Aussie basketball hotshot Shyla Heal’s tearful moment

19-year-old basketball star Shyla Heal opens up about the moment she became a first-round draft pick in the Women’s National Basketball Association in the US for the Chicago Sky.

Shyla Heal’s feet haven’t touched the ground. Last week, the 19-year-old Aussie basketball sensation stunned the world when she became a first-round draft pick in the Women’s National Basketball Association in the US for the Chicago Sky.

“I literally couldn’t stop crying the whole day,” Heal tells Stellar On Friday. “I’ve been dreaming of this since I was six, so it’s a day I won’t forget.”

“I’ve never beaten Dad one-on-one yet.” (Picture: Damian Bennett)

Shyla Heal celebrates with her dad, Shane Heal after making it into the WNBA Draft for the Chicago Sky'. (Picture: Justin Lloyd)

She adds that her phone “blew up” after thesigning, with messages of congratulations coming from fellow US-based Australian basketballers like Joe Ingles, Matt Dellavedova and Leilani Mitchell.

Heal was due to fly to America on Monday, but visa issues delayed her trip by a week. And due to COVID-19, she will be travelling alone – her father and coach, Australian basketball great Shane Heal, is unable to join her. While it’s not ideal, Heal says she is prepared.

“It’s the reality of the situation, and hopefully my family will be able to come over next season.”

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However, she jokes the signing hasn’t put to rest the debate over just who, in fact, is the best basketballer in the Heal family.

“I’ve never beaten Dad one-on-one yet,” she laughs. “He won’t shoot a ball in a year and then make 20 threes in a row, so I think he wins.”

For now, at least – at the end of next month, Heal is set to find out if she has achieved another of her big dreams: making the Australian basketball team that will compete at this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Originally published as Aussie basketball hotshot Shyla Heal’s tearful moment