NICOLE Seekamp has shocked the Australian basketball community by deciding to step away from the game and not take part in the upcoming WNBL season, which is scheduled to begin in November.
The Riverland product has cited a loss of drive for the game as her reason for stepping away indefinitely.
The star point guard, who has captained the Adelaide Lightning over the past few WNBL seasons, looked to be in contention to be part of the Australian Opals squad for the 2020 Olympics, before the games were postponed until next year due to COVID-19.
The 28-year-old explained her decision in a letter to fans, which was posted on the Adelaide Lightning’s Facebook page over the weekend.
“As you are my second family, I wanted you all to hear it from me first, and that is, that I will not be playing basketball this upcoming season,” she said in the letter.
“I have been playing basketball for 22/23 years straight, and as much as I love the game, I have found I have lost my drive for it.
“If you know me, you know I don’t like giving anything less than 100 per cent and considering that basketball has been the love of my life for so long, it doesn’t feel right to go into a season not being completely committed, physically and mentally.
“I have crossed a lot off my basketball bucket list, and I am happy about what I have achieved and the player I have become.
“Physically, I could play for many more years, but mentally I could not.
“And I believe it is disrespectful to the game if I can’t give everything of myself, at this level.”
In the letter, Seekamp said she is unsure what her future holds when it comes to basketball.
“I’d like to be able to tell you that I will be back the following season but I don’t know,” she said.
“I am currently living on a station in western NSW, with my new partner, Ross.
“Yes, it is a complete change of lifestyle, but I am learning a lot of new things, and loving it.
“I think stepping away, will help me decide whether this break will be a short term one or a forever one.
“And either path I choose to take, I will be content with.
“I hope you can all understand where I am coming from, and my decision.
“You have always supported me in basketball, and I hope that you can do the same now, away from basketball.”