Basketball New Zealand

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Tall Fern Jillian Harmon and her Stanford team-mates celebrate their win

Undercover Kiwi Jillian Harmon has double reason to celebrate.

This week, she will create history as the first “known” New Zealander to contest an NCAA basketball championship. Next week, she will debut for the Tall Ferns at the Good Luck Beijing tournament, the official Olympic test event.

Harmon and her University of Stanford Cardinal upset Connecticut 82-73 in today’s semifinals and will now meet University of Tennessee in the US college final on Wednesday (NZ time).

Stanford pulled away from their opponents midway through first half and extended their lead to 11 points midway through the second, before surviving a comeback. Harmon, who nursed a foot injury coming into the tournament, logged 15 minutes for nine points (2/5 FG, 5/6 FT), four rebounds (3 OR) and a steal.

Two months ago, her Kiwi status was unknown, which makes one wonder how many more New Zealanders are scattered around the world, playing basketball unrecognized. Harmon only revealed her roots – mother Julie is Kiwi – in February after former Stanford team-mate Clare Bodensteiner began pushing her claims for Tall Fern selection.

“I am delighted for Jillian,” says Ferns coach Mike McHugh. “The NCAA tournament is huge for college athletes and most players never get a chance to get to the Final Four, let alone the championship game.

“Jillian has shown by her performances for Stanford that she could be a key addition to the squad for the Beijing test event.”

Harmon’s height (1.85m) will be much needed in a line-up already giving away centimetres at international level.

Christchurch-born and US-raised, Bodensteiner has also been included in the national squad after participating at the national team camp in Canberra over the past five days. The feisty guard was unconvincing in the first of two scrimmages against the world champion Australian Opals, but looked more assured in the second encounter, shooting 2/2 from the arc.

“She fitted in really well, but probably tried too hard in that first game,” observed McHugh.

Others to emerge from the AIS with reputations enhanced were veteran forward Aneka Kerr, who led the team in scoring with 15.0 points over the two games, young forward Toni Edmondson and centre Karlene Kingi.

Two players who sat out the camp – centre Jess McCormack with an Achilles niggle and late withdrawal Lisa Wallbutton – have been included in the team for the test event, but starting guard Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe will miss the tournament with a knee injury.

The Tall Ferns will prepare for Good Luck Beijing against the Chinese national team in Ningbo on April 16 and open their account against Cuba on April 19.

Head Coach Mike McHugh
Assistant Coach Leigh Gooding
Video Technician Kennedy Hamilton
Manager Louise Hogarth
Physiotherapist Karen Sutton
Doctor Lynne Coleman