Amanda Zahui B’s tale of terror, escape and rekindling her joy in basketball

Less than three months after sheltering in a staircase from Hamas rocket attacks, Swedish basketballer Amanda Zahui B is lighting up the WNBL with the Townsville Fire. Read her incredible story.

“I felt and heard the bombs, and the Iron Dome shooting down whatever was in the air,” Zahui B said.“I think it’s absolutely terrifying and sad to see what all of this has turned into, that is happening right now with Israel, Gaza and Palestine.” (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Fire recruit Amanda Zahui B has revealed the joy she has felt settling into life in Townsville after escaping the horror of a warzone, and now the star centre will finally have the chance to showcase her talents to her new home fans.

It was less than three months ago that Zahui B was alone in Israel, sheltering inside her apartment building’s staircase as it was shaken by the explosions of bombs flying overhead while sirens provided a constant backing track.

After a forgettable WNBA season the 193cm Swede had decided a season with Israeli club Maccabi Bnot Ashdod could be the key to rediscovering the form that saw her picked second overall in the 2015 draft, but things didn’t go to plan.

After less than a week in the Middle Eastern state, Hamas attacked.

“We were only 21km away from where the initial attack happened,” Zahui B said.

Amanda Zahui B of the Fire stretches for the ball during the WNBL match between UC Capitals and Townsville Fire at National Convention Centre, on December 10, 2023, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“It was hard. We had the sirens going off every so often and we had to hide but I didn’t have a bomb room, or a safe room as they call them, so I had to hide in the staircases.

“I was actually the only person in the building complex from the team.

“When the initial siren went off they told us to hide in our safe rooms, but when I said I couldn’t find one – because I didn’t have one – they told me to go into the staircase and just wait there.”

Taking refuge in the safest place she could, the 30-year-old kept in contact with her new teammates via texts and calls as confusion erupted.

“I felt and heard the bombs, and the Iron Dome shooting down whatever was in the air,” Zahui B said.

“I think it’s absolutely terrifying and sad to see what all of this has turned into, that is happening right now with Israel, Gaza and Palestine.”

Cassandra Brown of the Fire and Amanda Zahui B of the Fire celebrate the win during the WNBL match between Southside Flyers and Townsville Fire at State Basketball Centre, on December 14, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

After hours of fear and uncertainty, a chaotic escape via a frenzied airport ensued.

Zahui B’s team made the tough decision that all foreign players should leave immediately.

“I was there for a great club, a great organisation, and they said that this was not something that was going to pass over the weekend, so it’s better if everyone just go home and stay safe,” she said.

“It was just a matter of actually getting plane tickets that would come in to Israel. I was fortunate enough to be on the last one that had any connections to Stockholm.

“A friend who is Swedish, she didn’t get a ticket in time so she had to get a one-way to Spain and then from Spain, she had to find a way to Sweden.

“So it was hard. The airport was kind of chaotic with people asking if they could buy your ticket off you, everyone just wanting to leave and not knowing what was going to happen next.”

Now 11 weeks on from that terrifying experience, Zahui B is preparing to play her first game in Townsville after winning her first three WNBL fixtures on the road.

Sami Whitcomb and Amanda Zahui B of the Fire celebrate during the WNBL match between Sydney Flames v Townsville Fire at Quay Centre, on December 16, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“I had initially told my agent that I just wanted to rest, I needed to get a mental break, but I think two weeks passed and I was like, I can’t do this anymore, I can’t just sit down,” she said.

“This great opportunity came from Townsville and my agent literally told me ‘this is going to be fantastic for you’.

“So we got on it and it was just a matter of getting my visa sorted. Now I’m here and I haven’t been happier in a long time.”

Growing up in Southside Stockholm, Zahui B was never really interested in basketball until her family encouraged her to pursue a sport.

She started playing when she was 10 and quickly fell in love with the game, rapidly rising through representative teams - and played for her country within three years.

“I was playing for the under-16 national team at the age of 13,” Zahui B said.

“Ever since I started, basketball has been my whole life. So many years have gone by, 20 years of basketball, and I just loved every single second of it.

“Every summer I played with the national team, so I played under-16 three times, then went up to under-18, under-20, and then moved to Minnesota to attend university.”

After just two seasons as a Gopher, Zahui B decided the time was right to enter the WNBA draft. She was eligible before finishing college as she was older than most of her classmates.

Amanda Zahui B #17 of the New York Liberty runs past Satou Sabally #0 of the Dallas Wings during the second half of a game at Feld Entertainment Center on July 29, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

What came next was a professional career that has allowed her to travel the world.

“I’ve been to every continent, I think it’s like two continents that I haven’t played basketball in – Antarctica and Africa – so I’ve seen the world, I’m living my dream,” Zahui B said.

“I’ve playing in Europe, I’ve played in Russia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Turkey, Italy, and I’m pretty sure I’m missing some other countries. I’ve played in China, I’ve been all around.

“My dad’s from the Ivory Coast in West Africa, so I’ve actually played basketball there but just not as a professional athlete.

“I would love to maybe one day play for a club team in the Ivory Coast, I think that would be like a full circle moment.”

Amanda Zahui B of the Fire drives to the basket during the WNBL match between Southside Flyers and Townsville Fire at State Basketball Centre, on December 14, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

What has helped Zahui B adjust to life in Australia the most has been the support of her new teammates and coach.

“Shannon (Seebohm) is one of the most amazing human beings I’ve ever encountered, so that’s a huge plus,” she said.

“I really, genuinely appreciate how basketball smart he is. His IQ for the X’s and O’s is absolutely fantastic and he breaks the game down very easily for everyone to understand.

“That helps me out a lot coming into a new league, coming into the middle of the season. Just having him help me understand his philosophy and how he wants us to play, it’s been great.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing for him these three weeks.”

Originally published as Amanda Zahui B’s tale of terror, escape and rekindling her joy in basketball