ALTHOUGH she has played top-flight basketball for several seasons, Bendigo Bank Spirit star Kelsey Griffin knows the pre-game jitters will be there before tonight’s match against Adelaide Lightning.
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Griffin’s first hit-outs with the Spirit, which happened to be in Sydney and Canberra, were outstanding.
Whether it be scoring points, winning rebounds, or putting on a block, the athletic American will be doing all she can to help the team’s winning run keep rolling.
After sitting out the first few weeks at her club awaiting clearance, Griffin had an immediate impact against the Flames.
“No matter how many games you have played, there’s always pre-game jitters,” she said..
“I had been waiting for a few weeks for the chance to play with Bendigo, so it was great to finally be on the court and playing.”
Griffin said since her arrival “down under”, she has had great support from all at the Spirit.
“To be in a team with Kristi Harrower, a four-time Olympian, is fantastic,” said Griffin, who played WNBA with Connecticut.
“Here (Bendigo) the pressure is not about having to score a lot of points, win a lot of rebounds. It’s all about doing what I can for the team, and I like that,” she said.
A key player in her decision to move to Bendigo was Spirit centre Chelsea Aubry.
“We were team-mates at the University of Nebraska.”
Aubry was in touch with Griffin shortly after the Spirit’s other import, Kathleen Scheer returned to the US before the WNBL season tipped off because of injury.
“I hadn’t received any other offers, so I thought I would at least try my luck and play in Austrtalia for the first time,” Griffin said.
On the eve of her first home game for the club, Griffin was yesterday presented with a Pandora bracelet by Rick and Chris Stearns at Showcase Jewellers in Bendigo’s Killian’s Walk.
The sponsorship includes a charm being awarded to the game night MVP and coaches award winner at every home game.
Based on last weekend’s form against the Flames and Capitals, it may not be long before Griffin is adding a charm or two on the bracelet.