Posted on 9 December, 2021

The NBL1 Cobra Women have tipped-off their 2022 signings, with Kilsyth junior Nikita Young returning for a second season.

Young enjoyed a standout rookie campaign with the Cobras in 2021, leading the league in three-point percentage (50%), while ranking second on the team in steals (1.6spg) and fourth in scoring (8.9ppg). After dominating the Big-V VYC competition to start 2021, Young became a key piece of the Cobras NBL1 rotation, and was in season-best form prior to the league’s cancellation of the remainder of the season in July. 

Finishing the season strong, Young averaged 11 points and three steals per contest over the final month of the season – including a six steal outing in just 18 minutes against Ballarat. Young’s 18 points on the road against Albury-Wodonga in Round 4 were a season high, and she recorded six double-digit scoring performances over the Cobras final 10 games. Young’s deadeye three point shooting, ability to slash to the rim, and quick hands on the defensive end played a key role in helping the Cobras finish 2021 with an impressive 9-4 record. 

The Mount Evelyn Meteor junior’s impressive debut season did not go unnoticed by head coach Hannah Lowe, who selected Young as her 2021 Coaches Award winner. With her rookie year in the books, Lowe is excited to see what’s next for Young, whose rapid rise through the Junior Cobra program suddenly sees her poised for a major role for the Cobras in the 2022 NBL1 season.

“Seeing kids go through the local program and shine in the club’s senior team is something to be excited about and a credit to the junior pathways here at Kilsyth,” Lowe said. 

“I am excited for Nikita to get the opportunity to really establish herself in the 2022 season, and with more opportunities to match up with players already in the WNBL.”