Alex Delaney making WNBL debut with Sydney Flames 20 years after mum Gail Henderson played

Two decades after her basketball star mother stepped off the court for the final time, Alex Delaney will step onto it in her WNBL debut on Saturday.

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Two decades after her basketball star mother stepped off the court for the final time, Alex Delaney will step onto it in her WNBL debut on Saturday.

The 23-year-old, who as a toddler watched from the sidelines as mother Gail Henderson played for the Sydney Flames, will suit up for the same club on Saturday night.

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It will be the first time in Sydney basketball history a mother and daughter will play for the same team - albeit 20 years apart.

Alex Delaney at Sydney University Flames training this week. Pic: Richard Dobson

A string of injuries to the Sydney Uni Flames has seen Delaney rushed into the side for Saturday’s match against Bendigo Spirit.

But missing from Brydens Stadium when the game tips off at 5pm will be her mother and father who are now based in the US where Delaney’s younger sister Bree is playing college basketball.

Like mother like daughter.

Henderson, centre, in action.

“Mum was pretty over the moon when she heard,’’ said Delaney, who while following in her mothers footsteps in the WNBL is a shooting guard unlike her mother who played a more defensive role for the Flames.

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“I’ve been practising with the Flames for a while and I thought I might get a chance to suit up with all the injuries.

“It’s very exciting. I’ve seen all the photos of me in that little Flames uniform when I was a baby. This is pretty special.’’

Former Sydney Flames players with their children (L-R) Annie La Fleur & Adrian (20 months), Gail Henderson and Alex (22 months) and Robyn Maher with Jake (7) & Stevie (4). /

Delaney’s mother won two WNBL crowns with the Flames, played while pregnant with her sister Bree and finally retired from the WNBL at the end of the 1997/1998 season.

Henderson was part of a golden era for Sydney and played alongside the likes of former Opals captain Robyn Marr and Opals legends Michelle Timms, Trish Fallon and Annie La Fleur.

The Sydney Uni Flames are hoping to finally snap a 10-game losing streak against Bendigo on Saturday despite both Opal Alex Bunton and fellow starter Alex Wilson being out injured.