BasketBlog: Around the World (MW)

Welcome to my BasketBlog, Around the World. 

I have been very fortunate in my personal basketball journey to not only play the game growing up and at the collegiate level, but to travel the world observing and evaluating basketball. This blog will display my unique experience and perspective as someone who has studied the game worldwide. The game has truly grown to be a global game #WorldWideHoops. 





December 28, 2020: 2021 Australia’s WNBL

As the world is combating covid-19, any chance to play, coach or watch a basketball game is a tremendous blessing.  For basketball enthusiasts in Australia, they were fortunate to see the 2020 Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) played over the last two months. The WNBL took a page out of the NBA playbook and hosted a bubble in Townsville, Queensland. The league originated in 1981 and is comprised of eight teams from across Australia which play host to many of the top Australian players along with some American imports. The 2020 season culminated with the Southside Flyers taking the Townsville Fire. FIBA broadcasted the game on their Facebook page, below is a link:

https://fb.watch/2zQMVRscJD/

Many players want to play professionally but have never watched an overseas game. I highly encourage you to watch the championship game. A couple of notes from playing overseas:

• The game is more physical. Throughout the game players got tangled up in ball screens and battling for boards. When players drive to the basket and there is contact the ref did not bail them out by calling the foul.
• The game is called different. Defenders are allowed to be more physical on the perimeter, moving screens aren’t really called, and players have a "zero step" off the catch and drive. (The zero step refers to the step taken when gaining control of the ball. When dribbling, the zero step gathering happens as the ball is gathered in 2 hands or let it rest in 1 hand; similarly when moving and catching a ball. This is a recent update interpretation by FIBA officials.) 
• The game is faster. Yes, the players are better athletes at the professional level, but that is not what I am referring to. The international game plays with a 24-second shot clock so the decision making of every player on the court has to be faster. All five players have to be able to play from transition into an action, which commonly is a ball screen action.

Potential Future WNBA Players

• Shyla Heal - Townsville Fire
• Zitina Aokusa - Townsville Fire

Coming to an NCAA Court soon

• Paige Price (Bendigo Spirit) - Indiana University
• Piper Dunlop (Bendigo Spirit) - 2022
• Taylah Burrows (Perth Lynx) - 2022
• Kitty Henderson (Sydney Uni Flames) - Columbia University
• Jade Melbourne (UC Capitals) - Arizona State