NBL1 North superstar changes sides for 2024

NBL1 North superstar Mikaela Ruef has changed teams and made the move to the North Gold Coast Seahawks. 

After spending the past three seasons with the NBL1 North Logan Thunder, the club claimed the inaugural NBL1 North title in 2021, led the team to the 2022 Grand Final Series and made two straight First-Teams in 2022 and 2023. 

Mikaela Ruef just put on a clinic in a 96-61 W by the Logan Thunder?

5??0?? Points
2??5?? Rebounds
6?? Assists
4?? steals

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Ruef has been one of the best players in the entire women’s competition, averaging an absurd 23 points, 22.6 rebounds and five assists for the Thunder last season. 

She now joins the Seahawks, as the club's first signing for the 2024 season. Ruef said she was excited to make the move to the Gold Coast and reunite with a former assistant coach – now Seahawks head coach Caddie Jeffries. 

“I’m very excited to sign with the Seahawks, working with Caddie over the past five years at Logan,” she told the Seahawks.

“I know she’s a great coach and I’m looking forward to the team she is trying to put together and the style of play she wants to adopt. I think we will play a good brand of basketball and it will be fun to be part of.”

Coach Jeffries explained that securing the NBL1 North superstar was an important part of her plan for the upcoming season. 

“Being able to secure a player of Mikaela’s calibre was a huge key in my overall plan for the team. Obviously, Mikaela’s on-court abilities are a huge positive for us and her playing style and high IQ will suit the style of play I’m looking to implement,” she said.

“However her off-court presence around the group and wider club is what makes her an invaluable asset to Seahawks. Ruef is a seasoned professional, who is a driven competitor and makes all players around her better. Her willingness to be involved in all aspects of a club is invaluable, and I’m excited to have Mikaela on board for the 2024 season.”

Winning the title with the Townsville Fire this past WNBL season, Ruef returns to the team where they’ll compete in Basketball Queensland's River City Rebounds Series starting tonight. Stay up-to-date wit

Stay up to date with all the latest NBL1 signings via the 2024 Roster Tracker here.