WBB | From Downtown – with Jade Kirisome
7/29/2021 3:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
From Downtown goes behind-the-scenes with an SMC Women's Basketball player to get an in-depth look at the story of each Gael.
Basketball began at a very young age for Jade Kirisome. Just how young? "When I was twelve years old, my school did a tour through America, and we went to a lot of college campuses," recalled Kirisome. "From that point on, I knew I was going to college."
That's right: Kirisome has been playing international basketball since she was twelve years old. And she's been marveled by it ever since.
"I think that's the coolest part of basketball is that you can travel the world," explains Kirisome about one of her many fascinations of the sport. "That's what attracted me to college. I get to see America for free and get a free education. It was a no-brainer for me."
Like so many from Australia before her, Kirisome eventually found her way to Moraga, California, stepping in to continue the rich tradition of Aussie Gaels. Her path did have one additional stop along the way, where Kirisome began her collegiate career at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. She was fortunate to begin her career, but the fit wasn't quite right for her.
"I was happy to experience a different culture, but I was missing that style of play from back home," Kirisome said. That style of play from Australia she found was very similar to one at Saint Mary's, and that's what was a huge selling point. "[In Australia] we have a 24-second shot clock, so we naturally have to play a lot faster. There's a lot of transition and a lot of quick, and we also value high-IQ basketball players. We'd have plays, but it's up to you to read the defense and assess the situation and then score. At Saint Mary's, we play the same way, and that's how you play after college. I knew I would develop so much more at this program."
Not only did the style of play best match the way that Kirisome plays, but Australian Gaels of years past played a role. "I knew it must be half-decent of a place since so many other Aussies have come through," laughed Kirisome. "There have been so many great athletes here, and now I'm a part of that heritage. It's also super inspiring, because I grew up watching a lot of those Aussies and now they are playing professionally in Australia, or overseas, or for the national team. I'm lucky I can be in a place where I can develop and have all of those opportunities if I work hard enough, and for them, it all started at Saint Mary's."
Those opportunities had to be put on hold for one year after Kirisome was ineligible to play following her transfer from Furman to Saint Mary's. Sitting out one season did present her with opportunities to develop, even if it meant she wouldn't see game action.
"I was anxious that I would be a behind after a year of not playing," Kirisome confided. "But looking back, I'm really glad I took that year. It was an extra year for me to be in the weight room, and it was an extra year to get acclimated to the plays, the team, and my teammates. I also learned that you can have just as much of an impact off the court as you can on the court. There was a lot of film, a lot of studying other players…it gave me so much more confidence."
That confidence translated into a strong start to her first year on the court with the Gaels. She was one of two players (Brianna Simonich) to start all 26 games during the 2020-21 season, and she scored 10+ points in four of her first five games in uniform, including a career-best 18 points at Fresno State on December 11. She was reliable all season long and played well on both ends of the floor, where she finished second on the team in three-pointers made, third in assists, and fifth in steals. She also was named to the WCC All-Academic Team as an honorable mention selection.
Her well-rounded ability on the court might not just have to do with being a high-IQ player, but also the fact that she has played a variety of positions. "Believe it or not, when I was young, I grew super fast," Kirisome said. "So naturally everyone said to play basketball, and I was playing as the center!" Kirisome burst out with laughter upon recalling being a center in basketball and labeled it her "glory days." Similar to other teammates who came from the area, she played Netball growing up, and also ran Cross Country.
The conversation with Kirisome wrapped up by attempting to settle a longstanding debate between her and Tayla Dalton about which country has the better spread. Yes, we are talking about Marmite vs. Vegemite.
For those unfamiliar, both spreads are dark and salty, and used in a similar fashion to Nutella, for example. Marmite has been around in New Zealand for over 100 years after originating in Great Britain, and Vegemite is the Australian version. Dalton swears by Marmite, and Kirisome is adamant that Vegemite is better.
"Ours is definitely saltier, but that's why it's better," Kirisome explained with a grin. "It's not even a discussion for me. The ratio is very important, because it is bitter and salty, you can't put too much vegemite." She then broke down how one goes about building the perfect piece of Vegemite toast: "A piece of toast, butter, and then Vegemite. Heavy on the butter, and a light spread of Vegemite."
Which one is better? That's up for debate. What isn't up for debate: the best is yet to come for Kirisome, and Gaels fans are in for a treat knowing that it will come in Moraga.
#GaelsRise – Join the women's basketball waitlist HERE to receive 2021-22 season ticket information!
Basketball began at a very young age for Jade Kirisome. Just how young? "When I was twelve years old, my school did a tour through America, and we went to a lot of college campuses," recalled Kirisome. "From that point on, I knew I was going to college."
That's right: Kirisome has been playing international basketball since she was twelve years old. And she's been marveled by it ever since.
"I think that's the coolest part of basketball is that you can travel the world," explains Kirisome about one of her many fascinations of the sport. "That's what attracted me to college. I get to see America for free and get a free education. It was a no-brainer for me."
Like so many from Australia before her, Kirisome eventually found her way to Moraga, California, stepping in to continue the rich tradition of Aussie Gaels. Her path did have one additional stop along the way, where Kirisome began her collegiate career at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. She was fortunate to begin her career, but the fit wasn't quite right for her.
"I was happy to experience a different culture, but I was missing that style of play from back home," Kirisome said. That style of play from Australia she found was very similar to one at Saint Mary's, and that's what was a huge selling point. "[In Australia] we have a 24-second shot clock, so we naturally have to play a lot faster. There's a lot of transition and a lot of quick, and we also value high-IQ basketball players. We'd have plays, but it's up to you to read the defense and assess the situation and then score. At Saint Mary's, we play the same way, and that's how you play after college. I knew I would develop so much more at this program."
Not only did the style of play best match the way that Kirisome plays, but Australian Gaels of years past played a role. "I knew it must be half-decent of a place since so many other Aussies have come through," laughed Kirisome. "There have been so many great athletes here, and now I'm a part of that heritage. It's also super inspiring, because I grew up watching a lot of those Aussies and now they are playing professionally in Australia, or overseas, or for the national team. I'm lucky I can be in a place where I can develop and have all of those opportunities if I work hard enough, and for them, it all started at Saint Mary's."
Those opportunities had to be put on hold for one year after Kirisome was ineligible to play following her transfer from Furman to Saint Mary's. Sitting out one season did present her with opportunities to develop, even if it meant she wouldn't see game action.
"I was anxious that I would be a behind after a year of not playing," Kirisome confided. "But looking back, I'm really glad I took that year. It was an extra year for me to be in the weight room, and it was an extra year to get acclimated to the plays, the team, and my teammates. I also learned that you can have just as much of an impact off the court as you can on the court. There was a lot of film, a lot of studying other players…it gave me so much more confidence."
That confidence translated into a strong start to her first year on the court with the Gaels. She was one of two players (Brianna Simonich) to start all 26 games during the 2020-21 season, and she scored 10+ points in four of her first five games in uniform, including a career-best 18 points at Fresno State on December 11. She was reliable all season long and played well on both ends of the floor, where she finished second on the team in three-pointers made, third in assists, and fifth in steals. She also was named to the WCC All-Academic Team as an honorable mention selection.
Her well-rounded ability on the court might not just have to do with being a high-IQ player, but also the fact that she has played a variety of positions. "Believe it or not, when I was young, I grew super fast," Kirisome said. "So naturally everyone said to play basketball, and I was playing as the center!" Kirisome burst out with laughter upon recalling being a center in basketball and labeled it her "glory days." Similar to other teammates who came from the area, she played Netball growing up, and also ran Cross Country.
The conversation with Kirisome wrapped up by attempting to settle a longstanding debate between her and Tayla Dalton about which country has the better spread. Yes, we are talking about Marmite vs. Vegemite.
For those unfamiliar, both spreads are dark and salty, and used in a similar fashion to Nutella, for example. Marmite has been around in New Zealand for over 100 years after originating in Great Britain, and Vegemite is the Australian version. Dalton swears by Marmite, and Kirisome is adamant that Vegemite is better.
"Ours is definitely saltier, but that's why it's better," Kirisome explained with a grin. "It's not even a discussion for me. The ratio is very important, because it is bitter and salty, you can't put too much vegemite." She then broke down how one goes about building the perfect piece of Vegemite toast: "A piece of toast, butter, and then Vegemite. Heavy on the butter, and a light spread of Vegemite."
Which one is better? That's up for debate. What isn't up for debate: the best is yet to come for Kirisome, and Gaels fans are in for a treat knowing that it will come in Moraga.
#GaelsRise – Join the women's basketball waitlist HERE to receive 2021-22 season ticket information!
Players Mentioned
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