It is with a measure of sadness that the Brydens Sydney Uni Flames announce Katie Rae Ebzery will be making her next career move with one of the most successful teams in the Russian Premier Women’s Basketball League, Dynamo Moscow, signing a one season contract with the club.
A genuine crowd favourite, Ebzery has contributed significantly to the Flames roster as a Guard since 2010. While Katie will be sorely missed, the Flames recognise her huge talent and sincerely wish her every success.
“I have really valued my time in Sydney and appreciate their continued support over the past 5 seasons,” said Ebzery.
Ebzery’s growth as a top echelon WNBL star and International player has been crafted at the Flames and her leadership, mentorship of younger players, generosity of her time to the development of women’s basketball and overall professionalism leaves a massive imprint and legacy to nurture future success at the Flames.
Katie reached the agreement alongside Jayco Dandenong Ranger, Alex Bunton.
“We welcome the girls in Moscow and believe that they will seriously strengthen the structure of our club,” announced Dynamo Club Management.
The Flames have no doubt that Ebzery will make an impact in her new jersey. Katie’s potential and ability was recognised early and her stature and good name at the Sydney Uni club has grown every year since.
Embodying the ‘never say die’ attitude so synonymous with the Flames culture, Katie has proven to be the ‘go to player’ in the Flames line-up when someone needs to step up. Achieving the 5th Highest Points Average of all players in the 2015/16 WNBL Season with 17.71 average points per game, Ebzery departs the Flames with over 200 WNBL games under her belt.
As a testament to her competiveness and steely resolve to deliver her best both on and off the court, Katie was named as the Flames MVP for both their 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons. In March 2016 Katie was honoured to be chosen in the 2015/16 season Wattle Valley WNBL All Star Five and was also selected five times in the Wattle Valley WNBL ‘Team of the Week’ throughout the 2015/16 season.
Having being selected in all of the preliminary Jayco Opals camps leading up to the team’s selection for Rio in August, as well as staking her claim for Olympic selection in the Jayco Opals Rio Test Event International Series in January 2016, Katie remains in hot contention and is currently in Japan for a three game pre-Olympic Jayco Opals series against Japan.
All of these aforementioned achievements are just reward for Katie’s consistent hard work. She has developed her ferocious offence and attack on the ball over her years at the Flames after joining the team from the AIS, transforming her status from a young talent into one of the best players in the WNBL.
The Flames realise they cannot hold onto the star player forever and sincerely wish her every success on her journey moving forward.
Katie, a Flame for life.
