Miela Sowah: An inspirational journey to the World Cup

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For every junior coming through the ranks of Australian basketball, Miela Sowah is the perfect role model to follow.

Here's why.

She didn't have anything handed to her on a silver platter, had to scratch and claw for everything to make it as a professional and is now playing in the WNBA and has represented the Australian Opals at the FIBA World Cup.

A remarkable story from someone who drove 11 hours to attend the FIBA World Cup in Sydney in 2022 and even competed in a half-time shooting competition.

Sowah (nee Goodchild) was a standout junior in southeast Queensland, starting from under-14s where, alongside fellow WNBL guard Jess McDowell-White, became the first Queensland team with the Southern Districts Spartans. She then represented Queensland South in every age group and was then part of a WNBL championship team at the Townsville Fire in 2018 before venturing off to college.

The sharpshooter lit the college scene up from the three-point line at Duke University, breaking several records for the college powerhouse. But her real journey started when she returned to Australia.

Sowah had to earn her first WNBL contract with the Melbourne Boomers, where she had two weeks to prove herself under Chris Lucas.

She did that and made the most of it.

Sowah then went on to become a starter on a Perth Lynx side, who went within seconds of winning a championship and after several seasons went full circle to return to the Townsville Fire to play under Shannon Seebohm.

What followed in WNBL26 was a career-year and helping form a dynamic partnership with MVP contender Courtney Woods on Townsville's way to the championship.

In Townsville, she became more than a shooter, she improved her ability to create off the dribble and on the defensive end.

But a sign of how far Sowah has come was earning a development player contract with the Golden State Valkyries, playing alongside 2025 WNBL champion Veronica Burton, and then being called up as Sami Whitcomb's replacement for the Opals at the recent FIBA Women's World Cup in Berlin.

"I just love these stories of people who, say, have gone to a big college and then have gone to the professional ranks and haven't had it all their way, had to really work hard and break through," Cut to the Jase co-host Brayden Heslehurst said on the latest podcast with Jason Cadee.

"Now she's one of the best players in the world, playing at a World Cup.

"I just thought, when they played Turkey and she came at the end and hit a three with her first shot, and the celebration from the team and from Sandy on the sidelines was awesome.

"I think it just is an awesome sort of, not ending, but cap off of just a great journey for Miela Sowah and one that every athlete, and in particular basketball players, should take note of."

Miela Sowah was recognised as part of the Triple Threat Tournaments Rising Stars segment on the Cut to the Jase podcast. Triple Threat Tournaments is a partner of Cut to the Jase. Click here for more information.