Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames guard Katie-Rae Ebzery flies out for Shenzen, China next week to represent Australia at the World University Games.
The talented young guard will join a host of other rising stars of the WNBL in the team, which will be coached by AIS mentor and respected development coach Phil Brown.
Currently leading the NSW Waratah Championship in scoring with the Newcastle Hunters, the livewire guard will join Opals stars Abby Bishop and Marianna Tolo in what is a deep and athletic Australian team.
Ebzery took time recently to talk about the World University Games and the 2011/2012 WNBL season with the Flames
Katie, you are getting ready to go to the World University Games? How do think the team will go in China?
I think the team will do really well. We have a great mix amongst the group in positions and a lot of national and international playing experience which should prove an advantage going into the competition.
There are a number of Opals squad members in the WUG team? Is playing for the Opals an ambition of yours?
Playing for the Opals is definitely an ambition of mine. I’m seeing this championship as a great opportunity to hopefully take my basketball to the next level.
You have spent the off-season back in your home town of Newcastle. What have you been doing basketball-wise over the winter months?
I have been playing in the NSW Waratah League for the Newcastle Hunters and working full time with Newcastle Basketball. It’s nice to use the time to be in a really positive environment around family and friends and get some work done in the gym and on court in preparation for the upcoming tour and WNBL season.
Last season was your first back in the league after a year off. How did you enjoy playing with the Flames and being back in the WNBL?
I loved being back in the league and playing with such a high calibre club like the Flames. It was definitely a great opportunity that I’m glad I took up and I’m glad to be back again for another season this year. The team is great, the coaching staff is great – it is an environment that breads success and definitely somewhere that will help me in terms of my basketball goals.
The Flames have added some players over the off-season, including your former AIS team-mate Ellyce Ironmonger. How is it being back on the floor with Ellyce and what can we expect from her game next season?
We have a really great look to our team this year – very athletic and experienced in all positions. It is great to get back on the floor with Ellyce after her college career. She is an awesome teammate who works super hard in both practice and games at both ends of the floor. She adds an outside shooting threat that other teams will struggle to match up with!
