Kimberly aims to slam dunk league
GOLD Coast Rollers’ star recruit Kimberly Brown doesn’t just want to impress in her maiden Queensland Basketball League season – she wants to dominate.
The former Texas A and M college player has big goals of becoming a Women’s National Basketball League player but first she must prove her worth in the second-tier league.
“It all starts here,” the versatile 25year-old said. “I want to dominate the league in all aspects of my game to be seen by others. From there I can take the next step.”
Hailing from Oakland, California, Brown spent two years playing basketball for Monroe Community College in New York before being scouted and playing division one basketball for Texas A and M.
Brown helped take her team to the prestigious NCAA tournament where they made it through to the second round.
Last year Brown played in the Darwin Basketball Association’s city league and took her team to the grand final.
New Rollers coach Megan Thompson said Brown’s versatility on the court made her a perfect addition to the team.
“She can play up to three positions,” Thompson said.
“I think she wanted to play as a guard but I told her in our country she has to play as a three (small forward) or four (power forward) which she is very capable of.”
Thompson, a former WNBL player, took on the head coaching role in December and has instilled an air of professionalism at the club.
“I run these girls like a professional team but on an amateur budget,” Thompson said.
“We made the semi-finals last year and we think we can win it all this time around. The pieces are in place.”
Joining Brown is former Palm Beach Currumbin student Jeanie Pattison who was promoted into the top squad after a year in the Rollers development league side.
Pattison, 18, is hoping to play as a point guard for the team.
The Rollers get their first taste of competition against the New Caledonian national women’s side on Wednesday, April 15, at Tallebudgera Recreational Centre.