Fire sign Kiwi International
The JCU Townsville Fire have signed New Zealand international Stella Beck for the 2018/19 WNBL season.
Fresh off winning their third WNBL title in four seasons, the Fire have bolstered their star-studded back court with the acquisition of the Tall Ferns swingman, who has just completed a decorated college career at St Mary’s.
Welcome to the Ville, Stella!#FireUpTownsville ?☀️? pic.twitter.com/20orO6A2Zi
— JCU Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) June 19, 2018
Playing for the Gaels, Beck averaged 15.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals in her senior year to be named to the All-West Coast Conference team.
St Mary’s has a long and decoarated history of producing WNBL players including two-time Fire championship winner Kate Gaze, along with Bendigo’s Louella Tomlinson and Adelaide’s Lauren Nicholson.
NBA stars Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova are also St Mary’s graduates.
“I am really excited to be a part of the team,” Beck said.
“I have also heard a lot of great things about the culture and Townsville as a place to live from people I know who play have played for the Fire (including New Zealand teammate Micaela Cocks).
“I am hoping to have an opportunity to showcase my abilities in this team and to significantly improve my game during the season.
“It’s a really great opportunity for me to compete against some very good players.”
Having represented New Zealand at the Olympic qualifying event in France, Beck recently signed for the Townsville Flames in the QBL.
Her presence in Townsville will allow the 22-year-old to work with Claudia Brassard ahead of the up-coming WNBL season with the Fire championship coach looking forward to working with her.
“Stella is an exciting young prospect,” Brassard said.
“She enjoyed an impressive college career at St Mary’s which has proven to be a strong nursery for the WNBL and is well regarded within the New Zealand program.
“She gets to the rim well and works hard on defence so I am sure she’ll be a good player for the Fire.”
Beck is the ninth signing ahead of the 2018/19 WNBL season with the Fire expected to add an import forward to round out their roster.
Earlier today, memberships went on sale to the general public for the up-coming season.
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JCU Townsville Fire squad: Zitina Aokuso, Suzy Batkovic, Stella Beck, Micaela Cocks, Mikhaela Donnelly, Darcee Garbin, Tess Madgen, Laurin Mincy and Casey Samuels.