Fire import feeling the need for speed
TOWNSVILLE Fire recruit Sydney Wiese says the speed and “relentlessness” of the Australian game has been her biggest obstacle to overcome in her maiden WNBL season.
But while she has proven her sharpshooting ability in the WNBA with Los Angeles Sparks, the guard insists she’s happy to take a back seat and capitalise on the space provided by star front court duo Suzy Batkovic and Cayla George.
Opponents’ strong focus on the pair helps open up space for the likes of Wiese to make an offensive impact at any time.
But in a mindset which can be fleeting with American imports, the 22- year- old is content to take a back seat and help the Fire build on a strong 6- 3 start.
“Just as long as we keep winning,” Wiese said.
“Whatever I have to do to contribute, whether it’s being the best cheerleader or water girl or hitting shots, I’ll do it.
“Whatever the coach needs from me, as long as we win by a couple of points, I’m good to go.
“When you have veterans like Suzy and Cayla down low, they definitely help.
“The defences collapse on them and if gives us a bit more room to op- erate on the wing and if we’re doing what we need to do, it opens it up for them.”
Wiese was part of the Sparks’ surge to the WNBA finals, where they were beaten in five games by Minnesota.
“The speed ( in the WNBL) is pretty fast. There’s no media time- outs or anything so it’s like we’ve just played a whole quarter and you feel it in your lungs a little bit,” she said.
“Everyone works super hard, and not to take away from the games in the States, but everyone here is strong and powerful.
“You feel the speed a lot more and the relentlessness whoever you’re going against. They’re ready for 40 minutes of play.”
Fire coach Claudia Brassard said Wiese’s selflessness had helped spark the Fire’s strong start to the season.
“She has high aspirations where she wants to go with her basketball and she sees the Townsville Fire and the WNBL as a big step towards getting to where she wants to be,” Brassard said.
“It speaks volumes of her character and how hard she works to get better every day.
“Some of the stuff she does off the ball, she has good vision and opens it up for the big players.”
The Fire are hopeful teenage centre Zitina Aokuso will play at Adelaide tomorrow afternoon after she had scans on Thursday on a wrist injury she suffered in training the day before.
“Hopefully it’s just a sprain,” Brassard said.