Jack Animam is set to become the second Filipino to play in Australia after signing up with the Ringwood Hawks in the National Basketball League 1.
Animam, a two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, said she will be flying to Melbourne on Monday to hook up with her new team.
With that, the 25-year-old former National University star will be the second Filipino to compete Down Under after Kai Sotto saw action for the Adelaide 36ers also in the NBL.
Sotto, however, is now playing for the Yokohama B-Corsairs in the Japan B. League after three seasons in Australia.
Animam said she is looking forward to playing against bigger, stronger Australian players.
“Of course, I’m looking forward to continuing to hone my skills and getting better. I hope I can bring a championship in my professional career,” Animam, who averaged 11.4 points and 12.0 rebounds in her previous international stint for the Wuhan Shengfan in China, said.
“My game is physical so it’s not new to me. Everywhere I go, I’m always ready and I always prepare. I’m just looking forward to the experience.”
The 6-foot-5 Animam is expected to add more height to the Hawks, who are being bannered by Hailey Wynd and Mikayla Peterson, when they kick off their campaign on 3 April.