Coffs Harbour 18-year-old Isla Juffermans posts first WNBL points for Flames, eyes off college stint
Coffs Harbour’s Isla Juffermans checked off the latest milestone in her promising basketball career with her first WNBL points as the 18-year-old talent prepares for a college stint with Louisville.
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The rising career of Isla Juffermans has notched another significant milestone.
Late in the fourth quarter of Sydney’s WNBL demolition of Melbourne on Wednesday night, the 18-year-old from Coffs Harbour posted her first points.
A double team wasn’t able to stop the prodigious talent, as she picked up three points, two rebounds and a block in two and a half action-packed minutes of court time.
“For me it was a big relief. It felt pretty special,” Juffermans said.
“Hopefully this is the league I’ll be playing in for a while and it was good to get the win over Melbourne. Last time we lost to them by 20, so it felt good to come back and beat them by nearly 30.
“Before the game mum said if I get on to just go for it. I had nothing to lose, I got three minutes to play so took it for what it was.
“My family was going insane. Mum videoed it and my brother and sister were screaming. It was really cool to get support from the Coffs Harbour Suns family all over Facebook and Instagram as well.”
The 6’4 centre is taking it all in during her first season in Australia’s elite league, learning from the likes of WNBA champion Cayla George before she heads overseas next year.
“I take in every word she says. Cayla’s been through it all and was also at the Centre of Excellence. She’s been really supportive towards me,” Juffermans said.
“It’s special to have such an incredible role model. Players like Loz (Nicholson) and Tess (Madgen) are such good people to have around.”
Juffermans will play out the WNBL season and link with Newcastle for an NBL1 East campaign before jetting over to the United States to join NCAA division one college Louisville.
“It’s always something I’ve wanted to do,” she said.
“I like to experience different things and basketball is huge over there. The crowds they get are amazing and so is the support.
“The end goal is obviously the Olympics and being able to compete with the Americans at the top level.
“This will give me a different feel to the game. They’re very athletic over there.”
It will be the latest experience for the teenager who already achieved Opals representation with a trip to China earlier this year.
The Flames get the chance to improve to 6-5 when they host Bendigo at the Quaycentre on Friday night.
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Originally published as Coffs Harbour 18-year-old Isla Juffermans posts first WNBL points for Flames, eyes off college stint
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