The University of California, Riverside (UCR) has had many Australian athletes in the history of both its men’s and women’s basketball programs. Hoopers like Olivia West, Wil Tattersall and even Lachlan Olbrich, who just won the National Basketball League (NBL) championship with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia, each left a strong impression during their times at UCR.
Two of the latest Australian players to sign with UCR are Jack Whitbourn and Hannah Wickstrom. The two Melbourne natives just finished their freshman seasons at Riverside where they both stood out and proved their place on their respective teams.
Whitbourn played in 34 games, averaging 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. The impressive calmness he flashed despite his relative inexperience made him a key big man for head coach Mike Magpayo.
Wickstrom, who started 21 games and came off the bench in five, led her team in three-pointers and had multiple double-digit scoring performances. She was even named to the Big West All-Freshman Team.
While their achievements on the court were impressive, adjusting to life so far from home has brought its own set of challenges for the two Australians. Whitbourn, who described himself as a family-oriented person, talks to his family and girlfriend on FaceTime at least once a day.
Wickstrom shared a similar sentiment, saying, “I’m always on FaceTime with my mom. She knows every step of this journey. She’s been with me through that, even if it’s just through a phone. I’m grateful for that.” Both identified that the support from their families played a big part in helping them make the adjustment.
After arriving at UCR, both Wickstrom and Whitbourn experienced moments of culture shock as they adjusted to life in the U.S. One of their first surprises came from the food culture. Wickstrom was shocked by the sheer number of food places nearby at any given moment, while Whitbourn fell in love with the fast food chains that are popular here.
He commented on the variety of restaurants in Riverside and explained, “[There were a bunch of places I had] never been to before. In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A, these things that I couldn’t believe were that great. I wish we had them in Australia, but that was the biggest culture shift for me. A bit of a shock, but I really enjoy it.”
They’ve also found support here in the States. The community they built with their teammates and coaching staff helped ease their transition to a new country. Fortunately for Wickstrom and Whitbourn, they aren’t even the only Australians, let alone the only international players amongst UCR basketball.
The two freshmen appreciated having teammates who shared similar experiences, even if they came from different countries. Talking to people who were also an ocean away from their families made it easier for them to acclimate and find their footing in Riverside.
Wickstrom even found a best friend in another Australian player, fellow freshman Makayla Minshall, who hails from Sydney. Wickstrom commented that having someone to share this experience with has been very special to her.
While connecting with fellow international teammates helped them adjust off the court, both Wickstrom and Whitbourn also had strong reasons for choosing UCR in the first place. Whitbourn remarked that on a visit to UCR, he knew this was where he wanted to be.
Although Wickstrom never got the chance to visit, she liked the idea of coming to California. The Australian duo emphasized that the coaching staff played a big role in their decisions to commit to UCR. They felt comfortable with their respective coaches and were eager to play for them.
Whitbourn even spoke with former Highlander Wil Tattersall, who is also from Melbourne. Tattersall expressed his appreciation for Magpayo and his staff, which helped Whitbourn make his decision.
On the court, Wickstrom noted that the playing style in America was different from what she was used to in Australia. She quickly realized that players here were more athletic and competitive.
Her more experienced teammates, such as Makayla Rose and Zoe Tillery, taught her to stay ready and always give 100 percent effort, not only in games but also in workouts and practices. Wickstrom shared that learning about their mindset toward basketball was beneficial.
Whitbourn also found a role model on his team: senior Joel Armotrading, an experienced Big West center who helped him become a better player. Seeing someone in his position do whatever it took made Whitbourn want to work harder. Whether it was taking extra shots after practice or lifting more to build muscle and become more dominant in the paint, Armotrading has helped push Whitbourn towards reaching his potential.
Wickstrom and Whitbourn may be far from home, but they’re settling into life at UCR with confidence, curiosity and plenty of Aussie charm. As they continue to grow on and off the court, Wickstrom and Whitbourn will look to add their names to the long list of players to succeed through UCR’s Australian pipeline.
