Tassie talent looking to grab WNBL chance with Geelong

Taylor Mole knows there’s improvement in her game to come, and believes a dual WNBL championship-winning coach can help her reach her ‘ceiling’ after signing with the league’s newest team. She’s also backed the push for a Tasmanian team.

Tasmanian basketballer Taylor Mole has signed with new WNBL franchise Geelong United. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Taylor Mole doesn’t think she’s close to hitting her ‘ceiling’ yet, and she believes a two-time WNBL championship-winning coach can help her reach it.

After making her WNBL debut with Adelaide Lightning last year, the 25-year-old Tasmanian has signed to play under Chris Lucas at new franchise Geelong United.

Mole is versatile but primarily a wing, which is where Lucas, who won two championships with Townsville, thinks is her best fit in a young side.

“My agent reached out to a few teams and got in contact with Chris Lucas,” Mole said.

“He liked what he saw and I liked what Geelong had to offer, it ended up being a really good situation and I’m really excited about it.

“When we had our initial chats he lined out things he could work with me to get better on. I think he knows how to use me in a good way, mainly on the wing, more a natural position for me, so hopefully I can grab that and work towards some good court time.

“He’ll really challenge me defensively and I’ll tune up my game offensively.”

Mole arrived at Geelong this week after a strong NBL1 campaign with Mackay, scoring 49 points in one game.

She received strong minutes off the bench early at Adelaide, but they were reduced after the return of Opal Steph Talbot from injury.

“I loved my time in Adelaide and learned a lot. That showed when I went to Mackay, I felt my game transitioned a lot from the previous NBL1 season,” she said.

“We have a really young team so we’ll all be excited to get into training next week. I already know five or six of the girls after being at the AIS with them, that’ll make the transition easy.”

Launceston Tornadoes captain Keely Froling is also part of the squad, and is a logical leading candidate to take on a leadership role at Geelong.

“She’s been in WNBL for a long time and she’ll have a lot of pointers and advice to give me which I’m excited about,” Mole said.

“I could swing to play the four (position) or down to the two, it’s good to learn from someone of her calibre.

“Definitely the goal is to get a starting spot, and if not be a microwave off the bench. I’m also one of those people who wants to do what’s best for the team, but a starting spot is the goal going in.

“I still think I have a high ceiling and can improve a lot of things.”

Mole has worked hard to get a WNBL shot after five years in the US college system, including being named in the All-Conference team in her first season at Santa Barbara.

“I want to challenge myself to get better defensively, become more of a lock down defender nd tune up my offensive game,” she said.

“That’s something Chris wants more of from me, to guard the best player in the team. That’s a really cool job to have as well.

“I like being thrown little challenges, hopefully some of those come my way.”

Mole said the JackJumpers’ public interest in establishing a WNBL team in the state was “exciting”.

“That’d be great having a team in the state,” she said.

“Hopefully it comes to fruition the next few years and that’s something I might want to do down the line in the future, but right now I’m excited to play for Geelong.

“We’ve seen the impact the JackJumpers have had already, having the women’s team will give girls something to aspire to.

“It’s something I wish I had when I grew up. Hopefully when it happens it will be exciting for not just kids, but everyone in the whole state, and they’ll get around it like they do the JackJumpers.”