EZY Parsons’ smile is infectious for a reason.

Ipswich Force’s latest recruit to the women’s basketball team grew up in the small American town of Bushnell, Florida, where she said “there was nothing to do except get in trouble”.

Bushnell’s crime rate is among the highest in the state.

Nearly 15 per cent of the city’s population live below the poverty line, 17.5 per cent of those are under the age of 18.

“I come from a rough neighbourhood,” Parsons said.

“There were a lot of drugs. A lot of crime in my town and a lot of friends who got involved in drugs.

“I stayed positive though and did my best to avoid all that.”

The six foot two inches (188cm) forward was one of the few who made it out of Bushnell as a success.

And now as she prepares with the Force for the looming Women’s Queensland Basketball League beginning in two weeks, Parsons wants to help the youth of Ipswich overcome the same negative influences she did.

“I’m working part-time as a teacher aid but what I really want to do is youth justice work,” Parsons said.

“I want to help youth from troubled backgrounds realise you don’t have to follow the path of drugs and help them understand there are other options out there.

“You don’t have to be a product of your environment.

“I’m a positive person and I want to help others stay positive about life.”

Parsons’ road to the Force was usual. Although it is bound to be when your home town is many thousands of kilometres away.

After starring in American college basketball, Parsons trialled for WNBA team the Charlotte Stingers. But a season-ending leg injury ensured she never laced her boots for a game.

After recuperating, one of her good friends suggested she come to Australia and play basketball and she linked with the Toowoomba Mountaineers in the WQBL.

After four seasons with Toowoomba, Parsons decided she needed a change.

“I enjoyed my time in Toowoomba, but there was an opportunity to come to Ipswich and they had a good team already so I thought it would be a good fit,” Parsons said.

“I want to live here permanently.

“I fell in love with the country pretty quickly.

“The people are wonderful and it’s a beautiful country.”

Versatility is the strength of Parsons’ game.

She is poised to boost a Force team which was impressive last year in making the WQBL finals.

The Force have also signed WNBL star Emma Langford, who stands an overbearing 188cm.

“They already had a good team before me and Emma came in so I think we will play really well this year,” Parsons said.

“I used to hate playing Ipswich because they were so physical. I’m just glad I don’t have to face them anymore.”

Parsons said she had no strong desire to fulfil her WNBA dreams, preparing to focus on her youth work.

“If the opportunity came up, then I would be interested but its not that big of a deal to me,” she said. “I want to stay in Australia and help the kids here.”

Previously, Parsons had to return to Florida when the WQBL finished.

But after securing a working visa, the 24-year-old can now stay in the country all year round.

But that will create a problem for her mum.

“My mother hates flying,” Parsons said.

“She has not come out to see me once since I’ve been here.

“Every year she says ‘I’ll come to Australia’, but when the time comes, she always backs out.

“She’s going to have to come visit me now, no matter what.”

IPSWICH’S STAR RECRUIT

Parsons played college basketball for Auburn and the University of South Florida.

She finished her career with South Florida University as the fourth leading rebounder in the school’s history with 730.

Parsons signed with WNBA team the Charlotte Stingers in April, 2006, but she never played a game for the team.

Parsons was the leading rebounder in the WQBL in 2009.

She conducts school basketball clinics throughout Ipswich.