Alex Fowler & Ashlee Hannan Selected For Sapphires

Queensland would like to congratulate Ashlee Hannan from the Sunshine Coast Phoenix and Alexandra Fowler from Townsville Basketball for being selected for the Australian Sapphires to compete in the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup! The girls will be going over to Minsk in Belarus from July 21-29. We spoke to both Ashlee and Alex about how they got involved with basketball and what they are most excited for in going to the FIBA U17 World Cup.

Ashlee Hannan

1. How tall are you?

192cm

2. How long have you been playing basketball and how did you get involved?

I’ve officially been playing since I was 11. My Mum played, so I pretty much grew up in basketball stadiums and that’s how I knew I wanted to play.

3. What are your basketball career goals?

Becoming an Opal is one of my main goals. I also hope to get the chance to play overseas, in the US or even Europe.

4. What are you most excited for the 2018 FIBA World Champs?

I’m most excited for that feeling of pulling on the green & gold and representing my country against some of the best players of my age group in the world.

5. What are you hoping to get out of attending the 2018 FIBA World Champs?

I hope to gain experience through playing against the size and skills of international players.

Alex Fowler

1. How tall are you?

184cm

2. How long have you been playing basketball and how did you get involved?

I started playing basketball when I was 4 years old with a little group called Tiny Terrors and I only started because of my sister. She was not very balanced or coordinated at the time and someone had recommended she do basketball as it would help with her balance. And of course, if one of us did something, all three of us had to do it… (we’re triplets).

3. What are your basketball career goals?

I have always wanted to play in the WNBL and when I first started playing basketball competitively, I dreamed of playing for Australia, but I never expected it to happen so soon. I would also love to represent my country at the Olympics one day.

4. What are you most excited for the 2018 FIBA World Champs?

I’m excited about so many things! I am keen to see the different styles of play and basketball skills that others have, as well as meeting new people from around the world and learning more about different cultures. I’m also very excited to see what Minsk is like.

5. What are you hoping to get out of attending the 2018 FIBA World Champs?

I hope to learn a lot and improve my skills at Worlds. I am also looking forward to bonding even more with my team as we are already such a tight group.