Tara Murray
Issie Bourne’s impact for Keilor Thunder has been rewarded with the rising star winning the National Basketball League 1 South most valuable player.
In her first season with the Thunder, Bourne beat out a number of WNBL players to claim the award.
She averaged 20 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game.
Bourne was stunned to have received the honour along with making the all-star 5 team.
“I was very stunned, my face showed it,” she said. “I was a bit shocked to hear but grateful at the same time.
“I’m super grateful and excited that I was a finalist to start with. I’m grateful for my teammates and coaches to get me to that point.”
Bourne joined the Thunder after her first full WNBL season with the Adelaide Lightning.
She averaged about 30 minutes a game in her first season and was a nominee for the Betty Watson breakout player of the year award,
Bourne said coming to the Thunder she’d come into a really good environment.
“It was really fun playing with the team and [coach] Kristi [Harrower],” she said. “They were really laid back.
“Playing with a team like that and being prepared to support me and give me confidence to do what I needed to do.”
One of the big reasons for Bourne coming to the Thunder was to play under Harrower, who is one of Australia’s greatest players.
She said it was amazing to be coached by her and that Harrower was a real mentor to her.
“Kristi knows so much about the game,” she said. “The little things and teaches you to work through things.
“She shares what she has been taught and puts things into perspective and knows what is going on in the game and gets you to think about it outside the game.”
Bourne’s first season with the Thunder came to a disappointing end with Keilor losing the grand final to the Waverley Falcons, 87-82.
Bourne finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists before fouling out in the dying minutes.
“I’m still coming to terms with the fact that it was hard to lose,” she said. “Waverley shot really well.
“We didn’t shoot well, but I’m still proud of our effort. We had our ups and downs and adversity as a team and getting to the grand final was awesome.”
Harrower said after the grand final she would like to bring the same team back again with Bourne saying hopefully they can get a few of them back again.
The 23-year-old doesn’t have much down time before preparation for the WNBL season kicks off. Bourne will play with the Lightning again.
“I’m back in Adelaide in a couple of weeks,” she said. “Then straight back into it.
“I’ve learned a lot from Kristi and Nat [Hurst], Adelaide Lightning coach] and I’ve had a full year back in Australia now.
“I’ll take what I’ve learned and hopefully put it on the court.”
