Bibby back in States after home stay
Warracknabeal’s Chloe Bibby has made her way back to the United States to see out the rest of her college basketball career.
Bibby, 22, is yet to decide if she will play in the 2020-21 NCAA women’s basketball tournament scheduled to start in November.
But she will likely redshirt the season and take on a leadership role among team-mates while she continues to train and study in preparation for the 2021-22 competition.
Bibby plans to continue her Bachelor of Economics into 2022 at University of Maryland after she transferred from Mississippi State University earlier this year.
The Weekly Advertiser caught up with her mother Leigh-anne Bibby, who said her daughter planned to ‘give her everything’ in the 2021-22 season to try to get drafted into the Women’s National Basketball Association, WNBA.
“She wants to do everything in her power to be drafted,” she said.
“She is looking like she could get drafted if she has a good senior year.
“But if she doesn’t get drafted in America, she’ll go to Europe.”
Bibby played the first round of the 2019-20 March Madness tournament with her then team Mississippi State before coronavirus put an end to all NCAA basketball competitions.
She then flew home after the cancellations.
Mrs Bibby said she was excited to have her whole family together during the pandemic, including husband Adrian and daughter Ella.
“Chloe was home for 107 days – that was the longest she has been home since she was 15,” Mrs Bibby said.
“But she needed to get back to university, she was ready to get back.
“Adrian and I were very nervous about the COVID-19 situation in America – however, Chloe is very age-mature and sensible.
“We’re very comfortable in the coaching staff and Maryland University in what they have implemented for coronavirus. That puts us at ease.”
Mrs Bibby said she was proud of her daughter, who had continually proved herself as a top player among college basketballers.
“Chloe has been fortunate enough to make it into final four teams every year she has played,” she said. “We’re extremely proud of her work ethic, she sets a goal and works really hard.
“We’re proud she hasn’t changed, she’s still Chloe, she just got a dream that she’s working hard for.”
While Bibby was back in Victoria, she had a chance to catch up with her old mentor, Horsham veteran basketball coach Owen Hughan.
“Chloe just has so much respect for Owen – they have a really beautiful bond. We’re very lucky to have him in our life,” Mrs Bibby said.
“He’s always been a huge part in Chloe’s career, giving advice.
“She always gives Owen as much time as she can. She really looks up to him.”
Mrs Bibby said she had seen her daughter grow a great deal since her humble beginnings training with Hughan in Horsham from age 12.
“She’ll take on a challenge – that’s just part of being a successful athlete, they’ve got a different mindset,” she said.
“She has a very mature eye and she really understands the game well.
“I could see her possibly coaching in the future if she wanted to. She has a knack to be a leader.”