Jewels sign Parker as historic first player

The Tasmania Jewels on Thursday announced they have signed their very first player, home-grown rising star Nikki Parker.

The 17-year-old, six-foot-tall guard will join the Tasmania Jewels as an amateur development player in the team’s maiden WNBL season in 2026-27.

Parker has fast emerged as a formidable force on the court, first playing senior women’s basketball at just 13 years of age and representing Tasmania nationally on four occasions.

Tasmania Jewels head coach Claudia Brassard said signing a young Tasmanian first was a statement of intent by the Jewels.

“The Jewels are a fiercely proud Tasmanian team and a team for every Tasmanian, so it is only fitting that our very first signing is local rising star Nikki Parker,” Brassard said.

“She’s born and raised in Tasmania’s North West, a region that is famous for producing some of basketball’s best, and it’s clear Nikki is destined for exactly that.

“She has raw talent in spades, she’s tough and gritty and plays both ends of the floor. She is the perfect first addition to our program.”

Parker started playing basketball at the age of seven, starting her junior career with Latrobe and Ulverstone, before joining the Tasmanian Future development program at age 11.

Last year, she was named in the Australian Women’s Under 17s Sapphires squad and is currently playing for the Northern Force in the NBL1.

“This is a dream come true,” Parker said.

“I love playing basketball, it’s all I’ve ever dreamed of doing.

“It was so lucky that I was sitting down when I got the call to say I was on the team, I was so shocked and excited.

“To be named a Jewel, especially in their first year, is such an honour and opportunity, and I can’t wait to pull on that jersey and play for every Tasmanian.”

Jewels assistant general manager of WNBL, Kayla Steindl said the Jewels team would include 10 rostered players and three development players.

“Our winning team is taking shape, we have our foundation principal partner, St Lukes, head coach Claudia Brassard, and now our first player, Nikki Parker,” Steindl said.

“The Jewels are here to win, and we’re here to set a new standard in the WNBL both on and off the court.

“In the coming days and weeks, we’ll have more players to announce as we recruit a team that will Defend the Island.”

During their first-ever season, the Jewels will play half their games in Hobart at the MyState Bank Arena and half in Launceston at the Silverdome.