OPALS STAR IS FIRED UP TO PLAY FOR FLAMES
ROHAN O’NEIL
OPALS star and Townsville Flames recruit Alanna Smith can’t wait to share the court with returning Australian legend Lauren Jackson at next week’s national camp.
Australia’s greatest ever basketballer, 41year-old Jackson will return to the national setup that she helped steer to four Olympic medals nine years after last donning the green and gold, as she battles for a place in the FIBA World Cup team to be played in Sydney later this year.
Tokyo Olympian Smith will debut for the Flames in their NBL1 North rivalry round clash with the Cairns Dolphins at home tonight and the former Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever star said she was looking forward to seeing Jackson back in action.
“I’m really excited for Lauren and I think what she’s done is amazing, being able to work back into playing shape and into that elite playing shape with the Opals as well,” Smith said.
“She has got invaluable experience, and obviously she’s the GOAT (greatest of all time) so having her out there on the floor with us is only going to make us better.”
Smith played nine WNBA games for the Fever this season but after being waived by the team the 25-year-old Hobart product jumped at the chance to press her World Cup claims with the Flames in the highly competitive NBL1 North.
“I was with the WNBA for the past three and a half years and it was a really tough league to excel in,” she said.
“I came back to Australia and wanted to get some quality time on the court and I know (Flames coach) Shannon Seebohm well.
“I really want to make this World Cup team so I want to play some quality basketball for Townsville and hopefully earn my spot on that team.”