Only Awkward By Name
Tagged in: In The News, Tall Ferns
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The Press
She may be Awkward by name, but new Christchurch Sirens import Ashley Awkward is not expected to be by nature.
Awkward is a smooth-moving point guard by reputation who will give her opponents plenty to think about in the key ball-distributing position on court when she steps out in the Australian WNBL in a fortnight.
The 1.67m, 22-year-old Awkward has settled well into her new surroundings in Christchurch.
She has impressive credentials, having been a member of the successful University of Mississippi team that last season reached the top eight of the prestigious NCAA championship before being beaten by eventual winner Tennessee, from where she hails.
“It’s the first time `Ole Miss’, as the school is known, has gone that far in the play-offs since 1992,” she said.
Awkward averaged 22 points a game during the series, but says she is not specifically a points scorer.
“I’d rather be known for making 10 assists than scoring 20 points. If one of our players is free on the wing then it’s my job to get the ball to her. I don’t see myself as a selfish player.”
Her performance at the tournament brought her to the notice of scouts and she attended a pre-draft WNBA camp and trialed with the Houston Comets.
She is the first of the two imports the Sirens have. The other is forward Lamisha Augustine, who arrives next week.
The pair do not know each other, but have the same agent.
Awkward’s first agent “disappeared on me”, but she managed to link with the agent of college team-mate Armintie Price, who was recently named the rookie of the just-concluded WNBA season.
“He is really highly regarded and doesn’t have many players on his books, so when one girl dropped off he took me on,” Awkward said.
“Soon I was receiving offers to go to Turkey and Iceland and different parts of the world.
“I didn’t know where New Zealand was, but heard it was a beautiful country and understand the standard of the Australian league will be pretty high.
“I’d like to play well here and be good enough to be wanted back next season. I don’t want to have just one season, then move on.”
Making the WNBA is still a goal.
“Getting into it is great because then overseas teams look at you more seriously, but it’s very political to get into. You’ve almost got to wait your turn,” she said.
Awkward was chosen for the US college “Name of The Year” team in 2007, along with Genesis Lightbourne (Iowa), Epiphanny Prince (Rutgers), LaWanna Holiday (Belmont) and Lady Comfort (Temple).
