Australian Opals Centre Cayla George will play for the McDonald’s Mackay Meteorettes this NBL1 season. Picture: @LauriJeanPhotos

MACKAY, QUEENSLAND – Mackay Basketball are excited to announce that Australian Opals player Cayla George will suit up with the McDonald’s Mackay Meteorettes for the 2021 NBL1 North season.

Arguably the most high-profile signing in the history of the club, the 31-year-old will use the NBL1 competition in Mackay as a pivotal preparation platform for the 2021 Olympic Games being held in Tokyo.

The 193cm forward-centre is no stranger to international play, having represented Australia at the 2014 and 2018 FIBA World Cups where she collected bronze and silver medals respectively. George also competed in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the 2018 Commonwealth Games, winning gold at the latter. George has also showcased her skills in the WNBA, playing 89-games for the Phoenix Mercury and Dallas Wings.

A proven winner, George was a member of Townsville Fire teams that won WNBL championships in 2015, 2016 and 2018.

Most recently, George has been plying her trade with the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL, coming off an impressive 2020 campaign where she averaged 14.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest.

McDonald’s Mackay Meteorettes Head Coach Scott McKenzie was thrilled to have George join his squad.

“Cayla is an exceptional player and an even better person. We’re absolutely delighted she decided to join our program over many others across the country,” McKenzie said.

“She has the ability to dominate the game in so many different ways and her versatility is going to provide our team with a wide range of different looks at both ends of the floor.”

“She’s also an outstanding leader and it’s important that we have somebody of her stature helping steer the ship, especially with so many younger players likely to get an opportunity this year. Overall, there’s so many boxes that she ticks for our team and we’re very happy that we’ve been able to recruit her.”

George too, was looking forward to competing in the Meteorettes red and black.

“I’ve always heard great things about the program in Mackay, the professionalism and the way they go about things, so for me, that expertise was a major factor in my decision to join the club,” George mentioned.

“I was looking for a situation that would best suit Olympic preparations and the landscape of Mackay Basketball, both on and off the court was the ideal fit for helping me get to where I need to be.”

“There’s also a great group of girls there and I’m pumped to be able to contribute where I can and bring some experience and leadership, with a goal of winning a NBL1 North championship,” George added.

George will join her Meteorettes teammates in May in preparation for the sides’ first NBL1 North games on the road in Townsville on Friday, May 14 and Cairns on Saturday, May 15.