CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE CELEBRATE FOUR GRADUATING ATHLETES

Adelaide Fuller, Isabel Palmer and Ashlee Hannan are all heading to US colleges while Kobe King-Hawea is currently weighing up her options between college and professional opportunities.

Named to past Under-17 and Under-19 World Cup squads, Fuller also represented Queensland at the Australian Under-18 Junior Championships and earlier this year at the Under-20’s where she averaged 14.8 points, 12.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.

She is now headed to Davidson College on a roster that already includes fellow Australians Suzi-Rose Deegan and Cassidy Gould.

“Adelaide is a true example of reward for persistence as she has continued to work towards her goal of a long and successful basketball career,” said Centre of Excellence women’s program head coach, Kristen Veal.

Palmer has already had a successful career in the green and gold at just 18 years of age, winning gold medals at the Under-16 and Under-18 FIBA Asian Championships while also winning bronze at the 2018 Under-17 World Cup.

At that tournament, she averaged 6.6 points as well as a team-high 2.9 assists and is now on her way to the University of Texas.

“Isabel is a dedicated and determined athlete who will no doubt become a regular fixture for Australia in future international campaigns,” said Veal.

Palmer will be joined at the University of Texas by fellow CoE graduate, Hannan.

Through 19 games for Australia, Hannan has represented her country alongside Palmer at the Under-16 and Under-18 FIBA Asian Championships and she is also a bronze medalist from the 2018 Under-17 World Cup.

“Ashlee has continued to exceed expectations since arriving at the CoE and has only begun to scratch the surface of her skills and physical capabilities as an elite basketballer,” said Veal.

Wrapping up the graduates, King-Hawea was a latecomer to the state team but immediately made her presence felt for Victoria as she helped them claim back-to-back gold medals at the 2018 and 2019 Australian Under-20 Championships.

Earlier this year, she starred at both ends of the court by recording seven points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals per contest at the Under-20’s.

“As our first ever NBA Global Academy Scholarship holder, Kobe brings a freshness and flair to Australian women’s basketball that will enthrall fans and team mates for years to come.”

Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence have celebrated four mid-year graduating athletes from the women’s program who are set to begin the next step of their basketball journeys.