‘Under missiles and bombs’: Townsville Fire WNBL recruit Amanda Zahui B’s terrifying Israel escape

The WNBA veteran revealed the terrifying moment Hamas missiles and bombs went flying overhead and the circumstances that led to her walking out on Israeli club Maccabi Bnot Ashdod.

Townsville Fire recruit Amanda Zahui B. Picture: Supplied

Townsville Fire recruit Amanda Zahui B has revealed the terrifying moment Hamas missiles and bombs went flying overhead and the circumstances that led to her walking out on Israeli D1 club Maccabi Bnot Ashdod.

Zahui B landed in Townsville this week after a hurried departure of Israel following the October 7 attacks.

“I started off in Israel this year. Obviously, that league is not continuing with everything going on in the world,” Zahui B said.

“Gosh, it happened on the Saturday (October 7), so I left Sunday.

“I just wanted and needed some time to decompress what happened. I was very close to where the initial attacks happened, just 21km away, so I was literally under the missiles and the bombs.”

Townsville Fire recruit Amanda Zahui B joined the team earlier this week. Picture: Supplied

Zahui B initially expected to take an extended break from basketball, but the Swedish WNBA veteran said she quickly changed her mimd.

“I came home and decided I didn’t want to play until after Christmas,” Zahui B said.

“I think two weeks went by and I couldn’t sit still.

“So Townsville was the best option and something new. I’ve heard great things about this league and I know multiple players that have played here.”

Amanda Zahui B arrived in Townsville this week to help the team in its pursuit of back-to-back championships (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

Zahui B’s Israeli team Maccabi Bnot Ashdod played its first game of the season on November 20, beating ASA Jerusalem 72-53, and currently sits fifth on the ladder with a 2-1 record.

All 12 players in the team’s squad are Israeli nationals.

Fire coach Shannon Seebohm said Zahui B’s introduction to the WNBL would be a gradual process as the Swedish import familiarised her with the new team.

The 193cm WNBA centre is set to make her debut on Sunday against the UC Capitals but Seebohm tempered any expectation of immediate big minutes.

“It’ll be a gradual process. She hasn’t played basketball for a little while so we’re working her back into it,” Seebohm said.

“I think the girls that have been playing for us the first six games have done a great job and we’re going to continue to stick with that line up.

“As Amanda gets more comfortable here, we’ll start to incorporate her more and more into what we do.

“She’s an elite player. She’s played in the best leagues in the world pretty much her whole career so we’re really excited to have her here.”

Amanda Zahui B’s Israeli club began its D1 season on November 20 without the WNBA veteran. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

Despite the Caps beginning their season 0-6, they’ve shown glimpses of the brilliance that allowed them to win the league five seasons ago.

They’re young, fast, and have the green light to shoot in almost every situation.

Zahui B said she was looking forward to the nine-day road trip that will take her to Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney for the first time.

“I don’t really know much about the (UC Caps) yet, we are going to go through that (on Friday),” Zahui B said.

“I’m just really excited to be out there and play honestly.

“I’m not going to lie, I don’t know much about this country. I’m asking a lot of ignorant questions, but it’s not ignorant in a negative way but more so that I don’t have the knowledge.

“But I’m really excited, we’re going on a nine-day trip so I get to see a (different) part of this country.”

The Scandinavian veteran will look to use her size and strength to outmuscle her opponents in the paint.

Zahui B said she was looking forward to adapting to a new style of play with the help of Townsville captain Sami Whitcomb.

“I’ve heard it’s very physical, especially for the post players, and mobile as well – all the post players can move and shoot and I think I’ve really gotten to see that up close in practice.

“The girls have done a fantastic job of wiring me in and helping me get adjusted to the game and to the style of play, because it is a little bit different than Euro League in Europe.

“Sami playing in the W in America, because my game is a little mix of Europe and the US, I think Sami is going to be the main one that can help me transition in how to play all three styles.”

Originally published as ‘Under missiles and bombs’: Townsville Fire WNBL recruit Amanda Zahui B’s terrifying Israel escape