Garlepp’s career comes full-circle with the Flames
The basketball career of Renae Garlepp (nee Camino) will come full circle in WNBL24 after the 36-year-old has decided to rejoin the Sydney Flames.
Starting her hoops journey as a player at Illawarra, the NSW product will be part of Guy Molloy’s coaching staff for the 2023-24 campaign.
“I’m truly excited about this new opportunity with the Flames,” said Garlepp, who believes she will bring ‘a competitive drive and problem-solving mindset’ to the Hoops Capital club.
“I look forward to collaborating with all the players and gaining insights from Guy’s wealth of experience.”
As a player, Garlepp progressed through the state ranks, before joining the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence from 2004-05.
After being named WNBL Rookie of the Year in 2005 with the COE, Garlepp went on to play for numerous other WNBL teams including Townsville, Adelaide, Logan and Bendigo before joining the Flames in 2013.
During this time, she also won FIBA Oceania gold medal and FIBA under 21s silver medal in 2007 for Australia – while also being drafted 24th overall by Houston in the 2006 WNBA Draft.
Following her retirement from playing, Garlepp transitioned into the coaching ranks with Norths Bears, where she this year guided the women’s team to the NBL1 East championship and NBL1 Nationals grand final.
The now 36-year-old was also given her Australian Opals coaching debut, working alongside head coach Shannon Seebohm during the country’s 2023 Asia Cup tournament in Sydney – guiding the side, featuring Flames Tess Madgen and Lauren Nicholson – to a bronze medal.
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Nicholson is just one of a host of NSW juniors, much like Garlepp herself, that will line up for the harbour city club in WNBL24.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see so many NSW junior players in the squad,” she said.
“For young female basketball players, having role models who’ve come from their own clubs or followed the same pathway is incredibly powerful.”
The Flames tip off their season on Friday, November 3 in Perth before playing their first home game against Melbourne on November 12, as part of a Hoops Capital double-header at Qudos Bank Arena – with tickets available here.