THE WNBL season is getting closer each day, and the preparations of each team are starting to ramp up as the pre-season reaches the pointy end. In our player spotlight series, we take a look at the starting lineup of each team and what each player will bring to the table. With plenty of exciting player movements around the league, there are set to be some enthralling dynamics across the league. The first team on the agenda is the Southside Flyers, who will be looking to back up their impressive 2020 campaign. The Flyers will enter this season with the title of ‘reigning champions’, but with a few new faces on the roster, they will be just as dangerous in their quest to claim back-to-back titles.

One of the team’s most impressive signings in the offseason was the acquisition of Australian Opal Maddison Rocci, who has announced herself as one of the league’s premier talents in recent years, and will likely prove a valuable contributor for the Flyers in the upcoming season.

Rocci began her junior basketball career in Melbourne, where she progressed her game to earn a spot in the South East Australia Basketball League (SEABL), as a part of Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence squad. It was evident early on in her career that she had a terrific ability to impact a game on both ends of the court.

She was able to excel in the SEABL, clearly displaying the fact that she was destined for bigger and better things, as a professional basketball path began to take shape. This came to fruition prior to the 2017-17 WNBL season, where she signed with the University of Canberra (UC) Capitals to take the next step in her career.

Her time with the Capitals saw a blistering start for the youngster, who made an immediate impact on both her team and the league. She finished second in the league’s Rookie of the Year competition, as she cemented her spot on the list as the side looked to make a championship push.

The following two seasons saw Rocci become a valuable contributor in what would become a back-to-back championship side. 2018 saw Rocci given the opportunity to start matches to cover injured players, and this move became permanent in the 2019, with the guard delivering significant increases to her averages during this time.

She was always known among the league as a fierce competitor, making her a valuable contributor to any side, but in the 2020 season, she was able to take her game to the next level. She delivered incredible career-high averages of 16 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and two steals, which sealed a top-five finish the league’s Most Valuable Player award. She was also named the team’s MVP, and earned a spot on the All-WNBL second team.

It is evident that Rocci has become a star of the league, with a breakout season in 2020 only supporting this claim, and with the Flyers looking to add even more talent to their list, the decision to recruit such am impressive player was likely not a tough one.

Flyers head coach Cheryl Chambers says the team is thrilled to add such an impressive talent to the list ahead of the season.

“We’re really excited to have Maddi who is a real up-and-comer,” Chambers said.

“She brings some real physicality and defensively she’s really good, so we’re looking forward to being more up-tempo defensively and offensively and Maddi compliments this perfectly.”

At just 23 years of age, it appears that Rocci’s best is still ahead of her. If this is the case, then expect the league to be put on notice, because she has already delivered a stunning breakout season. She should combine well with her Flyers teammates and will be looking to take her game to yet another level in the upcoming 2021/22 season.

Photo: Jamila Toderas