#WomenWillWin (Women In Basketball) - Sandy Brondello

#WomenWillWin Features – Sandy Brondello

All around the world, more and more women are getting involved in physical sports. Basketball Queensland is working to encourage this trend by holding a campaign called #WomenWillWin, which highlights distinguished women players. It’s hoped that their incredible stories will be able to inspire girls and women around Australia to get moving and remind them that basketball is everyone’s game.

This week’s focus is Olympian medallist Sandy Brondello, who currently manages as being the Head Coach for both the Australian Opals and the WNBA team ‘Phoenix Mercury’. Sandy holds a brag-worthy career in the sport and has well earned her place in the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame.

Fell in Love with Basketball at 9

Born 20 August 1968, she fell in love with basketball when she was nine years old and played her first game. Her feelings didn’t waver as she got older, even as her skill improved, her games intensified, and the focus grew. Sandy is a four-time Olympian and has attended four World Championships. She played for Australia, Germany, and the WNBA without ever letting the pressure crack her enjoyment of the game. “Basketball has given me a career both as a player and now as a coach,” she explained. “I get paid to do something I love.”

Basketball’s Influence on Sandy’s Life and Skill

“When I was seventeen years old I attended the Australian Institute of Sport, which had a huge influence on my life and skill. I was able to get specialised coaching and to compete against the most elite players in Australia.” The training served her well; it pushed her into becoming someone who holds her own against even the most elite. “I competed against the best players in Australia (in the WNBL) and in the world (Olympics, WNBA, World Championships). The experience challenged me to be the best player that I could possibly be.”

Sandy has nothing but gratitude to the game that has shaped her entire life. “Right now, I am exactly where I want to be, as Head Coach for Phoenix Mercury and the Opals. I’ve been given a career that I love, and my experience travelling has also given me lifelong friends from all over the world.”

Overall, she hopes that her story would work to encourage new and aspiring players to achieve their goals, both literally and metaphorically. Basketball is everyone’s game, and everyone deserves the opportunity to fall in love with it.

#WomenWillWin is a campaign designed to research and share the achievements of women players. If you know someone who deserves to be spotlighted, please contact us at any time.

Sandy Brondello’s Basketball Career History

Playing:

1986-87 — Attended AIS (Australian Institute of Sport)
1986-96 — Played in the WNBL (AIS, Bankstown Bruins, Brisbane Blazers)
1995 — Named WNBL’s ‘Most Valuable Player’
1987-2004 — Played for the Australian Opals (302 games played)
1988 — Olympics (Seoul)
- 4th place
1990 — World Championships (Kuala Lumpur)
- 6th place
1994 — World Championships (Sydney)
- 4th place
1996 — Olympics (Atlanta)
- Bronze Medal
1998 — World Championships (Germany)
- Bronze Medal
2000 — Olympics (Sydney)
- Silver Medal
2002 — World Championships (Berlin)
- 3rd place
2004 — Olympics (Athens)
- Silver Medal
1992-2002 — Played for BTV Wuppertal in Germany
- 10x German National Champions

1996 — EuroLeague
- Champions
1998-2003 — Played in WNBA (Detroit Shock, Miami Sol, Seattle Storm)
- 1998: All Star Game

Coaching:

2005-2010 — Assistant coach San Antonio Silver Stars
- 2010 — Promoted to Head Coach
2011-2013 — Assistant Coach: Los Angeles Sparks
2014-Present — Phoenix Mercury Head Coach
- 2014 — WNBA Champions
- 2014 — ‘Coach of the Year’ Award
2017-Present — Australian Opals Head Coach
- 2018 — World Cup Silver Medal