Local Logan basketball star Ashley Taia has fulfilled a lifelong dream of signing to play in Europe. The versatile 6-foot tall wing player will make the move to Huskvarna, Sweden to play for the Wetterbygden Sparks.
Ash has worked tirelessly on her game for the opportunity to showcase her skill set at a professional level abroad. Now she will have the chance to do so in the competitive European market.
Ash will see out the rest of the NBL1 season with the Logan Thunder as they look to add another title to their Queensland Basketball League title from last season.
Background
If you have walked into a basketball stadium in Logan in the past decade, chances are you have seen Ashley Taia working on her game. She has been a staple in the Logan basketball scene her whole life as she strived to reach the heights of the professional scene. Ash started to make waves locally whilst playing for John Paul College where she led them to three National School Championships in 2007, 2010, and 2011.
Ash has led her teams, both John Paul College and Met East, to eight total Queensland Championships.
Ashley Taia playing for Indiana State
From there, Ash was allured by the bright lights of American college basketball initially attending Odessa Community College in Odessa Texas (Home of hit TV show and film Friday Night Lights).
From Odessa, Ash moved up to Division one college basketball with Indiana State where she played out the next 3 years of her college career. During her time in Indiana Ash picked up some awards including; Mountain Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week three times and All-Conference Honorable Mention Team.
On her return to Australia, Ash continued to represent the Logan Thunder along with stints at a few separate WNBL squads, most recently with the UC Capitals in Canberra.
This season Ash has been a revelation as part of the high-powered Logan Thunder. With a starting lineup littered with WNBL and professional-level talent from across the globe, they have been able to string together an impressive 12 and one season.
With finals starting in a fortnight Ash will be looking to secure another title here in Logan before she gets on the plane to Sweden.
