Sydney Flames forward Maya Dodson has watched her hometown embrace women’s basketball. Now, her early experience in Australia has her excited about where the game is heading internationally.
Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Dodson remembers watching the Atlanta Dream play at Georgia Tech in front of modest crowds. Seeing that support build, from filling their next home near the airport, to playing more games at State Farm Arena, home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks,has made the sport’s progress feel personal.
“Just seeing, for the playoff games, how the city rallies around them. And I think it’s just going to continue to grow.”
For Dodson, that momentum extends beyond the United States. With a global career seeing her play in Poland, New Zealand and Spain, since joining the Flames, she has been impressed by the professionalism and investment she has encountered in the Australian game.
“For my brief stint here so far, it’s been one of the most professional, organised, leagues I’ve been in,” she said.
“From the marketing, and to the resources, to everything. And it reminds me of when I was in training camp, the WNBA.”
Double-headers and opportunities to play in larger venues have also stood out, giving Dodson another perspective on how the game is developing beyond her home country.
“And it’s cool to have these double headers and play in these big stadiums. It makes a difference.”
From the crowds rallying behind Atlanta to the work going on around her in Sydney, Dodson is encouraged by what she sees.
“I’m seeing the work that people are putting in, and I’m excited to kind of see how it continues.”
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