By Nicholas Creely
The basketball world has continued to expand for Ally Malott, who touched down in Melbourne last week ahead of her WNBL debut season with the Dandenong Jayco Rangers.
From humble roots in Madison Township, Ohio, Malott, 23, has constantly pushed her basketball boundaries.
First to college at the University of Dayton – where she helped the Flyers into the Elite Eight in 2015 … before she moved up to DC after she was drafted by the Washington Mystics WNBA team.
But it’s her latest relocation that has her head spinning – a move halfway around the world to keep her skills sharp in the upcoming WNBL season.
“I’ve always wanted to visit Australia and last year (abroad) I didn’t have the best experience, so I was kind of looking for somewhere I’d enjoy playing and enjoy my team-mates, coaches and the city,” Malott said.
“I heard a lot of great things about Melbourne, so when coach called me when we were talking it seemed like there were a lot of positive things about the team and I could see myself playing for them … so it didn’t take me very long.
“Everything that I’ve heard – from players who have played here in previous years – they have nothing but nice things to say about the league and this team – so I think I’m ready for some competitive games and to get better as a team.”
Malott remains amazed she gets these chances to pursue a professional life in basketball after the successes she had throughout her time as a Flyer.
“It was a big adjustment – the professional game, it wasn’t something that I knew I was going to do, after four years of college I didn’t think that was something I would do, but when it came to light it was exciting and it’s a big blessing to be able to keep playing for my job,” Malott said.
“My senior year of college we went to the elite eight and I’m from a smaller school and it taught me the lesson that if everyone believes in each other and believes in the process and what the coaches are saying … you don’t have to be a big dog necessarily to get success.
“That was probably the biggest highlight so far, but obviously it’s a privilege to play in the WNBA and now as well in the WNBL and I’m looking forward to what happens this season.”
Malott’s been working on her outside game and perfecting the three-spot.
“This past season they (Washington) moved me to the three and it was kind of an adjustment from picking and popping and being under the basket to being on the perimeter – so I’ve been working a lot at my quickness and trying to guard smaller people,” Malott said.
Rangers coach Larissa Anderson was thrilled to find someone of Malott’s caliber available for this year’s WNBL campaign.
“She’s really excited about being in Australia and we have signed a fantastic player who possibly wouldn’t be available and now we have someone who is keen,” Anderson said.
“Everyone knows we’re without Bunts and Annalise from last year and they settled in beautifully, but we’re really excited to have Ally come in,” Anderson said.
“With Nat (Novosel) in the line-up, we decided to go with one extra big and Ally suits that well.
“She has a good inside-outside game, goes perfectly with the rest of our line-up – which is extremely versatile.
“That allows us to go a lot of different combinations and Ally complements that nicely – as we could play her anywhere from the three to the five.
“In the WNBA they’re trying to change her into three-man, so she’s had 12 months of great experience of playing and defending the three-spot.
“So she’s a fantastic three-point shooter as well as another big for us.”
