Next-generation Heal shooting for the big time
FOUR-time Olympian Shane Heal has a deal with his daughter Shyla — make 100 three-point shots at training and you can go home.
Shyla’s record is an astonishing 107 attempts to nail 100 long bombs. To put that performance into perspective, the NBA’s greatest ever longrange shooter, Golden State
Warriors superstar Steph Curry’s unofficial training record is 94 three-pointers from 100 attempts including 77 makes in a row.
Heal might be in awe of his 19-year-old daughter’s talent and development, but he’s certainly not surprised.
“Her work ethic is off the charts … even from a young age, she’s always had that,” Heal said. “I always told her, ‘I’m not going to push you to train, you have to come and get me. I’ll do as much training as you want, but you’ve got to initiate it’.”
This year — through COVID-19 lockdown — the father-daughter duo trained for five days each week at their local courts in Menai and Sutherland as she chases her dream of playing in the Olympics and being drafted in the WNBA’s first round next year.
To help her prepare, Shyla will play for the Townsville Fire in the upcoming WNBL season starting next week.
“It’s always really special putting on the green and gold … especially because Dad represented Australia, so to go to the Olympics would be a dream come true,” Heal Jr said.
Shyla has always been inspired by her father’s attitude and work ethic.
“When he coaches me, he says, ‘I’m not going to go easy on you, I’m going to push you harder than everyone else’,” Heal Jr said.
“I’ve learnt a lot about mentality … it’s always about the way you think, in a game if something’s not going right, always having the mentality that you can still do it, staying positive.”
* Every WNBL game this season is being live streamed on Kayo, while Foxtel will be showing premium games live.