OVER RISING BALLER ACADEMY

Rising Baller Academy is opgericht in september 2023 door ex-WNBA speelster Andrea Congreaves en business partner Linda van Bakkum.

Het doel is zoveel mogelijk kinderen kennis te laten maken met basketbal door het geven van clinics, workshops en individuele specialisatie trainingen voor gevorderden.

Andrea heeft een schat aan ervaring als ex-speelster en coach. Als 15 jarige begonnen met basketballen door een clinic die gegeven werd op haar school. Na een paar jaar in haar thuisland Engeland gespeeld te hebben vertrekt ze voor het grote Amerikaanse avontuur en gaat spelen en studeren bij divisie 1 school Mercer University, Macon Georgia. Haar laatste jaar op de universiteit wordt ze uitgeroepen tot divisie 1 All American waarna haar professionele carrière begon. In 15 jaar professioneel basketbal is Andrea haar hoogtepunt het spelen in de WNBA bij de Charlotte Sting en de Orlando Miracle. Daarnaast in vele landen gespeeld waaronder 6 jaar in Spanje (waaronder FC Barcelona), 6 jaar in Italië, Frankrijk en Zuid Korea. Andrea heeft vanaf de jeugd selectie voor Engelse en Groot Brittannië nationale team gespeeld.

Na haar speel carrière wilde Andrea kennis en ervaring delen en overdragen en is ze gaan coachen.

Speel ervaring:

1985-1987 Crystal Palace, London, England

1987-1988 Brixton, London, England

1988-1989 London YMCA, London, England

1989-1993 Mercer University, Macon, Georgia, USA

1993-1994 Viterbo, Italy

1994-1995 Valencia. Spain

1995-1998 Como, Italy

1997-2000 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), USA

1998-1999 Priolo, Italy

1999-2000 Bourges, France

2000-2001 Fenerbache, Turkey

2001-2002 Gran Canaria, Spain

2002 Seoul, South Korea

2002-2004 Barcelona, Spain

2004-2005 Alessandria, Italy

2005-2008 Rohndda, Wales

2008-2009 Barking, London, England

Coaching career

2005-2008 Rhondda Rebels Division 1 Women’s Basketball Team (player/coach)

2006-2008 England U16’s Women’s Basketball Team (Assistant Coach)

2007 England v International All-Star Game (England Head Coach)

2007-2009 Luol Deng Summer Basketball Camp (Assistant Coach)

2008 Great Britain U20’s Women’s Basketball Team (Assistant Coach)

2008-2009 Barking Abbey Division 1/Academy Women’s Basketball Team (Head Coach)

2011-2012 Nottingham Wildcats U18’s Women’s Basketball Team (Head Coach)

2012-2013 Glanmire Women’s Basketball Team (Head Coach)

2012-2016 NBB Summer Basketball Camp (Assistant Coach)

2016- East Midlands Regional U17’s Team (Head Coach)

2013-2020 University of Nottingham Women’s Basketball Team (Lead Performance Coach)

2021-2023 Talent Coach, Orange Lions Academy women

2021-2023 Netherlands U16 en U18 nationaal team assistent coach

Awards & Achievements

Represented England U17, U19 & Senior National Team/Great Britain Senior Basketball Team (50+ Caps)

1985-1987

English Junior Championship Winner
English League Senior Championship Winner
English National Cup Winner

1987-1988

Great Britain Pre-Olympic Qualification Team
England Senior Women’s Team (Debut)

1989-1993

English Player of the Year
NSWAC MVP (New South West Athletic Conference)
Naismith Award Winner (State of Georgia)
Leading Scorer Nationwide (NCAA)
Kodak All-American First Team
Mercer University Jersey Retired

1991 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal Winner

1993-1994

English Player of the Year

1995-1996

Spanish League Championship Winner
Euro League Quarter Finalists

1996-1998

Italian Cup Winners & MVP
Italian League Championship Winners
Euro League Final Four
Italian League All-Star Team
4th Round WNBA Selection (First British Ever Selected)

1999-2000

French Cup Winners
French League Championship Winners
Euro League Final Fours (Runners Up)
French All-Star Team

2001-2002

Euro Cup Club Competition Finalists

2002

Kumho Falcons (First English Player Selected)

2002-2004

Spanish League Championship Winners
Euro League Club Competition Finalists

2005-2008

English Cup Winners
Euro Cup Competition
English Player of the Year
England Senior Women’s Team
Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist
Head of Delegation England U18’s Women’s Basketball Team

2012-2014

Inducted into the Hall of Fame (Mercer University)
Inducted into the Hall of Fame (Atlantic Sun Athletic Association) – First British Female Inductee