U20, Ivor Burge Nationals: Isla Juffermans and Bowyn Beatty are Aussie basketball's young power couple (U20's & Ivor Burge National Championships)
They are the giant love story of Aussie hoops and rising stars Isla Juffermans and Bowyn Beatty have both revealed basketball dreams as big as their wingspans.
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Basketball’s young power couple could one day be the faces of our Opals and Boomers teams.
Isla Juffermans, 194cm, and towering college-bound big man Bowyn Beatty, 213cm, are the giant love story of Aussie hoops.
The teenagers have huge dreams, with Isla, 17, still at the Centre of Excellence for another season, completing her studies at basketball powerhouse Lake Ginninderra College, while Bowyn, 18, has committed to Sacramento State under influential big-man coach David Patrick.
“I want to do a season of WNBL as a development player and then hopefully go to college,” Juffermans said.
“I also have the option to do a season of WNBL and, if I like it, I’ll stay in that, but, if I want to go to college I think that will be a really good experience.”
The pair met at the Centre of Excellence and got chatting at school, before love blossomed.
Juffermans, the tournament MVP, is a giant figure on the elite circuit, among the best young players in the country, helping lead NSW to gold at the national champs.
The Vics, in the gold medal game, threw three and sometimes four players at her, something she’s learning to cope with as she rises through the ranks.
“You get used to it after a while, it is what it is,” she said.
“It’s so good I can rely on everyone in my team because it’s so strong. I’m grateful for them.
“It was nice to win it all. No one really saw it coming.
“I thought Queensland would win it all, but we were kind of the secret team, did our thing, and ended up winning.”
What does Isla love about ACT product Bowyn?
“Everything,” she says, shyly. “He’s so kind-hearted.”
“He gets a little bit annoying, after a while.”
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Bowyn agrees - “fair enough” - and she blushes as he reels off her positive traits.
“She’s obviously a caring person, very kind to other people and she’s always helping people out, whether it’s on the court or off the court,” he said.
“She’s been very good to be with and I’m happy to be with her.”
It’s been a good basketball match, too, even if the one-on-ones are a little unfair, given his incredible length and wingspan.
“She’s a bit strong headed, and that’s something that’s good, because she keeps us both accountable,” he said.
“I try against him but, honestly, it’s hard when he’s seven-foot and his arms are 2m above me,” Isla adds.
“I just push him out the way and try to make him shoot from the outside.”
Probably a good thing - if Beatty has NBA hopes, having a deep shot will only enhance his chances.
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