Naomi is a Professional basketball athlete from France competing in the NBL1 South conference for the Diamond Valley Eagles.
Learn more about Naomi’s story below:
In 50 words or less, introduce yourself:
My name is Naomi Mbandu. I am a 25-year-old professional basketball athlete, standing at 1.87m tall and weighing 88 kg. I am of Congolese origin but proudly French. I am fluent in both English and French.
I’m so passionate about basketball and it has allowed me to travel around the world. I have played in the US, Germany, France and Italy.
I came to Australia to play with Diamond Valley. It’s actually the first time I have been in Australia and I really like the city of Melbourne.
Tell us about your college experience at the University of Miami:
To be honest it’s one of the best experiences I have had in my basketball career. Basketball in the US is completely different. I learned a lot while playing there. I also had the opportunity to graduate from the prestigious university of Miami.
The City is amazing and full of culture. The more pleasant thing was the weather, it was always sunny and warm out there.
Is it true that with your studies you could become an FBI agent? Tell us more:
Yes it’s true, I graduated in sociology and criminology. I learned how a group of people can think and act in American society and I believe that will be very helpful to pursue an FBI career later in my life.
I also had the chance to be in correspondence with incarcerated people which was very interesting.
What differences have you noticed in the game of basketball from France to Australia?
I’d say the rhythm. The Aussie girls have been running non stop on the court and trust me they make me very tired.
In Australia we only practice twice a week while we practice 2 times a day in France.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your basketball career to date?
I’d say to be away from my family and friends since I was 13 years old but with time this has gotten better. I still talk with them as often as possible, the different time zones can make this very difficult.
What moment are you most proud of in your basketball career?
As I mentioned before, basketball has allowed me to travel a lot and I have been given the opportunity to learn from a lot of different people.
The experience I gained makes me really proud because it’s not as easy as everyone thinks it is.
If you could give any advice to your younger self what would it be?
When you’re at your lowest NEVER give up and learn from that situation. There is always a way.
How did you come to find SRA?
My teammate, Gemma Potter spoke to me about coming down to SRA, I’m very glad she brought me into the community. I am surrounded by like minded athletes who are all looking to improve their game.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the SRA community?
The community gives me a sense of belonging and motivates me to work hard to achieve my goals.
I’m excited to spend the whole season training with the team and learning more about my body.