It may not have been the year basketball supremo Aishah Anis was expecting, but she's ensured it was used efficiently as she readies herself for a shot overseas in 2021.
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The 18-year-old Grammar graduate played as much ball as she could, starting with a productive Tornadoes preseason in the wake of the NBL1 cancellation.
"It was a shock to hear it and it would've been nice to play it but we got a longer preseason," Anis said.
"In that preseason phase, you're at your peak fitness, and although we weren't playing I got more time to focus on my studies and hang out with friends and have a social life."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT:
Having dealt with a persistent bruised knee bone injury, Anis said going through her usual injury prevention techniques were a boon in keeping her in form during 2020 down time.
"We started scrimmaging a bit out of lockdown and going up the coast to play girls in college," she said.
"When the season [state league] came around, we were ready but obviously we weren't playing the whole year so there were lots of injuries ... because people aren't doing the injury prevention stuff."
Anis' 2020 tenure with the Launceston Lightning in the state league proved incredibly beneficial; the point guard averaged 14.38 points across eight games.
"To have that [state league] after the quarantine ... was really nice because it got everyone's confidence up that we could still actually play basketball," she said.
"I guess being in that environment is something special and we missed it during COVID so it was good to get going again."
To have that [state league] after the quarantine ... was really nice because it got everyone's confidence up that we could still actually play basketball.
- Aishah Anis
Sights set on USA
Earlier this year Anis received an offer to play for Southern Utah University in the United States in July 2021.
She said her plans to play for the NCAA division 1 program haven't changed.
"We've been communicating a lot over social media because I can't go over there ... I was supposed to visit but that can't happen," Anis said.
"Nothing's really changed, as soon as I go over there I can get my visa ... but once I get over there I probably can't come back unless there's a vaccine."
While Anis faces a possible prolonged period away from Aussie soil, she's ready to take the plunge for what will be a significant career move.
"I'm not really a homebody so it doesn't really bother me but I'd like to come here on my time off just to see everyone," she said.
Harry Murtough
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
