Taste of big stage has Fowler primed
TOWNSVILLE basketball prodigy Alex Fowler says the experience of playing on the world stage has made her more motivated than ever to achieve her hoop dreams.
Fowler has just returned from helping Australia claim the bronze medal at the Under- 17 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Belarus, coming from behind to beat Hungary 57- 51.
The St Margaret Mary’s student still has a massive year ahead after being named as a development player for reigning WNBL champions the Townsville Fire while she will also represent her country again in the 3x3 format at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.
And after the “amazing experience” of competing at a World Cup, Fowler felt confident she could make the most of those opportunities.
“It was like nothing I’ve experienced before. There’s not just a few standout players, everyone’s good. It’s really hard to compete with,” Fowler said.
“I feel like I’ve learnt a lot playing internationally, so I can improve even more now after seeing all the different countries and how they play.”
Townsville Fire assistant coach Mark Wrobel was also an assistant for the Sapphires and he described Fowler as a crucial part of the team’s bench rotation, averaging 4.1 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Wrobel said Fowler’s attitude was the most impressive part of her game after initially missing out on a place in the Australian squad for last year’s Under- 16 Asia Championships in India.
“She went away and worked her butt off and got lucky when there was an injury and came into that team and then basically cemented herself in that Sapphires team through the World Cup,” Wrobel said.
“Hopefully that’s just given her the taste of basketball at the top level and it just pushes her to keep working harder.”
Fowler won’t rest on her laurels as she takes the floor for the Townsville Flames tonight as they look to wrap up the QBL minor premiership against the Sunshine Coast Phoenix.
The Flames have a simple equation – win and they’ll finish in first place – but that will be easier said than done against a Phoenix side which includes WNBL stars Abby Bishop and Nat Hurst.
Fowler admitted she was exhausted after flying home from Belarus, but the six- foot forward said she was excited to be back with her Flames teammates.
“It does feel good to come back to the Flames. They’re a good team for me to be around,” she said. “We’re in a good position right now so hopefully if we can win this game this weekend we’ll finish up in first.”
Tonight’s women’s game tips off at 6.30pm at the Murray Basketball Stadium.