Opals Paris Olympic bronze medal captain Tess Madgen calls teen point guard Mia Harvey “unique”.
She’s learnt alongside WNBL MVP Sami Whitcomb and with the guidance of a Victorian basketball legend, the 16-year-old is on a path to greatness.
Oh, and it hasn’t hurt her basketball development growing up squaring off against NBA guard Dyson Daniels and his NBL Next Star brother Dash in backyard battles in Bendigo, either.
The captain of Vic Country’s dominant Basketball Australia U18 National Championships team in Brisbane this week, 178cm Harvey has been learning from the best in Madgen, who said she’s blown away by the young point guard’s dedication and ability.
“Mia is a great person with high character, she has a great work rate and a willingness to get better,” Madgen said.
“On the court, she has great size for a point guard and is a three-level scorer so has the skillset to move to the two as well.
“Her basketball IQ is elite and her decision making and skillset as a point guard is unique. Because of this she is able to impact the game in multiple ways.
“When the ball isn’t going in, I love that Mia is able to impact the game through her defence and play-making ability and I think that will hold her in really good stead for a long career.”
Being around basketball from birth has gifted Mia with an innate understanding of the game.
With dad Ben, one of the Bendigo Braves’ greatest players and coaches, mum Kirstie and big sister and best mate Lily in her corner, she’s in the best possible hands.
Tess Madgen (Photo: Adam Head)
“I grew up with basketball and I have been alongside my dad from a very early age,” Mia said.
“I would watch basketball with him on the couch and sit at games when he coached, so I have just learnt the game inside and out.
“I talk hoops with dad and mum all the time.”
Ben, who is best mates with the Daniels boys’ father Ricky and is Godfather to Dyson, Dash and eldest sibling Kai, couldn’t be prouder of his daughter.
Ben says Mia earned the nickname ‘The Bull’ early in life and it’s stuck with her.
“Mia was really little but always had great balls skills. I was always in the backyard with The Bull teaching her the basics and she always had a ball in her hand wanting to learn,” Ben said.
“I always tell her to dream big, don’t let anyone get in your way, work hard and surround yourself with good people.”
Dyson Daniels (Photo: AP Photo)
Queensland North superstar Taryn Bond learned why Mia’s called The Bull on Friday — Harvey locked in on the future Opal and held her to just 6 points on 1-10 shooting as Vic Country took out a thrilling 74-71 win.
Training with WNBL club Bendigo Spirit has given Mia an early taste of what life as a pro looks like, soaking up lessons from the likes of Whitcomb, Opal Marianna Tolo and WNBA guard Veronica Burton.
That’s helped her lead her VC team to the final four at the U18 Nationals and she hopes to take silverware home to Bendigo ahead of her debut with the Braves’ women’s NBL1 team.
“I think it’s pretty special to be playing for my home team. I have played all my juniors in Bendigo and dad’s jersey is hanging in the rafters so it’s going to be a pretty special moment for everyone when I take the court for the first time,” she said.
Article credit: Michael Randall, Herald Sun.
Featured picture: Taylor Earnshaw
