Kiara Waite has brought a little bit of her Perth Lynx team to the Foot Locker Under-20 National Championships this week.
The 18-year-old forward, currently competing in her debut WNBL season, is on court in Ballarat proudly representing Western Australia alongside Perth teammate Alira Fotu.
And Waite is drawing inspiration from some of her Lynx team mates – four of which played at last year’s Olympics in Paris - Amy Atwell (Opals), Anneli Maley and Ally Wilson (Gangurrus) and Laeticia Amihere (Canada).
“Coming from Lynx and using the knowledge of my teammates and being able to put it into a game is awesome,” she says.
“Being around Olympians and WNBA players is the best learning environment. Learning from Anneli and her rebounding, Laeticia and her posting up, Amy and her shooting - the knowledge and lessons I’ve got from them you can’t get from anywhere else.”
Waite is cherishing the opportunity to be part of the tournament after being unable to represent Willetton High School at the Foot Locker Australian Schools Championships on the Gold Coast in December due to WNBL commitments.
“I’m so happy to be representing WA, grateful to be part of this team and playing with these girls and being able to use this opportunity to show why I’m part of the WNBL,” she said.
“It’s such a fun environment to be in, everyone is here for a reason and to show what they do best.
“Playing against some of the top under-20 girls from all over Australia is awesome and everyone is so lovely.”
Other WNBL players in action at Selkirk Stadium include Southside Flyer Manuela Puoch and Bendigo Spirit duo Asha Nightingale and Lavinia Cox who are all representing Victoria.
