There aren’t too may players who can boast dual WNBL club MVP’s and be on the verge of senior national selection and still not be confident of finishing in the top two of a game of H.O.R.S.E in their own backyard.

But for Bulleen Boomers and Eastern Mavericks star Tess Madgen, it’s a reality that comes with being born into a very gifted sporting family.

Surrounded on both sides by two highly talented brothers, older brother Ben, (who recently claimed All-NBL first team honours and the league’s Most Improved Player award), and younger sibling Jack (a freshman at Delta State University in the US), for Tess basketball has always been a family affair. 

“I remember on Fridays I’d have to get there at 6 o’clock for Jack’s game, play my game at 7 and then wait around until around 10 for Ben’s game to finish,” recalls Madgen.

“Sport was certainly a big part of our weekly schedule.”

The friendly sibling rivalry manufactured itself in the form of backyard 2-on-1 competitions according to Madgen, who recalls teaming up with little brother Jack in their younger years to take on older brother Ben.

“[Ben] used to always beat us even though it was two on one,” laughs Madgen, remembering the backyard tussles.

“As he got older and did his own thing Jack and I kept playing regularly, probably about three times a week.”

“It definitely helped me in my development”

Despite all three siblings having played their juniors for the Eastern Mavericks, it’s been up to Tess to fly the Madgen flag at CABL level for the club this year. Younger brother Jack has taken up a scholarship for NCAA Division II school Delta State University, whilst Ben is recovering from a severely dislocated ankle suffered at Boomers training camp earlier this month.

So far, she’s doing pretty well.

Leading the league in scoring after round 9 with 32.8 points per game (including three 40+ point games), as well as assists, three-point percentage, overall rebounds and steals, Tess has been carving up the women’s competition with record-setting figures across the board. So far, she has undoubtedly been the major factor behind Eastern’s promising 8-3 start to the year.

But the Mavericks will be tested over the coming weeks as their 22-year old do-everything forward attempts to fulfil a lifelong dream of securing an Opals spot by training in Canberra before jetting off to China and Russia on national duties.

“I’ve always had very strong aspirations to hopefully play in an Olympics Games or a World Championship one day,” says Madgen.

“[Representing Australia] is definitely still my main goal in basketball”.

A product of the Australian Institute of Sport, Tess chose to develop her game in Canberra the goal of achieving national representation strongly in mind, quoting the “out of sight, out of mind” theory as the main reason why she chose to remain in Australia rather than try her luck overseas.

The decision paid dividends, a successful two-year stint culminating in an invitation to join the Opals squad straight out of the institute, as well as a contract to join WNBL side Bendigo for the 2010/11 season.

Madgen took no time to capitalise on the promise she showed during her time at the AIS, averaging 15.5 points per game in her first year at the Spirit en route to earning her first club MVP.

But true to her determined nature, Madgen decided switch to the Bulleen Boomers last season after failing to see any significant development in her game the following year, despite bringing home a second consecutive club MVP award.

Madgen says the move was with the consideration of her long-term future, in particular improving her chances of breaking into the Opals team under seasoned coaches Tom Maher, Michelle Timms and Gary Fox.

“At only twenty, twenty-one at the time, [long-term improvement] was definitely my major aim, so that was the main reason for the switch,” says Madgen.

Asked if she’d felt like the move had helped, Madgen had this to say.

“I think I’ve improved quite a bit, that can be seen in the ABA. I’m playing much better this season then I was last year.”

One thing’s for sure. Opponents will be hoping there’s not much improvement left.

By Lachlan Sellar

Click here for the extended interview on the Central ABL Podcast

 Photo courtesy of Tanya Fielding.