Oaklands Wolves have added to their 2017-18 WBBL roster by securing a talented group of Academy players, who will once again play a pivotal part in the Hertfordshire teams’ successes this season.
Leading the young group will be returning stars Tia Freeman, Kata Fulop and Krisztina Nagy, who all played major roles in last year’s maiden WBBL campaign.
Freeman, a versatile 5ft 10 in guard, who recently suited up for the Great Britain 3×3 team in the European qualifiers in Latvia, averaged 5 points and 3 rebounds in 20 minutes per game last season.
Hungarian international centre Kata Fulop returns to the paint, where the 16-year-old managed an impressive 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds shooting over 50% from the field in 2016-17.
Krisztina Nagy returns to Hertfordshire without her twin sister; but Nagy’s performances indicate that she is ready to take the mantle. The skilled 5ft 8in combo guard will give the Wolves flexibility as she looks to add to her 3.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in 21 minutes of court time.
“I’m really looking forward to the new season and ready for Oaklands to have a great impact in the WBBL,” stated Freeman.
“I think we will surprise a lot of teams this time round! Personally, I’m ready to step up and show what young players can do!”
Nagy commented: “I can’t wait to return to Oaklands, we are all so excited for this season to start. Last year was tough but we have learnt a lot and the new players will only add to our hard- working team.”
Joining the returners are four newcomers to the Oaklands Wolves WBBL squad. The young players will be part of the college’s WEABL academy and look to make an impact when given their opportunity in the WBBL.
Great Britain U16 guard Khia Lee joins from Manchester Mystics and is looking to add her athletic ability to the team, whilst Scottish shooting guard Sami Brown heads across the border from Boroughmuir Blaze via the recent Scottish junior Final.
Forward Ciara Belsham and shooting guard Ella Messetter join from Bucks Hornets; with both players having been part of the English National Teams youth programmes last year.
“Last season it was sink or swim for the academy payers in the WBBL,” mused Wolves’ head coach. Lee Ryan.
“It was great for them to step up but in reality, we didn’t have enough experienced players to support them when they needed it. This season we will have a better balance, but we will still be relying on the younger players to perform and take their chances.
“Kyla [Nelson] is a big loss, as is Anna and Maja from last year’s group, but our returners will be very special this season.”
He added: “The new academy girls will raise the standard once again and they will benefit from having the older players around to guide. However, I want to see them enter with no fear and ultimately earn minutes off the seniors!”
Oaklands will be adding more academy girls by the start of the next academic year and look out for another signing that will be announced tomorrow.
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