Returning Sydney recruit Vanessa Panousis reignites basketball passion in Flames homecoming

The Covid pandemic took a major toll on Vanessa Panousis, but the South Sydney local has redicovered her love of the game and is back home in the WNBL with the Sydney Flames. This is her comeback story.

THERE’S a certain sense of irony in the fact a burnt out Vanessa Panousis has found solace with the Sydney Flames.

The South Sydney local felt the full brunt when Covid took a stranglehold on everyday life, confined indoors in Greece in the midst of her pro career.

“The last few years I was in Greece, and when I came back I had to go through all the hotel quarantine stuff. I was left feeling burnt out,” she said.

“For the 2019-20 season it was non existent. For the next season I got there in August and I was there for about two weeks when we went into lockdown.

“They decided to stop the season for two weeks. It started with two and ended up with four months. We couldn’t even train properly.

“Everything was shut down and you had to text certain numbers if you wanted to go the supermarket or the pharmacy. I’m lucky I understand the language.

“It got to me a bit and left me not knowing if I wanted to play basketball again.”

Vanessa Panousis of the Flames prepares to pass the ball during the round two WNBL match between Bendigo Spirit and Sydney Flames. Photo: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Upon her return to Australia, Panousis took a sabbatical from the game before an opportunity to hit the court arose with Sutherland earlier this year.

She hit the ground running, averaging over 17 points per game as she rediscovered her mojo, leading to a WNBL return.

“I got asked to play for Sutherland and thought sure, why not,” she said.

“It got me back into the routine and loving the game again. Then an opportunity came up from (Flames coach) Shane (Heal).

“He was a bit interested, so was I, and we made it happen.

Vanessa Panousis of the Sydney Flames. Picture: Sam Tolhurst

“It’s his second year and the culture he’s building is something I’m excited to be a part of. He explained everything and he was really straightforward on what he wanted me to bring to the team.

“He wants me to bring energy and be a leader both vocally and with what I do. Shane wants me to bring it off the bench, remain engaged in on defence and pick the times that are right for me to score.”

It marks her third stint with the Flames after first signing on as a development player back in 2012, following on from a stellar junior career.

“I started playing because my brother (Andrew) did and I wanted to be like him,” she said.

“I told mum I wanted to play, started at six and haven’t looked back since. I fell in love with it straight away.

“I was a bit of a tomboy. We’d play one-on-one in the backyard and often end up in arguments. It created that toughness.

“I also had a close family friend in Jacob Jackomas (Hawks head coach) who took me under his wing. Everything I know I got from him.”

Panousis represented the Australian U19s at the World Championsips. Picture: John Appleyard

The backyard sessions led to joining a local team, and developing the winning mentality she is bringing to the Flames.

“I’m a Sydney Comets junior and it’s such a good environment,” she said.

“The development they have for juniors from U12s through to U18s is great. We always had a strong team and we were consistently top two in the state.

“We won a lot of state championships, and it helped us challenge each other to be better. We all had similar goals and a handful of us ended up going to the United States and a few have played in the WNBL.”

Panousis is one that enjoyed the best of both worlds, signing on to join Virginia Tech and spending four years in the college basketball system.

“My brother had a few mates that went over and seeing them over there make me wanted to go the college route,” she said.

“A few offers came through, but being part of the junior Australian sides meant I already missed a fair bit of school, so it made it hard to have an official visit.

“I had to pick people’s knowledge on knowing certain coaches over there and asking questions about the schools.

Vanessa Panousis of the Sydney Flames. Picture: Sam Tolhurst

“I don’t regret anything. It was the best four years of my life. You have 24-hour access to gyms and facilities that you wouldn’t see in Australia. The professionalism is crazy.”

Now her immediate goal is shifted to helping the Flames return to their past glory, as they look to improve on a last-placed finish and make the finals for the first time since 2018.

“We had our pre-season chat on what we want to achieve and that’s a championship,” she said.
“We need to get better every day. We know we’re individually not the most talented, but Shane said collectively we can be the most talented.

“If we can get one per cent better every day, that’s a win for us.”

The Flames have a road double against Perth and Adelaide starting on Wednesday, before their first home game against Bendigo on December 4.

Originally published as Returning Sydney recruit Vanessa Panousis reignites basketball passion in Flames homecoming