Pioneers secure SA grown WNBL star

Ally Wilson (1)20190714 Crop  TBW Newsgroup

Ally Wilson (1)  TBW Newsgroup
BIG SIGNING: WNBL and NBL1 star Ally Wilson is the latest signing set to light up the floor for the Pioneers women in the NBL1 2020 season.

AS the NBL1 season fast approaches, the Mount Gambier Pioneers today announced the latest women’s signing, with WNBL Sydney Uni Flames star Ally Wilson committed to the club for its inaugural season in the national competition.

Wilson originally hails from Murray Bridge and grew up representing South Australia Country and Australia at both state and national level.

Pioneers’ president Tom Kosch said the opportunity to bring Wilson into the program is “huge” for aspiring country sportspeople who look to reach greater heights in their chosen sport.

Wilson is the highest profile women’s player to join the club’s roster as the Pioneers take the step up from South Australian Premier League into the country’s premier winter competition.

“Having someone like Ally join our program is outstanding for our club and our community,” Kosch said.

“Ally defines the pathway for our up and coming local women’s players, who has come through the SA country representative teams and now plays at the highest level in the country in the WNBL.”

Head coach Matt Sutton has worked hard to continue the momentum created from the 2019 Premier League season to add the leadership and talent to compete at NBL1 level.

“Bringing in a world class player in Ally is great for our program,” he said.

Wilson is an explosive guard standing at 180cm tall who will trouble her opponents at both ends of the floor with her ability to score and distribute, as well as being a strong defender.

Wilson had a taste of the NBL1 competition in 2019 with Diamond Valley and will join the team in Mount Gambier once her WNBL commitments come to an end.

The Sydney Uni flames currently sit sixth on the WNBL ladder with only two rounds to play in the regular season.

Wilson currently averages 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game for the season.

“She is a great person that loves the game of basketball,” Sutton said.

“She will be a great fit for our team as well as the Mount Gambier community.

The Pioneers women’s roster should be completed in early February.