Donnelly to make WNBL return in Townsville
The JCU Townsville Fire have added former Under-19 Australian captain Mikhaela Donnelly to their playing squad on the eve of the 2017/18 WNBL season.
Fresh off a dominant Queensland Basketball League season whereby she led the competition in assists, the 23-year-old, who has previously enjoyed stints with the AIS and Logan, will make her return to the WNBL in Fire colours.
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The athletic guard is poised to bolster the Fire’s backcourt which already contains dual WNBL championship winners Micaela Cocks and Kelly Wilson, along with imports Laurin Mincy and Sydney Wiese.
With the condensed nature of this year’s season, Fire coach Claudia Brassard is mindful of ensuring her squad is as deep as possible and firmly believes Donnelly will be a valuable asset.
“Mikhaela has been on our depth charts for some time and she’s a welcome addition to our squad,” Brassard said.
“She’s still only young, but she’s an experienced guard, who knows the league quite well.
“She enjoyed a really strong QBL season and we look forward to seeing her transfer that form in the QBL.”
After playing 77 games with the AIS and Logan, Donnelly has been absent from the WNBL since the Thunder’s demise, and in the meantime, has become a mother.
Her daughter, Adisyn, has joined her in North Queensland and will spend the WNBL season as part of the team.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Donnelly said.
“(The club is) super welcoming and it’s a great environment to be a part of.
“The baby will come with me, she’s on the road.”
Donnelly averaged 10.7 points, 6.6 assists and 4.9 rebounds leading the Thunder in the QBL, including four games with double-digit assists.
The Fire will continue pre-season this week ahead of the Wilmar Sugar Burdekin Blitz that includes games against Perth on September 22 and 23.
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2017/18 JCU Townsville Fire squad: Haylee Andrews (development player), Zitina Aokuso, Suzy Batkovic, Micaela Cocks, Mikhaela Donnelly, Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Miela Goodchild (development player), Laurin Mincy, Mia Murray, Marena Whittle, Sydney Wiese and Kelly Wilson.