MANILA, Philippines – Five-time UAAP champion Jack Animam is set to bring her professional career to Australia, joining the Ringwood Hawks in semi-professional league NBL1.
Animam’s new team, which made the playoffs last year, competes in the South Conference of the NBL1.
The longtime national team player makes Australia her latest stop after previously playing in Serbia, France, and most recently, in China.
Animam played for Wuhan in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association, where they ended up 14th in the 19-team spread.
In 35 games, the homegrown Filipina cager averaged 11.4 points, 12 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.1 steals.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to bring Jack to Ringwood. We have been following her journey for a while now and we are really excited to finally have her here,” Coach Jeremy O’Toole said, per the team’s Instagram.
They’re also looking forward to the Filipinos’ support locally after taking Animam in.
“We want to see as many people as possible supporting Jack and the team and watching her representing the Ringwood Hawks,” said O’Toole.
“Jack has a powerful platform to be an incredible role model to young girls playing basketball and we hope to help build and support that, so she can continue to give back to the next generation”
The NBL1 season begins for the Hawks and Animam on April 3, against the Kilsyth Cobras.