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bball_novice · Joined: 01 May 2003 Posts: 59 Location: Mesa, AZ

Quote: For Australian import Belinda Snell, the transition to the American game hasn’t been an easy one.
"Training camp has been tough and a real eye-opener for me," said Snell, a 5-foot-11 shooting guard who the Phoenix Mercury signed in March.
"It’s a lot more intense (in the United States). In Australia, it’s a bit laid back. Everyone is out here fighting for a spot."
Making the team shouldn’t be a problem for Snell, who was brought in to add scoring punch off the bench. The Olympian led the WNBL, Australia’s pro league, in scoring (20.3 ppg) last season and also broke the league record for points in a game with 54.
"Snell is a pure shooter to add to the perimeter arsenal we already have," general manager Seth Sulka said.
The 24-year-old said she had offers to play in the WNBA two years ago but didn’t feel she was ready.
"I’ve worked hard in the weight room, I’ve worked hard on my individual game and tried to improve that before actually getting over here," she said.
Her off-court transition has been a bit easier since there are four other Australians (coach Carrie Graf, assistant Michele Timms, forward Penny Taylor and guard Jae Cross) on the Mercury.
"It definitely helps to come over to a team that has Aussies," Snell said. "I would be a bit scared going into any other club without any Aussies around. They’ve helped me settle in and have been really good in the process of me getting over here."
STARTING FIVE
After going 17-17 and missing the playoffs by only one game last season, Phoenix won’t tinker much with its starting lineup, Graf said.
All-Star Anna DeForge and Olympians Diana Taurasi and Taylor will start in the backcourt while free agent addition Kamila Vodichkova, who started at center for 2004 WNBA champion Seattle, will anchor the middle.
That leaves only the power forward spot up for grabs. Plenette Pierson started there last season and has shown in camp she’s determined to do so again. "Plenette, right now, is making a statement that no one is beating me out," Graf said.
Third-year pro Gwen Jackson and rookie Sandora Irvin are also candidates.
BONUS SHOT
Forward Kayte Christensen, who is out with a left ankle injury, is expected to return to the court no later than Tuesday, the same day as the Mercury’s first preseason game, at Indiana.

by Matt Paulson, East Valley Tribune 5/5/05

Keegan · Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

Thanks for the article. I can't wait for the first preseason game.

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1689 Location: Central Phoenix

Quote: The 24-year-old said she had offers to play in the WNBA two years ago but didn’t feel she was ready.

After-effects of Vealy. Despite the success of Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor, a few of the Aussie players have been gun shy about coming over while teenagers. Summerton, Snell, Grima, etc. could have come over earlier, but chose to wait.

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1050 Location: Phoenix AZ

Quote: excerpt from article:
Australian Snell giving Mercury a good shot

Norm Frauenheim
The Arizona Republic
May. 7, 2005 12:00 AM

The town's name is Mirboo North.

Population: 1,200 to 1,300.

Stop lights: None that Belinda Snell can remember.

Basketball hoops: At least one.

A stoplight wouldn't have mattered much to Snell anyway. As an 8-year-old in a tiny Australian town about two hours from Melbourne, Snell stopped only for that hoop.

"Me and my two older brothers," Snell said Friday before a Mercury practice at America West Arena.

It was there, at a park near her home, that she discovered an innate ability.

She was a shooter and - as late Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons once said - there are never enough of those.

The complete article is excellent
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0507mercury0507.html