Jessica Scannell has had an amazing career, both as an amateur and professional basketball player

Jessica Scannell has had a wonderful amateur and professional basketball career.

The Cork woman who retired from playing last year is a magnificent role model for any young player, boy or girl, that wants to follow their dreams of playing the sport professionally.

Jessica played all her juvenile basketball with Glanmire and went on to win many titles with the club.

She won two U18 National Cups, two U20 National Cups, two senior women’s National Cups, two Super League titles and in the year 2007 she won three in one weekend, the U18, U20 and senior National Cup titles.

Jessica made her Super League debut with Glanmire at the age of 15.

She represented Ireland at U16, U18 and at senior level and captained the U18 national team at the European Championships in 2007. 

Ireland went on to win their group and reached the quarter final of that competition, which was the first time an Irish team had done that at the time.

Scannell made her Irish senior women’s team debut in 2009 at age 19, under the guidance of her father Mark, however, shortly after that the senior programme was cut by the association.

“I was lucky to have a wonderful underage playing career with Glanmire where we went on to win several National Cups, however, winning the U18, U20, Senior National Cup in the one season while getting the MVP in the U20 final will live in my memory for life.

“After Glanmire I spent five years playing college basketball in the United States. 

"I played at Iona College (NCAA Division 1) from 2008 to 2011. 

"After graduating I moved to Pace University (NCAA Division 2) to complete my master’s degree and play my final year of eligibility.

“My experience in Ireland and the US helped prepare me for professional basketball. 

"With my Irish and European passport I signed with the Nottingham Wildcats in England for the 2013/2014 WBBL season. 

"I had a great experience playing alongside high level European and American professional players, averaged 10 points per game, won the regular season and the Betty Cadona Classic. 

"The Wildcats became a real home away from home and the Priors, especially Siobhan, Chris and the late Pauline Prior, made that club an incredible place to play.

“After England, I returned home to Glanmire for the 2014/2015 season where we won both the Super League and National Cup titles. 

"A couple of days after winning the League, I flew to Australia to play my first professional season with the Melbourne Tigers in 2015. 

"I signed for Keilor Thunder the following season and, somehow, we are still here 11 years later.

“I have played nine seasons in total in Australia as an import with the Melbourne Tigers, Keilor Thunder, Whittlesea Pacers, Sunbury Jets, Werribee Devils (now Wyndham Basketball) and then finished my career in the NBL1 competition with three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024 with Geelong United. 

"I captained the Geelong team in 2023 and was honoured to receive the Players’ Player Award. 

"A personal highlight was winning the Big V State Championship with Sunbury Jets in 2018 alongside fellow Cork player Orla O’Reilly."

Jessica made her return to play with the Irish senior women’s team to play in the EuroBasket qualifiers two years ago, 14 years after making her debut in 2009. 

She got to play against the Olympic silver medalist’s France in front of her family and friends at the National Arena, which was one of the proudest moments of her career. 

She retired last year after 11 seasons playing professionally in Australia where she had a fantastic career and now she is coaching Altona Gators in the Victorian Junior League.

However, away from playing, Jessica got married last year to her husband ex-Neptune player Marciek Mitianiec, and they’re expecting their first child next year.

“The proudest moment in my entire career was returning to the senior Irish national team after 14 years out of the squad to play against France in the EuroBasket qualifiers two years ago, and even though the result didn’t go our way, stepping back out on the court at that level in front of family and friends at the National Basketball Arena was surreal.

“I retired from playing after the 2024 NBL1 season. 

"But I still enjoy playing socially. 

"We have been here 11 years this coming March and we live in Melbourne. 

"I am coaching with the Altona Gators in the Victorian Junior Basketball League.

“We try to come home as often as we can. 

"We were home last year before our wedding in Poland and we are coming home again this Christmas for a big family reunion in Cork which we are really looking forward to. 

"My husband Maciek and I are also expecting our first child in 2026, so there are lots of celebrations and lovely things ahead for us as a family."