The shared history sparking Lightning imports’ Nia Coffey and Kayla Alexander’s sixth sense

They are arguably Adelaide’s most influential players as the Lightning enter the WNBL finals series — but Nia Coffey and Kayla Alexander’s chemistry goes back a lot further.

Lightning basketball imports Nia Coffey and Kayla Alexander have drawn on their shared experience in Adelaide to become a fearsome duo. Picture: AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards

• Lightning the romantic favourite of WNBL finals

Outstanding imports Nia Coffey and Kayla Alexander seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to knowing one another on the basketball court and it is no fluke.

The two Lightning stars seem to anticipate each other’s moves, read the play just a second before an opponent, and it is not just because of the endless practice hours under coach Chris Lucas.

These two knew each other before they even landed for their first WNBL season.

Two seasons ago, they were playing together at the now-relocated San Antonio franchise in the WNBA — the world’s best women’s league — before the team was sold and moved to Las Vegas.

Lightning import Kayla Alexander against Canberra. Picture: Tom Huntley

Adelaide Lightning star Nia Coffey against Bendigo this season. Picture: AAP Image/ Morgan Sette)

The players had no idea: they found out when they were at the next stop of their basketball journeys: Coffey in Tel Aviv and Alexander in Russia.

The team was shifted to Las Vegas, where Coffey still plays, while Alexander singed a deal with Indiana.

But the fact that Coffey had signed with Adelaide helped persuade Alexander to come to Australia.

“It helped, and we also have the same agent,” she said. “And it helps that we have played together before.

“But just a little: she has improved so much that she’s not exactly the same player any more.”

Both players have loved their time in Adelaide.

American Coffey jokingly tells her parents that she is going to move to Australia while Alexander, a Canadian, says she would definitely return if she could recreate the same experience.

Both also feel that they are better players for the experience and their influence has been enormous.

Coffey averages a team-high points per game of 18 points, Alexander averages the most rebounds — closely followed by Coffey — and Alexander shoots a averages a respectable 12 points per game with a team-high field goal percentage of 51.

But the WNBA is king — or queen — and all the other leagues around the world will compete with offers outside of that season.

“You’re playing against Olympians all the time,” Alexander said. “The best Americans, Canadians, Australians.”

Coffey agreed. “Everybody could be a star, even the ones who aren’t getting any minutes.”

But for now, the only thing that matters is the Lightning.

Coffey, who is expected to finish high in the league’s MVP vote, has been a highlight as the team has made it into the finals for the first time since 2013 despite a cloud hanging over the club’s head because of financial difficulties.

She said the players had tried to shut out the outside noise.

“For me I try not to focus on things that I don’t really understand,” Coffey said. “Or the future … we just don’t know.

“I just try to focus on why I’m playing.”

Lightning plays the first match of a best-of-three semi-final series against Melbourne Boomers on the road on Sunday.