Kyana Weir is still 19 but a key Warwick Senators player having already played 79 games with faith shown from Perth Wildcats greats as coaches and superstar teammates as she prepares to face NBL1 West's unbeaten Cockburn Cougars.

Weir made her first NBL1 appearance with the Senators all the way back in 2021 when she was still just a 15-year-old and all the way through she has continued to show what an exciting young talent she is.

As a dynamic guard capable of handling the ball and running her team's offence, proving explosive enough to get to the basket while being a good shooter and tenacious defender, it's easy to see why coach Brad Robbins and his assistant Paul Rogers love her so much.

It's not an easy team at the Senators to get minutes on either considering there's Chloe Forster and Stacey Barr as the starting backcourt and with defensive maestro Emma Gandini on the way, but Weir continues to prove herself a difference maker.

That was on a team that finished second last year and now currently sits second again this season having now won five straight matches ahead of Friday night's match up with the undefeated Cockburn Cougars.

Looking forward to Cougars challenge

The Senators and Cougars were both top four teams last year and now have a combined 12-1 record so far in 2025 coming into Friday night's match up at Warwick Stadium.

It shapes as a chance for a statement for both teams and Weir is looking forward to the opportunity to hand Cockburn a first loss in 2025 and knows the challenge for herself to come up against high-quality guards like Jewel Williams and Steph Gorman.

"Absolutely! They’ve been setting the standard in the season so far but we’re excited for the challenge," Weir said.

"We’ve been building momentum ourselves, so it’s a great opportunity to test ourselves and hopefully give them their first loss.

"Jewel is so shifty, she definitely keeps you on your toes! You can’t switch off for a second or she’ll blow right by you. And Steph is strong and smart, so it’s a different kind of challenge. I love going up against both of them because it pushes me to be better."

Senators team of 2025

The best part of what the Senators have done so far in 2025 to now be sitting in second spot with a 6-1 record having won five straight matches is that they have done it without being at full strength.

Perth Lynx WNBL forward Kiara Waite has now only been in the line-up for the past two games while three-time championship winning 224-game veteran guard, and perhaps the best defender in the country, Emma Gandini, is yet to play due to her season in the United Kingdom.

However, with Barr and Forster in the back court, Australian basketball legend Nat Burton up front and then with the return of Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard along with the all-round talents of Isabelle Miotti, the Senators have been looking impressive.

"KJ’s already made a big impact in her first couple of games, she gives us great energy and versatility," she said.

"And with Emma coming soon, she’ll add even more balance and experience. We’re starting to click, and it’s exciting knowing we’ve still got more to give.

"It’s unreal playing with those sort of players too. Nat and Stacey bring so much experience and leadership, they’re calm, smart, and always helping us younger players.

"I’ve already learned so much from them. And when Emma gets here, I’ll be soaking up everything I can. She is the best defender in the country, no question, so getting to train and play alongside her is going to be massive for me."

Learning by taking on big names

Not only is Weir's game quickly developing because of the high quality and experienced teammates she has at the Senators, but also by the players she tests herself against out on the court.

Weir plays with no fear and isn’t afraid to take the ball at bigger and more experienced opponents, and certainly to get up and in on defending some of the best playmakers across the NBL1 West.

Whether it's someone like the games record holder at the Mandurah Magic Casey Mihovilovich, two-time WNBL champion Abby Cubillo, the ever dangerous Natalie Chou, the crafty Alex Ciabattoni or this Friday's opponents Gorman and Williams, Weir looks forward to every challenge.

"It’s a privilege and a challenge. They’ve played at such a high level and know every trick in the book," Weir said.

"You have to show up locked in every week, which is only helping me grow. I take something away from every matchup."

Wildcats greats as coaches

Weir continues to have the full backing of the coaching staff at the Senators to be playing such a significant role where she's playing over 24 minutes a game so far in 2025 for 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals.

When that coaching staff includes former Perth Wildcats captain and championship winning point guard Brad Robbins, and former NBL MVP and 'Cats captain and championship winner Paul Rogers, Weir still pinches herself every time she gets to practice or a game and sees them coaching her.

"I’m super grateful for the trust Bobby has shown in me," Weir said.

"It gives me confidence to play my game and not be afraid to make mistakes. Knowing he believes in me makes a big difference, especially as a young player, it’s something I don’t take for granted.

"It’s pretty surreal being coached by both of them! They’ve been at the top and know what it takes to win.

"You can feel that championship mindset in everything they do at training, in games, even how they talk to us. It’s intense but also super motivating. I’m learning so much from them."

College experience and future

Once Weir finished at school in Perth at Sacred Heart College, she always thought she wanted to go down the college path and did spend time at the University of Nebraska at Omaha during the 2024/25 season.

That didn’t quite go as she might have hoped or expected, but she'll always be proud to say she gave it a go even though she's now committed to remaining back at home to firstly play NBL1 at Warwick and then continue to chase her basketball dreams.

"College had some amazing athletes, and it was great to go up against that level of talent," Weir said.

"I loved the intensity of practice and the access to the facilities was amazing. It definitely helped me grow as a player. However I do find NBL1 now is just on another level.

"The game is smarter and it brings a different kind of intensity. For me, I’ve decided to stay in Australia. I’m really enjoying the competition here and feel like it’s the best place for me to keep developing.

"I’m so lucky to have Bobby as a coach and having the Sennies girls, so it just feels right to stay here."

Chris Pike

Emerging star Weir thriving in Senators environment