Moments and memories: Retelling Alice Kunek's second act

A candid insight into how Kunek's five year exile from the Opals changed her perspective on basketball, life, and ultimately, brought her back home.

Credit: James Worsfold / Getty Images

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Moments and memories.

For Alice Kunek, that’s what basketball, and really, life, is all about.

Kunek remembers the moment she realised she wanted to come home. It was March, and the 32-year-old was sitting in a quaint café in Hungary. She was there alongside Ezi Magbegor, her teammate, and roommate. The pair were playing for reigning EuroLeague champions Sopron, and the morning trip to their local had become a ritual, not just for the coffee, but to settle in and stream the WNBL playoffs.

They’d seen the Southside Flyers – the new iteration of Kunek’s former Dandenong Rangers – edge the Melbourne Melbourne – the new iteration of Kunek’s other former side Bulleen – in the semi-finals, but it was the Townsville Fire that had quickly become appointment viewing. So, in-between the grind of practicing, playing, and recovering, the pair made sure to find the time to watch the Fire. Even when streaming from a small screen on the other side of the world, Kunek could see something special.

As the Fire eventually wrapped up a sixteenth straight win to secure the title and black and gold confetti began falling on the triumphant players, it was that moment Kunek knew she wanted to come back to Australia.