A BASKETBALL journey, which began at the age of eight with the Junior Braves, has led to Piper Dunlop signing her first WNBL contract with her hometown team.
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The 16-year-old Australian junior representative has been elevated to a developmental player spot on the Bendigo Spirit's 2020-21 season roster.
Her signing continues the 6'2" centre's rapid progression through the basketball ranks, from Junior Brave and Victoria Country and Australian representative,to a Braves NBL1 player in 2019 and now a Spirit squad member.
Dunlop has worked tirelessly on improving her game throughout her junior career and was an integral part of the Australian team, which won gold at the 2018 FIBA Under-15 Oceania Championships, and went through the tournament undefeated.
It was here Dunlop first experienced Spirit head coach Tracy York.
"I trained with the Spirit last year and Tracy was also my national coach, so I know what to expect and what her expectations are," Dunlop said.
The significance of her elevation to the national league through the Basketball Bendigo pathway is not lost on the gifted and hard-working teenager.
"This is an amazing opportunity to show other young players in the region how pathways can work"," Dunlop said.
Coach York said she was excited to welcome Dunlop to the WNBL ranks.
"Piper is a great young lady but more importantly has a great attitude on and off the floor," she said.
"She was a training player with us last season and showed she has the skills and mindset at this level to continue to improve and develop".
Spirit general manager Ben Harvey believed it was a proud day for the club.
"Piper is exactly what the Spirit is about, showcasing that pathway through junior programs to the national level," he said.
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