Born in Australia but of Kiwi heritage, a resilient character and perseverance have paid big dividends for well-formed midcourter Claire O’Brien. Debuting for the NSW Swifts in the Australian Super League in 2017, a ruptured Achillies put her career on hold the following year before she was signed on as a training partner with the Giants. Seeking more exposure and opportunities, and with her parents originally hailing from the Bay of Plenty, O’Brien set her sights on New Zealand to ply her trade. She joined the Mystics in 2021 as a training partner, cementing her spot in the side in 2022 but took time out to consider her next step in 2023. Searching for more court minutes, O’Brien made all the right calls when heading to the Magic where she became an influential performer during 2024. Hard-working with a tenacious training attitude, O’Brien made the wing attack position her own at the Magic, growing her game to new levels with her consistently high standards. A calm, smart player, O’Brien showed her real worth through consistent game-time and elevation to the Silver Ferns and debut series in the 2024 Taini Jamison Trophy.