She is one of the brightest basketball prospects in the country and this week, 17-year old Teyahna Bond has helped Australia secure back-to-back FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup titles.
Australia defended their title after a tense 68-63 victory against Japan in the semi-finals, followed by a 96-79 triumph over China in the final at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Center on Sunday night.
“I didn’t doubt for a second that we were going to win,” Bond said.
“I knew the talent that we had, but the semi-final was the closest game by far. It was nerve-racking because it was such a close game, but our coach played a big role in keeping us calm.”
“It was my first Asia Cup and my second Australian team after I went to PNG last year (where Bond won gold after Australia crushed New Zealand at the FIBA under-17 Oceania Championships).
Despite Bond’s composure, her mother, Trish Sabbatino, was on the opposite end of the nerve spectrum.
Sabbatino was glued to the stream from Cairns, following the tournament game by game.
“Extremely proud of Teyahna coming home with gold,” she said.
“She works really hard and it’s finally paying off and getting recognised.
“She’s a great role model for all the little girls up and coming in Cairns basketball.”
A spirited shooting guard, Bond started out in the Tiny Taipans program at five years old before joining club basketball, with her mother becoming her first head coach.
“I was never as good as my two daughters, but I did play,” she said.
“From a young age, I could see she had something special. The way she applied herself, practicing even when I wasn’t there. She has had to sacrifice being a normal teenager to train early in the mornings and head out on the road for competitions. Luckily, she shares the same love for the game that I do.”
From an early age, Teyahna would battle it out in the backyard with her younger sister, Taryn, another emerging Far North gem.
“Teyahna and Taryn have always been super competitive in a loving way,” Sabbatino said.
“We couldn’t even go down to TAFE courts or the hoop in the backyard without it turning into a competition. Even when we’re mucking around, we’re seeing who’s the best, there’s no mercy but they’ve always pushed each other.”
The exciting sister duo have rose through the ranks from Cairns Basketball to state and national programs.
Teyahna made her NBL1 North debut with the Dolphins in 2022 as a 15-year-old but has never looked out of place.
“I haven’t played with (Taryn) since under-12 rep, but I finally get to play with her again for NBL1 North this year,” Teyahna Bond said.
“We get to go on road trips away, which is great, we have a really great sister bond,”
Bond said both she and her sister have taken determination, positivity, and a fierce work ethic from their mother’s guidance.
The dynamic guard said she idolised Boomers and NBA star Patty Mills.
“I really admire his skill set and shooting, but I love the way he represents his culture,” she said.
“He doesn’t hide away from it, he embraces it. He’s a big inspiration and he’s paving the pathway for Indigenous athletes.”
Cairns Dolphins player-coach Myra Donkin has been another huge influence on Bond.
“Myra has been coaching my sister and I since I was twelve,” Bond said.
“Whenever I was down she would encourage me, she’s mentally tough which is something I’ve taken from her over the years.
“Now I get to share the court with her which is really special.
(Cairns Dolphins Head Coach Will Lopez) has always been a huge believer in me as well, even when I doubt myself he gives me the green light to back myself in.
“Since he’s arrived he’s really helped my game.”
“I can play the point guard if I need to, but I enjoy getting out on the open floor, running and using my speed to my advantage (from the shooting guard position).
“I just focus on attacking the rim and the trying to find my open teammates, I try to be aggressive first but I’m not selfish at the same time. I’d rather make the extra pass.
“I’ve worked really hard on my shooting and I feel like I can shoot from anywhere now.”
Lopez said the biggest testament to Bond’s character is she drove her own development.
“She’s always been an exceptional on-ball defender that can dog opponents up the floor, she has the athleticism and skill, the speed in transition and beating people by charging downhill,” he said.
“Ultimately it’s her developing her overall game and shooting is one she’s gone to work on the past 12 to 18 months and she’s jumped to another level.”
While the St Monica’s College student continues to put in an immense amount of work, her goal is to play professionally.
When she finishes school this year, she would love the opportunity to travel to America and experience college basketball, but is open to chasing a spot in the WNBL if the chance presented itself.
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