Wilkins Signs!
Tagged in: Tall Ferns
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The Christchurch Sirens have announced a coup signing with Tall Fern captain Donna Wilkins joining their Australian Womenís National Basketball League debut campaign, tipping off in October.
Originally from Woodend and playing age group basketball for North Canterbury, the 29-year-old Wilkins brings plenty of international experience, juggling basketball and netball commitments over the past 12 years.
ìAs a fledging franchise we are extremely pleased to secure the services of a player of Donna Wilkins’ level, especially given that she had offers from other sports and basketball franchises,î said Canterbury Basketball chief executive George Kazan.
The defencejobs Australian WNBL will not be new to the 1.85m Wilkins, having represented the talent-stacked reigning champions Canberra Capitals for two years. Wilkins first played with Canberra in 2004/05 and during the 2006/07 season posted 10 points, six rebounds and two steals from 22 minutes in the 73-59 grand final win over the Sydney Uni Flames.
Wilkins is a double Olympian, having represented the Tall Ferns at the 2000 and 2004 Games. At Athens 2004, Wilkins made her mark on the basketball world, racking up 14.4 points and leading the tournament in rebounds with a 10.6 average.
Despite being comparatively undersized for her position, she started to receive offers from around the world for her services.
At the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, she averaged 14.4 points (54% FG) and a tournament-best 10.4 rebounds. She is a rugged competitor with a never-say-die attitude and has the ability to play both an inside and outside game.
Wilkins narrowly missed making history by being the last cut by the Connecticut Sun for the 2006/07 American WNBA season, the top league in the world. She played preseason games and would have joined Megan Compain (Utah Starzz in 1997) as the only New Zealand women to play in the top professional competition.
Wilkins has played for Canterbury and Otago in the NZ Womenís Basketball League.
As a Silver Fern netballer, Wilkins won silver medals at the 1998, 2002 Commonwealth Games and 1999 World Championships. She has been a member of the Southern Sting through a decade of the National Bank Cup, winning the title on seven occasions.
The Sirens now have eight contracted players with Wilkins joining Tall Ferns Aneka Kerr, Karlene Kingi, Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe, Charmian Purcell, Natalie Purcell, Lisa Wallbutton, Noni Wharemate and head coach Leigh Gooding.
The Sirens host the Townsville Fire in the opening round of the defencejobs WNBL on Friday, October 5 at the Westpac Arena in Christchurch.
