WNBA dream for Jersey teen heading to US college

Vanessa Szajkowska says she is excited and anxious about her stateside move

A teenager from Jersey says she hopes to one day make it to the American professional women's basketball league, the WNBA, ahead of a move to the United States.

Vanessa Szajkowska, 16, has been awarded a basketball scholarship to SPIRE Academy in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ahead of the move she thanked coaches and the basketball community for helping her realise her dream.

The Jersey Basketball Association (JBBA) said "moments like these highlight the pathway that basketball in Jersey can provide".

'Fell in love'

Speaking to the BBC, Vanessa said she was looking forward to her next steps.

"I'm very excited, obviously a bit anxious, but mostly excited," she said.

Vanessa began playing basketball as a small child and says her love for the sport came from her dad: "He started playing a long time ago. Eventually I fell in love with it too," she said.

"I just love the sport, I love how it feels playing it, and being able to play in such a great community makes it even better."

Vanessa, who plays wing-guard and shooting-guard, says she has been putting in early starts to get ready for life in the US.

"I've had so much support from my coaches and team over the years - and I've been training every morning at 7:30 to get ready for the move.

"The goal is to try and go there for university too and, one day, the WNBA."

Timea Kraft spotted Vanessa's talent back in 2021

Timea Kraft, junior ladies' head coach in Jersey, spotted Vanessa playing in the women's league in Jersey.

"She is a real talent, and I first saw that talent back in 2021. I pulled her off the court, spoke to her mum, brought her to the senior training sessions, and I'm just very proud of her.

"She is the most complete player in Jersey. She is the highest scorer in all of our wins against Guernsey, I'm really proud of her achievements."

Ms Kraft added Vanessa was "the first player to ever get a basketball scholarship, from the JBBA. It's a huge milestone. She can be an example for every other player coming up".

SPIRE Academy describes itself as an elite sports boarding school, with world-class athletic training and facilities.

"There is so much behind this, the resilience, the work outside of basketball in the gym, it's been years and years of really hard work," Ms Kraft said.

Caitlin Clark has been credited with boosting interest in the WNBA

Vanessa's WNBA dream coincides with a huge surge in interest in the women's game led by superstar player, Caitlin Clark. Her rise has increased viewership and sent ticket prices soaring.

No matter where Vanessa's career goes from here, Paul Millbank, president of the JBBA, described her scholarship as an "incredible achievement".

"We first met Vanessa when she was very small, coming through our junior minis programme, and we've watched her grow.

"The programme here has really grown around her. And to be at the point where you can go and play in America is the ultimate gold standard for any player.

"It's the home of the sport. And what that does is it creates much more aspiration within the association too."