Kāpiti’s Jacinta Beckley, a former member of the Basketball New Zealand Under 20 Women’s Team is making a name for herself on the highly competitive American college basketball scene.
Jacinta came up through the Kāpiti Hoop Club System with head coach Angelo Robinson.
Playing for the Seattle University women’s basketball team Jacinta and two team mates were named 2017-18 All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) last week.
In her senior season, Jacinta posted 13.3 points and 4.6 boards per game. She led the Redhawks with 47 made three-pointers this season and connected on 85 percent of her free throw attempts in WAC play.
The young Kāpiti basketballer scored in double figures 21 times this season, including a career-high 25 points in SU’s win over New Mexico State. She claimed her first career double-double in a win over CSU Bakersfield, putting up 15 points and 11 rebounds last month.
“Her ability to stretch the defense is big,” says Coach Suzy Barcomb. “She can consistently knock down the jumper and go in to get rebounds. She is a real key for our team.”
Seattle U heads to Las Vegas for the WAC Championship this week. It will take on Kansas City in the first round on Wednesday at the Orleans Arena.
