The Zambrero Willetton Tigers WNBL1 roster received a significant boost with the club announcing the signing of South Australian Samantha Lubcke for the 2021 NBL1 West season.

Lubcke who is a 188cm forward/centre has significant overseas playing experience having started in the US College system with the College of Southern Idaho and then making the move in 2016 to NCAA D 1 team Utah Valley University where she averaged 12.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

Lubcke has also played in the Turkish Super League with Bornova Becker Spur in 2017-2018 and in France with Cournan D’Auvergne Basketball in 2018-2019 where she led the league in scoring and rebounding averaging 22 points and 15 rebounds per game.

Lubcke balanced her overseas playing commitments whilst also playing for the Eastern Mavericks in the South Australian Premier League for the 2018 and 2020 seasons and made the following comments about her signing with the Tigers;

“I am elated to be joining the Zambrero Willetton Tigers team for the 2021 season” said Lubcke.

“Simon reached out to me before the 2020 season and due to just returning from 5+ years of playing basketball overseas I decided to play in South Australia and with all that 2020 brought I am glad I chose to stay close to my family.

Lubcke who was the Adelaide Basketball Challenge’s leading scorer in 2020 where she averaged 23.3 point per game during an interrupted season further explained her reasoning for signing with the Zambrero Willetton Tigers for this upcoming NBL1 West season. “I decided to sign at Willetton because I wanted to be immersed in a Championship culture where I will thrive and flourish while being surrounded by like-minded teammates, coaches and club members.

“I look forward to helping the team to win a Championship through my aggressive scoring, rebounding and tireless work ethic. I love that Willetton is a family club and it reminds me of my own basketball journey”

Zambrero Willetton Tigers WNBL1 Head Coach Simon Parker had the following comments to make after finally convincing Lubcke to sign with the Tigers for next season;

“It’s great to have Sam become a Tiger for NBL1 West this year, I’ve been trying to get Sam to come to Perth and Willetton for a couple of years now and we finally made it happen.” Parker said.

“Sam is a key recruit to strengthen our squad in the power forward position, it was a high priority to have a player such as Sam sign with us this year.”

“She has overseas experience and will bring an element of professionalism and competitiveness to the team and I am really looking forward to her being on court with us very soon.”