SHENZHEN (China) - At 165cm/5’5", Stephanie Reid does not fit the stereotypical image of a towering basketball star, especially at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025, where size has repeatedly made headlines. Yet here she is, dazzling fans as Australia’s main playmaker and heartbeat in Shenzhen. This marks Reid’s debut on the Asian continental stage for the Opals, a journey defined by perseverance and quiet determination.
Reid’s story is one of being overlooked and underestimated.
"I was under-20s, I never made the state teams. I thought maybe it (being a basketball player) wasn’t realistic,” she said, recalling years of fighting to prove herself. Despite the setbacks, her dream never wavered.
“I really wanted to be an Opal one day," she said. "That’s always been my goal.”
Well, she's a bona fide Opal now, and she's not just here to enjoy the show. In many ways, she is the show.
Over three tournament games, she has averaged 11.3 points, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.0 triples, leading the Opals in efficiency with a 19.7 rating. More impressively, as of this writing, she currently tops the entire tournament in assists and ranks second in overall efficiency. Of course, stats only tell part of the story.
Australia head coach Paul Goriss recently praised her full-court intensity after their major win over Japan on Day 3, "Stephanie’s pickup defense full court was great and her attacking downhill, too."
The coach’s confidence in Reid is echoed by teammate Zitina Aokuso, who lauded Reid's spirit and influence on the squad.
"Steph may not be the biggest in size, but she’s got the biggest heart and she plays hard," Aokuso said. "That really helps us, and we all get around that. She inspires how we play."
Reid’s impact runs beyond numbers. She is the rallying point, the strategist and the inspiration on court for a youthful Australian squad carving their place in the tournament. Having also gained experience representing Australia at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Brazil, she has swiftly stepped up her game on the international stage.
From battling self-doubt to now driving Australia’s attack, Stephanie Reid embodies resilience and leadership. In Shenzhen, she proves a big heart and fierce determination can more than compensate for lack of size.
For the Opals, Reid is certainly not a role player. She's a genuine star steering Australia’s hopes deep into the competition. Without a doubt, she hopes to lead the Opals as they try to finally bag their first-ever Women's Asia Cup title. That would be an amazing bookend to what has already been a rousing debut on the Asian stage.
FIBA