Major coup for United ahead of second season

AUSTRALIAN Opals star Shyla Heal has joined Geelong United for the coming WNBL season.

The gun three-point shooter and skillful driver to the basket won bronze with the Opals at the 2023 Asia Cup in Sydney.

Heal, 23, is also the daughter of former Geelong NBL player and Australian Boomers great Shane.

She returns to the WNBL for the first time since winning a championship with Townsville in 2023, and is fresh off a training camp with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.

“I’m really excited to be a part of the club,” Heal said.

“I feel like I’ve got an opportunity to help women’s basketball to take a step forward and keep growing in Geelong and the outer regions.”

According to a United statement, Heal was a highly sought-after free agent in Europe and turned down lucrative offers to sign with Geelong.

Across the past two years, she has played in Poland, Israel, France and was recently a top-five scorer in the top Turkish league.

Heal said coach Chris Lucas and United’s owners sold her on the club’s vision.

“Chris is a very experienced coach and I’m excited to play for him.

“What also drew me to Geelong was the girls I will be playing with.

“I went to the AIS with a few of the girls already on the team, Jaz (Shelley), Gemma (Potter), Ellissa (Brett) and Taylor (Mole), so that was a positive for me because I know we will have a great culture with great people around and also have a chance to seriously compete.”

Lucas said the team had “a true point guard now, someone that can carry the team”.

“I think her and Jaz Shelley are going to be a terrific combo in the back court.

“To have somebody purely run the point guard and be an extension of me on the floor is something I’m really looking forward to.”

Heal was selected by the Chicago Sky at pick eight in the 2021 WNBA draft, where she played four games.

United finished seventh with a 6–15 record in its inaugural season last summer.