Burke primed to lead Chinese Taipei's podium quest
TAIPEI CITY (2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship) - After suiting up in the William Jones Cup, it looks like Joy Burke could be the player to help inspire Chinese Taipei back to the podium at the FIBA Asia Women's Championship.
It is exactly a decade since they achieved a third-place finish at the tournament and the omen could be good as it was the last time the competition was played in China.
Heading to Wuhan later this month and with the additional lure of a potential spot at the 2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT), Chinese Taipei have certainly boosted their options with Burke, who will be known by her Chinese name Hsi-Le Bao during the event.
She has been snapped up by Bendigo Spirit and will be heading to the WNBL to play her club basketball during the forthcoming 2015-16 season.
So, there will be many eyes on her progress in a Chinese Taipei national team vest from those waiting to see her in Australia.
Watch Gun Spirit recruit Joy Burke in full flight at William Jones Cup for Taiwan. https://t.co/2mIFd7lf4l https://t.co/izyS82JgLc
— Bendigo Spirit (@BendigoSpirit) August 3, 2015
The Arizona State graduate will bring a presence in the paint for a nation that has traditionally struggled in this facet of the game.
Standing 1.96m tall, Burke is also the tallest player in the history of Chinese Taipei according to the national federation.
She averaged a double-double during her first pro season recently where she suited up for Horsholm 79ers in Denmark.
Fluent in Mandarin having lived in the country until she was 12 years old - when her parents moved to the family to the United States - Burke has found little difficulty in settling into her new surroundings and is destined to become an integral part of the team at the FIBA Asia Women’s Championship.
FIBA
