Watch TAB Courtside 1v1 with Megan Hustwaite weekly on Thursday from 7pm (AEST) via , or catch up via .
The daughter of one of Australia’s greatest ever players, Shane Heal, Shyla is breaking out of her famous father’s shadow and quickly building her own legacy despite her tender age.
Last Friday, the 19-year-old was selected with the eighth pick of last week’s WNBA Draft to join the Chicago Sky, becoming only the fourth Aussie, alongside two of Australia’s best in Lauren Jackson and Liz Cambage, to be picked in the first round.
It was a milestone moment for the talented point guard, who made her professional debut as a 14-year-old in the WNBL and last season was a leading light for the Townsville Fire as they made it all the way to the grand final.
She averaged 16.7 points per game along with a standout 30-point performance in the grand final loss to the Southside Flyers, after a 28-point outing the game before.
Only moments after learning of her draft selection, an emotional Heal sat down with Courtside 1v1 host Hustwaite and revealed how the dream of making it to the WNBA had been a driving force for her since she first took to the court as a child.
“It’s surreal, and I still get emotional talking about it,” Heal said.
“I have literally visualised and pictured this moment in my head so many times since I was a little girl. It has been my biggest dream, and today it became a reality.
“I’m so thankful for everyone around me that has supported me, and I can’t wait to get over to Chicago and get started.”
Heal saved special praise for her father, Shane.
While Aussie basketball fans see Shane as the four-time Olympian, 440 game veteran of the NBL and former NBA player with the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs, for Shyla - he was the supportive father who gave everything to help her achieve her dreams.
“I wouldn’t be here without him," she said.
“He’s been through everything I have, so I go to him, and he always has advice and answers to any problem I’ve faced.
“I’m really so grateful to have the best dad and the best coach.
“Every day, he would be there training me no matter how tight his schedule was.
“All the hard work has paid off to get to the WNBA, but now I’m ready to give it everything to make the most of this incredible opportunity.”
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How to watch NBL LIVE on SBS
The interview is part of an SBS series - TAB Courtside 1v1, which gives fans a chance to get to know more about the unique personalities from the NBA, WNBA, NBL and WNBL, which help shape basketball in Australia.
Hustwaite, who has been covering all levels of Australian basketball for the past 13 years as a reporter, commentator and journalist, will helm the weekly show – every Thursday at 7pm (AEDT) via - where she interviews stars of the past, present and future.
SBS will again broadcast multiple regular-season NBA games per week in HD on SBS VICELAND and streamed live via SBS On Demand. Plus, every game of the upcoming 2020-21 NBL season will be LIVE, FREE, and in HD via SBS On Demand, with select games also live on SBS VICELAND.
