Even with the abundance of talent at Manchester Basketball’s disposal, Caroline Lau has established herself as the critical cog in the team’s championship ambitions.

Manchester stated their intent in the offseason with a set of impressive signings.

Jenna Mastellone, Eva Karasaite, Maaja Bratka, Hannah Robb, Veera Pirttinen, and Maya Price all joined the ranks to form one of the most exciting rosters in Super League Basketball Women (SLBW).

Yet, it is Caroline Lau who is proving to be the heartbeat of the franchise’s lofty ambitions.

Lau’s playmaking prowess will be critical to Manchester

Often when we talk about a team’s star player, we discuss how many points that particular player is putting on the board each week — this is not the case with Carolina Lau.

While the dynamic guard has shown she can shoot the ball over her first two games in the league (7 points per game), Lau’s eye for the pass has been evident for all to see. 

According to Epinoia, in 53 minutes of action, Lau has already recorded an incredible 18 assists, with an assist-to-turnover rating of 4.50. 

It’s not just her passing ability that is phenomenal; it is her relentless mentality, in which she constantly wants the ball in her hands. 

At 23 years of age, Lau is wise beyond her years, and her ball-facilitation skills are already proving too much for top teams to handle.

Manchester dismantles the reigning champions

Before the season started, the Sheffield Hatters were still favourites to clinch back-to-back championships, even though they were in somewhat of a transition after Georgia Gayle’s departure. 

This didn’t prevent Manchester Basketball from clinching a statement victory over their opponents in the second game of the campaign. 

Manchester chalked up an 88-59 win over the Hatters at the Canon Medical Arena. As well as 8 assists, Lau registered 11 points and 8 rebounds, with a team-high +34 point differential. 

Sheffield appeared shell-shocked as Lau and her teammates continually sliced through their defensive unit like a hot knife through butter. 

It might be early in the season, but Manchester Basketball are showing a clear blueprint of the team they want to be. Fearless, direct, and aggressive. 

Regardless of the opponents, this roster is going to play the same way and ensure they are setting the tempo in matchups. 

And it couldn’t be more obvious that it is Caroline Lau who is the team’s designated floor general.