If you’d told new Sunbury Jets’ import Courtney Duever six weeks ago she would be playing Big V basketball in Australia this season, she would have thought you were pulling her leg.
After played basketball at college and then in Bulgaria, the 24-year-old spent the past eight months coaching back in the States.
Then a conversation with one of her college teammates about a month ago set things on a left-field path that brought her to Sunbury last Wednesday.
“I was kind of just working out, as in the States they just don’t have games everywhere,” she said. “I talked to a player on my college team who was from New Zealand, and I asked her what was going on over here with basketball.
“She gave me Kennedy’s email address … I emailed him and said I was interested in playing, and it evolved from there as there was a spot open.”
Duever’s arrival at the Jets gives the team more back-up in forward and centre positions, which will come in handy, especially as Jess Bygate is away on national duty with New Zealand’s Tall Ferns.
Joining a team already three rounds into the season, Duever said she will try and take it all in as she learns about how the game is played in Australia.
“I haven’t watched any [Big V] basketball,” she said. “I’m not really sure what to expect.
“I’ll sit back and watch how it all plays out, and work out where I fit into the mix and work out all the plays and the pace of the game.
“I’ll watch a little bit and jump in when I can.”
She didn’t have to wait long to step onto the court, suiting up for the Jets in a weekend double header against Werribee and Craigieburn.
Duever had 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists on Saturday night against Werribee, and backed up with 26 points on Sunday against Craigieburn.
The Jets won both games easily and are undefeated.
Duever, who describes herself as an aggressive player, says she’s using her time in Australia to continue doing what she loves most.
“I want to try and give 100 per cent, and see where it leads me.
“If it leads to me staying here, to the WNBL or even the WNBA, we’ll see.
“Its about going as hard as I can and working at becoming better every day,” Duever said.
The men’s side split their matches, with a win over Chelsea and a loss to La Trobe City. Ish Sanders was the standout for the Jets, scoring 39 points on Saturday, backed up by 48 on Sunday.
