MANGILAO (GUAM) - Bailey Flavell is not your typical teenage baller.

Of course, none of the players set to play at the FIBA U15 Women’s Oceania Championship 2022 is a typical teenage baller as they are representatives of their respective nations, but Flavell is a bit more unique in her own way.

She’s a standout player in school and, on top of eyeing college opportunities in the USA, the 15-year-old is already playing against professional players on the regular in the FIBA 3x3 scene which she sees as a valuable opportunity.

"I just want to gain as much experience as possible playing with and against some of New Zealand’s top female players," said Flavell as per Basketball New Zealand.

"I think I will learn a lot. This level will be very physical and a lot faster, so I’m looking forward to it and am grateful for the opportunity."

Pride of the Black Singlet

Her skills will be put to the test at the international level for the first time here in Guam. It will be her first time representing the country, an opportunity she’s had her eyes on for a while.

"I’m super excited and honored to wear the black singlet for the first time. Since I heard about this tournament over a year ago it was one of my goals to make the team," she said.

"It is an honor to represent my country alongside such a great group of girls. It is awesome to get these exciting opportunities at such a young age."

Here at the U15 Women’s Oceania Championship, Flavell and the Junior Tall Ferns will go up against the likes of Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and of course, Australia. Against these opoonents, young players like Flavell will get the chance to soak up the experience and learn to become better players in the future.

"Playing at an international level we will get to see different styles of play from different countries. This will be a great learning opportunity for us all."

"Expectations are that we will need to be quick learners. We will need to study the opposition as well as come together as a team quickly to bring the best out of each other."

It’s a good thing that Bailey Flavell also has an additional edge over the other players right from the beginning.

Family Business

"I started playing when I started primary school," she said of how she started picking up the sport. "All of my family played so was easy to get started as I was always around it. I have played lots of different sports but basketball has always been my favorite."

"My brother and I have a lot of sessions with dad and we have some good games on the hoop at home," she had also told Basketball New Zealand.

Mentioning that "all of her family played" and that she and her brother had a "lot of sessions with dad" might not read like much without context. However, that is the slight head start that Bailey might have over the competition, as she is the daughter of Judd Flavell, a member of the legendary Tall Blacks team that were World Cup 2002 Semi-Finalists.

One of the first thing about basketball that the former Tall Black guard taught his daughter was "to have fun and always enjoy what you are doing"

Bailey is certainly doing that and more with the wise teachings from her experienced father.

"He had finished his playing career when I was born and just started his coaching career," said Bailey of her father. "He has helped with lots of coaching and advise since I started playing till now."

"He has always been about doing the fundamentals extremely well."

Judd, who has been coaching as early as 2006, has been a key part of developing young kiwi talents whether with the youth national teams or with the NZ Breakers academy. He’s been able to pass on what he preached to his teams to his daughter as well. Considering that she’s on her way to making a debut with the youth national team, those lessons have worked quite well.

"Work hard both on and off the court," Judd said of the key things he tells Bailey to focus on in basketball and in life.

"I put an emphasis on her putting time in her fundamentals. I believe in having a good balance in life especially at a young age where they can experience playing different sports and trying different things."

Of course, as a father, Judd is just as proud as any other parent that will see their children play in Guam.

"It is great to see our aspiring kiwi female athletes get these amazing opportunities and is cool to see Bailey get her first taste of international basketball."

The FIBA U15 Oceanian Championships serve as qualifiers for the FIBA U16 Asian Championships 2023 with the top two teams going through.
The FIBA U15 Oceania Championships will be hosted in Guam from November 21 to November 26. Follow the event here!

FIBA