Opals star signs with Willetton

Opals star Zitina Aokuso has signed with the NBL1 West’s Willetton Tigers for the 2025 season.

Spending the past five seasons in the NBL1 South with Geelong, Melbourne, Ballarat and the Mount Gambier Pioneers, Aokuso will return from Europe and play in a new conference.

Currently playing in Turkey, the star forward is averaging 13.4 points and 6.3 rebounds in her first season overseas. 

Last season in the NBL1, she averaged 17.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 blocks per game, leading the Pioneers to fourth on the ladder. 

Willetton head coach Simon Parker explained how exciting it is for the club to add someone of Aokuso’s calibre.

“Any time you can sign an Australian player, and be a player of Zitina's stature in Australian basketball, it's very exciting,” he said. 

“It gives our team a genuine post player that can control the keyway in offence defence and I would expect she will dominate the Centre position against most teams 

“It's a massive signing for Willetton, but also the league and we are grateful we get the opportunity to work with her.”  

The NBL1 West starts April 4th. Stay up-to-date with all the latest signings via the Roster Tracker here.