Forward Mikaela Ruef has signed with the University of Canberra Capitals for the upcoming WNBL season.
Ruef, 191cm tall and 28 years old, played for the UC Capitals during the 2016/17 UC Capitals season before joining Toulouse in France where she unfortunately tore her ACL in the finals. After a year of rehabbing, Ruef recently played for Logan in the QBL where she won the league’s MVP title. “I’ve just finished up my first season back from injury at Logan where I was able to regain confidence in my game and in my knee,” said Ruef.
She is now already in Canberra training and will play a big part in the UC Capitals pre-season games.
“I wanted to come back to Canberra because it’s the best club I’ve been a part of in the WNBL, not to mention they won a championship last year and I want to be a part of helping the team win another. “As a team, my expectation for the season is to go back to back and win another WNBL Championship. “As for my personal expectations, I just want to do whatever I can to help the team win, whether that be rebounding, setting good screens and diving on the floor.
“I’m excited to play with Tolo again, she’s one of my favourite teammates ever, and Kelsey because I’ve heard so many great things about her, plus she’s an amazing player. I hope that I can just fit into the team seamlessly and make everyone better,” said Ruef.
Ruef, who is a US citizen, is currently awaiting Australian permanent residency and will not be able to play until then. WNBL rules state that each team may only suit up two international players, which the UC Capitals have in Kia Nurse and Olivia Epoupa.
“I’ve signed with the Caps contingent on getting permanent residency in Australia. I’ve lodged my application, but it’s a long process that has lots of requirements. I’m waiting on one final police check from Ohio to come back, then I will have everything I need and hopefully it will get approved before the start of the season,” said Ruef.
Head Coach Paul Goriss said that he is pleased to welcome Ruef back as she’s one of the hardest working players in the game. “The last time Ruef played for us in 2016/17, she led the team in rebounds and formed a strong front court combination with Tolo. “Ruef is always working hard to get better and add to her game. She brings toughness, competitiveness and WNBL experience to our team. “Her work ethic and skillset will fit perfectly with our team chemistry and was a fan favourite because of her energy and relentlessness on court,” said Goriss.
When Ruef played for the UC Capitals, the team was still playing out of the Tuggeranong Basketball Stadium. “I’m most looking forward to playing in front of the amazing crowd in Canberra. I saw so many pictures and videos from the Grand Final last season and the number of fans in the stands was incredible. There’s nothing more exciting as a player than playing in front of a sold-out stadium of fans cheering you on,” said Ruef.
The UC Capitals are now one player away from completing the 2019-20 roster as the team starts to prepare for the season opener at the AIS Arena on October 13.
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Alanna Smith on the road to recovery and the WKBL
from The Pick and Roll, by Chris Sermeno
There is a growing
list of names that come to mind when asked who’s leading the way for the next
generation of budding Australian female basketball stars. Alanna Smith, who has
made waves in her collegiate, professional and international career, is just
one of those players rising to the occasion.
The former Stanford
alumni played in her maiden WNBA season with the Phoenix Mercury and would also
be drafted at pick number 2 for the Incheon Shinhan Bank S-Birds in the
upcoming WKBL in South Korea.
Despite an ankle injury cutting short her first WNBA season, Smith is adamant that it has been a timely step for her
individual development and career progression. The 23-year-old explained that
she was privileged to have trained and played alongside world class talent, and
she has no doubts that she has fully grasped the incredible opportunity the
WNBA represents.
“It’s been such a huge
experience, it really is a dream turned into reality, said Smith in speaking
with The Pick and Roll. “I was lucky to have been drafted into a team with a
great bunch of women, I learned so much and when you become part of that kind
of setup you want to make an impact.
While the leap from
collegiate level to professional basketball may be a challenge for some, it was
exactly what Smith craved for in her personal journey. Having played under
Mercury coach Sandy Brondello during her time in winning a World Cup silver
medal in 2018 with the Opals, Smith heaped praise on her mentor for a smooth
transition into the professional life.
“After I finished my
time in college, I was ready for a change and a big challenge, and I embraced
every part of it. Having Sandy worked to my advantage as she knows my game very
well and does similar things with the Mercury to the Opals, and having her and
Leilani [Mitchell] around was like a little slice of home.”
This past season has
provided Smith with insights as to what it takes to be a force in the top
echelon of basketball, highlighted by her time off the court with Diana
Taurasi. Initially star struck by the 3-time WNBA champion, Smith described
Taurasi’s focus, determination and attitude as a class above, and thoroughly
admired drawing from her experience.
“She’s a winner! She’s
got a non-stop, killer mentality that’s always pushing forward, and that is
absolutely necessary to make it in a league like this. I think I might’ve
annoyed her a little with all my questions, but I loved picking apart her brain
on plays, drills and learning everything she has to offer. “Once I got over
being star struck, I came to realize she’s super easy to talk to, she’s
absolutely hilarious and she had me laughing all season.”
Although she’s
extraordinarily grateful for her time in the United States, she fully
appreciates the extended time she is spending with family while she nurses her
ankle back to full health. “Around the same time last year, I was able to spend
some time back home, but it wasn’t very long. This is the longest time we’ve
spent together in years. My younger sister is 10 and it’s been really good to
see her and be around my family so much more this time.”
While she is spending
extended time in Australia, Smith’s journey in the basketball world will take
her to South Korea for the 2019/20 season. The lure of exploring the basketball
landscape proved to be more than enough to tempt her away from the Australian
WNBL for the immediate future.
“Personally, being away has been the most
challenging but most rewarding experience of my life and I want to make the
most of playing overseas while I can. “Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love
Australia, it’ll always be home and I’d love to play WNBL one day. But Korea
has a great reputation as a tough league and I’m really excited to see what the
season holds.”
Following her
successful surgery five weeks ago, Smith started walking within the past week
and is sticking to her strict rehab regime as she looks to return to top shape
ahead of the WKBL season opener on November 24.
“Rehab is a strict
process. I’m taking things slowly and training lightly on things like
stationary shooting, one footed shooting and upper body work, but I’m
definitely happy to be moving again.”
Undeterred by her
draft pick status in the US and Korea, Smith insisted her own expectations of
herself are high, yet crucial for developing her own game. Having fought hard
for the opportunities she has enjoyed to date, Smith doesn’t take things lightly as she
continues to grind hard, play hard and be a shining example for younger
basketballers.
“I’ll always be hungry
for success. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and my expectations can be a
blessing and a curse. Falling short can be heartbreaking, but it’s important to
have those expectations and both the positive and negative experiences that
come with it. I’m going to continue fighting because it’s got me to where I am
today.”
You don’t have to look
far to see that Australian basketball is on an upward trajectory. With athletes
like Alanna Smith leading the way, the future success of Australian women’s
basketball on the world stage is set to continue.
