Simone Sill, an Austrian basketball talent, has made waves both domestically and internationally throughout her career. Currently playing for UBI Graz in her hometown, Simone has had an extraordinary journey filled with passion, determination, and a deep love for the game. Her path has been shaped by early influences, international experiences, and a deep-rooted connection to the sport that has brought her both challenges and triumphs.

A sister’s influence: how Simone got into basketball

For Simone, basketball wasn’t always a clear choice. Like many athletes, it came into her life almost by chance. ‘Pretty much because of my sister,’ she recalls when asked how she started in the sport. ‘She started playing when I was like 9 or 10, and then I started in school because of her. But she stopped pretty soon after, and I just continued and went to the club.’ It was this introduction, through a sibling’s brief interest, that lit the spark of what would later become a lifelong passion.

Basketball quickly became more than just a pastime. ‘It’s a very complex sport, but of course it’s very nice to play with teammates,’ Simone says. The idea of working together on the court, facing challenges side by side, was key in keeping her engaged. ‘If it would be a single sport, I wouldn’t have done it for so long,’ she admits. The competition, the team dynamics, and the global reach of the game drew her in and held her attention.

The road to professionalism: early years in Austria

Simone's journey into professional basketball began in 2015 when she joined ATUS Gratkorn. Reflecting on her early days, she laughs, ‘As professional as Austria in basketball was at that time.’ Her debut in the Austrian Bundesliga was marked by a sharp learning curve. ‘We lost by 100 in my first game, so I saw the difference between youth basketball and senior basketball pretty soon,’ she recalls. Despite the rough start, playing at that level gave her invaluable experience. ‘It was good to compete at a high level and I feel like I’ve gained a lot of experience there.’

During her time at ATUS Gratkorn, Simone developed quickly. She credits much of her growth to the trust her coach placed in her. ‘As a young player, I got a lot of playing time. The coach really trusted in me, and we were a pretty young team, so I feel like that really benefited me.’

The championship year: returning to UBI Graz

In 2018, Simone returned to UBI Graz, and it wasn’t long before success followed. The 2018-2019 season was a memorable one, as the team became Austrian champions. ‘It was special,’ she recalls. ‘We had a really special team, and we worked really hard the whole season.’ The championship was the result of collective effort and personal growth, both on and off the court. ‘It was the first year I actually changed to that club, so a lot of things went right for me that year.’

International experience: from Germany to Iceland

After her championship success in Austria, Simone ventured abroad, first playing in Germany's second league with Saarlouis/Dillingen Diamonds and later in Iceland with Fjölnir Reykjavik. The transition to international basketball wasn’t without its challenges, particularly during the pandemic. ‘The first year was kind of tough,’ she admits. ‘It was still post-Corona season. I went to Spain first, but I didn’t get to play there because the league didn’t start due to COVID-19. Then I changed to the second league in Germany.’

Playing abroad, however, gave her a broader perspective on basketball. ‘It was nice to see international basketball,’ she says. And in Iceland, she found a surprisingly vibrant basketball community. ‘It’s bigger than you would think it is,’ she notes. ‘They try to have a whole sports system for their kids and youth, so they really try with the foreigners and pros coming there to help their national players develop and get better. It’s an interesting system.’

The return home: UBI Graz as family

In 2023, Simone returned to her roots at UBI Graz, the club that has always held a special place in her heart. ‘It’s been like a family,’ she says warmly. The atmosphere at the club, with its supportive and community-centered approach, feels like home for the Austrian star. ‘They do a lot for their players, and we try our best to do a lot for the club as well.’

Simone has her sights set on more success with UBI Graz. ‘We have a pretty good team right now and a good roster,’ she says confidently. ‘Our expectations are definitely being champions again, and right now it’s going pretty well for us, so I feel like that can really be done by the end of this season, hopefully.’

Representing Austria: the pride of playing for the national team

Simone's achievements are not limited to club basketball. She has had the honor of representing Austria at various levels, starting with the under-16 and under-18 teams in 2015 and 2017, and later joining the senior national team in 2021 for the European Championship qualifiers. Reflecting on her first international tournament with the youth team, Simone says, ‘It was a very special feeling.’ Wearing the Austrian jersey was a deeply significant moment for her. ‘We had some coaches that really tried to make us realize and value the moment,’ she remembers. ‘We may not have been in the top four or top eight even in the B division, but we really came out and fought every game.’

This past summer, Simone had the incredible opportunity to represent Austria once again, this time in 3x3 basketball at the European Championships in Vienna. ‘It was a crazy experience,’ she says. ‘The crowd really pushed us, and it was a very special feeling. I will always remember that.’