Bridie Kennedy-Hopoate: Hip Surgery at 16, a Cash Contract in Egypt, and What Pro Basketball Actually Looks Like

Bridie Kennedy-Hopoate signed her first pro contract in Egypt without knowing Egypt was in Africa.

Bridie grew up in Brisbane and started basketball at 10 after switching from track and field. At 16 she had hip surgery and spent 11 weeks rehabbing to make the 2014 U17 World Championships.

She played JUCO at Hutchinson, graduated as the number one post player in the nation, then played Division I at Iowa State and the University of New Mexico. Her pro career has taken her across eight countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Mozambique, Syria, and the UK with Manchester Basketball. She is back in Melbourne with Nunawading in the NBL1.

For any young athlete thinking about going overseas, this is the textbook on reading contracts and knowing what to demand before you sign.

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