YOUNG gun Sunday Aryang rose the ranks from training partner of the West Coast Fever to on the verge of making her Diamonds debut in a matter of years.

After spending two years as a training partner at Fever, Aryang was added to the squad for the 2020 season.

However, she was behind the likes of Courtney Bruce and English international Stacey Francis-Bayman in the defensive pecking order. She starred on court during the 2020 season, and managed to nab a starting spot in the line-up off Francis-Bayman.

Aryang continued to star into the 2021 season, recording 54 gains, 50 deflections and 24 intercepts in the 2021 season. She won the West Coast Fever’s People’s Choice Award and earned her first Diamonds squad call-up in the process.

What helps Aryang stand out is her quick foot work and agile nature, which allows her to get to the right positions more often than not. The talented youngster has high-level tenacity and competitiveness, which in turn enables her to work hard and refuse to be beaten. Her efforts and development in the west under the guidance of the new Diamonds head coach saw her called up for national duty.

Aryang was originally named in the Diamonds squad for October’s subsequently cancelled Constellation Cup. She has now been named in the Diamonds squad for January’s Quad series.

If she does make her debut in January, she will be the first Diamond born in Africa. Although Chanel Gomes, who debuted for the Diamonds in 2013, has African heritage, she was born in New South Wales.

Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich noted how Aryang impressed at the recent squad camp on the Sunshine Coast.

“Sunday is such an exciting young player to watch and her athleticism is a real asset to our tour squad,” Marinkovich said.

“Connection is incredibly important for our defensive line-up and I’m excited to see what these athletes can do against our biggest rivals in January.”