Saint Mary's standout Carly Turner signs with Cobras

The Kilsyth Cobras have added versatile wing Carly Turner for the 2021 NBL1 South season.

Turner is a recent graduate of the Saint Mary’s College, where she enjoyed an impressive collegiate career with the Gaels. Turner played an instrumental role in the Gaels success from 2014-2019, helping lead the team to an impressive 88-44 record during her four years on court.

The 6’0 guard was a standout during her 2017 Junior season, averaging 10.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game en-route to earning an All-West Coast Conference Honourable Mention.

Though she missed the 2017-18 season due to injury, Turner returned to the floor in 2018-19 and finished the season strong, producing a season-best 16 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists and two steals in the WCC Tournament semi-final against the powerhouse Gonzaga Bulldogs.

While Turner starred in the high quality WCC, she has also enjoyed success at home in Australia, and as a national team representative. She was a member of the U17 Australian Women’s team which placed fifth at the 2012 World Championships, and in 2017, she was named to the Emerging Opals team - along with new Cobras teammate, Lauren Scherf - which won gold at the World University Games.

During her time at Saint Mary’s, Turner established herself as a high-level rebounder and deceptively good shot blocker for a guard, attributes she possesses thanks to strong blend of athleticism and basketball IQ. Turner’s smarts saw her earn a pair of WCC All-Academic honourable mentions, and the interest of Cobras head coach, Hannah Lowe.

"Carly is high IQ, super competitive and a great teammate,” Lowe said.

“She will add value to the Cobras unit through her versatility and skill set as well as her general approach to the game.”

Turner is set to become the next Gael-turned NBL1 star, with former Cobras Lauren Nicholson and Louella Tomlinson two of many Saint Mary’s standouts who have returned home to make a splash in the league. And if history is anything to go by, Turner could be a steal for the Cobras in 2021.