Michaela Meade
Ezi Magbegor keeps raking in the honours.
The 21-year-old basketball star from Craigieburn took out the 2020 Basketball Victoria Betty Watson medal, and has been confirmed as part of the Australian Olympic basketball team.
The Betty Watson medal is awarded to the female athlete of the year.
On Magbegor’s award, Basketball Victoria said: “She had an exceptional 2020 in incredibly difficult circumstances, but shone both overseas and at home.
“She made her WNBL debut for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA bubble and made the most of her opportunities on the way to a WNBA championship.”
Magbegor played 22 games with the Storm, averaging 6.5 points per game, 2.5 rebounds and 13.3 minutes on court.
Basketball Victoria said in a statement: “across two WNBL seasons in 2020, Magbegor impressed with the Boomers as Melbourne made the finals twice only to just miss out on making the grand final.”
Magbegor, currently overseas, posted to social media to share her reaction.
“It means a lot to receive this award, especially knowing the great athletes that have received it in the past,” she said.
“In terms of my 2020, it was quite a big year.
“I think a personal highlight of mine was definitely just being able to play the WNBA for my first season, and to win a championship with the Seattle Storm was pretty special.
“But I think more broadly, just to be able to come back and play in the WNBL… so many people pushed for that season to happen, especially with the pandemic going on, so to be able to have so many games… and to be able to have that league get the exposure it deserves was really important.
“That was something really big that came out of 2020 and definitely another highlight.”
Magbegor has been confirmed as one of the 12 women competing for Australia for the Tokyo Olympics, announced last month.
Magbegor will be joined by Rebecca Allen, Elizabeth Cambage, Katie Ebzery, Cayla George, Tessa Lavey, Tess Madgen, Leilani Mitchell, Jenna O’Hea, Alanna Smith, Stephanie Talbot and Marianna Tolo.
It will be Magbegor’s Olympic debut.
