Heading into her second National Finals, Jasmin Fejo cannot wait to experience it again, this time with her sister.
Making the move from the West Adelaide Bearcats, Fejo joined her sister, Renai Fejo, on the Lions squad for the 2024 season – going from the wooden spoon to champions within a season.
“It is amazing (playing with Renai), I've dreamt of doing this with her and it's actually really cool,” she told NBL Media.
“We're both very similar to one another, so it's cool that we both actually think alike on a court. She listens to me even though she's older than me, so it's kind of nice to have that little control there,” she joked.
Reflecting on the 2022 National Finals, Fejo explained how much fun it was to play against the other conferences. Now suiting up for a new team, she cannot wait to do it all again in a picturesque location.
“It was such a cool experience, seeing where all the other conferences are at and how the whole conferences have their own different style of play,” she said.
“When I went with Bearcats, it was such an eye-opener and such a shock to the system in a good way. It will be a very cool experience for all those players (who haven’t played before) to have a taste of what the next level is like.
“I think everyone should have a taste of that because it is pretty cool if you are very into basketball and into wanting to get to the next level.”
But if you asked anyone in Adelaide a year ago, no one would have expected the Lions to be representing the conference in the National Finals.
While Joe Noone was still the head coach last season, the team underwent dramatic roster changes for 2024. In a 1-17 finish last season, it was clear changes had to be made – with only four players returning from the previous season.
The team went on a recruiting spree – bringing in now Halls Medalist, Casey Samuels, along with Taylah Levy, Lilly Ritz and Jasmin Fejo.
While any one of these players can be a star on a team in their own right, Fejo explained each person had a role to play in their championship season.
“We all bring a lot to the table and the team, from the starting point guard to our bench players and even the rotation squad,” she said.
“We all have something worth bringing to this team. Casey has that overseas and WNBL experience and Taylor is very professional in what she does. Growing up, I always played against Taylor, and hated it, she’s an absolute gun and I adore her for it.”
While she has experience as a championship point guard with the Bearcats, Fejo added that she's still finding her voice as a leader. Despite many years in the competition, she’s still only 24 years old and is still improving in a larger leadership role again this season.
While she may be a conductor on the court, Fejo joked none of it has helped with her son Brooklyn.
Tickets are still available for the 2024 Mitsubishi Motors NB1L National Finals, get your tickets below.
