Cairns Dolphins announce NBL1 roster

The Cairns Dolphins are set to be led in the inaugural NBL1 North season by two Queensland basketball veterans in player-coach Myra Donkin and new signing, Emma Nakamura.

Nakamura joins the Dolphins after playing with the Townsville Flames last year and spent a number of years in their program as a player and Queensland Basketball League referee.

Originally from Japan, Nakamura started playing basketball in Australia as a high school student in Brisbane, before returning and playing for Daitou Bunker University in Tokyo.

In her return to Australia, she suited up for the South West Metro Pirates.

The power forward moved to Cairns for work and jumped at the opportunity to be part of supporting the up-and-coming Dolphins squad featuring Sarah Heard, Leichan Williams and Jadah Luki.

"I’m really excited for the opportunity to play in a Dolphins uniform," she said.

"Cairns Basketball has a really great reputation and I’m looking forward to being involved, especially with the young group we’ve got this season.

"There’s probably a good ten-year age gap between myself, Myra and the other girls, so I can’t wait to see them progress.

"I’m definitely here to help out and develop the excellent talent here, and hopefully encourage more local girls to get into basketball."

Cairns' NBL1 North season begins this Saturday 15 May at Cairns Basketball.

NBL1 NORTH
2021 CAIRNS DOLPHINS