Perth Lynx import Teonni Key has revealed multiple connections with Australia convinced her to make the move to the WNBL this season.

Key has had an instant impact since debuting just days after arriving in the country due to her previous WNBA commitments. While she fouled out after only 13 minutes against Townsville in her first game, she still scored 15 points and then Key followed up with 22 points and nine rebounds against Adelaide.

The 23-year-old said she felt comfortable coming to Perth because she is led by Australian Opals coach Sandy Brondello in the WNBA.

“A lot of what Perth do is similar to what I was doing in Toronto and being coached by Sandy Brondello, who is an Aussie native, helped. Sandy has given me a lot,” she said.

“She taught me lot of the concepts and terminology and a lot about how Aussies are. I’ve learnt a lot of the culture and everything here.

“We talked a lot about what it’s like playing the WNBL and things like that. So she’s given me a lot and definitely prepared me for this.”

But Key also had a player to seek advice from in Toronto because teammate Marina Mabrey played for Perth during the 2021-22 season when they made the grand final.

Key said Mabrey raved about how good the Lynx are to play for under coach Ryan Petrik.

“I talked to her about it and she said you’re going to love it,” Key said.

“She said Ryan is a great guy and that they run a free-flowing offence. She said he is just pretty much a straight shooter and you know what you’re going to get from him.

“She said I’d come, work hard and also just enjoy Australia. She said they always have a great team so I’d love it.”

The Lynx have had an extended break since beating Adelaide on October 24 which has given them the chance to gel after so many players arrived in the country late. They will attempt to remain the only undefeated team in the league when they play Townsville Fire in Queensland on Tuesday.