It was a ‘surreal’ night for three-time Olympian and WNBL legend Suzy Batkovic, as she was inducted into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame at an event in Melbourne on Friday.
Ms Batkovic, who is now a Townsville City councillor, said she was honoured to be inducted alongside former teammate Belinda Snell, five-time Paralympian Brad Ness, NBL champion CJ Bruton and former Boomer Matthew Nielsen.
The Olympic medallist and two-time World Cup representative played in the WNBL as well as in the US and Europe, cementing herself as one of the great’s in Australian women’s basketball.
Ms Batkovic said the news of her induction came as a welcome shock.
“When I got the call saying I was being inducted, it was kind of a surreal moment,” she said.
“There aren’t a whole lot of people in the Hall of Fame, under 100 people, so it’s pretty special.”
A full-circle moment in receiving the honour was having long-time friend and former teammate Lauren Jackson present the award to her.
“Lauren is also in the Hall of Fame and is about to head along to her fifth Olympics, which is amazing. It was pretty special.”
Hall of Fame Inductee Suzy Batkovic with twins Charli Ryder (left) and Layla Ryder.
“It was an incredible event, and what made it even more special was that I was being inducted alongside people I’ve known for a long time.”
Ms Batkovic said the event was a great opportunity to reunite with long-time friends and look back at her extensive career.
“It’s not until you retire that you look back on how much you’ve done and how much you’ve achieved,” she said.
“It’s pretty mind-blowing, it’s something I am very proud of.”
She shared the special moment with her four-year-old twin daughters Charli and Layla, who joined her on stage accepting the award.
With the Olympics just weeks away, Ms Batkovic said she was keen to watch the next generation of Olympian basketballers.
“Seeing the progression of the players on both the mens and women’s sides is great and it’s super exciting to see the next generation coming through,” she said.
No longer training and preparing for the Olympics, Ms Batkovic said she was looking forward to sitting back and watching the athletes strive for gold in Paris.
“I love watching all the games, these athletes give it everything they’ve got to get on the podium,” she said.
“There is no prouder moment than putting on the green and gold and representing your country at the highest level.”