Stephanie Reid always dreamed of representing Australia as an Opal.
For those who chase this dream, the traditional pathway usually means being selected for state programs, winning a scholarship with Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence, or playing for Australian junior teams to catch the eye of selectors.
But Reid took a different path.
A tenacious basketballer, the self-described tomboy was “obsessed” with basketball from an early age.
She wore Michael Jordan tracksuits and loved attending WNBL games.
Reid fondly remembers watching the Opals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
“I was obsessed with watching and trying to steal things from players I looked up to,” Reid said.
“I remember seeing an Opal do a running hook lay-up, went home and said ‘mum, I’m going to nail that’ … so I would be outside doing…
