Persistence Personified: Bec Cole's triumphant journey from injury to triple championship glory

Bec Cole has battled through 10 knee surgeries, national team rejection, and more to become a household name in Australian basketball.

Photo credit: Kelly Defina / Getty Images

Most players dream of winning a championship in their career. If you win two, you’re considered one of the lucky ones.

But what if you win three in the space of six months?

Well, that’s exactly what Bec Cole has done. She claimed the 2023/24 WNBL championship with the Southside Flyers, before cleaning up the NBL1 with both the South and National titles for the Waverley Falcons.

The star guard has battled through years of injury to establish herself as a household name in Australian basketball. Forever on the cusp of Opals selection, Cole is probably the most hard-done by player when it comes to the national team in the modern era. However, 2024 has served as a clear reminder to all that she is one of our best.

“It's pretty nuts, you know, to win a WNBL and then two NBL1 championships,” Cole said. “I just feel pretty blessed to have done it.”

To make the success all the much sweeter, Cole has done it all alongside good mate and former Opal Carley Ernst. Their friendship has translated brilliantly on the court this year, combining for 38 points, eight assists, and over 11 rebounds per game for the Waverley Falcons in the NBL1 South, and over 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game for the Flyers in the WNBL.

“I just feel pretty blessed to have done it, and also to do it with my big mama, Carley Ernst,” Cole explained. “To do it with one of your best mates is, you know, the cherry on the cake.”

Both Cole and Ernst aren’t anywhere near done yet, currently gearing up for the 2024/25 WNBL season. It’s an attempted title defence that will look a little different to most in the history of the league, with a new coach at the helm for Southside.

Legend Kristi Harrower takes over from the departing Cheryl Chambers and presents a new opportunity for Cole to learn off one of the greats to play in her position.

“Kristi Harrower is obviously, one of the smartest and, greatest point guards we've had here in Australia,” Cole said. “So even just off those first two games in Perth, I was just like, ‘wow’. She's so smart. She just knows the game really well. She'll be putting us all in positions to be successful, and I'm really excited.”

The Flyers will be well and truly in the mix this year despite some changes to the roster. There are announcements still to be made, but amongst those departing is Nyadiew Puoch who signed a deal with the Capitals. But don’t fret Flyers fans, the recruiting has been strong, bringing in Alice Kunek, Tera Reed, former Boomers import Naz Hillmon, and more.

“Things are looking good. It's been really fun,” Cole said.

“You know, we have a few of the same core girls, a few fresh faces, and I can't wait to see what our group can do because I think we do have a really exciting product.”

Remarkably this will be Bec Cole’s 16th WNBL campaign, first debuting way back in the 2009/2010 season at the age of 17 for the AIS.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the Victorian, who’s torn two ACLs and had numerous surgeries on her knees. In fact, there was a point when doctors told her that her career was over, but her resilience and persistence carried her through.

“I remember after my first knee, I think it took me almost two years to come back,” Cole explained.

“I was with one doctor who was telling me I was probably never gonna play again. I think I was around 20 at the time and hearing that was horrifying.

“And then, I went to Julian Feller and Dr Philip Bloom as well, and they were great. I remember sitting down with Julian, and he was like, don't listen to those guys, they don't know what they're talking about.

“Obviously, I came back from having a great junior career, had a bit of a lull in that early senior stage just from being out with injury. Although I'm 32, I do say I'm 28 as I've missed about four years.

“I’m still a spring chicken.”

Amongst her other various achievements, Cole also stands as one of the pioneers of 3x3 in Australia. However, despite playing for her country numerous times, including at the 2019 World Cup where she led the tournament in scoring, Cole hasn’t been selected for the national team since 2021.

“I would love to play the game again,” she said.

“Just one day, I guess my name didn't get called. I feel like I could definitely still be playing.

“But if it happens, it happens. If  it doesn't, it doesn’t.”

Regardless of whether she wears the green and gold again, it would be a brave person to bet against Bec Cole in whatever she takes on. Next up is the 2024/25 WNBL season, and the competition is going to have its hand full with the pocket rocket and the Flyers.