Sabres Legend Returns to the Court

Sturt Sabres junior Laura Hodges has returned to the club - boasting a resume that ranks amongst the best in Australian basketball history.

Hodges is a four-time Olympian, three-time Olympic medallist, and a 17-year professional across the WNBL, WNBA and Europe, and is now bringing all that experience back to the club where her basketball journey began. 

The last time Hodges wore the Sabres jersey was when she was 18 years old, and now she has returned at the age of 39.

She emphasised the joy of returning to the court with the Sabres, what the club means to her, and what swayed her to participate this year.

What a star ?

Three-time Olympian Laura Hodges is back on the court for the ?-0 @Nbl1Central Sturt Sabres ?

Watch the full NBL1 Show here ?: https://t.co/D9SflKzHbi pic.twitter.com/dluCuFqUzK

— NBL1 (@NBL1) May 17, 2023

“It’s a little bit surreal, I must admit. The last time I played for Sabres was in 2002 so 21 years ago. I was 18 and I always thought I’d come back and play for Sturt, but then as my career went on and I became a mum I thought that was never going to happen,” Hodges said on The NBL1 Show.

“But then with a lot of pestering and a little bit of convincing, I finally said yes. I still don’t know why I’m doing it because I really don’t think the team needs me but it’s lots of fun and they’re keeping me young.

“I think it has created the person that I am today so I’m very, very grateful for the Sturt Basketball Club.

“My nieces and nephews play for the club now and I thought why not, I don’t have to be the player that I was.”

With lifelong friends made from her first stint with the Sabres, Hodges praised the club for moulding her into the person she is today.

“I grew up in a house that was two streets away from where the old Sturt Stadium was, that’s why I started playing for the club. My older sisters played, and my parents thought it was a local thing to do and the sport to play in,” Hodges said.

“I’m so fortunate that I did play for the Sturt Sabres, it’s where some of my best friends were from today."

Hodges added she is thrilled her children get to watch her play basketball in her home town.

“It’s lots of fun and they’re keeping me young, the fact that I’m 40 this year I think it’s now or never. I’m glad that my girls can actually watch me play,” she said.   

The Sabres are 10-0 going into a bye weekend. To see the full interview, watch the latest episode of the NBL1 Show with host Megan Hustwaite on the NBL1 YouTube channel, NBL1 Website and NBL1 App here. 

Feature image via: Jo Bomford