Basketball leads Makayla to college in Hawaii

Warragul basketballer Makaela Zeldenryk never thought college would be for her, but now, she’s preparing to make the move to her new school Hawai’i Pacific University.

Makaela, 19, was offered a scholarship late last year to attend the division two university and signed in January to play basketball for the Sharks when the season kicks off later this year.

Growing up in Warragul, Makaela picked up a basketball when she was eight years old, but it wasn’t the perfect beginning.

“I got dragged to my first training after being told by mum I had to do something. I didn’t have the greatest time that first training, I just remember getting hit in the face by the ball,” she laughed.

Despite her first encounter not going to plan, Makaela was eventually drawn into the game and began to fall in love with it, which gave her opportunities on and off the court.

“I started to enjoy it and was able to get really good friendships from it. It was more the social side, exercise and enjoyment in my junior years,” she said.

It wasn’t until she realised she had some natural talent that she began to take it seriously.

After playing with Gladiators and Chalkies in juniors, she was asked to join the Warragul Warriors representative side in under 12s.

“When I started playing there, I got a feel for it. I started doing more skill days and did academy camps,” she said.

She began playing for Dandenong in the under 14s on Friday nights, alongside the Warriors on the weekend, filling up her schedule as she progressed.

In 2019 Makaela was a part of the winning under 18 VJBL Vic Championship side at Dandenong, while also taking out the Youth League championship before coronavirus lockdown.

With everything shut down, she focussed her attention on her Year 12 studies at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, Warragul and for the first time in years, didn’t have to juggle schooling, social life and basketball.

“I pretty much had a year off basketball. I didn’t play a game which was a big change. It was good to have some social life again, I was a bit freer and more had more time to go on walks with friends and spend time with family as well,” she said.

It was then her career took another turn. 

For the full story, grab a copy of today's Gazette.