By Blake Dowson
Former Iowa women’s basketball star Melissa Dixon walked away from the Hawkeye program as the most prolific 3-point shooter in school history. She holds just about every 3-point record that exists, including a number of 3-point field goals in a single game (10), in a season (124), and career (334).
She is now playing professionally in Australia for the Ringwood Hawks; The Daily Iowan’s Blake Dowson recently caught up with her to chat about her experiences playing basketball halfway around the world.
DI: First off, how are things going for you since you made the move?
Dixon: Things are going really well here in Australia. I am so thankful for this incredible opportunity. Australia is such a great place to live. It has been a lot of fun to live in a new place and emerge in the culture here. Basketball is going good, and my team is currently 10-2. I live with three other Americans, which has also made this overseas experience a lot of fun.
DI: You had a couple different options on where to play; why did you choose Australia?
Dixon: I’ve always wanted to travel to Australia, so when I was offered to play here I couldn’t pass it up. Australia is such an amazing country. It’s so beautiful, the people are so friendly, and everyone speaks English, making it easy to live here. There are a lot of similarities to the United States, so for the most part it has been an easy adjustment.
DI: Did it scare you at all, moving halfway around the world?
Dixon: Yeah, I was definitely a little scared before moving here and didn’t really know what to expect. I was anxious about moving so far away and not being able to come home at all for eight months. But I feel really blessed with how everything has worked out. I absolutely love Australia and have had a great overall experience so far. My coach and teammates have been great, which also makes moving halfway around the world easier.
DI: What are some of the fun things you’ve done since you’ve moved?
Dixon: I’ve been really fortunate that I’ve been able to travel and do a bunch of fun things since moving here. A few of my favorite things were climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and learning how to surf.
DI: What’s the basketball like over there?
Dixon: My basketball experience here is going well. My team is currently second in the league. At Iowa, I was primarily a 3-point shooter, but here, my overall game has evolved a little more. The club I am playing for is very family-oriented, and the people in the club have been so nice to me and the other Americans. I also coach a 12-year-old junior team and do private lessons with junior kids in the club. The opportunity to work with the children here and help improve their basketball skills has been really rewarding.
DI: Have you stayed in contact with your teammates from Iowa?
Dixon: Yeah I stay in contact with my teammates all the time. They’re some of my best friends, and I’m constantly keeping up with what they’re doing. Two of my Iowa teammates, Kathryn Reynolds and Bethany Doolittle, just visited me here in Australia a few weeks ago.
DI: What’s been the hardest thing about making the move to Australia?
Dixon: The hardest thing about moving to Australia is being so far away from my family and friends. I’m a very family-oriented person, and being away is definitely challenging at times, but the Australian people here have been great. I’ve been really blessed being surrounded with wonderful people, which it makes being so far away from home a little easier.
