By JARROD POTTER
ONE season at Florida State University was enough for Dandenong Rangers point guard Rachel Antoniadou.
Antoniadou, 20, from Ripplebrook, took on a student-athlete opportunity at the Seminoles over the last year and played her part in the team’s great successes in 2015/16.
As a freshman guard her time on court was limited, but in her 21 games she fought for every minute and earned them all.
Her last match – the Sweet 16 clash against Baylor – saw her Seminoles bow out of the national tournament 58-78.
But with those last few seconds on court, it wasn’t everything she wanted it to be … so her first year as a Seminole also becomes her last.
“It was pretty good, being overseas was definitely an experience, I’ll say that,” Antoniadou said.
“I learned a lot – not only basketball wise but culture wise.
“I’m not going back next year, though – it wasn’t really a fit for me.
“I didn’t really find it up to what I wanted it to be – it was very intense, I knew it would be with basketball and everything, but it definitely takes the term ‘student-athlete’ to a whole other level.”
While it was only a brief stay in the Seminoles’ system, Antoniadou has brought back plenty of wisdom and a better understanding of herself on and off the court.
Even though college is now in her rear-view mirror now, she doesn’t regret a second of it.
“I would say go with your gut instinct and don’t regret anything at all – I don’t ’cause it’s such a great opportunity and experience,” Antoniadou said.
“Just because it doesn’t work out for someone like me and I didn’t find it was the right fit for me, doesn’t mean it will be the wrong fit for someone else.”
Her return last month was quickly followed by lacing up the basketball shoes again … to re-join her beloved Dandenong in the SEABL ranks.
She also gets a chance this summer to add to her five WNBL matches – also at Dandenong – where Antoniadou hopes to earn a call-up to play under her former SEABL coach Larissa Anderson … but this time at the domestic basketball peak.
In other Dandenong news, the WNBL Rangers side announced the signing of import WNBA centre Ally Malott and the re-signing of club legend Jacinta Kennedy.
