Future Opal signs with Townsville

Future Opal Saffron Shiels has signed with the Townsville Flames for the 2024 NBL1 North season. 

She last represented Australia with the Gems, placing ninth in the U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Spain in July of last year as well as being named to the Opals squad during their tour of China in August. 

The star on the rise spent last season with the NBL1 East's Centre of Excellence, averaging 10.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists as a 17-year-old.

She had a season-high of 22 points against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the Semi-Finals, with the CoE falling short by only seven points to the loaded roster. 

Turning 18 during this current WNBL season with the reigning champion Townsville Fire, Shiels will remain in Townsville in the winter under Fire assistant coach and Flames head coach James Rapinett. 

"We are thrilled to sign Saffron, she will be a tough cover in the NBL1 North," he told Flames. 

"She is one of the most dynamic athletes and will be a menace in the league, as a legit 6'2 point guard her ability to make plays is something special. We can't wait for her to hit the floor." 

In her debut WNBL season she has appeared in 13 games, averaging 8.8 minutes per game for the first-placed team. 

The NBL1 season starts on March 23, see the full fixture here.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest NBL1 signings via the 2024 Roster Tracker here.