By RUSSELL BENNETT
PENNY Taylor’s basketball career has come full circle, with the Australian Opals captain returning to where it all began – the Dandenong Rangers – for her first WNBL stint since 2002.
The Phoenix Mercury WNBA star, whose junior basketball journey started with the Belgrave South Red Devils, is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.
Now 33, she won a FIBA World Championship gold medal with the Opals in 2006 and was named MVP of the tournament. She’s also a three-time WNBA champion and three-time all-star in addition to winning championships in her time in the Italian, Russian and Turkish leagues.
Many local basketball fans would have grown up never having the opportunity to watch Taylor play on home soil, but that’s all about to change and she couldn’t be happier.
“I’m pretty lucky,” she said.
“This year has been a great one for me, getting back on to the court after a long couple of years with injury.
“I took some time after the World Championships to work out where would be best for me, and obviously Dandenong is a great option – it’s where I started and after quite a long time I get to come back here and play for a great club, a great ownership and a coach and a team that I really respect.
“It couldn’t have worked out better.”
Taylor will once again play under Mark Wright, who was the Rangers coach in her last Dandenong stint, and she also reunites with former Phoenix WNBA championship-winning teammate Cappie Pondexter.
“I’m really excited about it – we’ve both grown over the years and have different things that we’ve added to our arsenal, and I look forward to seeing the way he’s developed and to merge it with the way I have,” she said of playing under Wright again.
“(And) Cappie and I have an amazing history of winning championships.
“I love playing with her – I think she has great court vision as well as her individual talents.”
Originally, neither Pondexter nor Taylor were on the Dandenong radar but injuries to Liz Cambage and Monica Wright changed things.
Dandenong has made a slow start to the new season and currently sits last on the ladder with just one win from its first five games. After losing by 22 points to Bendigo on Thursday night, the Rangers went down to the Capitals 101-72 at AIS Arena in Canberra on Saturday.
Taylor is expected to line up for the Rangers against Townsville this Saturday 8 November from 3pm at Dandenong Stadium.
