Geelong Venom has signed former Melbourne Boomers development player Lilly Rotunno for the upcoming WNBL season.
Rotunno is currently playing for Geelong United’s NBL1 side which has just completed a perfect 22-0 season and won through its qualifying final on Saturday night.
“The win on the weekend was just a reflection of all the hard work we’ve been putting in all season,” Rotunno said.
“It was a tough game and a real grind but we showed up and gave it everything on both ends of the floor. Most importantly we genuinely enjoy playing together and have so much fun doing it which showed on the weekend.”
A dynamic guard, Rotunno is averaging nine points, four assists and four rebounds per game, and was announced as the side’s Defensive Player of the Year at last week’s Geelong United Pathways Awards.
“I am so excited to have signed with the Geelong Venom,” Rotunno said.
“I have come to love the community and culture that we have in Geelong and I’m so grateful that I get the opportunity to keep playing here. The fans have been absolutely amazing.
“I’m excited to get to work and do whatever I have to for our team to be successful, whatever that role looks like. I know that I am going to be surrounded by talented and amazing people, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
Geelong Venom head coach Chris Lucas lauded Rotunno as a fantastic young athlete with a great attitude and work ethic.
“I’ve known Lilly for five years, from when she was a development player at the Boomers,” he said.
“It has been fantastic to see her growth and improvement as part of this NBL1 side and she has absolutely earnt her opportunity. She has improved greatly on defence, as evidenced by her Defensive Player of the Year Award, and she already has the respect of the core WNBL group that play in that team.
“She will play whatever role this team needs from here, and she will absolutely take every opportunity and run with it.”
