Sunbury Jets’ Jess Bygate will get a second crack at the Women’s National Basketball League after signing with the Melbourne Boomers.
Bygate, who spent last season with the Adelaide Lightning, was last week announced as one of the Boomers’ final signings for the coming season.
The New Zealand international is thrilled to get a second chance at playing in one of the world’s premier competitions.
“I was basically invited to try out for the development team and they dangled the carrot that there could possibly be one or two spots available on the senior list,” she said.
“I went through a trial process, a three-phase trial. They cut people at the end of each one and I was lucky to get selected.
“The WNBL is such a competitive league, and with the guidance of Guy Molloy and the Boomers’ coaching staff I hope to develop my game and play with some of the best in the business.”
The 23-year-old knows her time playing with the Lightning and the Tall Ferns will hold her in good stead.
Last season, she averaged 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game for the Lightning and, early on, was named in the starting five.
Since the season ended, Bygate has spent most of her time on the basketball court.
“I know what to expect going into this season and want do so much more, including all the hard work to be part of the WNBL,” she said.
“I’ve been involved in a lot of basketball since the last WNBL season. I played with New Zealand then with Sunbury. The last six months I’ve continued to improve.”
It’s been an up and down six months, though, with Bygate missing out on selection for the Tall Ferns Olympic qualifiers and suffering a knee injury in her second game for the Jets.
Since returning from New Zealand mid- season, Bygate has found form with the Jets and helped them reach the grand final.
She’s been a key part of the Jets’ line-up this season, averaging nearly 10 points and five rebounds.
“It was a tough beginning when I injured my knee in the second game,” she said.
“It was about getting that right, and we have great girls in the team who can still get the job done.
“Kennedy [Kereama] understood that resting my knee was beneficial for me to be fit at this time of the year.
“We have the dream of going through undefeated and winning the championship. It’s getting closer and closer.”
