Stephanie Reid always dreamed of representing Australia as an Opal.
For those who chase this dream, the traditional pathway usually means being selected for state programs, winning a scholarship with Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence, or playing for Australian junior teams to catch the eye of selectors.
But Reid took a different path.
A tenacious basketballer, the self-described tomboy was "obsessed" with basketball from an early age.
She wore Michael Jordan tracksuits and loved attending WNBL games.
Reid fondly remembers watching the Opals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
"I was obsessed with watching and trying to steal things from players I looked up to," Reid said.
"I remember seeing an Opal do a running hook lay-up, went home and said 'mum, I'm going to nail that' … so I would be outside doing these random hook lay-ups against my sister."
During high school, Reid divided her time between touch football and basketball for the Frankston Blues.
But while she was excelling in touch football, it was not the same success story on the basketball court. Reid was cut from every state squad as a junior.
"Everyone made the National Intensive Training Program, State Performance Program and East Coast Challenge — not me."
The American dream
Attracted to the philosophy of developing character first, academics second, by year 12, Reid wanted to play for the University of Buffalo (UB) on a college scholarship.
She and her family knew UB would, "genuinely care about me developing as a human rather than just a basketball player".
Friend and mentor Simon Mitchell, head coach of the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the National Basketball League, invited the UB coaches to watch Reid play in Australia, but she wasn't offered a scholarship.
With no other offers, she started to believe that her college dream was done.
But much to her surprise, Reid was offered a last-minute scholarship, just five days before her HSC exams.
After being denied any opportunity or hope after her experience playing for the college coaches, she was shocked.
"They asked me to arrive on December 27 and play straight away," Reid said.
Reid went on to spend four successful years at college and graduated as the all-time leader in assists.
She will forever be remembered for her buzzer beater that sent UB to the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) finals for the first time in their history.
Despite this success in the States, back home in Australia Reid again found herself playing semi-pro for Frankston.
With no interest from WNBL clubs after her impressive on-court performances in college, she once again called upon Simon Mitchell.
College complications
Mitchell invited Reid to train with the Phoenix, and recognised her performance was worthy of a WNBL opportunity.
He called Cheryl Chambers, head coach of the Southside Flyers, and convinced her to put Reid on the roster as a development player.
Meanwhile, head coach of the Townsville Fire in the WNBL, Shannon Seebohm, had kept a close eye on Reid's college career.
In 2019, he invited her to play for the U23s Australian University Team.
"Meeting Shannon was one of the most significant things in my pro-career," Reid said.
"When he picked me up to be part of that U23s team, I had no expectation to be a part of that. I was so far out of the circle. I thought why do you want me? How did you find me?"
But there was a slight snag.
Reid had graduated from college in the US 13 months earlier, making her ineligible for the Australian University team by one month.
She frantically enrolled in an online teaching course to secure her chance to represent Australia.
Into the Opals orbit
This extraordinary opportunity meant that Reid was propelled into the orbit of the Basketball Australia pathway that had eluded her so far, and right towards her long-held dream of joining the national side.
Reid played alongside future Opals including Ezi Magbegor and Anneli Maley, all of whom followed the traditional Basketball Australia pathways of making state teams and Australian junior teams.
Reid soon followed Seebohm to the Townsville Fire and signed a full-time contract for the 2020/21 WNBL season.
Her role was to push the sharp-shooting Shyla Heal.
"I was just happy not to be a DP (Development Player). I don't need to play, I just want to be in the rotation," she said.
Reid re-signed with Townsville for the 2021-22 WNBL season with her goal still firmly front of mind: to be in the Opals by the end of the WNBL 2023 season.
Posting big numbers and impressing the likes of Opals legend Michele Timms, Reid ended the season as the Townsville Fire MVP and Club Person of the Year.
More importantly, Reid caught the attention of Opals head coach Sandy Brondello, and was invited to join the World Cup squad.
"She said you've earned it, you've come so far … you need to feel confident coming into camp, that you deserve to be there."
Reid focused on being confident and leaving a great first impression while at camp, relying on her sound basketball IQ and tough defence to adjust as the new kid in the Opals environment.
She made her Australian Opals debut in May this year during a series of friendlies against Japan, experiencing a special full circle moment when Timms presented her with an Opals jersey.
Redefining the dream
Reid was unfortunately cut from the Opals squad after this series - but Brondello provided parting words of encouragement.
"She said keep working, look how far you have come and use that as motivation for the next time you're going for a spot in the squad."
Reid continues to focus on her goal to represent the Australian Opals again.
Unfortunately, that won't be at the upcoming FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney.
But if we can learn anything from Reid's story, and the different ways she constantly chased down her basketball dream, it doesn't mean that this is the end.
Her admirable journey exhibits how one person can still achieve their dreams by creating their own path beyond the traditional opportunities, and shows there's not just one way to reach your dream destination.
"I think I'm fortunate to be one of the very few athletes that have made it this far without going through the typical state/BA (Basketball Australia) pathway, and I'm grateful for the resilience and work ethic that's given me," Reid said.
"I don't think I would be the same player if I hadn't had those setbacks growing up that motivated me to become the hard worker I am."
ABC Sport is partnering with Siren Sport to elevate the coverage of Australian women in sport.
Jacinta Govind is a former basketball player and now passionate advocate for women's basketball. She is the co-host of the women's basketball podcast 'Shooting the Breeze' and she commentates the NBL1 East basketball league for the Central Coast Crusaders, the inaugural NBL1 Nationals and occasionally for FIBA junior tournaments.
Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us at abcsport5050@your.abc.net.au.
