From Norths Bears to Golden Bears for Perkins

• Ruby Perkins has verbally committed to the University of California Berkeley Golden Bears
• She led New South Wales to the National Under-20 Championships gold medal in Ballarat in February
• Perkins plays NBL1 for the Norths Bears

One of Australia’s brightest young stars, Ruby Perkins, has announced her verbal commitment to the University of California Berkeley as a member of the 2026 class.

Perkins, who recently led New South Wales to gold at the Under-20 National Championships, had more than 50 offers from Division 1 schools and settles on one of the most prestigious colleges in the USA, which is known for their academics.

I caught up with Perkins a couple of weeks ago when she was in the midst of her decision-making process.

"I've always wanted to go over (to college),” she said.

"Even just the facilities and the access that they get is so good. Watching it, where it's come over the past couple of years, it's an exciting time to be in this process.”

Now with her decision made, the 17-year-old joins a program that currently boasts fellow Australian Lulu Twidale, who has been a revelation in her sophomore season with the Golden Bears, averaging 13.2 points on 39% shooting from deep.

California finished seventh in the ACC this season and lost to Notre Dame in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament over the weekend, ahead of the upcoming NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball tournament.

Perkins’ commitment is a massive boost for the program, with her ability to get to the basket as an attacking point guard an absolute game-changer for any team she finds herself on. Whether it’s for Australia, New South Wales or her local Norths Bears, Perkins is the type of point guard that will lead her team through the fire.

Her speed and willingness to fight through contact makes her a deadly proposition when she decides she wants to get into the paint. Unfazed by larger and longer opponents, Perkins revels amongst congestion at the rim by making tough layups or finding open teammates.

Perkins credited being around older girls, through the ATC Academy with coach Taylor Jones, when she was young as having helped her develop that ability.

"She introduced me into a lot of stuff with a bunch of older girls when I was young and I think that boosted me earlier,” she said. “It allowed me to play against longer girls, play against stronger girls and I learnt a lot from that.

“Even when I was younger, I've always been a bit on the shorter side, so I’ve always had a real focus on just being able to get into the paint and finish over anyone. I've worked on that for so many years now.”

Perkins is a pesky guard, who will compete all day long and adding a very real and dangerous three-point shot to her arsenal in recent times has made her an even more complete player. Just ask those states she dominated at the nationals, where she was the leading three-point shooter in the tournament.

“Over the past months, (three-point shooting) has definitely been my focal point and for it to pay off during nationals was such a great feeling.” She said.

The amount of Australian talent in Division 1 women’s basketball is extraordinary; the likes of Georgia Amoore, Kitty Henderson and Mia Jacobs are all at the peak of their powers, while Lara Somfai, who played alongside Perkins at the Under-17 FIBA Women’s World Cup last year, is set to join Stanford’s 2025 class as a five-star recruit.

With so much talent coming up through the junior systems, college and the WNBL, there’s no doubt the future of the Australian Opals is as bright as it’s ever been.

For Perkins, a life-long Norths Bear, the next stage of her basketball journey will see her take on the college basketball world as a University of California Golden Bear. Some things are just meant to be.