Sydney Uni Flames’ Asia Taylor goes from gangly teen to WNBL star as she chases WNBA return
WHEN Sydney uni Flames import Asia Taylor started playing basketball she was so uncoordinated she used to trip over her own feet. Now she’s a star of the WNBL.
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WHEN Asia Taylor started playing basketball she was so uncoordinated she used to trip over her own feet.
Now the American import is starring for the Sydney Uni Flames and hoping a big season in the WNBL will springboard her back into the WNBA.
After five rounds Taylor is finding her feet in the WNBL, making two of the last three Teams of the Week and her presence felt in both offence and defence.
“I feel like things have really started to click the last couple of rounds for me,” said the 25-year-old from Ohio who came to the Flames via the WNBA and the Connecticut Suns.
“We have just had unlucky breaks but I am very encouraged.
“I think other teams respect us a lot.”
BENCHIE BOAT MAKING BIG IMPACT
The Flames have been on the wrong side of two thrillers — the latest a two-point loss to defending champions, Townsville Bulletin, in overtime last round.
Their three losses from five outing have been by nine points or less with the Flames desperate to move up the competition ladder with victory at Bryden’s Stadium on Friday against the Melbourne Boomers, coach Cheryl Chambers old team.
“There is a real motivation after what happened last weekend,” said Taylor, a raging eight rebounds and 16 points per game.
“I don’t know much about Melbourne but we’ll be prepared and fired up.”
Taylor as its she wasn’t always a natural fit for basketball.
“I had a really rough start. I was skinny, gawky and uncoordinated,” she said.
WNBL ROUND SIX
Friday: Sydney Uni Flames v Melbourne Boomers, 19:30, Bryden’s Stadium.
Saturday: Adelaide Lightning v Perth Lynx, 19:30, Dandenong Rangers v UC Capitals, 19:00, Bendigo Spirit v Townsville Fire 19:30.
Sunday: Melbourne Boomers v Townsville Fire, 15:00.
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