With 17 professional seasons and three Olympic appearances to her name, Michele Timms will long be remembered as one of Australia's finest athletes.

Renowned for her athleticism and sheer determination, Timms played a major role in Australia's arrival on the international basketball scene. 

Her illustrious career is studded with prestigious accolades and capped with an extensive highlights reel.

Timms' rise to basketball fame dates back to 1984, when the plucky point guard lined up for her first professional season with the Bulleen Melbourne Boomers. From there Timms shifted to the rival Nunawading Spectres, where she contested six WNBL seasons and won four consecutive titles (1985-88).

In 1989 Timms became the first Australian to play professional basketball abroad when she signed to Lotus Munchen in the German national league.

She returned home in 1991 to join the Perth Breakers, earning a fifth WNBL title in her second year with the club.

From way out west Timms journeyed overland to represent the Sydney Flames, winning Basketball Australia's Player of the Year in both the 1995 and 1996 seasons.

In 1997 Timms again ventured abroad, signed to the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. In her first year on court Timms helped the Mercury to the semi-finals before going one better in 1998 to contest the WNBA Championship series.

She returned to Australian shores in 1998 to rejoin the Bulleen Melbourne Boomers for two years.

On her return to the US in 1999, Timms became the first Australian selected to play in the WNBA First All-Star game. She was named to the team for a second consecutive year in 2000.

Following her retirement in 2001, Timms' number seven jersey was retired by the Phoenix Mercury, making her only the second player in the WNBA to receive such an honour. At the time of her retirement, Timms was the Mercury's all-time leader in assists.

Despite her resounding success on international soil Timms remained a dedicated national representative right throughout her career, playing a total of 264 senior games for the Australian Opals and captaining the side from 1999.

She represented her country in three Olympic Games, in Seoul in 1988 (fourth), Atlanta in 1996 (bronze) and Sydney in 2000 (silver). Her 1996 bronze medal was the first Olympic medal won by any Australian basketball team.

In addition to her three Olympic campaigns Timms contested four World Championships, winning a bronze medal at her final hit-out in 1998.  

Twice named Australia's International Player of the Year (1994, 1996), Timms has all the accolades to prove her standing in the elite ranks of world sport. In 2003 she was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and in 2006 she was named to the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame.

But awards aside, it's the determination and sheer talent with which she played that will ensure Timms is remembered as a legend of Australian sport.

Testimonials

Roy Williams, Head Basketball Coach, University of North Carolina

"Ian Stacker has a wealth of basketball knowledge about youngsters in Australia and the game itself. I have tremendous respect for his judgement and would be extremely interested in a player Ian recommends to me. I can't believe anyone in Australia would be a better resource than Ian Stacker"

Chris Anstey - Melbourne Tigers Captain, Sydney 2000 Olympian & former NBA player with Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls. 2008 NBL Most Valuable Player

"Ian Stacker is not only one of Australian basketball's best coaches he is one of its best judges and developers of young talent.

I was part of Australia's 22 & Under Men's Basketball Team that won our Country's first ever Interantional Gold Medal. Ian not only hand selected the team, he guided us to wins over the USA, Argentina, Spain and Peurto Rico on the way to our World Championship.

Most recently, Ian built the Townsville Crocodiles NBL team from league easybeats to perenial finalist. He identified the best young talent Australia had, particularly Sam Mackinnon and Brad Newley, and provided them with a great environment to further their careers. The fact that these players chose Ian's program over the big city programs speaks for itself.

Ian knows Australian basketball as well as anyone in the world, and his opinions are highly regarded both within Australia and Worldwide."

Tony Ronzone – Director of Basketball Operations – Detroit Pistons NBA

“If I need information regarding the South Pacific I go to Ian Stacker who is the most respected basketball mind down under....his insight and knowledge makes my job easier....  as a former player in New Zealand and having first hand knowledge of basketball in the Pacific is very important as it’s a 16 hour journey by air...its important in my profession to get insight on players and Ian is the person that I trust and rely on for information for the Detroit Pistons...."

Tom Maher - Chinese National Women's team Head Coach, former Head Coach of the Australian National Women's team and former Head Coach of the Washington Mystics (WNBA)

“Ian Stacker has been a well respected coach in Australia for over 25 years, he knows Australian basketball at all levels and you would not find a more reliable and accurate place to find out about players from Australia than All Star Scouting.

All Star Scouting is a fantastic resource for professional basketball teams around the world to follow the current and rising talent coming out of Australia.”