COMMONWEALTH GAMES 3X3 SQUAD MEMBER MARENA WHITTLE COMMITS TO THE LIGHTNING FOR THE UPCOMING 2022/2023 SEASON.
Adelaide Lightning Guard and Australian Commonwealth Games 3×3 squad member, Marena Whittle is excited to step back on the court under the new leadership of Head Coach, Nat Hurst after a successful off-season.
The 28-year-old, 180cm Victorian felt naturally drawn to the community-connected Club after calling Adelaide her home for the 2021/22 WNBL season.
“I am so excited to head back to Adelaide. Nat and I worked closely last season so when she reached out to me it was an easy decision to head back to the Lightning. I feel very confident in the direction she is taking the team and happy in my decision to play for her. “
“I love the connection that the Lightning has to the community and with all of the recent player and Club announcements I’m excited to see what the upcoming season holds for the Adelaide Lightning,” Whittle said.
Heading to College Basketball for North Dakota State University in 2012, Whittle returned to Australia after four years to make her WNBL debut for the Townsville Fire. Whittle had stints at the Bendigo Spirit and Perth Lynx before being drafted to the Adelaide Lightning in 2020 in career-best form.
Adelaide Lightning General Manager, Tim Brenton is thrilled to welcome back a fan favourite to a talent-filled team.
“Whittle is one of our most popular players among her peers and with Adelaide Lightning fans.”
“She has shown incredible resilience and a willingness to get better on and off the court and her Commonwealth Games selection is no surprise from the work she has put in. Whittle is in for an incredible WNBL season, and we are excited to witness her success first-hand,” said Brenton.
Basketball Australia last week announced Whittle along with fellow Adelaide Lightning player Lauren Mansfield in the 3×3 Australian Squad. The selection will mark both players’ first-ever appearances at a Commonwealth Games, which will be in Birmingham later this month. Australia is amongst the first fourteen nations to qualify for the variation’s first appearance.
Commenting on her selection Whittle said, “After missing out on the Grand Final last season, I’ve seen what it takes to get to finals and the steps I’ve needed to take in this off-season – which has rewarded me with selection in the Australian 3×3 team for Asia cup and Commonwealth Games which to me, is one of the biggest accomplishments a player can have in their career!”
The 2022-23 WNBL season commences on November 3, 2022.