Basketball NSW is pleased to announce that Australian Opal, former WNBL star, Basketball NSW Hall of Fame member and proud NSW junior representative Katie-Rae Ebzery OLY has been named the newest Ambassador for the I AM A GIRL (IAAG) Leadership Scholarship program.
Ebzery enjoyed an outstanding career at both the national and international level, representing the Australian Opals at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, while helping Australia secure gold at the Commonwealth Games and silver at the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup. She was also part of the Opals team that won bronze at the 2019 FIBA Asia Cup, along with competing in Olympic qualification tournaments during her international career.
At the domestic level, Ebzery was a standout across 15 seasons in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), appearing in 304 games and earning selection in the All-WNBL First Team on three occasions. Known for her leadership and scoring ability, she was a key contributor for multiple teams across her career.
Ebzery made her WNBL debut in 2005 with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), playing three seasons and appearing in 65 games before turning 18. After a season with the Dandenong Rangers in 2008–09, she stepped away briefly before returning in 2010 with the Sydney Uni Flames.
During her time with the Flames, Ebzery became one of the league’s premier guards. In the 2014–15 season, she surpassed 200 WNBL games and was named Flames Club MVP, averaging 16.8 points per game. The following season she earned selection in the WNBL All-Star Five.
Ebzery also gained international experience with Dynamo Moscow in Russia during the 2016–17 season, before returning to the WNBL with the Flames in 2017–18. She later signed with the Perth Lynx, where she continued to excel and was named to the WNBL All-Star First Team in the 2019–20 season.
In the 2020 WNBL Hub season, Ebzery again earned All-WNBL First Team honours, finishing fourth in league scoring (18.0) and ninth in assists (3.6). She announced her retirement from professional basketball in October 2021, concluding a remarkable 15-season WNBL career.
As part of her ongoing connection to the game in New South Wales, Ebzery will serve as an I AM A GIRL Leadership Scholarship Ambassador through to the end of 2026.
In 2025, she was also recognised as part of the Basketball NSW Heroes Challenges, with the Under-13 Country Girls Challenge named in her honour. Ebzery will be on court next month when the next generation of athletes compete in the event.
Basketball NSW, Head of Participation & Community, Annie La Fleur OLY said Ebzery’s appointment as an ambassador provides an important role model for young athletes across the state.
“Katie-Rae has achieved so much throughout her career, but what makes her so special is the way she represents the values of our game,” said La Fleur.
“She is a fantastic role model for young girls in basketball. Her journey shows what is possible through dedication, resilience and a love for the game, and we’re excited for our young athletes to learn from someone who has competed at the very highest level.”
Ebzery is also looking forward to supporting Basketball NSW’s Grit for Girls program, an initiative designed to empower young female athletes by building confidence, resilience and leadership through basketball. The program helps girls develop valuable life skills both on and off the court, and Ebzery is passionate about sharing her experiences from the highest levels of the sport to inspire the next generation. A Grit for Girls session is scheduled as part of the upcoming U13 Country Girls Challenge.
Ebzery said she is looking forward to using her role as an ambassador to support programs like Grit for Girls and inspire young athletes.
“Being involved as an I AM A GIRL Ambassador is really special to me,” said Ebzery.
“Programs like Grit for Girls, gives young women the skills, strategies and confidence to back themselves and stay involved in basketball. If I can help inspire even a few girls to keep playing and believe in what they can achieve, that’s something I’m really proud to be part of.”
Through the I AM A GIRL program, Basketball NSW continues to empower girls and young women through basketball, creating opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills and connect with inspiring role models like Katie-Rae Ebzery.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the I AM A GIRL program.
Katie-Rae Ebzery OLY also joins Renae Garelpp who was announced earlier in the week as an IAAG Leadership Scholarship Ambassador. CLICK HERE to learn more.