George reflects on breaking WNBL’s all-time rebound record
Sydney Flames’ Cayla George has once again solidified herself as one of the WNBL’s greatest players, by becoming the competition’s all-time rebound leader over the weekend.
By collecting 13 rebounds on Saturday against Bendigo, the South Australian product overtook Rachael Sporin (3229 boards) to move into the top spot.
“Becoming the glass leader is pretty bloody cool but I credit my teammates and opponents who have missed over the last 16 years,” said George.
“I knew I might have been close [to breaking the record] as last year I was up there on the leaderboard but I only found out right before the Bendigo game that I was only seven away which was cool because I had been struggling a bit to put one foot in front of the other since coming back from the United State and it allowed me to switch on to the CG of old for a moment and remember who I am.”
The 34-year-old, who now has 3236 rebounds to her name, admits the magnitude of the accomplishment did quite hit until after the game in the locker room.
“Reflecting is something I don’t do very often because as athletes we are always just onto the next thing,” said Flame #215.
“But my teammates after the game celebrated me with a lot of genuine love and reminded me of how great the accomplishment is.
“Rebounding is an effort thing, so going into games my goals would always be rebound-focused as that allowed me to be in the best frame of mind before I step onto the pine.
“I’m proud of myself for being in this position and am extremely blessed to have played with and against some incredible players and humans who, fortunately for me, haven’t shot at 100 per cent.”
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With plenty of gas left in the tank, the reigning WNBL MVP is now focused on achieving more goals with the Hoops Capital club.
“There are other goals to reach before I move onto my next phase of life, and then I’ll have a new set of goals to keep me motivated,” said the 2023 WNBA champion with the Las Vegas Aces.
“But until then, I’ll keep grinding away and trying to impact the game in the best possible way to not only bring more attention to the game but to make it better for the next generation coming through and hopefully the female hooper who is going to smash my record.”
George and her Flames this weekend will head to Newcastle for the first-ever Harvey Norman roadshow.