Antoniadou Sets Sights On 2020 Success

The Nunawading Spectres have re-signed co-captain Rachel Antoniadou ahead of the NBL1 2020 season, the club confirmed today.

Antoniadou produced a career best year in 2019, appearing in 23 games for the Spectres posting returns of 11.9 points at 46%, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. The dynamic guard showing her greatest improvement beyond the 3-point arc, where she connected on more than twice the number of 3-point shots than the previous season.

“We’re excited to have Rach back in a Nunawading uniform,” Spectres Head Coach Paul Flynn said when confirming the return of his starting point guard.

“She’s a walking, talking example that when you put in the work, good things happen. Statistically she had her best season at senior level but more importantly, she took the reins of our team, which was one of the youngest rosters in the league and led it impeccably.”

“Her leadership style is very much by example; you’d be hard pushed to find someone that will outwork her in a game, on the practice floor or in her own time getting up extra shots.”

Antoniadou will enter her third season at Nunawading with clear intentions.

“We’ve come so close the last two years and played some really great basketball as a team. I know that [Flynnie] will have a group of girls on the court that want to play for each other and are all in when it comes to winning – we’re all in on chasing a championship this season.”

Having been a part of Dandenong’s success under the old SEABL banner, Antoniadou highlighted that the decision to shift into Nunawading colours prior to the 2018 season was the right move for her.

“It’s an easy decision to re-sign at Nunawading, I love playing here.”

“The support from the club and the culture across the board at Nunawading is unmatched.”

With Antoniadou a confirmed starter alongside co-captain Izzy Chilcott ahead of NBL1 2020, the Spectres have shored up one of the leagues best backcourt pairings without having to utilise an import or restricted player spot on their roster.

“It gives us some flexibility to make decisions in other positions,” Flynn said.

“We need to add size onto the roster. We have some very good options in front of us and conversations have been positive to this point. I’m confident that we’ll end up with some impressive talent but exactly who, we can’t say – we need to make some decisions on that shortly.”

The Nunawading Spectres will feature 11-home game double headers (women’s game / men’s game) in NBL1 2020, with the season set to tip off in April.