the stage. I was like, oh my gosh, I 230 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:14,679 Speaker 4: need to feel my legs. Like but it was cool. 231 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 4: We played Liz Cambage was. 232 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:20,720 Speaker 3: On the other We're playing against her. Yeah. 233 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:21,720 Speaker 4: Yeah, it was just a. 234 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 3: Cool final series. 235 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah, because they already stacked when. 236 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:29,400 Speaker 3: They were stacked Johnny Mitchell, Yeah play well. 237 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:33,920 Speaker 2: When did w NBA conversations kind of come on to 238 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 2: the radar from. 239 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:39,439 Speaker 3: A young age? Actually, So I dropped out of school 240 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 3: in year eleven. My parents pretty much said I didn't 241 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:45,079 Speaker 3: like school too much. It wasn't really my thing. They said, 242 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 3: if you want to go to college, you have to 243 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:50,400 Speaker 3: stay in school. I had offers from Yukon at that 244 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 3: stage from a young age, which is pretty high, and 245 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:55,800 Speaker 3: they were like, if you want to go to Yukon, 246 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 3: stay in school. If you don't, you can go pro. 247 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:00,800 Speaker 3: And my agent thought that I could be a first 248 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:03,600 Speaker 3: round draft picked draft pick. So I was like, Okay, 249 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:05,840 Speaker 3: I want to go pro. I don't like school, don't 250 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:08,440 Speaker 3: want to do four more years of it, so let's 251 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:11,880 Speaker 3: go pro. So college went out the window. When from 252 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:14,960 Speaker 3: a young age, yeah, I was really like, let's do it. 253 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:15,600 Speaker 3: Let's go pro. 254 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 2: And how did that gamble feel like? Obviously you're young, 255 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 2: but knowing how cutthroat the WNBA is in terms of 256 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 2: spots on the rosters but also spots like starting spots 257 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:28,240 Speaker 2: on the court, how cutthroat that is, did it feel like? 258 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 2: Did it feel like a real school? You like, nah, 259 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:31,240 Speaker 2: this is it, let's do it. 260 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:35,440 Speaker 3: Honestly, at the time, even going into the WNBA, I 261 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:39,439 Speaker 3: wasn't really educated a lot on that it was really 262 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 3: cut throat. So when I went in, I remember one 263 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 3: of my teammates was also a first round draft pick. 264 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 3: She got cut a few days before me. I didn't 265 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 3: realize first round as kid get cut. I thought it 266 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:52,960 Speaker 3: was like the NBA where they have a guaranteed contract. 267 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 2: Got yeah. 268 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:56,720 Speaker 3: So when that happened, I was like, oh, wow, okay, 269 00:11:56,760 --> 00:11:59,079 Speaker 3: that's the thing. And then I got cut a few 270 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:01,520 Speaker 3: days later. Oh yeah, yeah. 271 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 2: Okay, can we pause and talk about that experience. So 272 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:06,280 Speaker 2: you go as pick number eight to Chicago, Yeah, get 273 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 2: over there. Oh and you missed training camp? 274 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:11,600 Speaker 3: Well, miss training camp. I hadn't played a game in 275 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:14,960 Speaker 3: about five months because the hub was Oh I was 276 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,120 Speaker 3: not prepared. Like wow, I really needed that training camp, 277 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:20,439 Speaker 3: especially as the youngest player in the league. I think 278 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:22,000 Speaker 3: I was the youngest by four years. 279 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 2: Oh my goodness, that's a big gap. 280 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 3: Nineteen. I think it was to twenty three the next 281 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:31,719 Speaker 3: And I really needed that training camp. Yeah, couldn't get 282 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:35,560 Speaker 3: my visa in time the first six games, and my 283 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:40,079 Speaker 3: whole conversation with the coach was kind of Courtney Vandersluit 284 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:42,200 Speaker 3: was playing in front of me. She was going to 285 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:44,600 Speaker 3: retire in the next few years. He wanted to kind 286 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:47,200 Speaker 3: of train me up, not play as much, but train 287 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 3: me up to be the starting point guard, you know, 288 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 3: the following year or the year after that, but we 289 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 3: had four out of five of our starters injured when 290 00:12:55,320 --> 00:12:57,680 Speaker 3: I got there. Okay, so I kind of got thrown 291 00:12:57,720 --> 00:13:01,560 Speaker 3: in the deep end. Not prepared at all already, being young, 292 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 3: I needed that time to just like the level is 293 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:05,679 Speaker 3: just so much higher. 294 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:06,200 Speaker 2: It's insane. 295 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:07,720 Speaker 4: So I wasn't ready at all. 296 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:12,559 Speaker 3: Yeah, I didn't do too well, but it was more 297 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:16,080 Speaker 3: the fact how they handled it. I think the brutalness 298 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 3: is just insane over there, Like, yeah, it was pretty brutal. 299 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:24,400 Speaker 2: Because where were you when you So you found out 300 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:27,680 Speaker 2: first that you were traded? Is that right? And then 301 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 2: you get waved. 302 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:33,200 Speaker 4: Same time I got found out, Oh, both at the 303 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:33,760 Speaker 4: same time. 304 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 3: Yeah. So I was about we were about to board 305 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:39,319 Speaker 3: our first away trip flat, yeah, and we had our 306 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 3: bags under the plane. I was ready to get I 307 00:13:42,520 --> 00:13:44,320 Speaker 3: had my ticket in my hand. We were about to board. 308 00:13:44,840 --> 00:13:47,840 Speaker 3: The coach pulls me over and goes shy, just letting 309 00:13:47,880 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 3: you know you've been traded to Dallas and they've cut you. Yeah, 310 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:54,880 Speaker 3: And I was like, so am I going to get 311 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:57,760 Speaker 3: my bag? How am I getting on the plane? How's this? 312 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:01,440 Speaker 3: He's like, nah, Like I got a like, hope you're right. 313 00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 3: I'll call someone from the office to pick you up. 314 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:08,040 Speaker 2: That's horrendous. 315 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, so it was three am back home. I remember 316 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:13,760 Speaker 3: just sitting on the airport floor like crying. 317 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 2: I was like, gosh, I'm so sorry. It's such a 318 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 2: brutal Like I feel like NBA WNBA that it's got 319 00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:21,640 Speaker 2: to be one of the most brutal leagues in the 320 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 2: world in that respect players are treated. 321 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 3: I've heard a lot of stories, so but I mean, 322 00:14:28,560 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 3: it was a good learning experience for me. Like I 323 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 3: think in a way, that's probably one of the best 324 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 3: things that has happened to me. Okay mentally, like I'm 325 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:39,920 Speaker 3: just so much stronger now, it's insane. So I think, 326 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:44,760 Speaker 3: you know, even young girls hearing my story watching that setback. 327 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:46,680 Speaker 3: It was in the newspapers. I was in the news, 328 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 3: so in the public eye. Like having a setback like 329 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:53,320 Speaker 3: that is just good motivation, and you know, it gives 330 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:55,440 Speaker 3: you a chance to bounce back, because. 331 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 2: I remember, yeah, I remember reading about it and hearing 332 00:14:57,480 --> 00:14:59,960 Speaker 2: the story, and I like seeing you get drafted, like 333 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,480 Speaker 2: everyone was so pumped for you. Everyone was so excited, 334 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:04,640 Speaker 2: and especially like everyone wants to back and Aussie going 335 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:06,040 Speaker 2: over there, you know what I mean. And we've had 336 00:15:06,040 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 2: some epic athletes who've come before, like you know, your 337 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 2: Lj's and your penny tailors who've had awesome success, Like 338 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 2: it was like this next genre. I was like, yeah, cool, 339 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 2: and then it's just like heartbreaking to see you go 340 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 2: through something like that. Was it? How hard was that 341 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 2: for that to be such a public thing. 342 00:15:22,120 --> 00:15:24,400 Speaker 3: I think because I was so young, it was really hard. 343 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 3: The fact that it was quarantine. I couldn't have any 344 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 3: family come over. I was like, oh yeah, all by myself, 345 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 3: So that fact was it Probably the hardest part being 346 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 3: by myself over there. Hadn't been to America before, but 347 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:41,920 Speaker 3: I think the fact it was in the public eye 348 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:44,320 Speaker 3: from a young age was the hardest part for me. 349 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 3: I was in quarantine for two weeks straight after, so 350 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:49,320 Speaker 3: there wasn't much to do other than watch TV and 351 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:52,040 Speaker 3: be on your phone. I remember I had hundreds of 352 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:55,520 Speaker 3: hate messages from Americans. It was insane. You would just 353 00:15:55,600 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 3: keep going and going that many hate messages. Why just 354 00:16:00,640 --> 00:16:03,520 Speaker 3: say just trying to put me down, you know, like 355 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 3: you're not good enough. I'm glad you got cut all 356 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:10,800 Speaker 3: of that. So I was just like, wow, that's horrible. Yeah, No, 357 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:13,960 Speaker 3: it was pretty full on but like I said, is 358 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 3: what it is good learning? 359 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:18,920 Speaker 2: WHOA and so where were you quarantine? Did you stay 360 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:20,400 Speaker 2: over there or did you come straight home? 361 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 3: I came straight home. Yeah, I had to do your. 362 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:24,040 Speaker 2: Two week quarantine here because of COVID. 363 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:27,119 Speaker 3: Yeah I should love that. Yeah, it was good times. 364 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:29,360 Speaker 2: Okay? And then where to from there? 365 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 3: There we had that what was it can't go further 366 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:37,400 Speaker 3: than five kilometers from your house rule? So I remember 367 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 3: I got back, I was. I took about a month off. 368 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 3: I was really down after that month. I remember going 369 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 3: to the park. Couldn't get into stadiums COVID. Remember going 370 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:50,880 Speaker 3: to the park, you know with my dad dribbling doing 371 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:55,120 Speaker 3: a workout. It went from big stadium WNBA to a 372 00:16:55,160 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 3: little kid pushing his toy car across the thing while 373 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:03,000 Speaker 3: I'm working out. I'm just like, this is just such 374 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 3: a difference. 375 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:06,800 Speaker 2: That's groom. That's very groom. 376 00:17:06,840 --> 00:17:07,679 Speaker 3: That's pretty humbling. 377 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:10,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's for sure. I want to ask you about 378 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:12,200 Speaker 2: that relationship with your dad. Obviously he's a coach you 379 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 2: in a number of teams, but I see like in 380 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:16,119 Speaker 2: a lot of your content he's there for your workouts 381 00:17:16,119 --> 00:17:17,800 Speaker 2: and just like feeding the ball back to you. What 382 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:19,640 Speaker 2: has that relationship been like for you? 383 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 3: He's my rock honestly, Like he's such a girl dad 384 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:25,480 Speaker 3: in the way that I have two sisters as well. 385 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,320 Speaker 3: Then he's just the best on court off court. He's 386 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:30,880 Speaker 3: just there for anything we need. And obviously he's had 387 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:32,800 Speaker 3: his career so he's been through a lot ups and 388 00:17:32,840 --> 00:17:35,640 Speaker 3: downs himself. He just knows what to say to everything. 389 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 3: And he's pretty honest in the fact that if we 390 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:42,119 Speaker 3: need good advice, honest advice, he's there. So he's really 391 00:17:42,240 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 3: he's been everything as well as my mum of course. 392 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 2: And do you have those moments with your dad when 393 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:50,439 Speaker 2: you're like I need feedback about my performance versus like 394 00:17:50,520 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 2: I just need you to be dad. Like, is there 395 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 2: a line between those two things? 396 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:55,239 Speaker 3: I think we're pretty good at that. 397 00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:55,600 Speaker 2: Yeah. 398 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:58,399 Speaker 3: Like I think we've just been around each other so 399 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:01,679 Speaker 3: much and I've grown up with him like that. I 400 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 3: think we've got a good balance, to be honest. 401 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:03,760 Speaker 2: We just worked it out. 402 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:04,719 Speaker 3: We've worked it out yet. 403 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:08,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, Yeah, you found a way. So you get back, 404 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 2: have a month off, kind of get back out there 405 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:14,160 Speaker 2: to some grim circumstances. How do you kind of find 406 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:16,399 Speaker 2: that drive again? We've talked about that work ethic piece. 407 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 2: When you've been through something that's pretty traumatic, really finding 408 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:21,399 Speaker 2: out in that way, being on the other side of 409 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:23,439 Speaker 2: the world at such a young age, how do you 410 00:18:24,119 --> 00:18:27,119 Speaker 2: get that work ethic back when you're probably feeling pretty 411 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:28,800 Speaker 2: pissed off, I imagine at basketball. 412 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:32,640 Speaker 3: Honestly, it took a bit of help mentally. I went 413 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,600 Speaker 3: and saw some psychologists, some sports psychologists, which I hadn't 414 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:39,360 Speaker 3: done before, you know, talking through my emotions and how 415 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:42,399 Speaker 3: I felt and how angry I was. I think that 416 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:46,480 Speaker 3: helped me a lot. But just getting that motivation back, 417 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:50,760 Speaker 3: which I was lacking after that experience, and just really 418 00:18:50,760 --> 00:18:53,359 Speaker 3: wanting to prove myself again. I think that was the 419 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 3: main thing that had me working so hard after that experience. 420 00:18:56,680 --> 00:18:59,119 Speaker 2: Yeah, for sure. I want to talk about twenty twenty 421 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:03,960 Speaker 2: three finals with Townsville. That was a huge, huge win. 422 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:07,680 Speaker 2: And to go from losing to Southside in twenty twenty 423 00:19:08,160 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 2: to getting that win. What was that like? That finals 424 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:12,280 Speaker 2: experience for you and being back with that group. 425 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:15,760 Speaker 3: It was a pretty crazy season that one. 426 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 4: It was really cool, obviously because. 427 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:20,560 Speaker 3: The first half of the season was a bit down. 428 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:23,960 Speaker 3: But moving to Townsville was nice because I already knew 429 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,320 Speaker 3: the girls, I knew Shannon, I knew the playing style, 430 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:29,800 Speaker 3: so it was an easy transition. But getting to win 431 00:19:29,840 --> 00:19:33,360 Speaker 3: a championship, my first championship, was awesome. They were such 432 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 3: good bunch of girls and it was just a great 433 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:38,679 Speaker 3: way to end my time in Australia. That was the 434 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:40,280 Speaker 3: last game I played here, So. 435 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, wow, yeah, oh my gosh, you had twenty two 436 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:46,800 Speaker 2: to three. Amazing And what's your experience been like heading 437 00:19:46,840 --> 00:19:50,359 Speaker 2: off overseas and still playing basketball. How has it been 438 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:53,240 Speaker 2: different to I guess your short stint in the WNBA, 439 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:55,120 Speaker 2: but also comparing to WNBL as well. 440 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:58,200 Speaker 3: I love overseas so much. I got to play in 441 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:02,119 Speaker 3: four different countries in two c since I think the 442 00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:05,840 Speaker 3: fact that you can just go over there, it's interesting 443 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:08,719 Speaker 3: circumstances country to country. But you know, some of your 444 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:11,600 Speaker 3: teammates don't speak English, your coach doesn't speak English. Like 445 00:20:12,119 --> 00:20:15,359 Speaker 3: it's pretty funny in the fact that, like, it's just 446 00:20:15,480 --> 00:20:18,560 Speaker 3: very different to Australia, but I love it. The basketball 447 00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:21,480 Speaker 3: is at such a high level over there. I recently 448 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:24,959 Speaker 3: played in Turkey, which is the best women's competition in 449 00:20:25,240 --> 00:20:29,000 Speaker 3: Europe right now, and the basketball level was just insane. 450 00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 3: Like playing you know, four WNBA players each team week 451 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:35,320 Speaker 3: in and week out, and it was cool because I 452 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:37,640 Speaker 3: really showed myself that, you know, I can compete at 453 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 3: that level and I definitely had one of my best 454 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 3: years yet over there. 455 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:44,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's awesome. What does it compare like in terms 456 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 2: of like resources and things like that, comparing the league 457 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 2: in Turkey to WNBL. 458 00:20:49,080 --> 00:20:52,639 Speaker 3: No, the resources in Europe, it's find your way. I 459 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:56,720 Speaker 3: gotn't get a single ice bath in Turkey, not one. 460 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:59,920 Speaker 3: I couldn't get any recovery. It was kind of just 461 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 3: do your own thing. It's very much so a grind. 462 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 2: Okay, right, it's just about the hustle. You just got 463 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:07,640 Speaker 2: to push through. 464 00:21:07,560 --> 00:21:11,880 Speaker 3: Two a days, no ice baths, like it's full on. Yeah. 465 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:14,520 Speaker 3: Really like a lot of WNBA players don't go to 466 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:18,520 Speaker 3: Europe because the facilities aren't that good. Okay. 467 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:20,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, so yeah, that's brutal. 468 00:21:20,760 --> 00:21:22,080 Speaker 3: Definitely toughens you up. 469 00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:26,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, we haven't touched on your opals experience. Actually, what 470 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:28,200 Speaker 2: was that like? When did you get your first call 471 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:30,280 Speaker 2: up into the squad and how did it feel to 472 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:32,040 Speaker 2: kind of to be a part of that. 473 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:35,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, so I got my first call up at nineteen, 474 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:39,640 Speaker 3: so after that Townsvill Final series and it was really cool. 475 00:21:39,680 --> 00:21:41,919 Speaker 3: You know, Green and Gold's always been my goal and 476 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:45,119 Speaker 3: representing Australia at the Olympics is still one of my goals. 477 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 3: But you know, being in the Green and Gold it's 478 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,280 Speaker 3: always something I watched my dad do, so it's really 479 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:53,960 Speaker 3: special to me and something i'd always worked towards. So 480 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 3: went to my first camp. It was really cool. And 481 00:21:57,040 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 3: you know, I've represented Australia at a couple of Asian Cups, 482 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:03,160 Speaker 3: which is also nice, but Olympics is definitely still one 483 00:22:03,160 --> 00:22:03,600 Speaker 3: of the golfs. 484 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:06,040 Speaker 2: L twenty twenty eight, is that still on the radar? 485 00:22:06,160 --> 00:22:08,679 Speaker 2: It's definitely on the Railia Brisbane. How old are you? 486 00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:09,520 Speaker 3: Only? Twenty three? 487 00:22:09,640 --> 00:22:11,760 Speaker 2: Oh? Brisbane? Easy? 488 00:22:13,119 --> 00:22:15,480 Speaker 4: Yeah, definitely that's a cool goal to have. 489 00:22:15,560 --> 00:22:17,440 Speaker 2: To be able to try and play at home Olympics. 490 00:22:17,440 --> 00:22:18,199 Speaker 2: That would be epic. 491 00:22:18,359 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think that would be really cool. 492 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 2: You've recently signed with Geelong, which we saw was a 493 00:22:24,119 --> 00:22:28,160 Speaker 2: new team in the WNBL last season. Moved from Boomers. 494 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:31,160 Speaker 2: They've become the Boomers have become jel Have they rebranded 495 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:31,600 Speaker 2: the Venom? 496 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:32,200 Speaker 3: The Venom? 497 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:35,200 Speaker 2: You're the Venom are yes? So what are you looking 498 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:37,639 Speaker 2: forward to about this season. You're we'll try about your 499 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:39,440 Speaker 2: nee injury. But what are you looking forward to about 500 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:40,520 Speaker 2: this season with Geelong. 501 00:22:40,760 --> 00:22:43,280 Speaker 3: I'm just excited to do back in Australia. It's been 502 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:47,240 Speaker 3: a couple of years, but I'm really excited to play 503 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:49,160 Speaker 3: with the group we've got. I went to the AIS 504 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:52,200 Speaker 3: with what's about five of them? Wow, So it's a 505 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:53,639 Speaker 3: bit of a full circle moment. 506 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:54,360 Speaker 2: Yeah. 507 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:56,200 Speaker 3: But yeah, I think we're going to have a great 508 00:22:56,359 --> 00:22:59,280 Speaker 3: group of girls, which culture is a big part of 509 00:22:59,320 --> 00:23:02,199 Speaker 3: basketball for me, having good people which will translate to 510 00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:07,200 Speaker 3: our basketball. Yeah. But the whole the whole league's pretty 511 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:10,480 Speaker 3: even this year, Like I can't say there's one standout team. 512 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:15,000 Speaker 3: Everyone's recruited pretty well. Yeah, So I think it'd be interesting. Yeah, 513 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:16,000 Speaker 3: I'm really excited for it. 514 00:23:16,200 --> 00:23:19,399 Speaker 2: Yeah. Cool, And so how do you think it'll go? 515 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:21,320 Speaker 2: Like just seeing what I've seen, like I guess as 516 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:24,760 Speaker 2: an outsider, the investment into the WNBL in recent years, 517 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:27,840 Speaker 2: we've seen like all the rebranding, the new logos, all that, 518 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:30,919 Speaker 2: Like you can see stuff is happening, right, there's change happening. 519 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:33,560 Speaker 2: There's been big investment. What does that mean to you 520 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:37,160 Speaker 2: as a player and what do you think. I guess 521 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:39,320 Speaker 2: now that you've had so much experience across the world 522 00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:42,120 Speaker 2: as well, what do you think the WNBL does really 523 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:44,200 Speaker 2: well and what's something they could do better? 524 00:23:45,840 --> 00:23:47,760 Speaker 3: Well, I think they've taken a step in the right 525 00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 3: direction with the new ownership. In recent years, there's been 526 00:23:52,760 --> 00:23:56,800 Speaker 3: the WNBL has been a secret. They don't do social media, 527 00:23:57,000 --> 00:23:59,879 Speaker 3: no one knows when games are like it's it's been 528 00:24:00,119 --> 00:24:02,880 Speaker 3: joke in the past. So the fact that I think 529 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:06,159 Speaker 3: this new owner ownership group who owns NBL one and 530 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:09,400 Speaker 3: has built that up, it's been it's seen so much 531 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 3: growth and you know you see when every game is 532 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:15,240 Speaker 3: there's so many leagues like, it's been really good. So 533 00:24:15,240 --> 00:24:17,919 Speaker 3: I'm hoping what they've done with the NBL one, they 534 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 3: can put into the WNBL and really get a lot 535 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:25,280 Speaker 3: more viewership and hopefully that can increase the money too, Yeah, 536 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:27,800 Speaker 3: because we're losing so many players to Europe just because 537 00:24:27,840 --> 00:24:29,160 Speaker 3: Australia doesn't have the money. 538 00:24:29,320 --> 00:24:30,879 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I think like if you look at the 539 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:33,080 Speaker 2: quality of players that have been in the WNBL for 540 00:24:33,119 --> 00:24:35,240 Speaker 2: such a long time, like it's such a great quality 541 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:39,760 Speaker 2: bunch of players. But yeah, you're right, it's the the 542 00:24:39,800 --> 00:24:42,119 Speaker 2: temptation is for those best players to be playing over 543 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 2: in Europe where there's more cash. 544 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:45,480 Speaker 3: Definitely. Yeah, it's not even close. 545 00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:48,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, wow, tricky, I'm excited. I'm excited for this upcoming 546 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:53,440 Speaker 2: WNBL season. All Right, question, who's had the biggest impact 547 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:55,119 Speaker 2: on you as a person. 548 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:57,440 Speaker 3: I know we've already talked about him, but my dad 549 00:24:57,600 --> 00:25:00,360 Speaker 3: I thought that might be the end. Yeah, I would 550 00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:03,919 Speaker 3: say probably as a whole. My family, Like, I'm a 551 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:07,080 Speaker 3: big family girl, whether it's my mom my, two older sisters, Like, 552 00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:10,840 Speaker 3: we're just so tight knit and I think without them 553 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:13,200 Speaker 3: I wouldn't be even close to where I am now. Yeah. 554 00:25:13,200 --> 00:25:15,199 Speaker 2: Cool, I saw did your sister have her first boxing 555 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:16,560 Speaker 2: fight the other day? Wow? 556 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:21,400 Speaker 4: Pro debut, huge passive, that's she was nervous. 557 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:24,240 Speaker 2: Yeah that is that a weird experience watching someone you 558 00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:25,520 Speaker 2: love get into a boxing ring. 559 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:29,480 Speaker 3: Oh my gosh, she had like six or seven amateur fights. Okay, 560 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:33,280 Speaker 3: but Pro was a hot because she doesn't have the headgear. 561 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:35,480 Speaker 2: And yeah around yeah yeah. 562 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:38,120 Speaker 4: Sitting next to my mom, we were both like, how 563 00:25:38,119 --> 00:25:38,720 Speaker 4: did your mum go? 564 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:46,240 Speaker 2: That's cool? I saw photos. It's cool, Like, I feel like, 565 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:48,119 Speaker 2: you guys look like a really strong family. You know, 566 00:25:48,160 --> 00:25:48,920 Speaker 2: which is really cool. 567 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:50,520 Speaker 3: Yeah. No, it's really nice to see her I have 568 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:52,959 Speaker 3: some success. She works really hard, so she deserves it. 569 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:55,960 Speaker 2: That's awesome. Oh. Actually, before I get to that question, 570 00:25:56,720 --> 00:25:59,439 Speaker 2: earlier this year, Phoenix Mercury go to training camp. How 571 00:25:59,480 --> 00:26:00,000 Speaker 2: was that experience? 572 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:03,160 Speaker 3: It was a really good experience. Actually, I think from 573 00:26:03,240 --> 00:26:08,199 Speaker 3: my first WNBA experience, I was a bit scarred. I 574 00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:10,359 Speaker 3: would say I didn't want to go back to the 575 00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:13,919 Speaker 3: WNBA because I went to Phoenix four years later. Wow, 576 00:26:14,119 --> 00:26:16,240 Speaker 3: three four years later, so I had a bit of 577 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:19,000 Speaker 3: time in between. I really was a bit hesitant if 578 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:20,879 Speaker 3: I wanted to go back, just because I didn't have 579 00:26:20,920 --> 00:26:25,719 Speaker 3: a good experience. But going to Phoenix, everyone was so welcoming, nice. 580 00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:28,919 Speaker 3: So I think I really proved at camp. You know, 581 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:32,199 Speaker 3: I can play a pretty good role in WNBA. It 582 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:34,240 Speaker 3: wasn't a right fit with the team. They were playing 583 00:26:34,240 --> 00:26:38,320 Speaker 3: positionless basketball, which means like point guards need to be 584 00:26:38,359 --> 00:26:41,520 Speaker 3: a bit taller and play different positions. So it wasn't 585 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:44,919 Speaker 3: right fit. But I definitely see myself playing over there 586 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:45,760 Speaker 3: in the next couple of years. 587 00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:48,320 Speaker 2: Yeah cool, I hope. I would love to see you 588 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:48,879 Speaker 2: playing over there. 589 00:26:49,119 --> 00:26:53,280 Speaker 3: I think I have a little comeback come back in 590 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:53,960 Speaker 3: me over there. 591 00:26:54,040 --> 00:26:56,640 Speaker 2: Okay, cool, that's a cool story. I'm here for that. 592 00:26:57,000 --> 00:27:00,440 Speaker 2: I'm here for that. That's very cool. All right. What 593 00:27:00,480 --> 00:27:03,240 Speaker 2: would you describe as your favorite failure? 594 00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:09,119 Speaker 3: I would probably say that Chicago experience. I think the 595 00:27:09,200 --> 00:27:11,639 Speaker 3: fact that it was in the public eye and it 596 00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:14,399 Speaker 3: just had a lot of eyes on the whole situation 597 00:27:14,560 --> 00:27:16,960 Speaker 3: in a short spent of time from drafted at such 598 00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:21,320 Speaker 3: a high momentum and then he lo just you know, 599 00:27:21,359 --> 00:27:25,199 Speaker 3: going to psychologists and quarantine and all of that. So 600 00:27:25,280 --> 00:27:27,959 Speaker 3: I think probably that and showing young girls that you 601 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:31,440 Speaker 3: can bounce back from such a not a great experience. 602 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:34,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, I love that. That's awesome. Thank you so much 603 00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:37,520 Speaker 2: for your time today and sharing your crazy but amazing story. 604 00:27:37,600 --> 00:27:39,760 Speaker 2: And can't wait to watch you in Geelong this year 605 00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:43,560 Speaker 2: and hopefully in a couple of Olympics to come. WNBA 606 00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:46,639 Speaker 2: all the things crossing fingers. Thank you so much, Schila, 607 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:49,439 Speaker 2: Thanks for having me, Thanks so much for listening. If 608 00:27:49,480 --> 00:27:52,000 Speaker 2: you got something out of this episode, I would absolutely 609 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:53,800 Speaker 2: love it if you could send it on to one 610 00:27:53,840 --> 00:27:57,880 Speaker 2: person who you think might enjoy it. Otherwise, subscribe, give 611 00:27:57,960 --> 00:28:00,320 Speaker 2: us a review, and make sure you follow us on Intastagram. 612 00:28:00,440 --> 00:28:02,880 Speaker 2: At the Female Athlete Project to stay up to date 613 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:06,600 Speaker 2: with podcast episodes, merch drops, and of course news and 614 00:28:06,680 --> 00:28:08,879 Speaker 2: stories about epic female athletes.