It seems like an age ago that Isabella Stratford was running up and down the court in her Mount Gambier Lakers uniform, unaware it would be the start of something special.
Last week Stratford jumped on a plane and arrived in the United States of America to begin her career as a college basketball player for California State University, Fullerton. When the 19-year-old accepted the scholarship in November last year, it was the realisation of her ambition to play in the US.
Stratford’s journey began at the age of 11 and she still has not forgotten the announcement of her Lakers debut. “I still remember being selected for the Lakers in Under 12’s,” she said. “It was the first team I had tried out for and I remember opening the email.”
After representing Mount Gambier, Stratford spent some time playing in the Adelaide Premier League and performed well enough to earn an opportunity as a development player for the Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL.
The chance to train with and play against some of the best players in the world has been a tremendous experience for Stratford and one she is truly grateful for. “It was great to see how true professionals operate within the team and what extra work they put in,” she said. “Tracy York has played a massive role in my development through giving key opportunities even as much as actual playing time in the WNBL which I did not expect as a 17-year-old.”
The next phase of Stratford’s basketball journey will be in America with California State University, which is located just 15 minutes away from Disneyland.
The opportunity came from the team’s assistant coach, Jodi Page, who is an Australian following talent from down under closely and had her eye on Stratford from a young age.
Through this connection and the coaches liking what they saw from Stratford, she was offered a full scholarship. After a visit to the College in October last year, Stratford decided to commit and said it was a great feeling putting pen to paper. “The recruitment process was fun, but it was a relief when I accepted the offer,” she said. Unfortunately, Stratford’s arrival in the US was delayed due to COVID-19, with the previous season was cancelled, while no one was allowed on campus.
But now the time has finally come and Stratford is ready to achieve her dream and make an impression. “I have had plans to go to college since I was in Year 6, so it’s been a pretty long time coming,” she said.
Isabella’s father Dan Stratford was a long time Mount Gambier Lakers junior coach and well known member of the sports community in Mount Gambier. Isabella Stratford said she was grateful for her father’s positive influence.
“I have been going to America with dad who started the US trips at Tenison Woods College since I was four, so I learnt about American basketball and the college pathways through those experiences,” she said.
“I am so grateful for my dad and all his help through the recruiting journey.” There is no doubt the entire Mount Gambier community is behind Stratford on her US College basketball experience.
