Tall Fern becomes a Wolf!

Oaklands Wolves have announced New Zealand Tall Fern Ella Fotu to the roster for the 2024/25 season!

Hot off the plane from representing New Zealand in the World Cup pre-qualifying tournament in Mexico City, Fotu arrives as the fifth player announcement for the Wolves team for the upcoming campaign. The 5’9 versatile guard demonstrated her skill set in the 3 games with the Tall Ferns; averaging 25.5 minutes per game and serving up 6.3 points and 1.7 assists. Fotu has represented her country in 5v5 and 3X3 basketball since 2019.

A graduate of Massey University, Auckland NZ. Fotu also spent time in the US college system, first at Boise State University before moving onto Hawaii Pacific, where in the 2017/18 season she averaged 8.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 24 minutes of action for the Sharks. Fotu arrives to the SLB as her first experience of playing in Europe, a duel passport holder the player had this to say about getting the experience to play in the UK, “It has always been a goal to return to the ‘motherland’ and play, Oaklands have given me the perfect opportunity to do it, and to play in the first season of the new SLB is great. I’m so excited to start with the Wolves.”

An experience campaigner in the Australian and New Zealand leagues, last season in Australia Fotu was a key signing for Kalamunda Eastern Suns. In NBL One West she averaged 31 minutes per game and put up 13.3 points off 47% shooting to go with 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.6 steals for the Suns.

Her versatility in league play is what caught the eye of coach Ryan, “Ella is great pick up for us, she is what Oaklands guard play is all about - tough, skilled and position-less. I love the fact she has experience in both formats of the game with her national team,, it will give us the ability to use her in many different ways across the season. She has a great character and will slot right in with our culture and ethos at Oaklands.”

Check back in later today for another announcement!