Panousis returns to junior club for 2023

2022 NBL1 East All-Star Five member Vanessa Panousis has made a move to the Sydney Comets for the 2023 NBL1 season. 

After leading the Sutherland Sharks to the NBL1 East Grand Final, alongside the re-signed Lauren Nicholson, Panousis is returning to her junior club the Sydney Comets in their inaugural NBL1 season. 

“I decided to return to Comets because they’re the club where I grew up at – it’s where it all started for me,” Panousis said.

“ I wouldn’t be where I am today without my Comets family. 

“Being a part of their inaugural NBL1 season means everything to me. The club have worked really hard to be able to put a team in this league. 

“It has such a strong Junior program so I’m excited to see that success in our NBL1 sides this year.”

The 27-year-old will team up with Sydney Flames coach and Opals legend Shelley Gorman, which Panousis believes will help her Comets be successful in 2023.

“Having Shelley as our coach is going to be a huge asset for us,” Panousis said.

“She has such a decorated resume as a player and is one of the best players to have played for Australia. So having us be able to pick her brain apart and learn from her is something that the team needs to be really excited about.

“[Further to that] My first year back at the Flames has helped develop my game by competing at such a high-level day in and day out at practice against such highly talented players which I can hopefully bring over to the Comets this year.”

When the Comets’ season tips off on March 11, Panousis said she has set high goals for her team.

“Our number one goal is definitely to win a championship,” she said. 

Panousis said that playing with the Sharks last season was really a blessing in disguise, as it helped her fall in love with the game again and for that, she will be forever grateful to them allowing her to be apart of their club.

“But I think for us as a younger team in the league, an important goal also needs to be making sure that we are getting better every week.”

Panousis joins Flames development player Jada Crawshaw and Dru Toleafoa for the Comets' 2023 NBL1 season.

Stay up-to-date with the NBL1 via the Roster Tracker here.