On behalf of the entire North Adelaide Rockets family, a massive congratulations to Lauren Mansfield who was recently named in the Australian Opals team for the FIBA Asia Cup to be held in India from July the 23rd to the 29th.

Lauren started playing with the Rockets at 10 years old for the U12 Div 2 team and played through to U20’s, representing SA in State teams in National Junior Championships for 6 years.

Her first senior game for the Rockets senior ABA side was at 16 years old; she was affectionately nicknamed by supporters the "Pocket Rocket" of the ABA team.

Lauren went on to play 4 years of college ball in the US, 2 years at Midland College in Texas and 2 years in the tough Big 12 league for Iowa State University.

She has played WNBL for Adelaide Lightning, SEQ Stars and Canberra Capitals and is currently playing SEABL for the Launceston Tornadoes and still wearing the red and white. If only it was the North Adelaide red and white.

Next season she is following another dream and has signed to play in Europe for MMKS Katarzynki Torun in the prestigious Polish League and will miss the coming WNBL season.

Lauren is following her dreams that began when she started playing at a 10 year old for the North Adelaide Rockets. And, once a Rocket always a Rocket; she hopes to one day return to Adelaide and play for her beloved Rockets in the Premier League to complete her journey.

The following link shows some of Lauren's basketball highlights - 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OCmZMUaauY

Further details of the team and Lauren's inclusion can be found here -

http://basketball.net.au/opals-team-named-with-additions-to-coaching-staff-to-contest-2017-fiba-asia-cup/