Lara Gweneth McSpadden (born 2 April 1999) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Sydney Flames of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL).

Lara McSpadden
No. 14 – Sydney Flames
PositionCenter
LeagueWNBL
Personal information
Born (1999-04-02) 2 April 1999 (age 25)
Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Career information
Playing career2015–present
Career history
2015Newcastle Hunters
2016BA Centre of Excellence
2016–2020Sydney Uni Flames
2017–2018Sydney Sparks
2019–2020Newcastle Hunters
2020–2023Townsville Fire
2021–2024Rockhampton Cyclones
2023–2024Sydney Flames
2024–presentTauranga Whai
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Representing  Australia
Basketball
FIBA U17 World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2016 Spain Team
FIBA Oceania U16 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2015 New Zealand Team

Early life

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McSpadden was born in Penrith, New South Wales.[1]

Professional career

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WNBL

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McSpadden began her professional career with the Sydney Uni Flames in the 2016–17 WNBL season.[2] She played four seasons for the Flames, leaving following the 2019–20 WNBL season.[3]

McSpadden joined the Townsville Fire for the 2020 WNBL Hub season in Queensland. She continued on with the Fire in 2021–22 and 2022–23.[3]

For the 2023–24 WNBL season, McSpadden returned to the Sydney Flames.[3]

State Leagues

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In 2015, McSpadden played for the Newcastle Hunters in the Waratah League. In 2016, she played for the BA Centre of Excellence in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL). In 2017 and 2018, she played for the Sydney Sparks in the SEABL. She returned to the Hunters for the 2019 Waratah League season and continued with Newcastle in 2020.[3]

In 2021, McSpadden joined the Rockhampton Cyclones of the NBL1 North. She continued with the Cyclones in 2022, 2023 and 2024.[3]

National team career

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McSpadden made her international debut at the 2015 FIBA Oceania Under-16 Championship for Women in New Zealand with the U17 Sapphires, where she helped them qualify for the world championship the following year. At the world championship, the Sapphires won their inaugural title in Spain. After snapping team USA's 28-game win streak at U17 level, Australia went on to take home Gold.[4]

McSpadden went on to represent Australia at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup and the 2019 World University Games.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Lara McSpadden". fiba.com. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  2. ^ "McSPADDEN HEATS UP THE FLAMES". wnbl.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Lara McSpadden". australiabasket.com. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Magbegor named MVP of 2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship, headlines All-Star Five". fiba.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017.