Mincy returns for WNBL champs
JCU Townsville Fire championship winner Laurin Mincy will return to North Queensland after agreeing to a new deal for the 2018/19 WNBL season.
Earlier this week, the 26-year-old agreed to return to the Fire after playing a key role in the club’s title campaign including a starring performance in the third and deciding Grand Final against Melbourne.
Mincy proved a sparkplug in the championship decider as she finished with 11 points and four rebounds – well above her season averages of 6.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists – to lead the Fire to glory.
Splash! Laurin Mincy with the triple & then the dime as the Fire lead 51-28 with 4.33 to play in Q2! #FireUpTownsville pic.twitter.com/2pEAeFJXdJ
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) December 23, 2017
A polished player at both ends of the floor, the 2015 WNBA draftee spent two years in Israel before linking up with the Fire, and according to head coach Claudia Brassard, will flourish in her second season in the competition.
“Laurin enjoyed a great debut season in the WNBL and I’m expecting she’ll be even better in 2018/19,” Brassard said.
“She’s extremely versatile both offensively and defensively, but she also showed she could score off the dribble and from the three-point line and provides us with true length on permitter.
“I think she’s one of the competition’s most underrated players and we’re expecting her to play a key role in our championship defence.”
Rachael Sporn MVP Voting for the #WNBL18 GF series from Roy Ward (The Age), Trent Slatter (Townsville Bulletin) and Carly Wilson (FOX).
Suzy Batkovic (21)
Liz Cambage (13)
Sydney Wiese (6)
Brittany Smart (6)
Cayla George (3)
Kalani Purcell (2)
Laurin Mincy (2)
Kelly Wilson (1)— WNBL (@WNBL) January 21, 2018
Having started for the majority of the season, Mincy proved she was capable of locking down the competition’s premier guards.
Her form for the Fire was rewarded with an invitation to the recent WNBA combine with Mincy looking to return to the world’s premier women’s basketball league.
“I’m excited about returning to Townsville,” Mincy said.
“I enjoyed everything from my team, coaches and fans to the warm weather.
“I am very eager to get back to work and see what we can accomplish this season.”
Mincy is the sixth signing for the Fire in 2018/19 joining championship winning teammates Suzy Batkovic, Darcee Garbin, Micaela Cocks, Zitina Aokuso and boom recruit, Tess Madgen.
The Fire are expected to make further player announcements in the near future.