FIBA Women's Asia Cup: Australia hoopster Eziyoda Magbegor's meteoric rise

Twenty-year-old Australian basketball player Eziyoda has bagged professional contracts in the WNBL, first with Canberra Capitals and then with Melbourne Boomers.

Eziyoda’s talents were first noticed in Australia’s victorious 2016 FIBA under-17 world championship campaign.

Australian basketball player Eziyoda Magbegor made the headlines earlier this year when she was picked 12th in the WNBA draft, by Seattle Storm.

It has been an interesting journey thus far for the 20-year-old Eziyoda. She was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia with her Nigerian parents at the age of six. Her interest in basketball was sparked early when she followed her elder siblings to basketball practice at a local club near Melbourne.

“My parents worked hard, driving us four children everywhere to make sure we played basketball. I am lucky to have great parents. Later on, we played pretty much all over Victoria. Those were some long drives,” Eziyoda said here on Wednesday after Australia put it across New Zealand in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup basketball tournament.

Eziyoda’s talents were first noticed in Australia’s victorious 2016 FIBA under-17 world championship campaign, where she was named the ‘Most Valuable Player’. Eziyoda has since bagged professional contracts in the WNBL, first with Canberra Capitals and then with Melbourne Boomers.

While the imminent move to the United States of America is exciting, Eziyoda’s immediate focus is on the continental championship here. “Playing in the Asia Cup is a great experience. The WNBA will be a lot more physical, so you have to be ready to match up,” she said.