Posted on 26 April, 2024
The Kilsyth Cobra Women have made a big in season addition to their front court, signing import Tyra Whitehead for the remainder of the NBL1 season.
Whitehead joins Kilsyth following a standout collegiate career and stint in Europe, giving the Cobras a skilled, high IQ post presence on both ends of the floor. The 6’3 centre boasts a sweet touch around the rim and the midrange, high level footwork and a knack for rebounding, having averaged a double-double in her final two collegiate seasons and first year on the professional circuit. A graduate of San Jose State University, Whitehead established herself as one of the Mountain West Conference’s best front court players, averaging 14.1 points and 10.1 rebounds game over her final two seasons. Her impact wasn’t just felt on the offensive end and glass, though, with Whitehead’s quick hands and timing making her a terror on the defensive end as she finished with career averages of 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
The Richmond, Virginia native’s stellar collegiate career earned her a training camp contract with WNBA side Washington Mystics, before she embarked on the next chapter in her basketball journey as she headed to Sweden to play with the Wetterbygden Sparks. Whitehead produced more of the same in Sweden, recording 13 double-doubles in 21 games as she led the Sparks with 12.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
Prior to her time in Europe and at San Jose State, Whitehead was one of the top high school prospects in the United States, leading Cosby High School to three-straight 6A State Championships before earning a scholarship at NCAA powerhouse Wake Forest. She would spend her first two collegiate seasons with the Demon Deacons playing in the ACC, before moving to San Jose State to star over her final two seasons.
The addition of Whitehead is a huge one to the Cobras front court, offering a bruising physical paint presence to compliment the quick, athletic duo of Tegan and Caitlin Cunningham. Whitehead is set to make her NBL1 debut tomorrow night at home, when the Cobras take on the rival Nunawading Spectres at 5.30pm.
