Young Basketball Star Elise Gilbert Balances Motherhood and Ambition

Elise Gilbert, a promising young basketball player from Hamilton, New Zealand, is navigating the dual challenges of motherhood and a burgeoning sports career. At just 19 years old, Gilbert became a mother to her son, Kyzaiah, in December 2022. This life change has propelled her to excel both on the court and in her academic pursuits.

With strong family support, Gilbert and her partner, Kobe, embraced their new roles as parents while contemplating their futures. “We were two years into our relationship at the time and it was quite a big shock. But both our parents were really supportive,” Gilbert shared. Just two weeks before giving birth, she completed her NCEA level two exams, demonstrating her commitment to education and basketball.

From High School to National Recognition

Gilbert’s basketball journey began at an early age, guided by family friends and coached by the renowned Leanne Walker. Her leadership skills became evident as she captained the Hamilton Girls High School basketball team. Under her guidance, the team finished third at the 2023 National Secondary Schools’ Girls’ Basketball Championships, marking a significant achievement in her early career.

In addition to her high school success, Gilbert played a key role in the Waikato Basketball system, contributing to national championships in 2019 and 2021 and finishing as runner-up in 2020 and 2023. Her achievements continued with the Junior Tall Ferns, where she earned All-Star 5 recognition at the Oceania Championships and participated in the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China.

After the birth of her son, Gilbert remained committed to her sport. She played her first tournament just three months postpartum and quickly returned to training with the Junior Tall Ferns. “Three on three is a lot more explosive and involves fast movements so it was a real shock to my body,” she recalled, illustrating her determination to balance motherhood and her athletic aspirations.

New Beginnings in Dunedin

Last year, Gilbert and Kobe relocated to Dunedin to pursue health sciences at the University of Otago. Initially set on staying in Waikato, they decided to embrace this new chapter after being accepted into the program. “We had a big discussion with our families and we told them that we wanted to take the leap and take the hard road,” she explained.

The couple received support from their families, with Gilbert’s parents and grandparents helping to care for Kyzaiah during their transition. “He was one when we decided to move down here and he didn’t have a daycare because we decided to move so late. I couldn’t have done it without them,” she said, highlighting the importance of community in her journey.

Upon arriving in Dunedin, Gilbert quickly felt welcomed by both the community and her new team, the Southern Hoiho. “Everybody is so friendly and welcoming. Within my first week of being here, the girls were inviting me to scrimmages,” she noted. As the second youngest player on the team, Gilbert has sought guidance from her more experienced teammates, such as captain Samara Gallaher and forward Zoe Richards.

Through her involvement with the Hoiho, Gilbert is eager to absorb new coaching perspectives and improve her game. “The level of our imports this year is pretty high so being able to get feedback and play against them every day is such a great opportunity,” she stated.

Gilbert’s resilience and dedication to her goals extend beyond basketball. She has aspirations to establish her own dental practice once she completes her studies. “I’ve always seen myself on the dentist pathway. It’s something that allows me to give back to my people when I finish,” she explained, emphasizing her desire to contribute to the Māori community.

Despite the challenges of juggling motherhood, academics, and sports, Gilbert remains focused on her priorities. “My main goal is being a great mother and putting him first,” she affirmed. This commitment has driven her to grow and mature, reshaping her outlook on life and future success.

As Gilbert continues to excel with the Hoiho, her team recently secured a victory over the Northern Kāhu, placing them third in the standings after four rounds. With two wins against the Kāhu this season, Gilbert’s dedication to both her family and basketball is evident, as she aims to lead her team to new heights while nurturing her son.

Elise Gilbert’s journey exemplifies the remarkable balance of ambition and responsibility, showcasing how personal challenges can fuel professional aspirations.