Family pride as Olivia debuts for Sapphires

• Get to know the young guns from Australia's Sapphires
• Sapphires tip-off Asia Cup with 81-point victory
• Australia's path to FIBA U16 Asia Cup confirmed

When you see a young star reaching their dream of donning the green and gold uniform on the international stage, you see an individual who has taken one of the biggest career steps an athlete could possibly take.

What you don't see is the family behind that emerging superstar. A family that has helped them ride the emotional and physical rollercoaster along the way to arrive on the big stage.

That's the case for Australian Sapphires guard Olivia Olechnowicz as she represents her country in her first FIBA Asia Cup with the under-16s tournament in Malaysia.

The current Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence scholarship holder is following in her dad's footsteps, with Andrew Olechnowicz having had along career playing state league in both Victoria and Queensland as well as for the Australian Defence Force while her older brother, Oskar, has started his first year of college basketball in the US.

Her mum, Ola, may not have been a basketballer but it is where the youngster definitely developed her love for the gym and she is present at almost every event Olechnowicz plays at. The 16-year-old calls her mum her "best friend" for a reason.

Olechnowicz already established herself as one of the best talents in the country after leading Queensland South to the under-16 national championship in Bendigo in 2024, scoring more than 40 points to win MVP following a grand final victory over Victoria Metro. Since then, the Logan Thunder junior and John Paul College student has moved to Canberra to be part of the CoE and shine in her rookie season in the NBL1 East, setting herself up for a massive Asia Cup.

Her dad said it was incredibly special to see his daughter go on to represent her country, having seen her journey from when she first picked up a basketball.

"She was always so competitive from a young age," Andrew Olechnowicz told basketball.com.au.

"From the day I saw her running laps around the boys in under-10s, I knew she was special.

"It takes everything you have to succeed at this level and she gives it all every time she plays. Watching Liv carry herself with such determination is a huge source of pride. She is nothing short of incredible.

"We’re in Malaysia watching Olivia play, which makes it even more special. It’s been such a privilege to be here and see her represent Australia together with the other amazing very talented girls.

"We’ve seen her wear the green and gold before, but this is her first Asia Cup, so it’s a really proud moment for us as a family."

But it hasn't been easy for Olechnowicz, especially over the past year, missing significant time through injury after her move to Canberra before bouncing back to full fitness and shining once again.

"She’s put in so much work, from early mornings and long trainings to pushing through tough setbacks. She sacrifices a lot and doesn’t have a similar life to other girls her age," her mum, Ola, said.

"To see her dream come true on this stage means the world to us and her. She’s had some ups and downs with injuries — how has she managed to bounce back so strong? She’s shown a lot of resilience. It’s been tough. Injuries are never easy, but Liv stuck to her rehab, stayed patient, listened to her CoE staff in particular Sarah Graham, Mel Downer and the great medical staff who supported her and she never lost her determination.

"That strength of character is what shines through when she plays basketball."

The Olechnowicz's are as close of a family as you will see and celebrating each other's achievements is what they live for.

"We love it. We spar all the time on the court at home or at Logan. Even Ola who doesn’t play basketball, she has been on the court fouling the kids in parents versus kids games when they were young," Andrew said.

"We got under each other’s skin and pushed each other really hard. It got super fiery. We know we all contributed to each other's success so we celebrate as a family because of that.

"Seeing Liv on the international stage and Oskar in college we couldn’t be prouder. They talk a lot about their trainings and social life and support each other which is amazing. He also made her very excited to join college life when she graduates high school."