Goodlett joins Eagles looking to rebuild confidence

Image credit: Mark Filpo (@codexdesignstudio)

Sasha Goodlett has played all over the world and achieved an enormous amount wherever she's been, but one of the final frontiers was to play in Australia and she joined the East Perth Eagles in NBL1 West looking for somewhat of a reset.

Goodlett is one of the best credentialled high-calibre players to ever sign in the competition going all the way back to her college career with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ahead of playing four years in the WNBA including being part of the Indiana Fever's 2012 championship.

It has been quite the journey all over the world ever since for the powerful post weapon including playing in France, Korea, Puerto Rico, Turkey, Mexico and most recently before joining the Eagles, Israel.

There has been plenty of dominant periods along that journey including a 2018/19 season in Turkey where she had 25.8 points and 11.6 rebounds a game with Cankaya.

Even just before joining the Eagles she was putting up 16.7 points and 9.1 rebounds in Israel with H Petah Tivka including the last game on March 27 where she delivered 23 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Despite that, she does admit she wasn’t happy with how that season went in Israel and a big reason she was so keen to continue playing straight away was to put that behind her, get better physical and regain some confidence.

"I really wanted to get leaner and stronger. Coming off a season in Israel that was not successful I knew i needed to play another season soon so i can find my confidence in myself again," Goodlett said.

"I felt like Australia was the place I needed to come to and everyone I mentioned it to told me how great Australia, so I am just glad I listened."

It's fair to say that Goodlett has fitted in instantly on this East Perth team, to the NBL1 West competition and to living in Australia for the first time as she's been a crucial part of the Eagles being unbeaten after the opening four games.

Goodlett has been a powerful inside force for the Eagles averaging 21.0 points, 9.3 rebounds , 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting at 58 per cent from the field in the wins over the Rockingham Flames, Mandurah Magic, Kalamunda Eastern Suns and Joondalup Wolves.

From anyone seeing Goodlett play in the league for the first time would have no doubts that she has already confirmed herself as one of the most dominant bigs in the country.

However, she is only focused on continuing to get better herself as the season goes on and to doing all she can to keep the Eagles winning starting at home this Friday night to the Warwick Senators.

"I think my start here in Perth has been promising. Everyone here is so nice and my teammates and the organization have been very welcoming," she said.

"I am extremely happy starting the season unbeaten but I am more excited about developing personally into a better player as the season carries on.

"My decision to sign and come to Australia is because I wanted to train hard and get my body stronger while in a season environment.

"So I can practice in real time translating the things i learn to in-game experience. So I am dedicated to helping my team by pushing myself to get better each and every game."

New East Perth coach Tim Symons had a clear focus when he took on the role for 2025 and that all started with wanting to find a dominant centre and standout point guard to lock in and then build the team around.

Goodlett has more than help up her end as the centre on the team, but then there's the addition of two-time WNBL championship winning point guard Abby Cubillo who has been brilliant too putting up 19.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists over the opening four wins.

Goodlett already is loving playing with Cubillo, but even more so getting to know her as a person away from the court.

"Abby makes playing basketball so easy. Her IQ and experience is evident when watching her play," Goodlett said.

"The way she controls the tempo offensively is good. And she’s just an overall good person. She is competitive but she also has fun when she’s playing so I have really enjoyed playing with her thus far."

After four years in college at Georgia Tech, four seasons in the WNBA, and since spending seven seasons across several clubs in Turkey along with stints in France, Korea, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Israel, and Goodlett is well placed to offer her views on what she's found in the NBL1 so far.

She had heard nothing but good things about basketball in Australia and so far it's more than lived up to everything she'd heard, and aside from now getting used to the Aussie slang and the fact that winter's coming, the lifestyle is suiting her nicely too.

"Every country has their own basketball style of play. In regards to Australia I like how the game is played here," Goodlett said.

"It's tough and competitive and high tempo. I feel like if I can play well here i can play pretty much anywhere. Living here is a little weird because we are technically going into winter season but back home it would be summertime.

"Hopefully it does not get too cold but other than that and learning Aussie slang everything has been easy and enjoyable."