Manchester Mystics head coach Jeff Jones is thrilled to have increased his offensive options with the shooting talents of Sierra Schwellenbach.

The American has wasted no time in making an impression after she poured in 19 points against Cardiff, and having scored 16 points at Oaklands in her second appearance after making her debut against Caledonia in the Cup, Jones has been impressed with her performances so far.

“Sierra came to my attention when Rheanne Bailey’s Manchester Metropolitan University team scrimmaged with the University of Manchester,” explained the play-caller.

“She came back and said they had an American who was a really good shooter and so we invited her down and have been really pleased how Sierra has slotted in.

“She gives us another scoring threat, but also another high basketball IQ or our roster.

“It was a bonus to also learn that despite her American accent, she was British! This is something which was a bonus from the perspective of getting her registered quickly.

“Obviously, she has her academic studies which come first, but I am pretty sure she will be an asset to what we are trying to do in Manchester with women’s basketball.”

As for Schwellenbach herself, she is delighted to be showcasing her skills and letting people know about her background.

“I grew up in Los Osos, California with my parents, brother and sister, starting to play basketball when I was four years old and I haven’t stopped since,” she revealed.

“I played varsity basketball for four years for Morro Bay High School and in my senior year, I was captain of the team and defensive MVP of the league while also averaging 16.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.1 steals, and 3.7 assists per game.

“In 2014, I started at the University of California, Santa Barbara studying computer science and now in my third year, I’m studying abroad for a year at the University of Manchester.”