Solid grounding at California college just what city needed Beck looks set to Fire
IT’S a college famous for producing Australian basketball royalty, but New Zealand international Stella Beck is confident a dominant four years at St Mary’s has her primed for her professional debut with Townsville Fire.
Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova are graduates of the California college, where Beck averaged 5.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals in her senior year to be named to the All- West Coast Conference team.
The 22- year- old joined QBL outfit Townsville Flames earlier this month, and her tenacity, ability to penetrate and defend most positions has impressed Fire coach Claudia Brassard.
Brassard hopes the swingman can help fill the void left by veteran guard Mia Murray, who has opted to take the next WNBL season off.
“She’s got the size, athleticism and length in the arms, and gets after it,” Brassard said. “We wanted a long guard fill that ( defensive) hole, to obviously Mia void.
“They’re different types of players, but defensively she brings something we haven’t had previously.
“We're quite fortunate she came to play QBL in Towns- leaves a big ville and we got to work her out and watch her play.”
Fellow Kiwi international Micaela Cocks was influential in luring Beck to Townsville for the Fire’s championship defence.
“We’re good buddies and I knew that she likes it over here and I’ve only ever heard good things,” Beck said.
“I’m a little undersized in some areas but I like to back myself defensively, and I’m definitely a slasher as much as I can.
“I like to get to the rim and make hustle plays and do rebounds, do all that nitty gritty stuff.”
After being a go- to player at St Mary’s, Beck is confident the adjustment to a bench role player will be seamless.
“They play fast and rotate, it’s my style of game,” Beck said. “I’ve been a role player with the Tall Ferns in the past and I like doing that, focusing on one aspect and doing that job. I can get hustle points and rebounds and defend well.”
Brassard said Beck would add to the depth of the Fire squad which proved so crucial in sealing a third title in four years.
“Last year one of our strengths was our bench with the players we had, we had a really deep team and that was critical in winning the championship,” Brassard said.
“Stella comes from a really good college program and while it’s her first pro gig, the signs are there she can provide that skill level we’re after.”
The Fire will now turn their attention to finding a replacement big for championship star Cayla George, who will play for Melbourne Boomers next season.
“We’ll probably move that search overseas now. It’ll be a bit of a process over the next two weeks to work that out,” Brassard said.