Craigieburn basketballer chooses Melbourne Boomers over US colleges

CRAIGIEBURN’S Ezi Magbegor may have the world at her feet but they are firmly planted on home soil after signing with the Deakin Melbourne Boomers for three years.

Basketball rising star Ezi Magbegor has signed with the Melbourne Boomers. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

EZI Magbegor may have the world at her feet but they are firmly planted on home soil.

The Craigieburn superstar, who is one of the best 18-year-old basketballers in the world, has just signed to the Deakin Melbourne Boomers for three years.

Joining the Boomers will see her play with the Opals at this month’s Commonwealth Games, the World Championships in September, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the next three WNBL seasons.

Magbegor was strongly tipped to move to the US to play college basketball, having visited a number of schools in the past few months. But she decided to stay in Melbourne to be close to family, develop her professional career representing her hometown in the WNBL and Australia on the international stage.

Magbegor said another “hard to resist”’ opportunity was being mentored by her idol Lauren Jackson, the Boomers’ assistant general manager.

“Lauren is an inspiration both on and off the court,” she said. “She’s the best basketballer Australia has seen and most probably the world. She has achieved everything I’d like to one day.”

Magbegor solidified her position as the best junior player after being awarded the MVP at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championships in Spain, and backed it up by earning the WNBL’s Rookie of the Year in 17/18.

Jackson said Magbegor was one of the world’s “genuine” rising stars in the game.

Boomers chairman Tony Hallam said she was an “exceptional” young woman who was a great role model.

Magbegor is a 2018 Leader Local Sports Star senior sport nominee. CLICK HERE to nominate a sports star. Sponsored by Sportsmart and Gold 104.3.