40th Anniversary Honourees – Debbie Slimmon

January 18, 2024 | Melbourne Boomers news

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Deakin Melbourne Boomers, individuals who have made special contributions to the Boomers and our history will be honoured at each Home Game at the Boom Box.

For our Home Game and inaugural Pride Game this Sunday January 21, Debbie Slimmon is the esteemed guest whose history and success with the team will be celebrated.

Born on the 3rd of April 1967, Slimmon played 199 games in her WNBL career, playing 163 games for the Bulleen Boomers from 1989 to 1996.

Slimmon sits fifth on the WNBL All Time Leading Rebounder ladder, amassing an incredible total of 2296 rebounds in her WNBL career.

She still remains the Melbourne Boomers’ all-time leader for points, rebounds, field goals made, and free throws made in a WNBL career. An astonishing record when you consider the quality of athletes that have played for our club in our 40 year history.

In 1985, Debbie was part of the Australian Junior Women’s team who went to play for Australia in the inaugural FIBA World Championship in Colorado, USA.

Joining her in that same team was fellow Boomers legends Gaylene McKay and Michele Timms and the team placed 6th in the competition, a great feat for Australia’s first international competition.

Noted as one of the best Australian female basketballers, Slimmon competed in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul for the Opals, alongside WNBL and WNBA Michele Timms.

Debbie also spent some time playing Euro basketball, competing for the Wurzburg Baskets in Germany late in the 1990’s.

Slimmon most impressively set a WNBL record in the 1990/91 WNBL season, scoring 553 points in the season and averaging 22.1 points per game.

This record remained unbroken for 12 years until Penny Taylor from the Dandenong Rangers scored 570 points in the 2001/02 WNBL season, enhancing a standard that Slimmon had set for the league.

She was part of the WNBL greats who had to balance a full-time employment with a basketball career, often driving straight from work and changing in her car to get ready for trainings at the Veneto Club.

The formidable forward/centre worked for the government full time while remaining steadfast in maintaining an amazing career in the WNBL with the Boomers.

Slimmon received the WNBL MVP award on two occasions, in 1990, her record-breaking season in the WNBL, and 1992.

She was also named to the WNBL All-Star Five on four occasions, in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1995.

Debbie joined the Basketball Victoria’s Wall of Fame in 2015, being recognized for her significant contributions to the sport and the progression and success of female basketball in Australia.

Debbie was extremely honoured to be a part of the 40th anniversary tributes for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers had this to say: “I am truly honoured and humbled to receive this recognition and delighted to be part of the Deakin Melbourne Boomers 40th Anniversary.

I feel very privileged to be in such elite company.

I have very fond memories of my time with the Boomers, forever grateful for the lifelong friendships, the utmost respect and admiration for the club and the selfless volunteers who dedicate their time week after week and the incredible community support.”

See Debbie receive her acknowledgement at our Pride Game and next Home Game on Sunday, January 21 at the Boom Box, next to the Melbourne Zoo! You can purchase tickets for the game here!

OFFER: We have 20% off all upcoming home game tickets this season. Use code BOOMBOX to receive 20% off your tickets!