CHENNAI (23rd FIBA Asia Women Championship) - Naturalization of women players in Asia is not common.

American Chantelle Anderson – naturalized by Lebanon a couple of weeks ago – belongs to that rare group.

The 28-year-old justified her induction in style, using her 199-cm presence to leave a tall – literally – impression on Lebanon’s opening game Level II win against Uzbekistan in offense (19 points) as well as in defense (six defensive rebounds in a total of eight for the game).

The former WNBA player spoke exclusively to chennai2009.fibaasia.net after the game.

FIBA Asia: What is the main reason for you choosing to play for Lebanon?

Anderson: This was just a great opportunity to play for an up and coming country in basketball.

And the Lebanese basketball community is very active, passionate and intense.

I really like how motivated they are to up their level of Lebanese women’s basketball. It’s a great thing to be a part of.

This is a great team, great girls. Very fun. I am just having a good time.

FIBA Asia: The Lebanese men’s team has had great results in the last couple of years…

Anderson: I know the Lebanese men’s team is getting better. We would like to further the Lebanese women’s team to emulate them.

We would like the women’s team to continue to grow as a team, as an organization, as a program and as a country.

FIBA Asia: Given the vastly experienced background that you have, what is the singularly impressive aspect that you would point out in this team?

Anderson: They have great heart. They fight till the end. They never give up.

You know, we have a relatively smaller team – height wise. But this team never gives up and keeps fighting.

They just love each other on the court and play for each other. And that’s fun to be a part of.

FIBA Asia: What is that one singular thing where you would like them to improve?

Anderson: Well. This is actually not about the team, but something which is not necessarily in their control.

Any program starting out will go through some growing pangs.

It’s basically that these girls need to continue to play at a higher level more often.

There’s nothing they can do right now. It’s just a matter of time and continuing to play at this level.

Playing this FIBA Asia (Women) Championship is an awesome move in that direction.

FIBA Asia: Personally, what are you looking for personally?

Anderson: My basketball career has been through a lot of ups and downs.

And I just want it to be on a high-note right now.

I’m having a great time with this team, this organization and this country.

My personal goal here is to play at as high as a level as I can and be a good example.

I want to be someone who my teammates can count on when push comes to shove. That’s the most important thing for me – to be somebody my teammates like playing with.

S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia