NSR Australia Prospect Manager and basketball champion Jayne Strand shares her experience of going from college basketball in America to playing professionally in Australia.
Jayne explains that upon graduating college she found that basketball still played a huge role within her life.
“I had always dreamt of playing professionally, so it was time I made it happen…1000 of athletes want to play professionally and think that it was going to be given to them but its not. I had to work for it, I didn’t want to put my fate in someone else’s hands so I took charge and started calling coaches…”
From that point, Jayne explained her experience researching various teams, contacting coaches and attending countless tryouts. Eventually Jayne came across a coach that were in need of Jayne’s position and gave her the opportunity to join the team. Jayne moved from Des Moines, Iowa USA to Melbourne in order to peruse her passion for professional basketball.
“It was a really exciting time. I had always dreamed of doing something like this and now the time had come…”
How did playing College Basketball benefit you in playing professionally?
Throughout her years as a college basketball athlete, Jayne developed a number of essential skills that have aided her pursuit within professional basketball world.
“…the ability to adapt to different environments is huge…traveling so often to away games in college taught me to put everything aside and just play ”
this aided her capacity to settle into life in a new country.
How does playing professionally differ from playing at a college level?
“Playing sport professionally adds a whole different dynamic to the game. Obviously it was a dream come true, and the sport I love took me across the world to a whole new country. All of a sudden you go from basketball being something you play to basketball being your job. That shift does add some pressure, but you learn to adapt. I was lucky enough to play for a team that treated me well and made the transition very doable. Like many Americans coming into leagues over here in Australia, it takes a while to adjust to the style of play. I was too physical and kept fouling out of games.”
What advice do you give athletes looking to head down the professional pathway after college?
Jayne advises athletes that:
“…the work you put in day in and day our is what your outcome is going to be…you create your own opportunities, no one else will do it for you…the odds were against me having taken time off after college, so I had to grind and create my own opportunity”
…going on to explain that all athletes considering on taking a similar pathway to herself to
“…have realistic expectations. If you aren’t training harder and getting better every day, don’t expect something like this to just fall into your lap…You will face an elite group of people that you must rise to the occasion.”
Jayne encourages all athletes to pursue their sporting dreams tactfully and with open eyes to the level of training and commitment involved.
Finally, for those athletes who succeed in developing your college sporting passion into a professional career, you must learn to balance your sport as a business.
“…I used to play basketball strictly for the fun, but now I see the sport as opportunity…it has truly given me a very unique experience to be on the other side of the world. Now other opportunities have stemmed from that and here I am working for NSR. The world is truly yours for the taking. If you really want to play professionally… put in the work, keep your vision big, enjoy the journey along the way, and don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”