Slammers legacy fuels Chalk to lead from front

Image credit: Tyson Lumbaca | @ty.visuales

Still a teenager, Bree Chalk is co-captain at the club her dad is a championship hero with and is fresh off a match-winning breakout performance as the South West Slammers scored a first up home NBL1 West win.

It's almost inconceivable to think that Chalk already has been playing with the Slammers since the West Coast Classic of 2020, and now has progressively gained more experience each NBL1 West season to the point she's a co-captain despite still being 19 years of age.

The Slammers are in her blood too with father Jason a triple SBL championship winner from the 1990s. He also spent time coaching Bree in the NBL1 West and remains coach of the men's team in 2026.

But the good thing from blooding players like Chalk so young just like happened around a decade ago with Raya Thomson, Georgia Denehey and Tayah Burrows, is that by the time they get to 20 years of age, they are ready to thrive.

That's exactly what is happening with Chalk who started the season in Kalgoorlie with 12 points and seven rebounds before backing up with a night to remember in the first home game of 2026 for the Slammers at Eaton Recreation Centre.

In the 62nd game of her NBL1 career, Chalk caught fire shooting 4/5 from three-point range and 8/10 overall along with making 9/12 at the foul line to have 29 points, four rebounds and three assists in the memorable win against the Perth Redbacks.

Given she is still so young, there's every reason to think it's just the start of what's to come for the 19-year-old but as good as it was to play well personally, it was the first win as a captain that meant the world to her.

"It felt great having my teammates around me and then getting the win to top it off," Chalk said.

"The best part about it was how much we get around each other as a team.

"We have a lot of new girls this year so it’s amazing how quickly we’ve all bonded, so getting that first win was pretty special."

Carrying on the legacy

James Fitch was a superstar of those championship teams at the Slammers in the 1990s and played alongside Bree's dad, and now to have the daughters of both as co-captains in 2026 is something quite special.

Bree is proud of it from that perspective, but also because she's got such a connection herself with Javene now as well with them having done so much of their growing up together with the Slammers.

"Jay and I share the same passion and loyalty to the Slammers that both our dads did back in the day," Chalk said.

"Us getting to play together now and carry that legacy is so special and hopefully one day we’ll get to win a championship together like they did."

Sharing the journey with dad

No doubt Bree spent a lot of her childhood listening to her dad Jason sharing stories of how big a part he played in the Slammers being such an NBL powerhouse in the 1990s with him playing in three championships with them.

But to now have had him as a coach in the NBL1 West and for them to both be still involved at the Slammers with one a captain and the other coach of the men's team is something she knows is a unique experience to cherish.

"Well obviously dad and I had moments where we butt heads but I did love having him as a coach," Bree said.

"He spent so much time doing things other coaches didn’t and he has so much knowledge in basketball so it was great to be coached by him.

"It’s great to see him still pursuing his passion and coaching the men, I’m glad to still have him around the club and he’s still always supporting me."

Being part of next Slammers generation

Beyond just that connection Chalk and Fitch share together, she's also glad to be coming through this journey with a whole new generation of Slammers young players who will look to take the club forward when they all get to play together again.

"It means so much to me to be playing with girls like Alexis Donovan and Charlotte Mills when she gets back from college who I’ve been playing with since under 12s," she said.

"Even Javene who I’ve played NBL1 with for five years now, it’s just great we have such a strong core group of girls who still have many years of playing left."

Start of season, challenge ahead

It has been an encouraging start to the new season for the Slammers where even though they lost in Kalgoorlie first up against the Giants, there was a lot to like including a triple-double from new import Marshaun Bostic with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

They then backed that up with the home win on Easter Thursday against the Redbacks and now will be back at Eaton Recreation Centre this Friday facing quite the daunting challenge.

Former league MVP's Sami Whitcomb and Teige Morrell combined for 58 points, 24 rebounds and eight assists for the Rockingham Flames last week and now they'll be joined by Perth Lynx and Australian Opals/Gangurrus sharpshooter Amy Atwell.

Coming up against a current WNBA star like Whitcomb and with both Atwell and Morrell fresh off WNBL seasons is a significant test, but it's a challenge Chalk is looking forward to.

"We’re all excited to keep progressing each game and we already have improved so much since pre-season. There are so many positives to look forward to this year and in future years," Chalk said.

"Friday is going to be a tough game but we are prepared to give it everything we’ve got and be competitive.

"It’s not every day you get to play against a WNBA player and two WNBL players so that’s exciting and gives us motivation to go even harder."