MINSK (FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018) - Like so many other aspiring players born into a basketball family, FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 All-Star Five contender Shyla Heal is having to balance what can be considered both a blessing and a curse.

After all, the Australian ace has arguably bigger footsteps to follow than almost anyone else of her generation who find themselves looking to emulate a sibling or a parent. Dad Shane didn’t just log NBA minutes, but also stepped out at an incredible four different Olympic Games, famously dropping 28 points on the USA ‘Dream Team’ in Atlanta during 1996 and then captaining his country three editions later.

 
Throw in the fact he has also coached at a high level, is a big personality within Australian Basketball circles and it quickly dawns that comparisons are simply inevitable at this juncture for Heal junior.Although as time passes, the comparisons will surely fade a little as she carves out her own legacy – whatever that might be.

A Father and Daughter Dynamic

In reality, any one of us might struggle to calibrate an intense pride of our father’s accomplishments, with an understandable irritation of always being spoken about in the same breath at every turn. But for Heal, the glass is way past being merely half-full.

“Having my dad by my side teaching me everything has been nothing but amazing and having someone to look up to continuously motivates me day in and out,” she stressed.

“Obviously there are positives and negatives of having a dad that played at 4 Olympic Games, but all of the negatives link back to other people’s opinions and comparing him and I together.

“I have learnt to block it out, because as long as I train hard and continue to love playing, then good things will happen.”

As we admit to being guilty as charged in terms of adding fuel to the comparison fire, it’s hard to do anything else when Shyla is lighting it up in Minsk. The highlights reel has been bulging from her exploits as she continues to reiterate just why she is so highly rated.

 Turning heads hasn’t all been down to the coaching tips and relentless work on the fundamentals with Dad either.

“Shyla is very motivated and always has been,” revealed Heal Senior.

“Her biggest strength is her love for the game, her work ethic and toughness. We have done our on-court shooting and skills sessions since she was young and she is always working on her game. I love working her out each day at home, but she doesn’t need any pushing. I support her and help her understand the game.

 
“Shyla has been a standout in every age group. Because she worked so much on her skills and played so hard, it always gave her an advantage. She enjoys the challenge each time she steps up in the level of competition and isn’t afraid of the challenge.

“It has been an advantage that we play the same position and giving her feedback about the things I learned does help.”

It’s a fascinating dynamic for those of us outside of the relationship to digest.

It’s true that the uber-focus of Shyla is palpable in every way. Former Opals star, Olympian and double-WNBA champion Erin Phillps played Australian Rules Football and when quizzed if Heal had considered other sports or avenues, the response was typically emphatic.

She declared: ”I don’t have any interest in any other sport. Basketball is my passion. Training and playing every day is what I love to do. I know some girls are playing football and I respect that, but it’s not for me.”

Professional Page To Be Turned With Perth

What certainly is well-suited for Heal is a new solely basketball focused chapter once the curtain falls on the action in Minsk. She has just signed her first professional contract, turning down the chance to follow many of her predecessors by heading to the States to play College ball.

“The NCAA definitely crossed my mind and I had big schools contact me and I did consider it, but I thought playing against pros everyday was a better pathway to begin my journey and ultimately help me achieve my goal of playing for Australia at the Olympics,” explained Heal.

“When I went to visit the Perth Lynx program for four days. I had the chance to work with the players, the coach and had strength and conditioning.

“After the visit, I was excited to sign with them and it allowed me to fully concentrate on this current Sapphires campaign. It has definitely inspired me to not only do my family and country proud, but also my new club."

She continued: “The thing I’m looking forward to the most in the WNBL is training and playing against professionals daily – players that have so much more experience than me. I think I will find myself improving at an extremely fast rate.

 
“The main thing I know I have to conquer in the WNBL is people doubting me because of my age but being the youngest in the league doesn’t scare me at all. If anything, it motivates me to show people that age is just a number and it means nothing at all.”

This pending watershed of needing to transition from youth basketball into the pro-game could mean a sea-change in how she turns to her father for all things ball-related.

“I think it is the mental and emotional side that is of benefit in my support for her,” said Heal Senior.

“Things like how to work through times when you don’t play well, or the mind-set going into big games.”

Hats off to Seebohm

Heal already has experience of title games, having helped her nation secure the FIBA U16 Asia Women’s Championship with a thrilling 61-60 win against Japan last year. Now she is part of an Australia side in Minsk that is looking to defend the historic U17 silverware secured two years ago.

The main link between both editions is the continuity provided by the presence of Sapphires’ head coach, Shannon Seebohm – widely regarded as one of the best young play-callers in the women’s game.

“Following in the footsteps of the team that won in Zaragoza is very exciting,” enthused Shyla.

“We are lucky enough to still have Shannon guiding us through and teaching us the philosophies to beating some of the best teams in the world.

“For us, it starts at the defensive end. Defending more athletic players than we have seen at home takes a bit of adjusting to, but as long as we play smart and together, then I’m confident we can do well in this tournament.”

Seebohm also gets a major thumbs up from Dad too: “Shyla is lucky to have Shannon Seebohm to learn the international game from, while hearing different philosophies is great for her too. There is a time step away and let her learn from other coaches.”

 
Above anything else, Heal Senior is just delighted that his daughter has a big opportunity to continue doing something she loves. He is also shrewd enough to recognize that the game, and specifically the women’s game is changing for the better.

He explained: “The opportunity for young woman to play professionally around the world is exciting and offers amazing life experiences. The women’s game continues to evolve and I look at the things Shyla does in our workouts and her skills are so much better than mine at the same age.

“Her body has evolved regarding her strength from being at the Centre of Excellence and that will allow her to compete physically.

“’I’m very proud of her on the court, but more proud of the way she handles herself as a person and as a team mate,” concluded Heal.

FIBA