Grit and grind: Steph Reid on being a defensive menace

"If someone scores on me, I take it extremely personally."

Credit: May Bailey Photography

You almost have to feel sorry for anyone being guarded by Townsville Fire point guard Steph Reid. Whoever they are, they’re in for a torrid time, with Reid getting up in their face, nipping at their heels, expertly fighting through screens to ensure they don’t get a moment’s peace. The 25 year old is relentless.

“It’s something I pride myself on,” she tells The Pick and Roll. “I do a lot of coaching work, and I tell kids all the time: ‘Defence is 100% energy and effort’. It’s easy to come into every game confident when you control what you can control.

“That’s why I love defence, and it’s my favourite part of the game. I know I can bring that every game regardless of whether my shots hit or miss. I think it’s the most controllable aspect of the game, and I don’t think enough players at a junior or senior level really focus on it, so that’s how I try to separate myself and take pride in what I do.”