Writing and photographs by Dean Andrews
Among the 19 international nations that have had at least one player on a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) roster during the 2024 season Australia ranks first with seven players, followed by Canada in second place with four players. Six Australians who were on a 2023 WNBA roster are playing in the league again in 2024 with the players in this category being Rebecca Allen, Ezi Magbegor, Jade Melbourne, Alanna Smith, Kristy Wallace and Sami Whitcomb. After missing the 2023 season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury Steph Talbot returned to the WNBA and made her team debut for the Los Angeles Sparks in their 2024 season opener on 15 May. Australian power forward/centre Cayla George was a member of the Las Vegas Aces 2023 WNBA championship winning team. Seven Australians played in the WNBA in 2023, George is the only one that is not on a roster for the 2024 season.
Jade Melbourne about to attempts a shot for University of Canberra Capitals with Southside Flyers centre Mercedes Russell playing defense during the WNBL game at the State Basketball Centre on 6 January 2024
During the WNBA season each team has a minimum roster size of 11 players and a maximum roster size of 12 players. The maximum roster size of 12 players is in relation to active players, resulting in a maximum of 144 players across the league’s 12 teams. Players who have had their contract temporarily suspended by their WNBA team do not count towards the 12 player roster limit. Opening rosters of WNBA teams on Tuesday 14 May 2024 included three international players who had their contract temporarily suspended due to overseas commitments – Lorela Cubaj (Atlanta Dream), Damiris Dantas (Indiana Fever) and Dorka Juhász (Minnesota Lynx). Including these three players there were a total of 141 players on 2024 WNBA opening rosters. Five of the 12 WNBA teams had 11 players on their 2024 opening roster – Connecticut Sun, Dallas Wings, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm. The salary cap is the main reason why these five clubs had 11 players on their 2024 opening roster rather than the maximum 12 players. Five teams had 12 players on their 2024 opening roster – Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics. With the inclusion of one player each whose contract had been temporarily suspended Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx both had 13 players on their opening roster.
Next year the WNBA will commence an expansion phase with a 13th team, the Golden State Valkyries playing their inaugural season in 2025 and a 14th team located in Toronto, Canada joining the Association in 2026. In May 2024 WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert commented on further WNBA expansion, saying “We are on our way to 16 (teams), that will add 48 roster spots, that in a league of 144 is a lot, so that’s 30%. By (20)28 I feel pretty confident we will be at 16 teams.”
In addition to the seven Australians playing in the WNBA in 2024 there were 29 players on 2024 WNBA opening rosters that had played in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia as imports. The 36 WNBL alumni on 2024 WNBA opening rosters equates to an average of three players per WNBA team having WNBL experience.
Jordin Canada about to make a lay up for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers on 3 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
Six Americans that played in the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season as imports were on 2024 WNBA opening rosters – Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon, Aari McDonald, DiDi Richards, Mercedes Russell and Brianna Turner. A quartet of Australians on 2024 WNBA opening rosters played in the WNBL in 2023/24 – Jade Melbourne, Steph Talbot, Sami Whitcomb and Kristy Wallace. The group of ten players that are playing the 2024 WNBA season after playing the 2023/24 WNBL season includes three players that were teammates on Seattle Storm’s 2020 WNBA championship winning team – Whitcomb, Canada and Russell. At the conclusion of the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL regular season ten players were selected in an All-WNBL team with five players chosen in the First Team and five players named on the Second Team. Seven of the ten players that were selected in a 2023/24 All-WNBL Team are on a 2024 WNBA roster comprised of three members of the First Team – Canada, Russell and Melbourne along with four members of the Second Team – Whitcomb, Richards, Hillmon and McDonald.
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On the eve of the 2023/24 WNBL season commencing Milestones and Misses published a comprehensive guide to player movement and main rosters for the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season. The comprehensive guide provided details on the player movement and main rosters from a league wide perspective and then looked at these two aspects for each of the eight WNBL clubs. The club section included player profiles on every player on a main roster as at 30 October 2023. A profile on each club’s Head Coach was also included. A link to this comprehensive guide is below:
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During the 2024 WNBA regular season the 12 teams play 40 games each resulting in a total of 240 regular season games being played. In the first three weeks of the 2024 WNBA season from Tuesday 14 May until Monday 3 June 48 regular season games were played, equating to 20% of the regular season and an average of eight games for each team. The actual games played ranged from Indiana Fever featuring 2024 number one draft pick Caitlin Clark having played 11 games to reigning WNBA champions Las Vegas Aces having played six games. Ten of the 12 teams in the WNBA have had multiple wins and multiple losses during the first three weeks of the 2024 regular season. The two exceptions are Connecticut Sun who lead the standings having won all eight games and 12th placed Washington Mystics who have lost all eight games.
The WNBA will have an extended break in the middle of the 2024 WNBA season with the WNBA All-Star break from July 18 to 21 followed by a break for the Olympic Games from 21 July to 14 August. The second part of the 2024 WNBA season commences on 15 August and the trade deadline is shortly afterwards on 20 August, the regular season concludes just under a month later on 19 September. The top eight teams at the end of the regular season will compete in the 2024 WNBA playoffs and the bottom four teams will be in the 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery provided that they haven’t traded their 2025 first round pick. The 2024 WNBA playoffs begin on 22 September and the last possible finals date is 20 October.
During the first three weeks of the 2024 WNBA season from Tuesday 14 May to Monday 3 June there were eight player transactions including two international players being set active, Cubaj by Atlanta Dream on 24 May and Juhasz by Minnesota on 25 May. As Minnesota started the season with 13 players on their roster they had to waive a player in order to set Juhasz active, they chose to waive Taylor Soule. In Dallas Wings opening game of the 2024 WNBA season forward Natasha Howard suffered a broken foot and was expected to miss 3-6 weeks. On 17 May 2024 the Dallas Wings signed free agent Monique Billings to a salary cap hardship contract. Billings played one season in the WNBL as an import for Townsville Fire in 2021/22, increasing the number of players on 2024 WNBA rosters with WNBL experience to 37. Two players were waived in late May, Dyaisha Fair by the Las Vegas Aces on 26 May and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu by Seattle Storm on Friday 31 May. The Las Vegas Aces announced on 31 May that they had signed guard Tiffany Hayes. Seattle Storm signed Joyner Holmes to a rest of season contract on 3 June. At the end of Monday 3 June there are a total of 141 players on WNBA rosters across the 12 WNBA teams. A total of 144 players have been on a WNBA roster during the 2024 season and three of these players have been waived.
This post covers players with WNBL experience on 2024 WNBA rosters. The sections below are:
- International players on 2024 WNBA rosters
- Australians playing in the WNBA in 2024 – 7 players
- 2023/24 WNBL imports playing in the WNBA – 6 players
- 21 players with WNBA experience played in the WNBL in 2023/24
- Players on a 2024 WNBA roster that have played in the WNBL as imports – 30 players
- 2024 WNBA club breakdown of players with WNBL experience – 37 players
- Player profiles on Australians that are playing in the WNBA in 2024 – 7 players
- Player profiles on 2023/24 WNBL imports playing in the WNBA in 2024 – 6 players
International players on 2024 WNBA rosters
Up to Monday 3 June there have been a total of 144 players on 2024 WNBA rosters comprised of 108 Americans and 36 international players. Players from 20 nations have been on WNBA rosters in 2024, 25.0% of the athletes that have been on a WNBA roster this season are international players and 75.0% of the players are American.
All 12 WNBA teams have at least one international player on their roster, Minnesota Lynx rank first with six international players which represents half of their 12 player roster. Minnesota’s international contingent are from six different nations, Bridget Carleton – Canada, Olivia Epoupa – France, Dorka Juhasz – Hungary, Sika Kone – Mali, Alanna Smith – Australia and Cecilia Zandaslasini – Italy. Dallas Wings, New York Liberty and Seattle Storm have each had four international players on their roster. One of Seattle’s international players Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu was waived on Friday 31 May, reducing the number of international players on the Storm’s roster as at 2 June to three. Four teams have had three international players on their roster in 2024 – Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury and Washington Mystics. Atlanta Dream and Chicago Sky have two international players each and two teams, Connecticut Sun and Las Vegas Aces have one international player each.
Australia is the clear leader for the international nation that has had the most players on a 2024 WNBA roster, having seven players, Allen, Magbegor, Melbourne, Smith, Talbot, Wallace and Whitcomb. Canada rank second with four players – Laeticia Amihere, Kia Nurse, Bridget Carleton and Aaliyah Edwards. Two nations each have a trio of players on 2024 WNBA rosters, Brazil with Kamilla Cardoso, Stephanie Soares and Damiris Dantas and Germany with Leonie Fiebich and the Sabally sisters Nyara and Satou. A quartet of nations have two players each on 2024 WNBA rosters, Croatia – Ivana Dojkic and Nika Muhl, Italy – Lorela Cubaj and Cecilia Zandalasini, Spain – Megan Gustafson and Astou Ndour-Fall and United Kingdom – Elizabeth Williams and Temi Fagbenie. Four European nations have one player on a WNBA roster, Belgium – Julie Vanloo, France – Olivia Epoupa, Hungary – Dorka Juhasz and Turkey – Sevgi Uzun. Three North American nations have one player each, Anguilla – Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, Bahamas – Jonquel Jones and Mexico – Lou Lopez Senechal. There have been two players from Africa on a 2024 WNBA roster, Cameroon – Dulcy Fankam Menjiadeu and Mali – Sika Kone. One player is from Asia, Li Yueru from China and one player Natasha Cloud represents Middle East nation Jordan.
Julie Vanloo playing in the WNBL for Townsville Fire against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 27 December 2019
Australians playing in the WNBA in 2024 – 7 players
Most recent
Player 2024 WNBA Team WNBL Season WNBL team
Rebecca Allen Phoenix 2015/16 SEQ Stars
Ezi Magbegor Seattle 2021/22 Melbourne
Jade Melbourne Washington 2023/24 UC Capitals
Alanna Smith Minnesota 2021/22 Adelaide
Steph Talbot Los Angeles 2023/24 Adelaide
Kristy Wallace Indiana 2023/24 Melbourne
Sami Whitcomb Seattle 2023/24 Townsville
For the second season in a row seven Australians were on an opening WNBA roster in 2024. Six of the seven players on a 2023 opening roster were on a 2024 opening roster including a trio of players that have played for the same WNBA team in each season – Indiana Fever guard Kristy Wallace and Seattle Storm duo Ezi Magbegor and Sami Whitcomb. Three Australians have changed clubs with the most recent change being Jade Melbourne getting traded from Seattle to Washington for a 2025 third round pick on 11 May. Alanna Smith had a break-out season playing for Chicago Sky in 2023 to finish third in the WNBA’s 2023 Most Improved Player award. In the off-season unrestricted free-agent Smith signed a two-season deal with Minnesota Lynx in late January 2024. In early February 2024 Phoenix Mercury acquired Bec Allen in a sign-and-trade deal with Connecticut Sun. Steph Talbot signed a two-year deal with Los Angeles Sparks as a free-agent in February 2023. Due to an ACL injury Talbot missed the entire 2023 WNBA season. In the Los Angeles Sparks 2024 season opener Talbot made her team debut. After being a member of the Las Vegas Aces 2023 WNBA Championship winning team Cayla George is not on a 2024 WNBA roster and has just completed the Seven Consulting Australian Opals three game tour of China.
Cayla George playing for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 9 November 2022 during her Suzy Batkovic medal winning 2022/23 WNBL season
All eight Australians that have played in the WNBA in 2023 and/or 2024 have excelled playing in the WNBL in Australia and have each won at least one end of season WNBL award during their career. Two players in this category – Talbot (2020) and George (2022/23) have won the highest individual award in the WNBL – the Suzy Batkovic Medal awarded to the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). From 2019/20 to 2022/23 Talbot and George were the only two players in the league to earn All-WNBL selection in all four seasons. Whitcomb, Magbegor and Melbourne have each been selected in multiple All-WNBL teams and Wallace and Smith have each been selected on an All-WNBL team once. For most of her career Rebecca Allen has played in Europe during Australian summers, early in her career Allen won the WNBL’s Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2013/14.
A quartet of Australians are playing in the 2024 WNBA season after being a captain or co-captain of a WNBL team in the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season. The players in this category are Jade Melbourne (UC Capitals captain), Steph Talbot (Adelaide Lightning captain), Kristy Wallace (Melbourne Boomers co-captain) and Sami Whitcomb (Townsville Fire captain).
Sami Whitcomb during half time of Townsville Fire’s game at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville on 10 January 2024 against Melbourne Boomers
Five members of the Australian seven player contingent in the WNBA were selected in a WNBA Draft – Talbot (pick 33 by Phoenix in 2014), Wallace (pick 16 by Atlanta in 2018), Smith (pick 9 by Phoenix in 2019), Magbegor (pick 12 by Seattle in 2019) and Melbourne (pick 33 by Seattle in 2022). Wallace and Smith both played NCAA women’s college basketball in the United States and were drafted at 22 years of age. Talbot, Magbegor and Melbourne all played in the WNBL as teenagers and were all selected in a WNBA draft as international players in the year that they turned 20 years old. After being drafted this trio all spent at least one year further developing their game in Australia before joining the WNBA club that drafted them. Talbot, Magbegor and Melbourne had each played at least three WNBL seasons before making their WNBA debut. Bec Allen and Sami Whitcomb weren’t selected in a WNBA draft and both got their start in the WNBA by signing with a team as a free agent.
Isobel Borlase playing defense for Adelaide Lightning against Southside Flyers guard Madison Rocci on 24 February 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville, Nyadiew Puoch is in the background in the number 13 jersey for Southside
Three Australians were selected at the 2024 WNBA Draft, 19 year old duo Nyadiew Puoch and Isobel Borlase by Atlanta Dream with pick 12 and pick 20 respectively along with Jaz Shelley selected by Phoenix at pick 29. During the 2022/23 and 2023/24 WNBL seasons guard Borlase played for Adelaide Lightning and forward Puoch played for the Southside Flyers. In 2023/24 Borlase averaged 15.6 points (ranked 8th in the WNBL), 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals (4th), 0.6 blocks (10th) and 31.1 minutes per game to earn selection in the All-WNBL First Team. Borlase made her Australian Opals debut at Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 held in Belem, Brazil from February 8 to 11. Puoch played all 27 games for the Southside Flyers in their WNBL championship winning 2023/24 season and averaged 6.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks and 18.3 minutes per game. Puoch reached 50 WNBL games in game 1 of the 2023/24 Grand Final and during the 2023/24 regular season was selected in the WNBL’s team of the week twice, Round 6 and 9. In her only WNBL season to date with the Melbourne Boomers in 2018/19 Shelley won the WNBL’s Rookie of the Year award. Playing college basketball in the United States of America for Nebraska Shelley was selected in an All-Big Ten team in three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024. In the same fashion as fellow Australians Talbot, Magbegor and Melbourne have done previously Puoch and Borlase will continue developing their game overseas before attending Atlanta Dream’s 2025 training camp.
Nyadiew Puoch playing for Southside Flyers against Perth Lynx at the State Basketball Centre on 31 January 2024
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To celebrate Borlase being selected in the 2023/24 All-WNBL First Team and being drafted by Atlanta Dream Milestones and Misses published an article on 29 April 2024 comprehensively covering Borlase’s basketball career, a link to this article is below:
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13 days after the 2024 WNBA Draft was held on 15 April WNBA Training Camps for the 12 teams commenced on 28 April. The competition for spots on a WNBA roster is always intense and clubs were required to cut players from their training camp squad to get down to the maximum roster size of 12 players on 13 May, the day before the 2024 WNBA regular season commenced. After attending Phoenix Mercury’s 2024 training camp and playing both pre-season games for the club Shelley and fellow Australian Amy Atwell were both waived by Phoenix on 11 May.
Five Australians that are playing in the WNBA in 2024 have represented the Opals in multiple major championships – Allen (4), Talbot (4), Magbegor (3), Smith (2) and Whitcomb (2). Wallace made her major championship debut as a member of the Opals bronze medal winning team at FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 held in Sydney and was teammates with Allen, Talbot, Magbegor and Whitcomb. Melbourne was a member of the Opals extended squad for World Cup 2022 and was cut when the squad was reduced from a 15 player squad to the final 12 player team. Smith was a member of the Opals silver medal winning team at FIBA Women’s World Cup 2018 and represented her nation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
All seven Australians that are playing in the WNBA in 2024 are members of the Seven Consulting Australian Opals extended 26 player squad for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Former Australian Opals player and current New York Liberty Head Coach Sandy Brondello has been the Head Coach of the Australian Opals since April 2017. At the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belem, Brazil from 8 to 11 February Allen, Magbegor, Melbourne, Smith and Whitcomb were all members of the Opals team that won all three games to qualify for Paris. Due to their knee injuries Talbot and Wallace were not selected for OQT 2024 in Brazil, at the time the team was selected the duo were yet to make their WNBL returns.
Later in this article profiles are included on all seven Australians who are playing in the 2024 WNBA season as well as New York Liberty Head Coach Sandy Brondello.
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Since February 2022 Milestones and Misses have published articles providing player profiles on Australian players for 5 on 5 basketball and 3×3 and guides to FIBA tournaments. Below are links to the pages for these categories as well as the Milestones and Misses home page:
https://milestonesandmisses.com/
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2023/24 WNBL imports playing in the WNBA – 6 players
Player 2024 WNBA Team 2023/24 WNBL team
Jordin Canada Atlanta Melbourne
Naz Hillmon Atlanta Melbourne
Aari McDonald Los Angeles Perth
DiDi Richards Washington Sydney
Mercedes Russell Seattle Southside
Brianna Turner Chicago Adelaide
All six Americans who are on a 2024 WNBA roster and were WNBL imports in the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season won at least one award at the WNBL’s end of season awards. All three statistical awards for the 2023/24 WNBL season were won by American imports with McDonald winning the Leading Scorer award, Turner receiving the Leading Rebounder award and Canada winning the Golden Hands award. Point guard Canada won the Suzy Batkovic medal for being the WNBL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Southside Flyers centre Mercedes Russell won the Rachael Sporn medal for being the Grand Final MVP and was a member of the Southside Flyers 2023/24 WNBL championship winning team along with fellow front court player and Seattle Storm alumni Lauren Jackson. Canada and Russell were named in the 2023/24 All-WNBL First Team and McDonald, Hillmon and Richards were named on the Second Team. Turner and Russell were both playing their second season in the WNBL for Adelaide and Southside respectively, having both made their WNBL debut in 2019/20. In their debut WNBL season Turner was named in the All-WNBL First Team and Russell was named in the All-WNBL Second Team and won the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year.
Only two of the six imports from the 2023/24 WNBL season are playing for the same WNBA team as they did in 2023, front court duo Naz Hillmon – Atlanta Dream and Mercedes Russell – Seattle Storm. After not being on a WNBA roster in 2023 DiDi Richards’ impressive performances for the Sydney Flames in the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season contributed to her being signed by the Washington Mystics for the 2024 WNBA season. Power forward Brianna Turner was traded from Phoenix Mercury to Chicago Sky in the WNBA off-season. Two WNBL alumni point guards were traded for one another with Atlanta Dream acquiring Jordin Jordin Canada and the 12th pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft from Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Aari McDonald and the eighth pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. After being teammates at the Melbourne Boomers in 2023/24 Canada and Hillmon are WNBA teammates at Atlanta Dream in 2024.
At the end of this article player profiles are included on the six players who are playing in the 2024 WNBA season after being imports during the 2023/24 WNBL season in Australia.
21 players with WNBA experience played in the WNBL in 2023/24
The timing of the 2023/24 WNBL season running from November 2023 to March 2024 and the 2024 WNBA season running from May to October works well to enable players to compete in both leagues. During the 2023/24 WNBL season the WNBA and WNBL worked together to utilise this timing to enable more viewers to watch WNBL games.
An article published on the WNBL’s website on 21 December 2023 stated “To celebrate World Basketball Day, the WNBL today announced that League games and content will, for the first time, be shown on the WNBA App. This means the WNBL is now available in over 100 countries cementing it as one of the world’s premier leagues.
The WNBA App will deliver all remaining games over the final three months of the WNBL regular season, plus all Finals – meaning more than 50 WNBL games will be shown between November 2023 and March 2024. Additional short form content will also be made available.”1
Head of WNBL, Christy Collier-Hill commented “The WNBL’s international strategy is focused on highlighting our position as a global game, and strategically aligning with select international markets. We’re therefore thrilled to be showcasing the world-class athletes and world-class competition of the WNBL through the WNBA App. Given the number of WNBA athletes that participate in the WNBL, both past and present, there is already a great organic connection between the two leagues. Having WNBL games on the WNBA App will provide an opportunity for WNBA fans around the world to really engage with athletes, teams and the league. As the WNBL continues to grow both domestically and internationally, this is a milestone moment for the league that will further enhance visibility and growth.”2
Head of WNBL, Christy Collier-Hill during the presentation after game 3 of the 2023/24 WNBL Grand Final between the Southside Flyers and Perth Lynx at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville on 17 March 2024
In an official release by the WNBA on 21 December 2023 WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison said “Key pillars of our growth strategy focus on the globalization of the WNBA brand and building robust social and digital content on WNBA owned and operated platforms that allow the WNBA to be at the center of the women’s basketball ecosystem, At a time when accessibility is a key factor in driving the growth of women’s sports, adding WNBL games and additional content provides a new and exciting way to deepen fan engagement on the WNBA app. With a number of current WNBA players starring in the WNBL this season, this aligns with our long-term goal of providing year-round, direct-to-consumer content to fans worldwide.”3
During the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season 11 Australians with WNBA experience played in the league comprised of four players who are playing in the WNBA in 2024 – Melbourne, Talbot, Wallace and Whitcomb along with seven players that have played in the WNBA before 2024. The seven players in this category that played in the WNBA before 2024 are Amy Atwell, Cayla George, Kelsey Griffin, Lauren Jackson, Tess Madgen, Anneli Maley and Leilani Mitchell.
Anneli Maley shooting a free throw for Perth Lynx against the Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
Australia’s greatest ever basketball player Jackson has won the WNBL’s Grand Final MVP Award four times which is the league’s All-time record and has won the WNBL’s regular season MVP Award four times – ranked second on the All-time list behind Suzy Batkovic (who the medal is now named after) with six. Knee injuries forced Jackon to retire as a basketball player on 31 March 2016. Six years later Jackson made her basketball return with the Albury Wodonga Bandits in the NBL1 East 2022 season. It was an extremely successful return with Albury winning the 2022 NBL1 East Championship and Jackson winning the league’s MVP Award. Jackson played in the WNBL for the Southside Flyers in 2022/23 and 2023/24. In game 3 of the 2023/24 semi final against the Melbourne Boomers Jackson put on a shooting exhibition to make 15 of 22 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 68%, scored a game-high and season-high 38 points and took a game-high 11 rebounds in Southside’s 93-77 victory. Jackson was a starter on Southside’s 2023/24 WNBL championship winning team, playing in the seventh title of her career, having previously played in the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) 1999 championship and had played in five titles with the Canberra Capitals.
Lauren Jackson playing for Southside Flyers against Sydney Flames at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2024 with fellow Opal Cayla George playing defense
After playing five WNBL seasons from 1997 to 2000/01 and representing the Opals at two major championships Jackson was selected by Seattle Storm with the first pick overall at the 2001 WNBA Draft. For 12 consecutive WNBA seasons from 2001 to 2012 Jackson played for Seattle Storm and in an incredible career won three WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards – 2003, 2007 and 2010 and won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2007. Jackson played in the Storm’s first two WNBA championships in 2004 and 2010 and won the 2010 WNBA Finals MVP Award. During her WNBA career Jackson played 317 regular season games and averaged 18.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots per game. Jackson was named on an All-WNBA team eight times comprised of seven selections on the First Team and one selection on the Second Team.
Two players that were born in America and were starters for their WNBL team in 2023/24 commenced their WNBL careers as imports and after playing several seasons in the league became naturalised Australians – forward Kelsey Griffin and guard Sami Whitcomb.
Sami Whitcomb – number 17 for Townsville and Kelsey Griffin – number 23 for Bendigo are two players that started their WNBL careers as imports and after several seasons in the league became naturalised Australians
At the 2010 WNBA Draft Griffin was selected by Minnesota Lynx with the third pick overall, later on draft day Minnesota traded Griffin to Connecticut Sun. From 2010 to 2012 Griffin played three consecutive WNBA seasons and a total of 99 regular season games for Connecticut Sun. Griffin was at the crossroads in her basketball career when she joined WNBL team Bendigo Spirit early in the 2012/13 season.
In an article written by Luke Sicari and published by SEN on 29 November 2017 Griffin commented on how she felt about playing basketball before the 2012/13 WNBL season and the impact playing for Bendigo Spirit had on her career, saying “I didn’t really like Europe much, I played in Israel, I wasn’t enjoying the WNBA, so I thought I’ll just play one more year. A lot of people probably don’t know this, but that was what I’d hoped at the time, to be my last year playing professional basketball. Chelsea Aubry, who I played with at college, was the other import out here. She sold it to me as a vacation, which I think is what a lot of imports think. Then to come out here and realise that this league is actually one of the best in the world and you get knocked around a bit. I actually thrived in it because I had such awesome teammates and I was like, wow, I had no idea basketball could be at this standard with this great of people and be paid for it. I well and truly found my home when I came to Australia in that first season. It hooked me.”4
Kelsey Griffin playing for the University of Canberra Capitals against the Dandenong Rangers on 30 December 2018 at Dandenong Stadium
In a 12 season WNBL career to date Griffin has played 224 games and achieved significant individual and team success. In her first two seasons in 2012/13 and 2013/14 Bendigo Spirit won the WNBL championship and Griffin won the Rachael Sporn medal for being the Grand Final MVP. Griffin became an Australian citizen in November 2015. At international level Griffin represented Australia at multiple tournaments including winning the tournament MVP award and being a member of the Opals silver medal winning team at FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017. With the University of Canberra Capitals Griffin played in back-to-back WNBL championships in 2018/19 and 2019/20, in the earlier title Griffin won the WNBL’s regular season MVP award and the Rachael Sporn medal. Griffin has earnt All-WNBL selection four times and won the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2014/15. Griffin will be playing her third consecutive season and ninth season overall for Bendigo Spirit in the 2024/25 Cygnett WNBL season.
Kelsey Griffin shooting a free throw for Bendigo Spirit against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 6 January 2023
The 2023/24 WNBL season featured 10 imports that had WNBA experience, including the six players listed in the above section that are playing in the WNBA in the current 2024 season – Canada, Hillmon, McDonald, Richards, Russell, and Turner. Another quartet of 2023/24 WNBL imports played in the WNBA before 2024 – American duo Jasmine Dickey and Jocelyn Willoughby along with Canadian centre Ruth Davis (nee Hamblin) and Swedish front court player Amanda Zahui B. During the 2023 season Dickey, Willoughby and Zahui B all played in the WNBA, Davis played in the WNBA in 2016. Overall 21 players that played in the WNBL during the 2023/24 season which equates to approximately one quarter of the players on WNBL main rosters had WNBA experience comprised of 11 Australians, eight Americans, one Canadian and one Swedish player.
Above – Jasmine Dickey playing for Southside Flyers against Sydney Flames at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2024
In the WNBL each team can have a maximum of two imports. Each season America is the nation that has the most imports in the WNBL. During the 2023/24 WNBL season each of the eight WNBL teams had two imports resulting in the maximum 16 imports being on WNBL main rosters. 14 of the imports on 2023/24 main rosters of WNBL clubs were from North America comprised of 11 Americans and three Canadians. Two nations had one player each, Japan – Monica Okoye and Sweden – Amanda Zahui B. The 16 WNBL imports on a 2023/24 main roster were completed by American trio Paige Bradley, Mehryn Kraker and Nicole Munger and Canadian duo Cassandra Brown and Emily Potter.
Players on a 2024 WNBA roster that have played in the WNBL as imports – 30 players
Most recent
Player 2024 WNBA Team WNBL Season WNBL team
Jordin Canada Atlanta 2023/24 Melbourne Boomers
Nia Coffey Atlanta 2018/19 Adelaide Lightning
Naz Hillmon Atlanta 2023/24 Melbourne Boomers
Lindsay Allen Chicago 2021/22 Melbourne Boomers
Marina Mabrey Chicago 2021/22 Perth Lynx
Brianna Turner Chicago 2023/24 Adelaide Lightning
Rachael Banham Connecticut 2017/18 Bendigo Spirit
Tiffany Mitchell Connecticut 2022/23 Melbourne Boomers
Olivia Nelson-Ododa Connecticut 2022/23 Melbourne Boomers
Monique Billings Dallas Wings 2021/22 Townsville Fire
Kierstan Bell Las Vegas 2022/23 Adelaide Lightning
Jackie Young Las Vegas 2021/22 Perth Lynx
Aari McDonald Los Angeles 2023/24 Perth Lynx
Kia Nurse Los Angeles 2019/20 UC Capitals
Rae Burrell Los Angeles 2022/23 UC Capitals
Bridget Carleton Minnesota 2019/20 Townsville Fire
Olivia Epoupa Minnesota 2019/20 UC Capitals
Courtney Williams Minnesota 2017/18 Perth Lynx
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton New York 2018/19 Dandenong (now Southside)
Kayla Thornton New York 2022/23 Southside Flyers
Natasha Cloud Phoenix 2016/17 Townsville Fire
Sophie Cunningham Phoenix 2019/20 Melbourne Boomers
Sug Sutton Phoenix 2021/22 Townsville Fire
Mercedes Russell Seattle 2023/24 Southside Flyers
Kiana Williams Seattle 2021/22 Adelaide Lightning
Ariel Atkins Washington 2019/20 Perth Lynx
DiDi Richards Washington 2023/24 Sydney Flames
Karlie Samuelson Washington 2022/23 Townsville Fire
Brittney Sykes Washington 2021/22 UC Capitals
Julie Vanloo Washington 2019/20 Townsville Fire
In most WNBL seasons each team has been able to have a maximum of two imports. Due to COVID-19 imports weren’t eligible to play in the 2020 WNBL season which was played in hubs in North Queensland. Excluding 2020 at least one 2024 WNBA player has played as an import in each WNBL season from 2015/16 to 2023/24. The 30 players on WNBA rosters as at 3 June that have played in the WNBL as imports are spread over eight seasons, from one player guard/forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton in 2015/16 to six players in 2023/24. Most of the 30 players that have played as imports in the WNBL have played for one team. Laney-Hamilton represented three WNBL teams, playing for Perth Lynx in 2015/16, Bendigo Spirit in 2017/18 and Dandenong Rangers (now known as Southside Flyers) in 2018/19. In all three WNBL seasons Laney averaged more than 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. During each of her three WNBL seasons Laney ranked in the league’s top 10 for scoring per game, top 20 for rebounds and top 12 for assists.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton playing for Bendigo Spirit against Canberra Capitals at the State Basketball Centre on 25 November 2017
In Laney-Hamilton’s first season in the WNBL in 2015/16 there were nine teams in the league – Adelaide Lightning, Bendigo Spirit, Dandenong Rangers, Melbourne Boomers, Perth Lynx, SEQ Stars, Sydney Fames, Townsville Fire and University of Canberra Capitals. 2015/16 was the SEQ Stars first and only season in the WNBL. The other eight WNBL teams from 2015/16 competed in the league for the following eight seasons up to and including 2023/24 however in July 2019 the Dandenong Rangers were rebranded as the Southside Flyers.
A club update published on the Deakin Melbourne Boomers website on 9 May 2024 stated “The owners of the Melbourne based WNBL club – the Deakin Melbourne Boomers has announced today they will transfer their WNBL license to a Geelong based consortium. The Deakin Melbourne Boomers has been a powerhouse club in the Women’s National Basketball League for 40 years having won two Championships and supported the careers of many successful female basketballers and Australian Opals representatives.”5
The Melbourne Boomers made the finals in seven consecutive seasons from 2017/18 to 2023/24 and won the WNBL championship in 2021/22. The Boomers 2021/22 title winning starting line-up was comprised of five players who have played in the WNBA – Australian Opals trio Cayla George, Tess Madgen and Ezi Magbegor along with American import duo Lindsay Allen and Tiffany Mitchell. Of the ten 2024 WNBA players that played in the WNBL in 2023/24 three of them were teammates at the Melbourne Boomers -Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon and Kristy Wallace.
Exactly half of the 30 players on a 2024 WNBA roster that have played in the WNBL as imports have earned All-WNBL selection at least once including five players who achieved this feat in 2023/24, Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon, Aari McDonald, DiDi Richards and Mercedes Russell. The basketball careers of these five players along with fellow 2023/24 WNBL import Brianna Turner are covered in the player profiles section at the end of this post.
Two 2024 WNBA players have earnt All-WNBL selection twice playing as an import, Lindsay Allen (2018/19 and 2021/22) and Russell (2019/20 and 2023/24). Another four 2024 WNBA players earnt all WNBL selection once playing as an import before 2020 Nia Coffey, Kia Nurse, Brianna Turner and Courtney Williams. Five WNBL imports that have earnt All-WNBL selection once since 2020 are playing in the WNBA in 2024, Marina Mabrey, Tiffany Mitchell, Brittney Sykes, Kayla Thornton and Jackie Young.
The timing breakdown of the 30 players on WNBA rosters with experience playing in the WNBL as an import is that 16 have played as imports in the WNBL after 2020, 11 played as imports in the WNBL before 2020 and three played as imports in the WNBL both before 2020 and after 2020. The trio in the latter category are Lindsay Allen, Brianna Turner and Mercedes Russell. In the 2019/20 and 2023/24 WNBL seasons front court duo Turner and Russell played for Adelaide Lightning and Southside Flyers respectively. Allen and Russell have played for a team that won the WNBL championship and each won the Rachael Sporn medal for winning the Grand Final Most Valuable Player award. Allen achieved this feat with the Deakin Melbourne Boomers in 2021/22 and Russell achieved this milestone with the Jayco Southside Flyers in 2023/24.
Lindsay Allen playing for Melbourne Boomers against Dandenong Rangers at the State Basketball Centre on 5 October 2018
Point guard Allen played three seasons for the Melbourne Boomers – 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2021/22. Allen led the Boomers for assists per game in all three seasons and led the team in scoring in 2018/19 and 2019/20. Allen earnt All-WNBL selection twice, being selected on the First Team in 2018/19 and was named on the Second Team in 2021/22. Allen’s ability to perform at an exceptional level when the stakes were at their highest shone through during the 2021/22 season and LA was influential in the Deakin Melbourne Boomers winning the WNBL championship. In Melbourne’s 76-75 road victory in game 2 of the 2021/22 Grand Final against Perth to level the series Allen scored a team-high 29 points, took seven rebounds and made six assists in a brilliant all-round game. On their home court at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville in game 3 of the Grand Final series on Saturday 9 April the Melbourne Boomers dominated to defeat Perth Lynx 84-66 and won the club’s second WNBL championship. During the three game Grand Final series Allen averaged 18.7 points and 5.0 assists per game and was recognised for her exceptional Grand Final series by winning the Rachael Sporn medal as Grand Final Most Valuable Player.
Lindsay Allen playing for Melbourne Boomers against Perth Lynx at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (GRISS) in Traralgon on 6 February 2022
To celebrate Lindsay Allen winning the 2021/22 Rachael Sporn medal Milestones and Misses published an article comprehensively covering her career, a link to this article is below:
In game two of the 2023/24 Grand Final on the road Mercedes Russell made two massive plays in the final 15 seconds, one on defense and one on offense. With Southside and Perth tied at 95 points apiece Russell blocked Anneli Maley’s shot with 11 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. On offense Leilani Mitchell on a drive through the key tapped the ball to Russell who caught the ball just outside the key on the left hand side of the basket. With two Perth defenders Maley and Potter applying pressure Russell’s difficult fade away jump shot was in mid-air as the buzzer sounded, the shot went in, giving Southside a memorable two point victory on the road to level the Grand Final series at one game apiece. Southside dominated in game 3 to defeat Perth 115-81 and set a record for the highest score in a final. In the three game Grand Final series Russell shot the ball efficiently to have a field goal accuracy of 54.1% and averaged 14.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game to be named the winner of the Rachael Sporn medal.
Russell is one of two 2024 WNBA players along with Brittney Sykes that have won the WNBL’s Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year award playing in the league as an import. Russell’s 2019/20 DPotY award winning season with Southside Flyers is covered in her player profile later in this post. Playing for the University of Canberra Capitals in 2021/22 Brittney Sykes averaged 16.1 points (ranked 7th in the WNBL), 4.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists (3rd), 2.4 steals (2nd), 0.8 blocks (equal 8th) and 32.1 minutes (10th) per game. Sykes was selected in the 2021/22 All-WNBL First Team and won the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year award. After received the 2021/22 DPotY award Sykes told WNBL Media “It’s honestly an honour to win this award. Coming into the WNBL I set a goal to be the Defensive Player of The Year in this league, especially after coming short of the award in the WNBA. My teammates and coaches believed in me since day one that I could accomplish this goal. I couldn’t have done it without their support and trust. I’m truly thankful for this moment in my career and in the WNBL.”6
Brittney Sykes playing defense for University of Canberra Capitals against Melbourne Boomers guard Lindsay Allen on 19 March 2022 at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville
Six 2024 WNBA players have been part of a championship winning team playing as an import in the WNBL with Rachael Sporn medal winning trio Allen, Epoupa and Russell joined in this category by Tiffany Mitchell (2021/22), Kia Nurse (2018/19 and 2019/20) and Karlie Samuelson (2022/23). Mitchell averaged 15.0 points per game as a starter on the Boomers 2021/22 title winning team. Improved field goal accuracy particularly from the perimeter contributed to Mitchell’s scoring output increasing by 40% in 2022/23 to lead the WNBL with 21.0 points per game. In 2022/23 Mitchell made 33 of 74 three-pointers at an accuracy of 44.6% – ranked 10th in the WNBL among players that attempted at least 10 three-pointers. Mitchell ranked 12th in the league with 4.3 assists per game in 2022/23 and was selected in the All-WNBL Second Team.
Tiffany Mitchell playing for Melbourne Boomers against Townsville Fire at the State Basketball Centre on 7 December 2022
As a a starter on Townsville Fire’s 2022/23 WNBL championship winning team Karlie Samuelson achieved the rare feat of having a 50/40/90 shooting season. Samuelson played all 25 games for Townsville in 2022/23 and averaged 13.6 points per game whilst shooting exceptionally to have a field goal accuracy of 55.7%, a three point accuracy of 47.3% and free throw accuracy of 91.2%. Among players that attempted at least 10 shots Samuelson ranked third for free throw accuracy, sixth for field goal accuracy and seventh for three-point accuracy
Karlie Samuelson shooting a free throw for Townsville Fire against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 10 December 2022
The only two imports that have ever won the Suzy Batkovic Medal for being WNBL regular season MVP, Canadian Kia Nurse (2019/20) and reigning winner American Jordin Canada (2023/24) are both playing in the WNBA in 2024. Nurse and Canada have each played over 150 regular season WNBA games in their career and both changed clubs in the off-season. Nurse was traded from Seattle Storm to Los Angeles Sparks on 31 January 2024. After playing for the LA Sparks in 2023 Canada was traded to Atlanta on 1 February 2024.
With the University of Canberra Capitals in 2018/19 and 2019/20 Nurse played in back to back WNBL championships. In 2018/19 Nurse averaged 18.4 points (ranked 4th in the WNBL) per game, led the league with 3.1 three-pointers made per game and finished equal seventh in the WNBL’s MVP award. Nurse was selected in the All-WNBL First Team and won the Suzy Batokovic medal for being the WNBL’s MVP in 2019/20, led the league with 20.9 points and 2.8 three-pointers made per game and averaged 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 3.6 free throws made (ranked 2nd in the WNBL) and 37.1 minutes (1st) per game.
Kia Nurse playing for the Canberra Capitals against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 9 November 2019
In 2023/24 point guard Canada playing for the Melbourne Boomers averaged 15.6 points (ranked 7th in the WNBL), 4.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists (2nd), 3.0 steals (1st), 3.4 free throws made (4th) and 34.6 minutes (4th) per game. Canada won the Suzy Batkovic medal and the Golden Hands Award, was named on the All-WNBL First Team and was nominated for the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award.
On the orange carpet at the 2023/24 WNBL Awards Shooting the Breeze recorded a live podcast co-hosted by Paul Camillos and Jacinta Govind. During an interview Govind asked Canada “You were one of the most exciting signings coming into this season, has it been everything that you expected?” Canada responded “It has been everything and more, I have really enjoyed my time here in Australia, my team has been very welcoming, greeted me with open arms so I am grateful to be a part of the Boomers organisation. Also just the competitiveness of every team that I have played against this season. Every game we have had a battle and that is the type of competition I am looking for and to be part of a league that day in and day out you are always going to get a game, it has been really great this season.”
2024 WNBA club breakdown of players with WNBL experience – 37 players
The 37 players with WNBL experience on a 2024 WNBA roster equates to 25.7% of the 144 players that have been on a WNBA roster for part or all of the first three weeks of the 2024 season up until 3 June.
Below is a club by club breakdown of the 37 players with WNBL experience that are on a WNBA roster on 3 June 2024.
Atlanta Dream (3 players)
3 WNBL imports: Jordin Canada, Nia Coffey & Naz Hillmon
Chicago Sky (3 players)
3 WNBL imports: Lindsay Allen, Marina Mabrey & Brianna Turner
Connecticut (3 players)
3 WNBL imports: Rachael Banham, Tiffany Mitchell, Olivia Nelson-Ododa
Dallas Wings (1 player)
1 WNBL import: Monique Billings
Indiana Fever (1 player)
1 Australian: Kristy Wallace
Las Vegas Aces (2 players)
2 WNBL imports: Kierstan Bell & Jackie Young
Los Angeles Sparks (4 players)
1 Australian: Steph Talbot
3 WNBL imports: Rae Burrell, Aari McDonald & Kia Nurse
1 Australian: Alanna Smith
3 WNBL imports: Bridget Carleton, Olivia Epoupa & Courtney Williams
New York Liberty (2 players)
2 WNBL imports: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton & Kayla Thornton
Phoenix Mercury (4 players)
1 Australian: Bec Allen
3 WNBL imports: Natasha Cloud, Sophie Cunningham & Sug Sutton
Seattle Storm (4 players)
2 Australians: Ezi Magbegor & Sami Whitcomb
2 WNBL imports: Mercedes Russell & Kiana Williams
Washington Mystics (6 players)
1 Australian: Jade Melbourne
5 WNBL imports: Ariel Atkins, DiDi Richards, Karlie Samuelson, Brittney Sykes & Julie Vanloo
All 12 WNBA teams have at least one player with WNBL experience on their 2024 roster. Four WNBA teams have a pair of players on their 2024 roster that played in the 2023/24 WNBL season. Whitcomb and Russell are teammates at Seattle for the second consecutive season and fifth season overall, having also been teammates at the Storm from 2018 to 2020. After being teammates at the Melbourne Boomers in 2023/24 Canada and Hillmon are WNBA teammates at Atlanta Dream in 2024. McDonald and Talbot are teammates at the Los Angeles Sparks and each made their club debut in the 2024 season opener. Melbourne and Richards are teammates at the Washington Mystics and are both playing their first season for the club. Wallace is playing at Indiana Fever for the second season and Turner is playing her first season for Chicago Sky.
Washington Mystics have the highest representation of WNBL imports on their 2024 WNBA roster with five players – Ariel Atkins, DiDi Richards, Karlie Samuelson, Brittney Sykes and Julie Vanloo. Six WNBA clubs have three players that have played in the WNBL as imports – Atlanta, Chicago, Connecticut, Los Angeles, Minnesota and Phoenix.
The 37 players on WNBA rosters with WNBL experience include 18 players that in 2024 are suiting up for the same team they played for in 2023. 14 players with WNBL experience changed WNBA teams from 2023 to 2024 and five players that didn’t play in the WNBA in 2023 are on a roster in 2024. The three players that returned to the WNBA in 2024 are DiDi Richards, Steph Talbot and Kiana Williams, each member of this trio played their previous WNBA game in 2022.
Two European point guards who played against each other during the 2019/20 WNBL season made their WNBA debut in 2024, France’s Olivia Epoupa and Belgium’s Julie Vanloo. In 2019/20 Olivia Epoupa was a member of the University of Canberra Capitals WNBL championship winning team and won the Rachael Sporn medal for being the Grand Final MVP. Epoupa ranked second in the WNBL in 2019/20 with 6.7 assists per game and led the league with 3.0 steals per game. On 17 May 2024 Epoupa made her WNBA debut with Minnesota Lynx in the team’s second game of the season against Seattle Storm at home. Playing for Townsville Fire Vanloo averaged 4.4 assists per game in 2019/20, ranked ninth in the WNBL. On 14 May Vanloo made her WNBA debut with the Washington Mystics. Vanloo has played all eight games for Washington in 2024 and ranks eighth in the WNBA with 5.6 assists per game and has made 17 three-pointers – ranked equal 11th.
Olivia Epoupa playing for University of Canberra Capitals against Melbourne Boomers in game 2 of the semi final on 23 February 2020 at the State Basketball Centre
Seven players on 2024 WNBA rosters that have experience playing in the WNBL have been selected in multiple WNBA All-Defensive Teams. The players in this category are Ariel Atkins (selected on 5 WNBA All-Defensive Teams), Brittney Sykes (4), Brianna Turner (2), Natasha Cloud (2), Jordin Canada (2), Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (2) and Ezi Magbegor (2).
Ariel Atkins was selected by the Washington Mystics with the seventh pick overall at the 2018 WNBA draft. Atkins was a member of Washington’s 2019 WNBA championship winning team and started all nine playoff games for the Mystics. In each of her first five WNBA seasons with Washington from 2018 to 2022 guard Atkins was selected on an WNBA All-Defensive Team. In the last two seasons in this sequence, 2021 and 2022 Atkins was selected as an All-Star. In four consecutive seasons from 2018 to 2021 Atkins ranked in the WNBA’s top 10 for steals per game which included ranking second with 1.8 steals per game in 2020. Atkins is in her seventh WNBA season with Washington in 2024 and has averaged more than 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game in each season.
Guard Brittney Sykes has been selected in a WNBA All-Defensive Team in each of the last four seasons from 2020 to 2023. During the first three seasons in this sequence Sykes played for the Los Angeles Sparks from 2020 to 2022 and led the league for steals per game in both 2020 and 2021. Sykes joined fellow guard Atkins at Washington in 2023. Sykes has had two top three finishes in the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, finishing second in 2021 with the LA Sparks and third in 2023 with the Mystics. In all four seasons that Sykes earnt selection on an WNBA All-Defensive Team from 2020 to 2023 she averaged more than 9.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
Two players that were teammates at Perth Lynx in the 2021/22 WNBL season – Jackie Young and Marina Mabrey rank in the WNBA’s top 20 for points per game at 3 June. Young playing for the Las Vegas Aces ranks sixth with 20.7 points per game and Mabrey playing for Chicago Sky ranks 14th with 17.0 points per game.
Young was selected by the Las Vegas Aces with the first pick overall at the 2019 WNBA Draft. In her first three WNBA seasons from 2019 to 2021 Young averaged between 6.0 and 12.5 points per game. Playing for Perth Lynx in 2021/22 Young ranked third in the WNBL with 17.8 points per game and was selected in the All-WNBL First Team. In 2022 Young won the WNBA’s Most Improved Player Award, was an All-Star and a member of Las Vegas Aces championship winning team. In 2023 Young was an All-Star, averaged 17.9 points per game, was selected in the All-WNBA Second Team and won a second consecutive WNBA title with Las Vegas.
Jackie Young playing for the Perth Lynx against the Melbourne Boomers at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (GRISS), Traralgon on 6 February 2022
After three weeks of the 2024 WNBA season five players that have played as imports in the WNBL rank in the WNBA’s top 12 for assists per game as at 3 June, Jackie Young and Natasha Cloud are equal second with 7.7 assists per game. Other players in this category are Courtney Williams (6th – 5.8) along with Julie Vanloo (8th – 5.6) and Marina Mabrey (13th – 4.7).
Two Australian’s rank in the top six for blocks per game, Magbegor leads the WNBA with 3.0 blocks per game and Smith ranks equal fourth with 2.0 blocks per game. Monique Billings has made the most of signing a hardship contract with Dallas and ranks ninth with 1.3 blocks per game.
Three WNBL Alumni rank in the WNBA’s top 20 for rebounds per game, Billings ranks eighth with 8.8 rebounds, Ezi Magbegor (8.6) ranks 10th in her fifth season with Seattle and Marina Mabrey (6.9) ranks 16th in her second season with Chicago.
Marina Mabrey playing for the Perth Lynx against the University of Canberra Capitals in a WNBL game at Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat on 19 January 2022
Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins ranks seventh in the WNBA with 2.1 steals per game and is one of seven players with WNBL experience in the top 26. Other players in this category are Marina Mabrey (12th – 1.9), Phoenix duo Natasha Cloud (18th – 1.7) and Sophie Cunningham (19th – 1.6) and a trio of players in equal 20th with 1.5 steals per game – Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young along Minnesota Lynx duo Alanna Smith and Courtney Williams.
Playing for Washington Samuelson has made all 13 free throws in 2024 to rank equal first in the league with 100% accuracy. Washington teammate Ariel Atkins ranks third with a free throw accuracy of 94.4%. In her seventh season with Seattle Mercedes Russell has a field goal accuracy of 62.5% – ranked second in the league. In her first season with Minnesota Alanna Smith ranks fifth in the WNBA with a three point accuracy of 50%.
During the 2022/23 WNBL season Tiffany Mitchell and Olivia Nelson-Ododa were teammates at the Melbourne Boomers. They are currently teammates in the WNBA at Connecticut Sun who are the only undefeated team in the 2024 WNBA season, having won their first eight games.
Player profiles on Australians that are playing in the WNBA in 2024
Player profiles are included in alphabetical order of the players surname.
WNBA games played are as at 3 June 2024.
# represents the number the player wears in the WNBA in 2024.
Bec Allen
#11 Position: Guard/Forward
Date of birth (DOB) 6 November 1992 Height 188cm
Junior Club Nunawading Spectres (Victoria)
WNBA debut: 2015
WNBA regular season games: 203 WNBA playoff games: 11
2023 WNBA team: Connecticut Sun 2024 WNBA team: Phoenix Mercury
WNBL debut: 2009/10 WNBL games: 103
Most recent WNBL season: 2015/16 WNBL team in 2015/16: SEQ Stars
Bec Allen grew up in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and started playing basketball for the Nunawading Spectres at 11 or 12 years of age, having played netball previously. In 2009/10 Allen made her WNBL debut, playing one game for the Dandenong Rangers before playing a total of 11 games for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) during the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons. Allen has played 103 WNBL games including three seasons for the Melbourne Boomers from 2012/13 to 2014/15 and one season for the SEQ Stars in 2015/16. Allen has the nickname Spida and utilised her reach and reading of the play in 2013/14 playing for the Melbourne Boomers to lead the WNBL with 1.8 steals and ranked second with 1.68 blocks per game. Allen won the WNBL’s 2013/14 Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award. In each of the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons with the Boomers Allen averaged more than 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Allen made it three consecutive seasons averaging 1.8 steals per game, again leading the league with this mark in 2014/15 and ranking fourth in 2015/16.
From 2016/17 to the present Allen has not played in the WNBL. In most Australian summer’s during this time Allen has played basketball in Europe. Allen played for Spanish team Valencia in 2020/21 and 2021/22 and was a member of the Valencia team that won the 2021 EuroCup Women’s title, defeating Reyer Venezia 82-81 in the final on 12 April 2021. Allen played all seven games in Valencia’s victorious 2021 EuroCup campaign and averaged 13.1 points (ranked 1st for Valencia), 4.7 rebounds (4th), 1.6 assists, 2.0 steals (2nd) and 1.4 blocks (equal 1st) per game. In both the 2020/21 and 2021/22 Spanish regular season Allen averaged between 11.0 points and 12.0 points per game and led Valencia in this category.
Allen signed with New York Liberty as a free agent in February 2015 and made her WNBA debut later that year at 22 years of age, scoring six points and taking three steals in New York’s 82-73 home victory against Atlanta on June 5. Allen played her second WNBA game a day later. Due to a serious right knee cartilage injury Allen missed the rest of the 2015 WNBA season and returned to Australia for surgery. From 2015 to 2019 Allen played five consecutive seasons for New York. In 2019 Allen averaged a then career-high 7.2 points, ranked fourth in the league with 1.6 steals per game and ranked sixth with a three-point accuracy of 42.6%.
Allen opted out of the 2020 bubble WNBA season and played her sixth and seventh seasons for New York in 2021 and 2022. In each of her last three regular seasons playing for the Liberty in 2019, 2021 and 2022 Allen averaged at least 7.0 points per game including a career-high 9.2 points per game in 2021. From 2015 to 2022 Allen played a total of 158 regular season WNBA games for New York including 40 as a starter.
In January 2023 Allen was traded from New York Liberty to Connecticut Sun. Allen played all 40 regular season games for Connecticut in 2023, had a career-high 27 starts and averaged 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 1.3 blocks (ranked 9th in the WNBA) and 21.5 minutes per game. In game one of the 2023 semi-finals Allen scored a WNBA playoffs career-high 18 points shooting at 78% from the field and had seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks for Connecticut Sun in a 78-63 road victory against her former side New York Liberty. Allen’s four three-pointers made were an equal game-high from six three-point attempts at an accuracy of 67%. Late in the 2023 season Allen became the “10th fastest player in WNBA history to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 150 blocks and 180 three-point field goals made (195 games).”7
Allen was a member of the Australian Opals team that won the bronze medal at the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2014 and was part of the starting line-up for the silver medal winning Opals at World Cup 2018 held in Spain. At the 2019 FIBA Asia Cup in India Allen averaged 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals and 19.1 minutes court-time per game for the bronze medal winning Opals. Allen shot the ball at 53% from the field, 46% from the perimeter and was rewarded for her excellent performances with selection in the tournament’s All-Star Five. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Allen played all four games for the Opals. At the 2022 World Cup Qualifying Tournament held in Belgrade Serbia in February Allen averaged 11.3 points per game, ranked second for the Opals behind then New York Liberty teammate Whitcomb (13.7 ppg).
At World Cup 2022 in Sydney Allen was a member of the Opals starting line-up for their first three games of the tournament. In Australia’s third group phase game at World Cup 2022 in Sydney against Serbia guard/forward Allen pursuing a loose ball was sandwiched between two Serbian opponents and suffered an injury to her ribs in the fourth quarter. The injury forced Allen to miss the Opals last two group games. Whilst hindered by the injury Allen bravely took to the court for the Opals off the bench in the quarter final against Belgium and semi final against China. During the group phase at World Cup 2022 Allen was the Opals leading scorer, averaging 13.3 points per game and scored 16 points against France and Serbia. After the tournament Allen learnt the true extent of her injuries, she had a punctured lung and two broken ribs which forced her to miss the 2022/23 season in Spain with Valencia. In 2023/24 Allen returned to Spain to play for Valencia. After playing six games for Valencia in 2023/24 Allen requested and was granted a release from the club on 10 December 2023 due to personal reasons.
At Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 held in Belem, Brazil from 8 to 11 February Allen was a starter on the Opals team that won all three games to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Allen ranked second for the Opals with 11.3 points per game and shot proficiently to have a field goal accuracy of 57% and a three-point accuracy of 64%.
On 3 February 2024 Phoenix Mercury announced that they had acquired Allen in a sign-and-trade deal with Connecticut Sun. Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren commented that Allen “is a multidimensional player, who can impact the game on both ends of the floor with her elite shooting, versatility and length. The veteran leadership and high basketball IQ that she brings will be invaluable to our team.”8
Allen has done some media work for ESPN including covering the men’s 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. During an interview with Kane Pitman on ESPN Australia program The Jump published on 28 March 2024 Allen commented on the decision to join Phoenix, saying “It is going to be such a cool change, always my whole career I have been on the east coast so to now be on the west coast so different. It is a new opportunity that I am welcoming that I chose as well so that is always a good position to be in. I think that playing for Phoenix is going to prepare me in the best way for the Olympics. I also just think that you are around some pretty elite players, how can you not grow as a player, as a person so I am really welcoming this experience for sure.”
After predominantly playing as a wing throughout her career Allen has spent more time playing as a power forward for Phoenix early in the 2024 WNBA season. In her team debut for Phoenix Mercury Allen scored 14 points, took seven rebounds and made two steals in a road game against the Las Vegas Aces on 14 May. Allen reached 200 WNBA regular season games in Phoenix’s second game of 2024, an 88-85 home victory against Atlanta on 18 May. Allen started the Mercury’s first five games of the 2024 season. Due to being in concussion protocols Allen missed the Mercury’s four most recent games from 28 May to 2 June. Allen has played five of Phoenix’s first nine games of 2024 and has averaged 5.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 24.2 minutes per game.
WNBL Achievements: Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year 2013/14
Ezi Magbegor
#13 Position: Forward/Centre
DOB 13 August 1999 Height 193cm
Junior Club Coburg Giants (Victoria)
WNBA debut: 2020
WNBA regular season games: 133 WNBA playoff games: 13
WNBA team from 2020 to 2024: Seattle Storm
2023/24 team: ZVVZ USK Praha (Czech Republic)
WNBL debut: 2017/18 WNBL games played: 95
Most recent WNBL season: 2021/22 WNBL team in 2021/22: Melbourne Boomers
Ezi Magbegor was born in Wellington New Zealand, her parents Patience and Appolu are both Nigerian. When Ezi was six years old her family moved from Wellington to Craigieburn which is located approximately 35 kilometres north of Melbourne. Ezi followed in her older siblings Elo and Ovie’s footsteps and commenced playing basketball for the Coburg Giants at Coburg Basketball Stadium at seven years of age. Ezi commenced a scholarship at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in early 2015 and played three seasons in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) for the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence from 2015 to 2017.
At under-age level Magbegor represented Australian junior teams at several tournaments. Magbegor was a starter at the 2016 Under-17 FIBA World Championships held in Zaragoza, Spain for the Australian Sapphires gold medal winning team and won the tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. Magbegor averaged 12.5 points and 2.8 blocked shots per game to lead the Sapphires in both categories and ranked second with 8.0 rebounds per game.
In five WNBL seasons Magbegor has played a total of 95 games comprised of 20 games for the University of Canberra Capitals in 2017/18 and 75 games for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers in four consecutive seasons from 2018/19 to 2021/22. Magbegor is a three-time winner of the WNBL’s Betty Watson Award, first of all in 2017/18 when it was the Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Award and then again in 2019/20 and 2021/22 when it expanded to become the Betty Watson Youth Player of the Year Award which Australian players 23 years of age and under were eligible for. During Magbegor’s first four WNBL seasons she steadily improved and after starting on the bench for her debut 2017/18 WNBL season with the University of Canberra Capitals and part of the 2018/19 season with the Deakin Melbourne Boomers she cemented herself in the starting line-up during 2019/20. In Magbegor’s first three seasons with the Boomers she increased her points per game by at least 2.0 points in each season. Magbegor earned All-WNBL selection in both 2020 (Second Team) and 2021/22 (First Team), averaging more than 15.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocked shots per game in each season. Playing alongside fellow Opals Tess Madgen and Cayla George, Magbegor was a member of the Melbourne Boomers 2021/22 WNBL Championship winning team. In 2021/22 Magbegor led the WNBL with 1.6 blocked shots per game, ranked second with a field goal accuracy of 55.5%, equal eighth for steals, 10th for rebounds and 12th in scoring.
Above: Ezi Magbegor playing defense for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers forward Jenna O’Hea at the State Basketball Centre on 4 November 2019
Above: Ezi Magbegor winning the tip for Melbourne Boomers in a game against Sydney Flames at the State Basketball Centre on 20 February 2022
Seattle Storm selected Magbegor with pick 12 at the 2019 WNBA Draft. Magbegor remained in Australia for another year working on her game playing for Geelong Supercats in the 2019 NBL1 season and for Melbourne Boomers in the 2019/20 WNBL season. During the 2020 bubble season played in a hub at IMG Academy in Florida Magbegor made her WNBA debut at 20 years of age with Seattle Storm and was the youngest player in the league. Magbegor was a core rotation player on Seattle Storm’s 2020 WNBA Championship winning team alongside Opals teammate Sami Whitcomb and one of the best players in the world – fellow front court players Breanna Stewart. Other teammates included Sue Bird and two American’s that played as imports in the WNBL in 2023/24 – Guard Jordin Canada and forward/centre Mercedes Russell.
Playing alongside Stewart and training against her was beneficial for Magbegor’s development. During her first two WNBA seasons in 2020 and 2021 Magbegor predominantly played off the bench for Seattle, having three starts in 52 regular season games and averaged more than 6.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 13.0 minutes per game in each season.
During the 21 October 2020 special edition of the Deakin Melbourne Boomers Coaches Corner host Larissa Anderson asked Magbegor about the 2020 WNBA season “Can you give us a little bit of a recap, what are the standout highlights for you that come to mind straight away?” Magbegor responded “Obviously from a team perspective definitely winning the championship, individually probably the progression of my games and kind of how much more comfortable I felt as the season went on. I think that was definitely due to my team-mates supporting me and having my back, whether it was Alysha (Clark) or Stewie talking in my ear, kind of telling me hey, get those rebounds or good job, just that constant reassurance definitely helped and those moments made my experience a lot better.”
At FIBA Women’s World Cup 2018 held in Tenerife, Spain Magbegor was a member of the Opals silver medal winning team. Despite averaging just 12.3 minutes per game Magbegor made an impact to rank fourth for the Opals in scoring per game and equal fifth for rebounding. During the Tokyo Olympic Games Magbegor ranked second for the Australian Opals in scoring per game behind George, third for rebounds and first for blocked shots.
In the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Milestones and Misses published an article comprehensively covering Magbegor’s basketball career, a link to this article published on 15 June 2021 is below:
After having 23 starts from 33 games for Seattle in 2022 and ranking fifth in the WNBA with a field goal accuracy of 55.0% power forward/centre Magbegor was a permanent member of the Storm’s starting line-up in 2023, starting all 40 of the team’s regular season games. In 2023 playing for Seattle Magbegor averaged 13.8 points, 8.1 rebounds (ranked 11th in the WNBA), 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocked shots (2nd) per game to set career-highs in each category and had a field goal accuracy of 51.3% (9th). Magbegor was selected as a 2023 WNBA All-Star and was named in the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2022 & 2023. Only two Seattle players had more than 22 starts in 2023, Magbegor and fellow 2023 All-Star Jewell Loyd (38 starts). Seattle finished 11th in the 2023 WNBA standings with 11 wins and 29 losses.
Magbegor and Whitcomb are Australian Opals teammates and are teammates at Seattle for the second consecutive season and third season overall in 2024, having also been teammates at the Storm in 2020. After Magbegor was selected as a 2023 WNBA All-Star Whitcomb commented “Yes, it’s Ezi as a player she absolutely deserves it and is having an incredible year, but to know her as a person you just adore her. It’s hard to imagine it happening for a better person. Her personality is contagious, her smile. It’s really enjoyable to see her be rewarded for her hard work and it was really genuine happiness for her. What’s really special about Ezi is I don’t think she has a ceiling. She can become and do anything that she wants to.”9
In 2022/23 Magbegor played for Sopron in the Hungarian League and in EuroLeague. Magbegor and fellow Australian Alice Kunek were members of the Sopron team that won the Hungarian Cup in 2023. Magbegor played 16 games for Sopron in EuroLeague and led her team with 7.3 rebounds per game and ranked third with 11.1 points. Magbegor was phenomenal playing for Czech Republic club ZVVZ USK Praha in 2023/24 to average 13.2 points, 8.2 rebounds (ranked 3rd in EuroLeague) and 2.4 blocks (1st) per game. Magbegor was selected in the 2023/24 All-EuroLeague Women First Team and finished second in the Defenseive Player of the Year award.
At FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 in Sydney Magbegor averaged 9.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the bronze medal winning Opals team. Magbegor started all three games for the Opals at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belem, Brazil from 8 to 11 February. Magbegor averaged 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots per game, having a field goal accuracy of 63.6%. Across the tournament Australia had three victories to qualify for Paris and Ezi was named the OQT 2024 tournament MVP.
Ezi Magbegor to the left whilst former Seattle Storm teammate Jordin Canada signs a photograph for a Melbourne Boomers fan after the game against Bendigo Spirit on 30 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville,
In the off-season Seattle Storm recruited two players that have each been All-Stars at least six times, forward Nneka Ogwumike (8-time All-Star) and guard Skylar Diggins-Smith (6-time All-Star) to join returning 2023 All-Star duo Magbegor and Loyd. At a press conference in early May 2024 Ogwumike spoke about mentoring Magbegor, saying “I think what makes my relationship with Ezi so unique is that we kind of already have that basic connection with our heritage. We have always cheered each other on even when we weren’t on each other’s team. She is open and she is willing, that is something that I made sure I was when Candace (Parker) was on the team for the Sparks. I wanted to make sure that I was open to learning, open to changing, open to understanding and growing and I can see that from Ezi from the jump. I don’t think she realises how dangerous it is because she is still vey raw as a player and she is already an All-Star. There are different levels that I can’t wait to see her reach while I am on the team and I just want to help support her in that.”
During the 2024 WNBA season Magbegor made the 500th field goal of her career (11th Seattle player to achieve this) and reached 1,250 career points (12th). Magbegor has started all eight games for Seattle in 2024 and is averaging 13.6 points, 8.6 rebounds (ranked 10th in the WNBA), 3.0 blocks (1st) and 31.9 minutes per game.
Ezi Magbegor shooting a free throw for the Melbourne Boomers in a game against Sydney Flames at the State Basketball Centre on 20 February 2022
WNBA Achievements: WNBA Championship 2020 (with Seattle Storm)
WNBA All-Defensive Second Team 2022 & 2023
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL First Team 2021/22
All-WNBL Second Team 2020
Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Award 2017/18
Betty Watson Youth Player of the Year Award 2019/20 and 2021/22
WNBL Championship 2021/22 (with Melbourne Boomers)
Jade Melbourne
#5 Position: Guard
DOB 18 August 2002 Height 178cm
Junior Club Traralgon Thunderbirds (Victoria)
WNBA debut: 2023
WNBA regular season games: 34 WNBA playoff games: 0
2023 WNBA Team: Seattle Storm 2024 WNBA Team: Washington Mystics
WNBL debut: 2020 WNBL games played: 68
WNBL Team from 2020 to 2023/24: University of Canberra Capitals
Jade Melbourne was born in the most southern state on mainland Australia – Victoria who’s capital city is Melbourne. However contrary to her name Jade was born and grew up in the country Victorian town Traralgon, located approximately 165 kilometres east of Melbourne. Jade’s junior basketball club was the Traralgon Thunderbirds. At under-age level Melbourne represented Vic Country at several Australian National Championships.
In January 2019 Melbourne commenced a basketball scholarship in Canberra with the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (BA CoE) and represented the BA CoE against senior women’s teams during the NBL1 season. Current University of Canberra Capitals Head Coach Kristen Veal was the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence Women’s Program Head Coach.
Less than three months after her 18th birthday point guard Jade Melbourne made her WNBL debut as a starter in the University of Canberra Capitals opening game of the 2020 season on 11 November. In Melbourne’s fourth WNBL game she scored a game-high 20 points and in her seventh game against Perth she made a match-winning three-pointer for UC Capitals with just seven seconds remaining in the last quarter. During the 2020 and 2021/22 WNBL seasons Melbourne played a total of 30 games and averaged more than 8.0 points per game in each season.
Jade Melbourne playing for UC Capitals against Perth Lynx at Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat on 19 January 2022
At under-age level Jade represented Australia at several tournaments including being captain of the Australian Gems at the 2021 FIBA Under 19 Women’s World Cup held in Hungary from 7-15 August. The Gems won the silver medal, being defeated by USA 52-70 in the final. Melbourne had an exceptional tournament to average 12.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Melbourne was recognised for her brilliant tournament by being selected in the Under 19 Women’s World Cup 2021 All-Star five.
Entering her third WNBL season with the UC Capitals in 2022/23 Melbourne had career-highs of six rebounds and six assists in a game. During the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL season Melbourne took her game to another stratosphere to take more than six rebounds in a game six times and had made more than six assists in a game eight times. In a home game against Adelaide Lightning at the National Convention Centre on 18 February 2023 Melbourne scored a team-high 19 points, took a team-high and career-high 12 rebounds and made a game-high and career-high 14 assists. With her phenomenal game Melbourne became the first player to record a triple double during regulation of a WNBL game in more than 10 years. Melbourne was one of the five nominees for the Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year Award and earnt the first All-WNBL selection of her career, being named in the All-WNBL Second team.
Jade Melbourne playing for UC Capitals against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 28 December 2022
After being a member of the UC Capitals three player leadership group in 2022/23 Melbourne was appointed the team’s sole captain for 2023/24. In the Caps opening game of the season Melbourne played her 50th WNBL game. In the University of Capitals Round 3 road game Melbourne scored a career-high 31 points shooting at 53% from the field, made four of eight three-pointers, made seven of eight free throws at 88% took seven rebounds & made a game-high seven assists against Sydney on 15 November at Quaycentre. Melbourne scored 14 points and made a game-high and season-high 15 assists in the UC Capitals second game of Round 3 on the road against Townsville Fire on 18 November.
Jade Melbourne playing for UC Capitals against Melbourne Boomers at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (GRISS) in Traralgon on 26 November 2023
In a Round 7 home game for the UC Capitals on 15 December Melbourne made four of 10 three-pointers, scored a game-high 30 points at 47.1% from the field, took five rebounds, made a game-high 10 assists and game-high three steals in a victory against the Melbourne Boomers. For the second time in a week and for the third time in 2023/24 Melbourne scored at least 30 points in a home game against Adelaide at Radford College on 21 December. Melbourne scored an equal career-high 31 points shooting at 64% from the field, made six of seven three-pointers at 85%, had five rebounds, seven assists & three steals. Melbourne was named in the WNBL’s Team of the Week three times, rounds 3, 7 and 8 and was named the Player of the Round for Round 7.
Jade Melbourne with UC Capitals Head Coach Kristen Veal on the sidelines during UC Capitals game against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 6 January 2024
Melbourne continued her progression in 2023/24 to average 16.3 points (4th in the WNBL), 7.6 assists (1st) and 1.7 steals (5th) per game. At the 2023/24 WNBL Awards Melbourne was named in the All-WNBL First Team and won the league’s Fan MVP award. In an article written by Corey Kennedy and published on the WNBL website Melbourne commented on winning the inaugural WNBL fan MVP award “I’m really honoured to win the first Fan MVP award, the fans are the people who grow the game so to be recognised by them is super special. I have been that kid before wanting an autograph, so I always do my best to give back to the fans. We try and be role models to these kids and to be recognised for that means a lot.”10
Jade Melbourne playing defense against Maddison Rocci in the University of Canberra Capitals game against the Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 6 January 2024
During the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2021 held in Jordan from 27 September to 3 October Melbourne was one of nine players that made their debut with the senior Australian women’s basketball team – the Opals. Melbourne was part of the Opals extended squad for the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 held in Sydney. When the Opals squad for the World Cup was reduced from 15 players to the final 12 player team Melbourne was one of the three players cut. At the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belem, Brazil from 8 to 11 February Melbourne played all three games for the Opals and averaged 5.3 points and 13.4 minutes per game.
At 19 years of age Melbourne was selected by Seattle Storm at the 2022 WNBA Draft in the third round with pick 33 overall. Melbourne remained in Australia for another year and made her WNBA debut for Seattle Storm on 20 May 2023 in a road game against Las Vegas Aces. In 2023 Melbourne was teammates at Seattle with fellow Australian Opals Ezi Magbegor and Sami Whitcomb. In her third WNBA game against Los Angeles Sparks on 3 June Melbourne made three of five field goal attempts at an accuracy of 60%, scored 10 points, took five rebounds and made two assists. Melbourne played 29 games for Seattle Storm during her debut 2023 WNBA season and was the youngest player in the league.
To celebrate Jade Melbourne being selected by Seattle Storm in the 2022 WNBA Draft Milestones and Misses published an article on 16 April 2022 comprehensively covering Melbourne’s basketball career to that point, a link to this article is below:
On 11 May 2024 Melbourne was traded from Seattle Storm to the Washington Mystics for a 2025 third round pick. In an article written by Megan Hustwaite and published on ESPN on 14 May Melbourne commented on the trade “It was nothing I did, it maybe wasn’t ultimately what Seattle wanted to do but the whole business side of things with salary caps – it’s amazing how things can change. It’s been hectic and I don’t wish it upon anyone to be honest. I find myself very grateful that I’m still on a team, still playing on opening night and I have a great opportunity here at Washington.”11
The Washington Mystics have five players on their 2024 roster that have played as imports in the WNBL including Brittney Sykes who was teammates with Melbourne at the UC Capitals in 2021/22. Melbourne has also played in the WNBL against current Washington teammates Karlie Samuelson and DiDi Richards. Having some teammates at Washington that she already knew helped Melbourne with the process of changing teams.
In Washington’s third game of the 2024 WNBA season Melbourne made her Mystics team debut against her former team Seattle on 19 May. Melbourne has played five of Washington’s first eight games of the season. In Washington’s sixth game of the season on the road against Seattle on 25 May Melbourne made five of nine field goals at 56% from the field, scored a career-high 13 points, made one of two three-pointers and made three assists. In the post-game press conference Melbourne commented “Ever since I came over to Washington two days before the season started all I have received from these guys is confidence and belief in myself. Karlie is constantly reminding me that it is a good drive even when it is a miss. Everyone is just telling me to be myself and I just feel like I am a really perfect fit here. When you are constantly getting that feedback from coaches and teammates and making you feel belief in yourself it is easy to go out there and do that kind of stuff. For me it is just about bringing energy, seeing how I fit into this team and hopefully can see a lot more of that for me.” Melbourne has played five of Washington’s first eight games of the season and is averaging 5.2 points, 1.6 assists and 12.4 minutes per game.
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL First Team 2023/24
WNBL Fan MVP 2023/24
All-WNBL Second Team 2022/23
Alanna Smith
#8 Position: Forward
DOB 10 September 1996 Height 191cm
Junior Club Nunawading Spectres (Victoria)
WNBA debut: 2019
WNBA regular season games: 110 WNBA playoff games: 9
2023 WNBA team: Chicago Sky 2024 WNBA team: Minnesota Lynx
2023/24 team: Emlak Konut Istanbul (Turkey)
WNBL debut: 2021/22 WNBL games played: 18
WNBL team in 2021/22: Adelaide Lightning
Despite being from a talented basketball family it wasn’t until Alanna Smith was a teenager that she got into basketball seriously, playing for the Nunawading Spectres in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. From 2015/16 to 2018/19 Smith played four seasons of college basketball at Stanford University in California, USA. At the end of a four season college career Smith ranked 10th on Stanford’s all-time list for career points (1,707) and second for blocks (225). In her profile on WNBA.com it comments that Smith “Joined Elena Delle Donne, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart as the only players in the past 20 years to finish college careers with totals of at least 1,600 points, 150 three-pointers and 200 blocks.”12
After being selected at pick 8 overall in the 2019 WNBA draft by Phoenix Mercury Smith played three seasons for Phoenix from 2019 to 2021, her Head Coach was fellow Australian Sandy Brondello who is the Head Coach of the Australian Opals. Smith missed the last 14 games of 2019 due to an ankle injury. Phoenix Mercury made it to the 2021 WNBA Finals and were defeated by Chicago Sky three games to one. Smith played 55 regular season WNBA games for Phoenix from 2019 to 2021, averaging 2.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 9.9 minutes per game.
Smith signed with Adelaide Lightning in June 2020 for the 2020 WNBL season. Due to an ankle injury suffered late in the 2020 WNBA season Smith was ruled out for the WNBL season starting later that year. Smith made her WNBL debut with Adelaide Lightning a season later in 2021/22 and was teammates with fellow Australian Opal Steph Talbot.
Alanna Smith playing defense against fellow Opal Ezi Magbegor in Adelaide Lightning’s game against Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 24 March 2022
Smith won the WNBL’s Player of the Week award twice, Round 5 and Round 11. In an Adelaide Lightning Round 5 home game against Perth Lynx Smith fell two assists short of recording a triple double in the Lightning’s 88-86 victory On 2 January 2022. Playing brilliant all-round game Smith scored a team-high 25 points at 63% from the field, took an equal game-high 11 rebounds, made a game-high eight assists and a game-high three blocks in the Lightning’s 88-86 victory at the Lights Community and Sports Centre. Smith scored a game-high 23 points, took 10 rebounds and made three assists in Adelaide’s 75-72 road victory against the Southside Flyers in Round 11 at Dandenong Stadium on 19 February 2022. Smith shot proficiently to make 10 of 16 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 63% and three of four three-pointers at 75%.
Alanna Smith shooting a free throw for Adelaide Lightning against Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 24 March 2022
In 2021/22 Smith played 18 games for Adelaide Lightning and averaged 17.7 points (ranked 4th in the WNBL), 9.1 rebounds (6th), 2.4 assists and 1.3 blocks (2nd) per game. Smith was selected in the 2021/22 All-WNBL Second Team and was a joint winner of Adelaide’s MVP Award along with Talbot. Smith took at least 10 rebounds in a game seven times, in each of these games she scored at least 21 points.
On 21 February 2022 Smith signed a training camp contract with WNBA club Indiana Fever. Smith played nine WNBA games in 2022 for Indiana before being waived. During 2022/23 Smith played in Poland for InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow and was teammates with fellow Australian forward Chantel Horvat. Smith excelled during the 2022/23 Polish league regular season to average 21.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game to win the league’s regular season MVP award.
Chicago Sky announced on 14 February 2023 that the club had signed Smith. Playing off the bench in Chicago Sky’s opening game of the 2023 WNBA season Smith scored a career-high 15 points in a 77-66 victory against Minnesota. After commencing her first three games of 2023 on the bench for Chicago Smith was elevated into the Sky’s starting line-up for her fourth game on 28 May and retained a position in the starting five for the rest of the season. During 2023 Smith had a breakout WNBA season playing 38 games for Chicago Sky including 35 as a starter and averaged 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds (ranked 17th in the WNBA), 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.3 blocks (equal 7th) and 26.5 minutes per game to set new career-highs in each category. Smith scored at least 15 points in a game seven times, scoring a career-high 20 points, at 75% from the field in Chicago’s 104-89 road victory against Dallas on 4 August. Smith had a field goal accuracy of 49.8% in 2023, led the league with a two-point field goal accuracy of 61.2% and finished third in the WNBA’s Most Improved Player Award.
In 2023/24 Smith played for Emlak Konut Istanbul in the Turkish League and EuroLeague. Smith played 23 games in the Turkey KBSL league and averaged 19.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocked shots and 2.0 steals per game. Smith scored at least 31 points in three games, had a two point field goal accuracy of 56.1% and shot at 39.6% for three-pointers.
At 20 years of age Smith made her Australian Opals debut at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017 held in Bengaluru, India. For the silver medal winning Opals Smith averaged 10.8 points (ranked 2nd for the Opals), 5.3 rebounds and 14.5 minutes per game and had a field goal accuracy of 58.3%. Smith was a member of the Australian Opals silver medal winning team at the 2018 FIBA World Cup held in Tenerife, Spain. Playing off the bench in the final Smith scored an Opals team-high 10 points in the loss against the USA. At the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo Smith had limited playing opportunities, playing two of the Opals four games and averaging 6.6 minutes per game.
Smith was a member of the Opals extended squad for FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 held in Sydney but wasn’t selected in the final 12 player team. At the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belem, Brazil from 8 to 11 February Smith was a member of the Opals team that won all three games to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Smith averaged 3.7 points and a team-high 5.0 rebounds playing 11.2 minutes per game.
On 31 January 2024 WNBA club Minnesota Lynx announced that they had signed Smith. Minnesota Lynx Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve commented “Alanna is coming off her best season yet in the WNBA where she was a finalist for Most Improved Player. Her impressive 2FG%, potential as a 3-point shooter, along with her rebounding and shot blocking, make her a valuable addition to our team.”13 In her WNBA team debut for Minnesota Lynx Smith excelled as a starter with a career-high 22 pts, eight rebounds and four blocks in an 83-70 road victory against Seattle on 14 May. Smith shot proficiently to make eight of 15 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 53% and made three of five three-pointers at 60%. In 2024 Smith has started all eight games for Minnesota and is averaging 12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals (ranked equal 20th in the WNBA), 2.0 blocks (6th) and 29.1 minutes per game. In 2024 Smith has a three-point accuracy of 50.0% (ranked 4th in the WNBA).
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL Second Team 2021/22
Steph Talbot
#7 Position: Forward
DOB 15 June 1994 Height 188cm
Junior Club Eastern Mavericks / Norwood Flames (South Australia)
WNBA debut: 2017
WNBA regular season games: 170 WNBA playoff games: 16
2024 WNBA Team: Los Angeles Sparks
WNBL debut: 2011/12 WNBL games played: 186
WNBL team from 2019/20 to 2023/24: Adelaide Lightning
Steph Talbot was born in Katherine, Northern Territory and moved to South Australia at a young age. Talbot had a decorated junior career playing for Eastern Mavericks and the Norwood Flames that resulted in her receiving a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). After playing four games in her debut WNBL season in 2011/12 with Adelaide Lightning Talbot won the league’s Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Award in 2012/13. Playing two seasons for the University of Canberra Capitals in 2014/15 and 2015/16 and for the Melbourne Boomers in 2018/19 Talbot averaged at least 11.0 points per game in all three seasons.
Steph Talbot playing defense for Adelaide Lightning against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2019
For the 2019/20 season Talbot returned to South Australia and has played five consecutive seasons for Adelaide Lightning. During a phenomenal 2020 WNBL season with Adelaide Talbot played all 13 games in her first season as Adelaide Lightning captain and averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Guard/forward Talbot set new career highs for points and rebounds, ranked third in the league for scoring, rebounds and steals per game and eighth for minutes played per game. During the 2020 season Talbot excelled at both ends of the court to become the first player in WNBL history to win the league’s Suzy Batkovic medal for being the league MVP and the Robyn Defensive Player of the Year Award in the same season and the fifth person to win both awards during their career.
Steph Talbot playing for Adelaide Lightning against Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 24 March 2022
Talbot was runner-up in the WNBL’s 2021/22 MVP Award and was the only player to earn All-WNBL First Team selection in both 2020 and 2021/22. Talbot played the 150th WNBL game of her career on 30 December 2021. During the 2021/22 WNBL season Talbot played 18 games for Adelaide Lightning and made an impact in several facets of the game to average 13.0 points, 8.9 rebounds (ranked 7th in the WNBL), 6.5 assists (1st) and 1.6 steals (equal 9th) per game. Talbot was runner-up in the WNBL’s 2021/22 MVP Award and was the only player to earn All-WNBL First Team selection in both 2020 and 2021/22.In four consecutive seasons from 2019/20 to 2022/23 Talbot averaged more than 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game to earn All-WNBL selection in all four seasons. In 2022/23 Talbot won the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award for the second time in her career and was selected on the All-WNBL Second team.
Steph Talbot shooting a free throw for Adelaide Lightning against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2022
To celebrate Steph Talbot reaching 150 WNBL games an article comprehensively covering her career was published on 30 December 2021 by Milestones and Misses, a link to this article is below:
At 19 years of age Talbot was selected by Phoenix Mercury with pick 33 at the 2014 WNBA draft. Talbot made her WNBA debut with Phoenix in 2017 and played two seasons with the club before joining Minnesota in 2019. After missing the 2020 season Talbot played for Seattle in 2021 and 2022 alongside fellow Opal Magbegor. In all three WNBA seasons from 2019 to 2022 Talbot averaged at least 5.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 16.0 minutes per game.
Guard/forward Talbot is a fixture in the Australian Opals team and has been a starter at several tournaments including the 2018 Commonwealth Games held Queensland and the 2018 World Cup where Australia won gold and silver medals respectively. At the 2018 World Cup Talbot led Australia for assists and ranked third for minutes played. At the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 held in Sydney Talbot excelled as a starter to play an influential role in Australia winning the bronze medal. Talbot’s wide ranging skill-set was on full display at the 2022 World Cup, averaging 8.5 points, a team-high 6.9 rebounds, a team-high 5.3 assists, an equal team-high 1.4 steals per game and was exceptional on the defensive end to earn selection in the tournament’s All-Star Five.
Talbot suffered an ACL injury in Adelaide Lightning’s road game against the UC Capitals on 18 February 2023. On 16 June 2023 Adelaide Lightning announced they had signed Talbot for four seasons until the end of the 2026/27 WNBL season. Adelaide Lightning General Manager Reece Turner told WNBL Media “Steph is as elite as they come and to have her sign for many more years is vital for not only on-court success but what we are continually building in the community. Steph is an amazing role model to all those who want to strive to be the best at their craft. No one works harder in the WNBL and with all her success she is still an amazing human being and one we needed to keep around in Adelaide.”14
Talbot made her playing return off the bench in Adelaide’s home game against the UC Capitals on 28 January at Adelaide 36ers Arena. Playing off the bench in Adelaide’s last three games of the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season Talbot averaged 10.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 24.5 minutes per game. Adelaide won all three games with Talbot back in the line-up and finished the season on a four game winning streak.
Steph Talbot during Adelaide Lightning’s game against Southside Flyers on 24 February 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville
Los Angeles Sparks announced on 1 February 2023 that they had signed Talbot on a two-year deal. Talbot missed the 2023 WNBA season with her ACL injury and made her Sparks team debut in their opening game of the 2024 season. Talbot has averaged 8.0 minutes per game in Los Angeles’ first eight games of the 2024 season.
WNBL Achievements: Suzy Batkovic Medal (WNBL MVP) 2020
Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year 2020, 2022/23
All-WNBL First team 2020, 2021/22
All-WNBL Second team 2019/20, 2022/23
Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Award 2012/13
Kristy Wallace
#3 Position: Guard
DOB 3 January 1996 Height 180cm
Junior Club Southern District Spartans (Queensland)
WNBA debut: 2022
WNBA regular season games: 76 WNBA playoff games: 0
2023 & 2024 WNBA team: Indiana Fever
WNBL debut: 2018/19 WNBL games played: 44
WNBL team in 2022/23 and 2023/24: Melbourne Boomers
Kristy Wallace grew up in Logan and represented South Queensland at under-age level in Australian National Championships. From 2014/15 to 2017/18 Wallace played four seasons of college basketball for the Baylor Lady Bears and at the end of her career she ranked in the top five on Baylor’s all-time list for assists and three-point field goals made. In each of Wallace’s first three seasons at Baylor the Lady Bears made the elite eight of the NCAA Women’s Tournament. In Baylor’s final game of the 2017/18 regular season on 26 February 2018 Wallace tore the ACL in her right knee, ending her senior season and college career. In Wallace’s senior year she was selected in the 2017/18 All-Big 12 First team and the All-Defensive team.
Wallace had a right knee reconstruction which ruled her out for the 2018 WNBA season. Despite this Atlanta Dream selected Wallace with pick 16 at the 2018 WNBA Draft which highlights how impressive Wallace’s performances at junior level for Australia and at college with Baylor had been. After rehabilitating her right knee Wallace returned to the court in her home country, Australia on 21 December 2018 during the 2018/19 Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season with the University of Canberra Capitals. In her second game with the Capitals Wallace injured her right ACL and required a second knee reconstruction within 12 months.
After the second reconstruction on her right knee Wallace’s main aim was simply to be able to run again. From April 2022 onwards the Victorian Institute of Sport provided valuable guidance and support during the rehabilitation process. Wallace made her basketball return on 16 May 2021 off the bench with the Melbourne Tigers in NBL1 South. In a season cut short due to COVID-19 restrictions Wallace played five games off the bench for the Melbourne Tigers.
On the 23 February 2022 edition of SEN Breakfast Sam Edmund asked “When you first got back it must have been in your mind of course, the mental side must have been as challenging as the physical?” Wallace replied “Ah, super challenging, I really struggled with my imaging. I would always think that I was going to tear my knee again and I still struggle with that and I have got some good strategies in place to help me with that. For me coming back was just about enjoying myself, it was about nothing else other than to enjoy the game, see if this is what I love to do and I found that love while playing for the Melbourne Tigers.”
Despite playing very little basketball in the previous three years due to her knee injuries Wallace made her Australian Opals debut at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup, playing six games off the bench for the bronze medal winning Opals team. Wallace made her major championship debut for Australia at FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 held in Sydney, playing all eight games for the bronze medal winning Opals and averaged 3.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 14.1 minutes per game.
In her first full WNBL season Wallace in 2020/21 was able to make an impact at both ends of the floor playing off the bench for the Southside Flyers. During the 2021/22 WNBL season Wallace played 14 of Southside Flyers 16 regular season games and averaged 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 22.8 minutes per game. Wallace won the league’s Sixth Woman of the Year Award in 2021/22.
Kristy Wallace playing for the Jayco Southside Flyers against the Perth Lynx at Dandenong Stadium on 27 January 2022
To celebrate Kristy Wallace’s successful basketball return after two knee reconstructions Milestones and Misses published an article on 16 May 2022 comprehensively covering her career, a link to this article is below:
Above: Kristy Wallace making a lay up for Melbourne Boomers against Adelaide Lightning at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2022
Below: Kristy Wallace playing for Melbourne Boomers against JCU Townsville Fire at the State Basketball Centre on 7 December 2022
Wallace had a breakout 2022/23 season as the Melbourne Boomers starting point guard to average 15.7 points (ranked 7th in the WNBL), 5.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists (4th) and 1.4 steals per game. Wallace was selected in the 2022/23 All-WNBL First Team and was one of five nominees for the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award which highlights the quality basketball that she played at both ends of the court. For the 2023/24 WNBL season Wallace was appointed a Melbourne Boomers co-captain. Due to a knee injury Wallace missed most of 2023/24 and only played the last five games of the season comprised of two regular season games and three finals.
Kristy Wallace playing for Melbourne Boomers on 6 March in game 3 of the semi against Southside Flyers at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville
Four years after being selected by Atlanta Dream with pick 16 at the 2018 WNBA Draft Wallace made her debut in the league with Atlanta in 2022 and played 29 regular season games including 18 as a starter. On 13 January 2023 Wallace was traded from Atlanta Dream to Indiana Fever. In her second WNBA season in 2023 Wallace played 37 games for Indiana Fever and made 37 of 85 three-pointers at an accuracy of 43.5% – ranked fifth in the WNBA. In 2024 Wallace is teammates with 2024 number one draft pick and fellow guard Caitlin Clark. Wallace has started two of her six games for Indiana in 2024. In all three WNBA seasons from 2022 to 2024 Wallace has averaged more than 5.0 points and 19.0 minutes per game.
During a post-game press conference in May 2024 Indiana Fever Head Coach Christie Sides commented “Kristy Wallace is the ultimate professional. She’s going to do exactly what we need her to do. She is a great defender, she is also a good complement out there on the perimeter with Caitlin and Kelsey (Mitchell). You know she can bring the ball up, she can execute on offense so she just brings a lot to the table with the tools that she has.” Wallace has played 10 of Indiana Fever’s 11 games in 2024, has had six starts and is averaging 5.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 20.3 minutes per game.
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL First Team 2022/23
Sixth Woman of the Year Award 2021/22
Sami Whitcomb
#32 Position: Guard
DOB 20 July 1988 Height 178cm
WNBA debut: 2017
WNBA regular season games: 232 WNBA playoff games: 16
2023 & 2024 WNBA team: Seattle Storm
WNBL debut: 2015/16 WNBL games played: 139
2022/23 WNBL team: Perth Lynx 2023/24 WNBL team: Townsville Fire
Sami Whitcomb was born and grew up in Ventura, California in the United States of America. At 12 years of age Whitcomb began playing basketball, having played soccer previously. At the University of Washington Whitcomb played 113 games including 94 as a starter during four seasons of college basketball from 2006/07 to 2009/10. In her senior year Whitcomb was selected on the 2010 All-Pac-10 First Team.
After being undrafted at the 2010 WNBA draft Whitcomb signed a training camp contract with Chicago Sky and played three pre-season WNBA games but was waived before the season started. From 2011/12 to 2012/13 Whitcomb played two seasons in the Damen-Basketball-Bundesliga (DBBL) in Germany, playing for ChemCats Chemnitz in 2011/12 and Wolfenbuttel Wildcats in 2012/13.
Whilst it is common for American imports to gain an opportunity to play in Australia’s WNBL after playing in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the United States of America (USA) Whitcomb followed a very different career path. Without previous WNBA experience Whitcomb commenced her amazing Australian basketball journey playing as an import in the West Australian State Basketball League for the Rockingham Flames in 2013 and had current Perth Lynx Head coach Ryan Petrik as a Head Coach.
A sliding doors moment was required for Whitcomb to gain that initial opportunity to play for the Rockingham Flames in WA’s SBL in 2013. In Whitcomb’s second season playing in the DBBL in Germany for Wolfenbuttel Wildcats the team finished on top of the ladder but due to going bankrupt were unable to compete in the finals. Emma Cannon who had played for Rockingham Flames as an American import for the 2012 WA State Basketball League, opted out of the 2013 season just before it started, had played in Germany and recommended Whitcomb to the Flames. Whitcomb took up the opportunity to play for Rockingham in the WA State Basketball League in 2013.
Whitcomb excelled for the Rockingham Flames in the State Basketball League in Western Australia from 2013 to 2015, winning the league’s MVP award and being named in the All-Star five in all three seasons. The Flames won the state championship in 2014 and 2015 with Whitcomb winning the Grand Final MVP award in each season. Playing in the State Basketball League in 2015 Whitcomb competed against her future wife, Kate Malpass who was a point guard for Willetton Tigers. Whitcomb and Malpass were each named in the 2015 SBL All-Star Five.
Sami Whitcomb shooting a free-throw for Perth Lynx against Townsville Fire at the State Basketball Centre on 26 November 2017
In May 2015 Whitcomb signed as an import to play with the Perth Lynx in the WNBL. Whitcomb playing as a shooting guard made a total of 201 three-pointers across her first two WNBL seasons in 2015/16 and 2016/17, setting a league single season record for most three-pointers made with 105 in 2016/17. In each of Whitcomb’s first three seasons from 2015/16 to 2017/18 she earnt selection in the All-WNBL First team and led the league for steals and three-pointers made per game. Whitcomb finished third in the 2015/16 MVP Award and was runner-up in 2016/17, averaging more than 19.0 points per game in each season.
Sami Whitcomb shooting a three-pointer for Perth Lynx against Townsville Fire at the State Basketball Centre on 26 November 2017
Phenomenal performances for the Perth Lynx in the WNBL contributed to Whitcomb making her WNBA debut with Seattle Storm in 2017, seven years after going undrafted at the 2010 WNBA draft. In four seasons with Seattle from 2017 to 2020 Whitcomb was a member of the Storm’s core rotation and ranked in the WNBA’s top 25 for three-pointers made in three regular seasons. Whitcomb was a member of Seattle’s 2018 and 2020 WNBA Championship winning teams. Playing as a starter for New York Liberty Whitcomb made 76 of 179 three-pointers during the 2021 regular season at a WNBA career best accuracy of 42.5% to rank second in the WNBA for three-pointers made during the regular season. Playing predominantly off the bench for New York during the 2022 regular season Whitcomb ranked 14th in the WNBA for three-pointers made. Whitcomb returned to Seattle for the 2023 WNBA season and playing all 40 regular season games made 89 three-pointers to rank equal seventh in the league.
On 1 February 2018 Whitcomb became a naturalised Australian citizen. Whitcomb has been a member of two Australian Opals teams that have won a World Cup medal, winning silver at Tenerife, Spain in 2018 and a bronze medal at Sydney, Australia in 2022. At FIBA Women’s World Cup 2018 & 2022 Whitcomb ranked in the top three for Australia in scoring and steals. Whitcomb captained the Australian Opals at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup held in Amman, Jordan and the 2022 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament held in in Belgrade, Serbia. Whitcomb had a phenomenal Asia Cup 2021 to be ranked first overall at the tournament for scoring per game, second in assists, sixth for steals, seventh in rebounds and was selected in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup All-Star Five.
For the 2021/22 WNBL season Whitcomb returned to Perth Lynx to play her fourth season with the club and was a member of the Perth team that made the 2021/22 Grand Final. In 2021/22 Whitcomb ranked third in the WNBL for steals per game and equal fourth for three-pointers made. On 16 November 2022 Whitcomb played her 100th WNBL game. For Perth Lynx in 2022/23 Whitcomb averaged 18.3 points (ranked 3rd in the WNBL), 4.8 assists (8th) and 2.3 three-pointers made (equal 4th). Whitcomb was selected in the 2022/23 All-WNBL First Team, the fourth selection of her career.
Sami Whitcomb playing for the Perth Lynx against the University of Canberra Capitals in a WNBL game at Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat on 19 January 2022
To celebrate Sami Whitcomb reaching 100 WNBL games Milestones and Misses published an article on 2 December 2022 comprehensively covering her career, a link to this article is below:
Whitcomb joined Townsville Fire for the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season, formed a formidable back court with fellow OQT 2024 Opals team member Steph Reid and had Opals Assistant Coach Shannon Seebohm as a Head Coach. In both of Townsville’s Round 9 games, a road game against Sydney and a home game against Perth Whitcomb scored a game-high 26 points to earn selection in the WNBL’s Team of the Round. Whitcomb played 22 games for minor premiers Townsville in 2023/24 and averaged 15.4 points (ranked 9th in the WNBL), 4.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists (7th), 2.5 steals (2nd) and 2.5 made three-pointers (2nd) per game. Whitcomb won Townsville Fire’s MVP and was selected in the All-WNBL Second Team.
Sami Whitcomb shooting a three-pointer for Townsville Fire against Bendigo Spirit in a WNBL game at Geelong Arena on 7 January 2024
At FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 held in Sydney Whitcomb was a starter on the bronze medal winning Opals team. Whitcomb averaged a team-high 11.0 points, 3.6 assists (ranked 2nd), 1.4 steals (ranked equal first) and 27.6 minutes per game (2nd). Whitcomb was a starter on the Opals team that won all three games at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 held in Belem, Brazil from 8 to 11 February. Whitcomb led the Opals with 27.1 minutes and 2.0 steal per game and averaged 4.7 points.
In 2024 Whitcomb is playing the eighth season of her WNBA career, sixth season for Seattle and is teammates with fellow Opal Ezi Magbegor for the second consecutive season and third season overall. Whitcomb has played all eight games for Seattle off the bench in 2024 and is averaging 6.3 points and 17.4 minutes per game, making 1.5 three-pointers per game.
Reflecting on her basketball career Whitcomb told The Brad and Boti Basketball Podcast in the 8 April 2022 episode “I am very lucky, I have had some incredible opportunities and I am so fortunate that this game has given me all it has given me. It has been the craziest ride. I didn’t even have some of these dreams, you play the game because you love it and you chase these goals and these opportunities and you hope that it leads to something remarkable and I have been so lucky that every time a door has closed somewhere something else has opened, I have chased that one down and it has led to some amazing things.”
WNBA Achievements: WNBA Championship 2018, 2020 (both with Seattle Storm)
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL First Team 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2022/23
All-WNBL Second Team 2023/24
WNBL Leading scorer 2016/17
Sandy Brondello – New York Liberty Head Coach
Sandy Brondello had an illustrious basketball career as a shooting guard, playing in the WNBL, WNBA and represented the Australian Opals in 302 games including at four Olympic Games and four World Championships. Brondello was a member of the first five Opals teams that won medals at major championships from the 1996 Olympic Games to the 2004 Olympic Games. In the last four of these Championships Brondello was teammates with current Opal Lauren Jackson.
Playing for the Brisbane Blazers in 1995 Brondello won the WNBL’s Most Valuable Player Award and was the league’s leading scorer for the second consecutive season, having been equal leading scorer in 1994 with Shelley Gorman. Brondello was selected in the WNBL All-Star five twice – 1994 and 1995, playing for the Brisbane Blazers in both seasons.
During a five season WNBA career shooting guard Brondello played 155 regular season games including 146 games as a starter, playing for Detroit in 1998 and 1999, Miami in 2001 and 2002 and Seattle in 2003. Playing for Detroit in 1999 Brondello was an All-Star and finished 10th in the WNBA’s MVP Award. Across her WNBA career Brondello averaged 11.4 points, 2.3 assists and 29.6 minutes per game and had a three-point accuracy of 41%.
In 2005 Brondello commenced a coaching career in the WNBA as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Silver Stars. Brondello has been an Assistant Coach to husband Olaf Lange in the WNBL with Logan Thunder and in Europe with Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg. In the WNBA Brondello was a Head Coach of San Antonio Silver Stars in 2010 and an Assistant Coach of LA Sparks from 2011 to 2013.
Brondello was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 and was appointed Head Coach of WNBA club Phoenix Mercury in 2014. In her first season as Head Coach of Phoenix Mercury the club set a new single season record for most wins in a regular season with 29 wins and five losses, two Australians Penny Taylor and Erin Phillips were members of the team. During the 2014 WNBA playoffs Phoenix played outstanding basketball to have seven wins and one loss, defeating Chicago Sky three games to nil in the WNBA Finals to win the championship. Phoenix made it to the WNBA Finals in 2021 and lost to Chicago Sky one game to three.
In April 2017 Sandy Brondello was appointed as the Australian Opals Head Coach. With Brondello as their head coach the Opals have won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, silver at FIBA Women’s World Cup 2018 and bronze at FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 in Sydney. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Australia were defeated by USA in a quarter final. With Brondello as their Head Coach the Opals won all three games at FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 held in Belem, Brazil in February to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Sandy Brondello alongside Justin Nelson, drawing a raffle at the Melbourne Boomers home game at the State Basketball Centre on 17 December 2017
In her role as Head Coach of the Australian Opals Brondello has coached all seven Australians that are playing in the WNBA in 2024 – Bec Allen, Ezi Magbegor, Jade Melbourne, Alanna Smith, Steph Talbot, Kristy Wallace and Sami Whitcomb. As a WNBA Head Coach Brondello has coached Smith, Talbot (both at Phoenix Mercury), Allen and Whitcomb (both at New York Liberty). Other Australians that had Brondello as a Head Coach of Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA are Cayla George, current Opals captain Tess Madgen, Leilani Mitchell, Phillips and Taylor.
On 7 January 2022 WNBA Club New York Liberty announced that Brondello had been appointed as their Head Coach. Lange has been an Assistant Coach of New York from 2022 onwards. New York Liberty won the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup, defeating Las Vegas Aces 82-65. New York had 32 wins and eight losses during the 2023 WNBA regular season to finish second in the standings two wins behind Las Vegas Aces. In the 2023 WNBA Finals New York lost to Las Vegas one game to three. New York have a record of seven wins and two losses in 2024 and are second in the standings, behind Connecticut Sun who have won all eight games.
WNBA Achievements as a Head Coach: WNBA Championship 2014 (with Phoenix Mercury)
WNBA Coach of the Year 2014
Player profiles on 2023/24 WNBL imports playing in the WNBA in 2024 – 6 players
Player profiles are included in alphabetical order of the players surname.
WNBA games played are at the end of 1 June 2024.
# represents the number the player wears in the WNBA in 2024.
Jordin Canada
#3 Position: Guard
Date of birth (DOB) 11 August 1995 Height 168cm
WNBA debut: 2018
WNBA regular season games: 182 WNBA playoff games: 17
2023 WNBA team: Los Angeles Sparks 2024 WNBA team: Atlanta Dream
WNBL debut: 2023/24 WNBL games: 21
2023/24 WNBL team: Melbourne Boomers
Jordin Canada was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and attended Windward High School in LA. After high school Canada remained in Los Angeles and played college basketball for University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Canada started 30 of her 34 games for UCLA Bruins in 2014/15 and averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game to be named the 2015 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. In her last three seasons at UCLA from 2015/16 to 2017/18 Canada was voted team captain by her teammates. At the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) women’s Tournament Canada was a member of the UCLA Bruins team that made it to the Sweet Sixteen in 2016 and 2017 and the Elite Eight in 2018. Canada’s brilliant defense was recognised when she won the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2017 and 2018. During four seasons with the UCLA Bruins from 2014/15 to 2017/18 Canada played 137 games including 131 as a starter and averaged 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.5 steals and 33.1 minutes per game. Canada finished her college career at UCLA “as the Pac-12 Conference and UCLA all-time assists leader, dishing out 831 dimes in her career. She set the program’s single-season record for assists with 248 in her senior season (2017-18) and averaged 7.1 assists per game in 2017-18, seventh-best in the NCAA.”15
At 22 years of age Canada was selected in the 2018 WNBA Draft by Seattle Storm with the fifth pick overall and was teammates with point guard Sue Bird. Seattle had 26 wins and eight losses during the 2018 regular season to record the best record in the WNBA. Seattle defeated Washington Mystics three games to nil in the WNBA Finals to win the 2018 WNBA Championship. Canada was a member of Seattle’s core rotation off the bench in 2018, averaging 5.7 points, 3.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 16.5 minutes per game during the regular season.
Two of Seattle Storm’s starters from their 2018 WNBA Championship winning team missed the entire 2019 season, Bird with a knee injury and Breanna Stewart due to an Achilles injury. After having two starts from 33 games for Seattle during the 2018 regular season Canada thrived in an expanded role as Seattle’s starting point guard in 2019 to lead the WNBA with 2.3 steals per game and was selected in the WNBA All-Defensive First Team. Canada averaged 9.8 points, 5.2 assists (ranked 6th in the WNBA) and 28.8 minutes per game. In the 2019 WNBA Most Improved Player Award Canada finished equal third with Seattle Storm teammate Mercedes Russell.
Due to COVID-19 the entire 2020 WNBA season was played in a hub at IMG Academy in Florida and fans were unable to attend games. Stewart and Bird returned from injury for the 2020 WNBA season. The regular season was shorter than usual with each club playing 22 regular season games. Bird started all 11 regular season games that she played and in the games that Bird missed due to a knee injury Canada was Seattle’s starting point guard. Playing 24.2 minutes per game in the 2020 regular season Canada averaged 7.9 points, 5.5 assists (ranked 3rd in the WNBA) and 1.5 steals (equal 13th) per game. Seattle won their semi final series against Connecticut Sun three games to two and defeated Las Vegas three games to nil in the WNBA Finals to win the 2020 WNBA Championship. The 2021 WNBA season returned to its usual structure to be comprised of home games and road games rather than being in one location like the 2020 hub season. Canada started in three of her 29 regular season games for Seattle in 2021 and averaged 5.8 points, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 18.7 minutes per game. Canada played four consecutive seasons and a total of 112 regular season games including 45 as a starter with Seattle from 2018 to 2021.
Canada joined the Los Angeles Sparks for the 2022 WNBA season, returning to her hometown. On the move from Seattle Storm to Los Angeles Sparks Canada commented in August 2023 “This was kind of a pivotal moment in my career if I wanted to continue to stay and be a backup or if I wanted to go elsewhere. I just bet on myself. I think that was the biggest thing, knowing the type of player that I can be and the player I am, I had to take a chance on myself so I could find an opportunity to showcase that.”16 In her first season for Los Angeles Sparks in 2022 Canada started 25 of her 32 regular season games and averaged 9.2 points, 5.5 assists (8th), 1.4 steals (16th) and 27.0 minutes per game.
During the 2023 WNBA season Canada started all 38 regular season games that she played for the LA Sparks to lead the club for starts. Canada thrived as the LA Sparks starting point guard and took her game to another stratosphere to average 13.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists (6th) and 2.3 steals (1st) per game to set career-highs in the first three categories. Canada finished second in the WNBA’s 2023 Most Improved Player Award behind Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally with Australian Alanna Smith finishing third for her performances as a forward with Chicago Sky. Canada was selected in the WNBA All-Defensive First Team for the second time in her career.
A Melbourne Boomers team huddle amongst Round 1 starters, Jordin Canada, Sara Blicavs, Keely Froling, Naz Hillmon and Tera Reed during the game against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 4 November 2023
Canada signed with the Deakin Melbourne Boomers to play in the WNBL in 2023/24 and was teammates with fellow American import Naz Hilmon. 168 centimetre tall Canada set a high standard right from the start of her first WNBL season, being named the league’s Player of the Week for Round 1 and was named in the Team of the Week in each of the first three rounds. The second game of the Boomers Round 1 road double was against cross-town rivals Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 4 November. Canada’s skills and high basketball IQ were on full display against Southside. One minute and two seconds into the second quarter Southside led Melbourne by three points 19-16. Led by a Canada masterclass the Boomers dominated the remainder of the second quarter to go on a 24-7 run to lead by 14 points, 40-26 at half-time. During this time Canada provided four assists, for Froling, a Davidson lay up, a Blicavs three-pointer and a Reed three-pointer. Canada made an impact on the scoreboard herself, making a floating jump shot, a pull up jump shot, a driving lay-up, and a jump shot four seconds before half time to score eight points for the second quarter, matching Southside’s tally for the term. At half-time Canada had scored 12 points, taken six rebounds and made six assists to be on track for a triple double. In the end Canada fell two rebounds short of achieving a rare WNBL triple-double, finishing the game with 15 points, eight rebounds, a game-high 10 assists and an equal game-high two steals to play a critical role in the Boomers defeating Southside 77-70 in game 1 of the Michele Timms Cup.
Jordin Canada playing for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 4 November 2023 and being guarded by Dallas Loughridge
In a Round 2 road game against the Sydney Flames on 12 November Canada scored a game-high 20 points, took four rebounds, made a game-high and season-high 13 assists and a game-high three steals. Canada shot the ball proficiently to make eight of 11 field goals at an accuracy of 72.7% in the Boomers 95-80 victory at Qudos Bank Arena.
Jordin Canada making a three-pointer for Melbourne Boomers against the UC Capitals with 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
At three quarter time Melbourne trailed Bendigo Spirit 50-62 in their Round 3 home game at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 19 November. With a minute left in the fourth quarter Melbourne trailed Bendigo 73-74. Canada made a lay up with 46 seconds to play and made a free throw with 13 seconds left to give Melbourne a 76-74 lead which was the final score. In a superb final quarter Canada scored 10 points comprised of a three-pointer, two jump shots, a lay up and a free throw, took two rebounds and made four assists. Playing the full 40 minutes Canada finished Melbourne’s two point victory with a team-high and season-high 26 points, a team-high eight rebounds and an equal game-high seven assists to earn selection in the WNBL’s Team of the Week for the third consecutive round. Canada shot proficiently to make 10 of 19 field goal attempts at 53% and made two of four three-pointers at 50%.
Jordin Canada playing for the Melbourne Boomers against the UC Capitals on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium and being defended by Jade Melbourne
During the post-game press conference after Melbourne’s victory against Bendigo, Boomers Head Coach Chris Lucas was asked “Jordin Canada, tell me about her, wow, she lit up didn’t she?” Lucas responded “Yeah, she’s special. She’s a special athlete, special person, her IQ is as good as any point guard I have ever coached to be quite honest. She is one step ahead, she wants to pull the play board out of my hand. I think she makes people around her better and we are loving having her in the group but we need to be able to get her a rest as well otherwise she is going to burn out.”
Whilst on offense Canada had a head clash with UC Capitals point guard Jade Melbourne midway through the second quarter of the Boomers road game on Friday 15 December at Southern Cross Stadium. Blood was gushing from Canada’s forehead and Melbourne had a chipped tooth. Canada had her head bandaged up and took no further part in the game. Due to concussion protocols Canada missed three games. The Boomers missed the presence of Canada, lost the game she was injured in and lost all three games she missed with concussion which highlighted how critical she was to the Boomers structure and performance.
Whilst out with concussion Jordin Canada with her Melbourne Boomers teammates during the game against Sydney Flames on 20 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
Canada made her return in the Boomers home game against Bendigo on 30 December. At home in a Round 10 game against the Southside Flyers Canada scored a game-high 18 points, took seven rebounds, made a team-high five assists and had a game-high six steals in a 67-61 victory on 3 January. In Melbourne’s second game of Round 10 Canada scored 12 points, took four rebounds, made a game-high seven assists and an equal game-high two steals in a 62-55 road victory against Sydney Flames at Qudos Bank Arena. Canada was named in the WNBL’s Team of the Round for Round 10, her fourth TOTW selection of the season.
Jordin Canada shooting a jump shot Melbourne Boomers against Bendigo Spirit on 30 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
The Melbourne Boomers entered the final round of the 2023/24 WNBL season fifth on the ladder with a record of 11 wins and nine losses, the same record as the third placed Bendigo Spirit and fourth placed Sydney Flames. In the Boomers final game of the regular season against the UC Capitals on the road at the National Convention Centre on Saturday 24 February Canada made four free throws from four attempts midway through the last quarter to extend the Boomers lead to 10 points 73-63. The UC Capitals went on an 11-0 run to lead 74-73 with one minute and 35 seconds to play in the fourth quarter. Neither team scored for more than a minute before Canada made two free throws in the final 10 seconds of the game and the Boomers won a thriller by one point, 75-74. Canada scored 22 points, took three rebounds, made an equal team-high four assists and a game-high six steals. It was the fifth time that Canada had scored at least 20 points in a game for the Boomers in 2023/24.
In a three game semi final series against cross-town rivals Southside Flyers all games were played at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville. Melbourne lost the series one game to two with their victory being in game two. In the semi final series Canada averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game.
Jordin Canada shooting a jump shot for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers in semi final game 1 on 28 February 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
Jordin Canada playing for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers on 21 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
Canada won the WNBL’s 2023/24 Suzy Batkovic medal with Lauren Nicholson in second place and the rest of the top five in order being Jade Melbourne, Isobel Borlase and Sami Whitcomb. Canada became the first American and second import overall to win the WNBL’s Most Valuable Player Award. The first import to win the Suzy Batkovic medal was Canadian guard Kia Nurse playing for the University of Canberra Capitals in 2019/20. Canada was a convincing winner of the WNBL’s 2023/24 Golden Hands Award and her GHA Rating of 7.22 was 46.7% higher than runner up Aari McDonald’s rating of 4.92.
Jordin Canada driving to the basket for Melbourne Boomers against Perth Lynx on 24 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
During the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season Canada played 21 of a possible 24 games for Melbourne and averaged 15.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 3.0 steals, 3.4 free throws made and 34.6 minutes per game. Canada led the WNBL for steals per game, ranked second in assists, fourth for minutes played, fourth for free throws made and seventh for points. 28 year old Canada recorded five double-doubles, scoring at least 10 points and having at least 10 assists in each of these games.
Jordin Canada making a lay up for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers on 21 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
To celebrate Jordin Canada winning the 2023/24 Suzy Batkovic medal for being the WNBL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Milestones and Misses published an article on 2 March 2024 comprehensively covering her career, a link to this article is below:
On 1 February 2024 Atlanta Dream acquired Canada and the 12th pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft from Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Aari McDonald and the eighth pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. After acquiring Canada Atlanta Dream Head Coach Tanisha Wright told dream.wnb.com “Canada’s defensive prowess is a trait I’ve admired from a distance since she entered the league. You simply can’t teach the level of skill she brings to her position. I’m excited to work with her and integrate her unique strengths into our system.”17
After signing with Atlanta Dream and being able to continue playing with fellow Boomers import Naz Hillmon Canada told WNBL Media “I’m very excited to get there and start this new journey of mine with my new teammates and Naz and make our way to a championship. We’ve got a beautiful friendship on and off the court and I’m really looking forward to continuing the chemistry with her in Atlanta.”18 Due to a right hand injury Canada has missed Atlanta Dream’s first seven games of the 2024 WNBA season.
WNBA Achievements: WNBA Championship 2018, 2020 (both with Seattle Storm)
WNBA All-Defensive First Team 2019 & 2023
WNBL Achievements: Suzy Batkovic Medal (WNBL MVP) 2023/24
All-WNBL First Team 2023/24
Naz Hillmon
#0 Position: Forward
DOB 4 April 2000 Height 188cm
WNBA debut: 2022
WNBA regular season games: 81 WNBA playoff games: 2
2022-24 WNBA team: Atlanta Dream
WNBL debut: 2023/24 WNBL games: 24
2023/24 WNBL team: Melbourne Boomers
During her college career with University of Michigan forward Naz Hillmon excelled in whatever role she was required to play for the team. In her freshman 2018/19 season Hillmon commenced all 34 games that she played on the bench and was named the 2019 Big Ten Freshman and Sixth Player of the Year. From 2019/20 to 2021/22 Hillmon played 85 games for Michigan including 84 as a starter. In 2020/21 Hillmon averaged 23.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per game playing for Michigan as a starter to be named the 2021 Big Ten Player of the Year. Hillmon is the “Only player – man or woman – in Michigan history with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds” and “Holds Michigan single-game scoring record with 50 points (at Ohio State, Jan. 20, 2021).”19
Hillmon has represented USA at junior and senior level. Hillmon was the captain of the USA team that won gold at the FIBA Under 19 Women’s World Championship 2019, having a 74-70 victory in the final against the Australian Gems in overtime. At senior level Hillmon ranked third for rebounds per game on the gold medal winning USA team at FIBA AmeriCup 2021.
At the 2022 WNBA Draft Hillmon was selected by Atlanta Dream with pick 15. In her rookie 2022 season Hillmon played 34 regular season games including 12 as a starter and averaged 4.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 19.8 minutes per game. During the 2023 regular season Hillmon led the Dream with a field goal accuracy of 50.9%.
Melbourne Boomers starters including fellow American imports Naz Hillmon and Jordin Canada in a team huddle during the game against the UC Capitals on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
In 2023/24 Hillmon played her first WNBL season and was teammates with fellow American import Jordin Canada at the Deakin Melbourne Boomers. Hillmon was exceptional in a Round 4 home game against the UC Capitals, finishing with a game-high 33 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and an equal team-high two steals in the Boomers 87-81 overtime victory at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (GRISS) Hillmon shot the ball efficiently to make 13 of 20 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 65%. Hillmon earned her first Team of the Round selection and was named the Player of The Week.
Naz Hillmon shooting a free throw for Melbourne Boomers against the UC Capitals on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
Melbourne commenced the final round of the season, Round 15 outside the top four. Hillmon was incredible in the Boomers last game of the season, scoring a game-high and season-high 35 points, took eight rebounds and made two steals to play a crucial role in the Boomers defeating the UC Capitals 75-74 on the road at the National Convention Centre on 24 February. Hillmon put on a shooting exhibition against the UC Capitals to make 13 of 17 field goal attempts at accuracy of 77% and made eight of ten free throws to be the WNBL’s Player of the Round for the second time of the season.
Naz Hillmon with her mother NaSheema after the Round 11 victory against Townsville Fire at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville on 13 January 2024
The Melbourne Boomers finished third on the WNBL ladder at the end of the regular season and played a semi final series against cross-town rivals, Southside Flyers. After the Boomers lost game 1 Hillmon achieved a rare feat in game 2 by scoring more than 20 points and making every shot she attempted for the game. Hillmon scored a game-high 22 points, made all three field goal attempts, made her only three-pointer and made 15 of 15 free throws. In Melbourne’s 88-67 victory at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville Hillmon took an equal game-high nine rebounds. The Boomers lost the semi final series against Southside one game to two.
Above: Naz Hillmon about to make one of her 15 free throws for Melbourne Boomers in game 2 of the semi final against Southside Flyers at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville on 2 March 2024
Below: Naz Hillmon with Boomers teammate Tera Reed after the victory in game 2 of the semi final against Southside Flyers at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville on 2 March 2024
At 188 centimetres tall Hillmon playing as a power forward/centre frequently had a size disadvantage against her direct front court opponent during the 2023/24 WNBL season, Hillmon shot the ball efficiently to make 139 of 246 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 56.5%. Among players that had at least 20 field goal attempts Hillmon ranked second in the league for field goal accuracy. For the Deakin Melbourne Boomers in 2023/24 Hillmon played all 24 games and averaged 15.2 points (ranked 10th in the WNBL), 9.1 rebounds (7th), 0.9 steals and 31.0 minutes per game. Hillmon was selected in the 2023/24 All-WNBL Second Team, teammate Canada was selected in the First Team and won the Suzy Batkovic Medal for being the WNBL’s MVP.
Naz Hillmon playing for the Melbourne Boomers in game 3 of the semi final against Southside Flyers at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville on 6 March 2024
After being teammates with fellow import Jordin Canada playing in the WNBL for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers Hillmon is teammates with Canada at Atlanta Dream in the 2024 WNBA season. Hillmon has played Atlanta’s first seven games of the 2024 season off the bench to increase her games tally to 81 and is averaging 3.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 14.9 minutes per game. Hillmon leads Atlanta Dream with a field goal accuracy of 67%.
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL Second Team 2023/24
Aari McDonald
#15 Position: Guard
DOB 20 August 1998 Height 168cm
WNBA debut: 2021
WNBA regular season games: 98 WNBA playoff games: 2
2023 WNBA team: Atlanta Dream 2024 WNBA team: Los Angeles Sparks
WNBL debut: 2023/24 WNBL games: 18
2023/24 WNBL team: Perth Lynx
Aari McDonald played her freshman season of college basketball at University of Washington in 2016/17 before transferring to the University of Arizona Wildcats. McDonald excelled in 93 games for Arizona, all as a starter and averaged 21.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. In her last two seasons of college basketball for University of Arizona in 2019/20 and 2020/21 McDonald was a Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. McDonald was also named the 2020/21 Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year.
At the 2021 WNBA Draft McDonald was selected by Atlanta Dream with pick 3 overall. In 2021 McDonald played 30 games for Atlanta, averaging 6.3 points, 2.0 assists and 16.4 minutes per game to earn selection on the 2021 WNBA All-Rookie Team. With a free throw accuracy of 88.2% in 2021 McDonald ranked eighth in the WNBA.
In her second WNBA season McDonald increased her scoring output by 76% from her rookie season to average 11.1 points per game. In three seasons with Atlanta Dream from 2021 to 2023 McDonald played 90 regular season games, averaging 8.6 points, 2.5 assists and 21.5 minutes per game.
For the 2023/24 season McDonald signed to play with Perth Lynx in the WNBL. Perth Lynx Head Coach Ryan Petrik commented “Aari is going to be a super talented guard for us on both sides of the ball. Defensively, she can blanket guards with her smothering defence, get into the passing lanes, and create easy points from her defence. And then offensively, being super quick, she’s a real weapon in both transition and pick-and-roll situations, which suits our style of play.”20
Aari McDonald playing for Perth Lynx against Southside Flyers at State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
McDonald scored a game-high 34 points, took six rebounds, made three assists and a game-high three steals in Perth Lynx’s 86-76 Round 3 victory against Bendigo Spirit at Bendat Basketball Centre on 17 November 2023 to be named the WNBL’s Player of the Round. With proficient shooting McDonald made 13 of 19 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 68% and made three of seven three-pointers at 43%. McDonald scored a game-high and season-high 35 points at 50% from the field in Perth’s 98-95 overtime road victory against Adelaide Lightning on 10 December. With 27 seconds left in overtime McDonald made a three-pointer to give Perth a 97-95 lead over Adelaide. McDonald’s first half of the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season was phenomenal, being named in the WNBL’s Team of the Round five times in the first eight rounds.
Aari McDonald with Perth Lynx teammates at half time of the game against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
During Perth’s 11th game of the season McDonald suffered a knee injury at the end of the first quarter in a home game against the UC Capitals on 27 December. McDonald took no further part in the game and there were fears that her season was over. Perth went on to defeat the UC Capitals 98-90 to improve their record to eight wins and three losses. McDonald was leading the league in scoring and was in contention for the Suzy Batkovic medal.
Aari McDonald shooting a free throw for Perth Lynx against Southside Flyers at State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
The knee injury wasn’t as bad as initially feared and McDonald returned for Perth in the second half of February after the FIBA window for the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. Without McDonald for eight games the Lynx struggled, having one win and seven losses which resulted in them dropping down to sixth on the ladder. In Round 14 McDonald made her much anticipated return for Perth. Playing restricted minutes off the bench in Perth’s last two games of the regular season McDonald made a significant impact to score 24 points in Round 14 against the UC Capitals and 26 points against Bendigo Spirit in Round 15. Perth won both games and finished fourth on the ladder to make the finals.
Aari McDonald playing for Perth Lynx in game 1 of the Grand Final against Southside Flyers at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville on 10 March 2024
In the semi final series against reigning champions Townsville Fire McDonald was Perth’s starting point guard. With one minute and 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter of game 1 on the road Perth trailed Townsville 86-87. On the next play McDonald made a driving lay up to regain the lead for Perth in what ended up being the final score of the game. In Perth’s victory McDonald scored a game-high 26 points at 50% from the field and made a game-high nine assists. In game 2 McDonald shot at 56% from the field and recorded a double-double comprised of an equal game-high 27 points and a game-high 11 assists in Perth’s 108-102 victory. In the Grand Final Perth lost one game to two games against Southside.
Aari McDonald making a lay up for Perth Lynx in game 3 of the Grand Final against Southside Flyers at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville on 17 March 2024
McDonald won the WNBL’s 2023/24 Leading Scorer Award, averaging 19.8 points per game during the regular season, finished second in the Golden Hands Award and was selected in the All-WNBL Second Team along with Perth teammate Atwell. In 2023/24 McDonald played 18 of a possible 26 games for Perth Lynx and averaged a league-high 20.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists (ranked 3rd), 1.4 steals and 31.0 minutes per game.
Aari McDonald shooting a free throw for Perth Lynx in game 3 of the Grand Final against Southside Flyers at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville on 17 March 2024
On 1 February 2024 the Los Angeles Sparks acquired McDonald and the eighth pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft in exchange for Jordin Canada and the 12th pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft from Atlanta Dream. LA Sparks Head Coach Curt Miller commented “Aari is an exciting addition to the Sparks. I look forward to working with her and have been a fan since her collegiate days. Over her WNBA career she has shown herself to be one of the fastest guards in the league and will help us establish our tempo on a nightly basis.”21
McDonald made her Los Angeles Sparks team debut in their opening game of the 2024 season at home against Atlanta on 15 May. In her first three games for the Sparks McDonald didn’t score, in each of her next four games she scored at least four points. Playing off the bench McDonald scored a career-high 21 points and made four assists for the LA Sparks in an 88-82 road victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on 28 May. McDonald shot proficiently to make six of nine field goal attempts at an accuracy of 67%, made three of five three-pointers at 60% and made six of seven free throws at 86%. In 2024 McDonald has played the Sparks first eight games of the season off the bench and is averaging 5.4 points, 2.4 assists and 16.1 minutes per game.
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL Second Team 2023/24
WNBL Leading Scorer 2023/24
DiDi Richards
#12 Position: Guard/Forward
DOB 8 February 1999 Height 188cm
WNBA debut: 2021
WNBA regular season games: 52 WNBA playoff games: 3
2024 WNBA team: Washington Mystics
WNBL debut: 2023/24 WNBL games: 21
2023/24 WNBL team: Sydney Flames
During a four season college career from 2017/18 to 2020/21 guard/forward DiDi Richards played 131 games with Baylor University Lady Bears. Richards was a starter on Baylor’s team which won the 2019 NCAA Women’s Tournament, defeating Notre Dame 82-81 in the final. Richards was named the 2019/20 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
A freak on-court collision with Baylor teammate Moon Ursin at practice on 24 October 2020 resulted in Richards being temporarily paralysed from the hips down. In an article written by Mechelle Voepel and published by ESPN on 2 December 2020 Richards commented “They said that I kept saying, ‘I can’t feel my legs; I can’t feel from my hips down.’ “I’m the type that whenever I fall, I want to get back up quickly. (Baylor athletic trainer) Alex (Olson) said, ‘Move your legs,’ and that’s when I realized that I couldn’t.”22 Richards spent time in hospital and needed a walker in front of her to walk. A week and a half after the injury Richards was able to walk without the support of a walker or any other assistance. With willpower and a positive attitude Richards made rapid progress in November 2020, progressing to shoot jump shots and then resume training. Less than six weeks after the injury Richards amazingly made her return for Baylor playing off the bench on 1 December and had seven assists in a 67-62 road victory against South Florida in her first game for the season.
After making her return for Baylor Richards told ESPN “It was my senior year, I was ready to get out of school, and I wanted to try something new, because I want to model, for sure. But I think this injury was almost like a wake-up call in a way. And it’s really drawn me more to the game.”23 Richards returned to Baylor’s starting line-up for her second game on 6 December and started every game she played for the rest of the season. In her senior 2020/21 season with Baylor Richards averaged 6.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and a career-high 6.3 assists per game. After the injury there were concerns that that Richards might miss the rest of the season so to return and make the impact she did was a magnificent achievement.
At the 2021 WNBA Draft New York Liberty selected Richards with pick 17. In her rookie WNBA season Richards played 31 regular season games for New York and was selected on the 2021 WNBA All-Rookie Team. Australian Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello was appointed New York’s Head Coach for the 2022 WNBA season. Hampered by hamstring injuries Richards played 14 regular season games for the Liberty in 2022. After playing two WNBA pre-season games in 2023 New York waived Richards.
DiDi Richards shooting a jump shot for Sydney Flames against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2024
Richards signed with the Sydney Flames for the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season. Having missed so much basketball due to injury it understandably took Richards some time to build match conditioning and form with Sydney in the 2023/24 season. Richards scored at least 16 points in a game twice in her first 11 games of the season. For her superb performance in Sydney’s two Round 12 home victories at Quaycentre Richards was named the WNBL Player of the Round. In the Flames 88-65 home victory against Adelaide Lightning Richards scored an equal game-high 18 points at 57% from the field, took eight rebounds made three assists and two steals on 17 January. Two nights later Richards scored 16 points and took four rebounds in Sydney’s 90-65 win. Richards shot proficiently to make five of six field goal attempts at an accuracy of 84% and made all six free throws.
DiDi Richards playing for Sydney Flames against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2024
At home in Sydney’s 102-81 victory against eventual champions Southside Flyers in a home game at Qudos Bank Arena on 25 January Richards made six of eight field goal attempts at 75%, scored 18 points, took a game-high 12 rebounds and made four assists. Against Townsville Fire in Sydney’s final game of the regular season Richards scored a season-high and game-high 23 points at 77% from the field and took six rebounds in a road game on 25 February at the Townsville Entertainment Centre.
DiDi Richards in a huddle with Sydney Flames teammates after the victory against Melbourne Boomers on 20 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville
In an article published on the Sydney Flames website on 2 February 2024 Richards commented “I could harp on for days about how huge of a part the Flames have played in my career. The whole club has been amazing, in particular, physios Dave [Hillard] and Mike [Phipps] and the attention they’ve given to the rehab of my achilles. It’s a standard I’m going to maintain for the rest of my career – I now know there are going to be good and bad days and that’s all part of the process. The other that deserves a huge amount of credit is [Head Coach] Guy [Molloy]. He is such a detailed orientated coach, who’s keen on player development – which was exactly what I needed after sitting out the past few seasons. The time he’s put into my game, while also implementing on offence that would allow me to thrive and highlight my versatility on and off the ball and across a number of positions, has helped get me looked at by WNBA teams and for that, I’m forever grateful. I can’t thank them all enough.”24
DiDi Richards with Sydney Flames Head Coach Guy Molloy at the post-game press conference after the game against Melbourne Boomers on 20 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville
In the second half of the 2023/24 WNBL season Richards scored at volume for the Flames, scoring at least 16 points in a game 11 times including nine of her last 10 games. In the last third of the season Richards averaged 18.3 points per game and was an extremely efficient shooter, having a field goal accuracy of 68.9% over Sydney’s last seven games of the season. Richards was selected in the WNBL’s team of the week twice – Rounds 9 and 12. During the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season Richards played all 21 games for the Sydney Flames and averaged 13.4 points (ranked equal 13th in the WNBL), 6.4 rebounds (12th), 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals (16th) and 29.3 minutes per game. Richards made 110 of 213 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 51.6% – ranked eighth in the WNBL among players who had at least 25 field goal attempts. Richards was selected in the 2023/24 All-WNBL Second Team and was one of two Sydney Flames to earn All-WNBL selection along with guard Lauren Nicholson who was selected on the All-WNBL First Team.
DiDi Richards making a lay up for Sydney Flames in the game against Melbourne Boomers on 20 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville
After signing with the Washington Mystics for the 2024 WNBA season Richards told Sydney Flames Media “It was a tough juggle between New York and Washington, as of my ties to the former – it was a home away from home for me. But Washington just felt more applied to carrying my momentum from this WNBL season in the WNBA, as they presented their plans and the opportunity that comes with it for me. They have high hopes for me, which was really exciting to hear and made my decision easier. I just felt it was the best decision for me at this stage of my basketball career.”25 Richards has played seven of Washington’s first eight games of the 2024 season off the bench and has averaged 7.9 minutes, 2.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.
WNBL Achievements: All-WNBL Second Team 2023/24
Mercedes Russell
#21 Position: Centre
DOB 27 July 1995 Height 198cm
WNBA debut: 2021
WNBA regular season games: 160 WNBA playoff games: 10
2023 & 2024 WNBA team: Seattle Storm
WNBL debut: 2023/24 WNBL games: 51
WNBL team in 2019/20 & 2023/24: Southside Flyers
Mercedes Russell was born in Springfield, Oregon in the United States of America. In Russell’s sophomore, junior and senior seasons for Springfield High School from 2011 to 2013 she was dominant as a starting centre to average more than 24.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game in each season. Russell won the 2012/2013 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award.
Russell played her freshman season of college basketball for the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers in 2012/13 and predominantly played off the bench. After having surgery on both feet during the off-season Russell had a redshirt season in 2014/15 and didn’t play a game. During 2015/16 Russell started 17 of her 20 games for Tennessee. During her junior and senior seasons with Tennessee in 2016/17 and 2017/18 Russell averaged more than 15.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 32.0 minutes per game in each season and played a total of 65 games – all as a starter. Russell was named First Team All-SEC in 2017-18 and became the “sixth Lady Vol to ever record 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career.”26
At the 2018 WNBA Draft Russell was selected by New York Liberty with pick 22. After playing two games for New York Russell was waived and later signed with Seattle Storm. Seattle had 26 wins and eight losses during the 2018 regular season to record the best record in the WNBA. In her rookie 2018 season Russell was a member of Seattle’s WNBA Championship winning team with the Storm defeating Washington Mystics three games to nil in the WNBA Finals. Two of Seattle Storm’s starters from their 2018 WNBA Championship winning team missed the entire 2019 season, Bird with a knee injury and Breanna Stewart due to an Achilles injury. Russell commenced Seattle’s first four games of the 2019 regular season on the bench and was elevated into the Storm’s starting line-up for their fifth game of the season. Russell retained her position in Seattle’s starting five for the remainder of the 2019 season, starting 30 of the Storm’s 34 games. After averaging 4.6 minutes for game for Seattle in 2018 Russell averaged 7.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 25.6 minutes per game in 2019 to finish equal third in the WNBA’s most improved player award with Seattle teammate Jordin Canada. Russell’s field goal accuracy of 52.0% in 2019 ranked fourth in the WNBA. Playing off the bench in 2020 Russell was a member of Seattle’s WNBL Championship winning team.
Mercedes Russell playing defense for Southside Flyers against Kelsey Griffin in the game against UC Capitals at Dandenong Stadium on 7 November 2019
For the 2019/20 season Russell signed to play in the WNBL with the Southside Flyers, had Cheryl Chambers as Head Coach and was teammates with guards Leilani Mitchell and Bec Cole. Russell was the starting centre for a Southside team that finished on top of the leader with 17 wins and four losses. In a close Grand Final series Southside had narrow losses in both games to the University of Canberra Capitals, losing by two points in game 1 and were defeated by three points in game 2. In 2019/20 Russell played 24 of a possible 25 games for the Southside Flyers and averaged 16.5 points (ranked 5th in the WNBL), 9.8 rebounds (4th), 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 32.5 minutes (10th) per game. During the 2019/20 season Russell made 165 of 298 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 55.4%. Among players that had at least 10 field goal attempts Russell ranked fourth for field goal accuracy. Russell won the WNBL’s 2019/20 Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award. After a successful 2019/20 season with Southside Russell had planned to return to the club for the 2020/21 WNBL season however changes to the structure of the season due to COVID-19 put an end to those plans. Due to the impact of COVID-19 imports weren’t eligible to play in the WNBL during the 2020 season.
Mercedes Russell playing for Southside Flyers against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2020
Russell returned to a starting role with Seattle Storm in the 2021 WNBA season and averaged 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 24.7 minutes per game. Russell was one of the most efficient shooters in the WNBA in 2021, ranking second in the WNBA for field goal accuracy – 61.7% and second for true shooting percentage – 64.8%. Throughout 2022 Russell was having recurring headaches which caused her to miss games early in the season. Russell played five games in June but continued to have headaches, didn’t play again for the rest of the season and had surgery on 19 July to try and rectify the issue. In 2023 Russell played 37 of a possible 40 regular season games for Seattle and averaged 5.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 19.1 minutes per game.
In an article written by Bella Munson and published by The Next on 3 September 2023 Russell commented on the impact headaches had on her in 2022 and the process of returning to normal, saying “It was a tough recovery time, but I had my family: my mom, my aunties, my uncles. Literally everybody was there through every step with me. So I’m very thankful for them and to be able to have their support through that was tremendous, because without them, whoooo, I would’ve struggled. Struggled tremendously. And just to have them there … helped me in every single way possible.”27
Russell returned to Southside for the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season, was again teammates with Cole and Mitchell and had Chambers as a Head Coach. In 2023/24 Russell was also teammates with another front court player that had played in two WNBA Championships with Seattle Storm – Lauren Jackson (2004 & 2010). Chambers commented “Mercedes was fantastic for us when she was here in our first season and has been keen to come back. We are really looking forward to her returning to the Flyers. She will be awesome inside, and her WNBA experience will be invaluable for the team.”28
Russell scored 21 points, took an equal team-high 10 rebounds and made three assists in Southside’s 91-70 victory against Perth Lynx at the State Basketball Centre on 31 January. Russell shot proficiently to make 10 of 14 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 71%. In the opening game of Round 15 on Wednesday night 21 February Southside had a road game against Townsville Fire who were on top of the ladder with 13 wins, one win ahead of Southside. Russell scored a season-high 24 points at 69% from the field, took 14 rebounds to set game-highs in both categories and was the only player to record a double-double in the game. Russell took her equal second most rebounds for the season.
Mercedes Russell taking a rebound for the Southside Flyers against Sydney Flames forward DiDi Richards at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2024
Southside finished second at the end of the regular season with 13 wins and eight losses. In a semi final Southside defeated crosstown rivals Melbourne Boomers two games to one to progress to the Grand Final against Perth. In game 1 Southside at home lost to Perth 79-101 at Melbourne Sports centres – Parkville. Russell reached 50 WNBL games in game 2 of the Grand Final against Perth Lynx at Bendat Basketball Centre on Thursday 14 March. Southside led Perth by seven points at three quarter time but Perth fought back to draw level with 59 seconds left in the fourth quarter. In the final 15 seconds Russell made two massive plays, one at each end of the court. With 11 seconds left Russell blocked Anneli Maley’s shot from just outside the key and gained possession. Later in the play Mitchell drove through the key and after losing control of the ball used some quick thinking to tap the ball to Russell who caught the ball just outside the key on the left hand side of the basket. With two defenders Maley and Potter applying pressure Russell’s difficult fade away jump shot was in mid-air as the buzzer sounded, the shot went in, giving Southside a marvellous two point victory, 97-95 to level the Grand Final series at one game apiece. In her 50th WNBL game Russell was incredible, in addition to her 18 points which included the game winner she took an equal season-high 17 rebounds which was also the equal game-high along with Maley, made three assists and blocked two shots. Russell shot adeptly to make eight of 14 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 57%.
Mercedes Russell shooting a jump shot for the Southside Flyers against Perth Lynx at the State Basketball Centre on 31 January 2024
In game 3 of the Grand Final at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville Southside defeated Perth 115-81 to record the highest score of all-time in a WNBL final and win the WNBL championship. In Southside’s game 3 Grand Final victory Russell scored 13 points at 60% from the field, took a game-high 13 rebounds and made a game-high two blocks. Russell averaged a double-double comprised of 14.3 points and 12.7 rebounds per game and also made 2.3 blocks per game in the three game Grand Final series against Perth and shot the ball efficiently to have a field goal accuracy of 54.1%. Russell was recognised for her exceptional performance by winning the Rachael Sporn Medal for being the Grand Final Most Valuable Player.
Mercedes Russell about to make a jump shot for Southside Flyers in game 1 of the Grand Final against Perth Lynx at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville on 10 March 2024
In her acceptance speech after winning the Rachael Sporn Medal Russell said “First of all thank you to the WNBL, it has been just a pleasure being back obviously after a few years, obviously went through COVID, planned to be back a few years before but now it has been special. Credit to my whole team they have been nothing but support and amazing this whole season. Special shout out to Lauren, it has been amazing being your teammate, learning from you, being able to play on the court alongside you, it has been really special.”
On 17 April Milestones and Misses published an article covering the Southside Flyers history and their 2023/24 WNBL Championship winning season. A link to this article is below:
During 2023/24 Russell played all 27 games for Southside and averaged 14.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocked shots and 34.1 minutes per game. Russell had a field goal accuracy of 56.5% – ranked first in the league among players that had at least 20 field goal attempts. In 2023/24 Russell ranked 11th in the WNBL for points per game, fifth for rebounds, fifth for blocked shots, 16th for steals and 5th for minutes. Russell was selected in the All-WNBL First Team and was one of the five nominees for the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Mercedes Russell making a field goal for Southside Flyers in the fourth quarter of the game against Perth Lynx at the State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
Russell is playing her seventh consecutive WNBA season for Seattle Storm in 2024 and has played a total of 158 regular season games for the club. In 2024 Russell has played Seattle’s first eight games of the season and has averaged 5.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 18.5 minutes per game. Russell has shot proficiently to have a field goal accuracy of 63%, ranked second in the WNBA.
WNBL Achievements: WNBL Championship 2023/24 (with Southside Flyers)
All-WNBL First Team 2023/24
All-WNBL Second Team 2019/20
WNBL’s Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year 2019/20
Brianna Turner
#21 Position: Forward
DOB 5 July 1996 Height 191cm
WNBA debut: 2019
WNBA regular season games: 164 WNBA playoff games: 16
2023 WNBA team: Phoenix Mercury 2024 WNBA team: Chicago Sky
WNBL debut: 2023/24 WNBL games: 44
WNBL team in 2019/20 & 2023/24: Adelaide Lightning
From 2014/15 to 2018/19 Turner played 139 games of college basketball for Notre Dame University and averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury Turner didn’t play in 2017/18, a season in which Notre Dame won the women’s NCAA Tournament. Turner made a successful return from injury in 2018/19 to be named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) defensive player of the year and was selected in the All-ACC Second Team.
Atlanta Dream selected Turner with pick 11 overall at the 2019 WNBA Draft and traded her to Phoenix Mercury. In 2019 Turner played 29 regular season games including 12 as a starter for Phoenix Mercury and averaged 4.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 15.9 minutes per game to earn selection on the 2019 WNBA All-Rookie team. Turner had an expanded role in 2020 and 2021, starting all 54 games that she played over these two seasons and averaged more than 7.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocked shots and 27.0 minutes per game in each season. Turner ranked in the WNBA’s top 10 for rebounds and blocks per game in both 2020 and 2021 with her highest ranking in each category being in 2020, second for blocks and fourth for rebounds. Turner was a starter on the Phoenix Mercury team that made it to the 2021 WNBA Finals. With a field goal accuracy of 55.4% in 2021 Turner ranked fifth in the WNBA.
For the 2019/20 season Turner joined WNBL club Adelaide Lightning and her teammates included Steph Talbot and Nat Hurst. Turner was superb in Adelaide’s 90-86 Round 3 overtime victory against Perth Lynx, scoring 26 points and took 17 rebounds to set game-highs in both categories and had a team-high two blocks. Turner shot proficiently to make 11 of 17 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 65%. Turner recorded a double double comprised of 23 points and 13 rebounds to set game-highs in both categories, made two assists, an equal game-high three steals and a game-high five blocks in Adelaide’s 91-75 Round 9 home victory against Bendigo Spirit on 15 December at Adelaide 36ers Arena. Against Bendigo Turner shot proficiently to make nine of 14 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 64%.
Brianna Turner playing for Adelaide Lightning against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2019
American import forward Brianna Turner had a phenomenal debut WNBL season with Adelaide Lightning in 2019/20 to average 16.8 points (ranked 4th in the WNBL), 10.7 rebounds (2nd), 1.0 steals, 2.4 blocks (1st) and 32.0 minutes per game. Turner finished second in the WNBL’s MVP Award and was selected in the All-WNBL First Team.
Brianna Turner during half time of Adelaide Lightning’s game against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2019
Across the 2022 and 2023 WNBA seasons Turner started 68 of her 75 games for Phoenix Mercury and averaged more than 4.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 26.0 minutes per game in each season. In 2022 Turner ranked second in the WNBA for minutes (33.4) per game and fourth for blocks (1.6). Turner played five WNBA seasons for Phoenix from 2019 to 2023 and during this time played a total of 158 games including 134 games as a starter.
Turner returned to Adelaide Lightning for the 2023/24 WNBL season and two of her teammates from the 2019/20 season held leadership roles with Nat Hurst as the Head Coach and Steph Talbot as captain. After Turner signed with Adelaide for 2023/24 Hurst commented “To be able to sign Brianna back to the Lightning is huge for our club. She has been a star since she finished college and she showed in her rookie overseas season the first time she was here just what a quality player she is. Now with 5 years more experience we expect bigger things from her this upcoming season”.29
Brianna Turner playing for Adelaide Lightning against Melbourne Boomers on 17 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville
In the post-game press conference after Adelaide’s Round 9 home game against Southside, Lightning Head Coach Hurst commented “Breezy leads us from the front all the time, she anchors our defense, probably the best defender in the league at the back I think.”
Three of Turner’s four selections in the TOTW were in the last three rounds of the 2023/24 season. In Adelaide’s 70-61 Round 14 home victory against Melbourne Boomers at Adelaide 36ers Arena Turner scored a team-high 17 points at 62% from the field, took a game-high 17 rebounds, made three steals and an equal game-high two blocks. Turner stuffed the stat sheet in Adelaide’s Round 15 road game to score a season-high 20 points, took 13 rebounds, made four assists, three steals and one block in a 74-60 Lightning win against Southside at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 24 February. The only games of the season that Isobel Borlase and Talbot both suited up for the Lightning were the last two rounds, Round 14 and Round 15 and Turner had her two highest scoring games of the season in this pair of games.
Brianna Turner taking a rebound for Adelaide Lightning against Southside Flyers on 24 February 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville
Turner played all 21 games for Adelaide Lightning in 2023/24 and averaged 8.5 points, 13.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.1 blocks, 2.2 steals per game and 37.6 minutes per game. Turner led the league for rebounds, blocks and minutes per game, ranked fourth for steals and equal 13th for assists. Turner won the WNBL’s Leading Rebounder award and was very consistent on the boards throughout the season, taking at least 11 rebounds in 19 of her 21 games. Turner was one of five nominees for the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award.
In the WNBA off-season Turner was traded from Phoenix Mercury to Chicago Sky. Turner has played six of Chicago’s first seven games in 2024 off the bench and is averaging 1.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 10.0 minutes per game.
WNBA Achievements: WNBA All-Defensive First Team 2020 & 2021
WNBL Achievements: WNBL’s Leading Rebounder 2023/24
All-WNBL First Team 2019/20
Writing and photographs by Dean Andrews
Twitter: @DeanAndrews7777
Instagram: @dean_andrews7_
References
1https://wnbl.basketball/blog/news/wnbl-games-to-be-shown-on-wnba-app/
2 https://wnbl.basketball/blog/news/wnbl-games-to-be-shown-on-wnba-app/
3 https://pr.nba.com/wnba-app-australia-wnbl/
4 https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/11/29/how-bendigo-sucked-griffin-back-into-basketball/
5 https://wnbl.basketball/melbourne/news/melbourne-boomers-transfer-wnbl-license/
9 https://storm.wnba.com/news/the-road-to-all-star-ezi-magbegors-impact-on-and-off-the-court/
10 https://wnbl.basketball/blog/news/inaugural-wnbl-fan-mvp-is-announced/
12 https://www.wnba.com/player/1629501/alanna-smith
13 https://lynx.wnba.com/news/minnesota-signs-courtney-williams-and-alanna-smith/
14 https://wnbl.basketball/adelaide/news/steph-talbot-re-signs/
17 https://dream.wnba.com/news/atlanta-dream-trade-for-guard-jordin-canada/
18 https://wnbl.basketball/melbourne/news/jordin-canada-loves-the-best-fan-base-in-the-league/
19 https://mgoblue.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/naz-hillmon/22275
21 https://sparks.wnba.com/news/sparks-acquire-guard-aari-mcdonald/
24 https://wnbl.basketball/sydneyflames/news/richards-signs-with-wnbas-washington-mystics/
25 https://wnbl.basketball/sydneyflames/news/richards-signs-with-wnbas-washington-mystics/
26 https://utsports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/mercedes-russell/5230
28 https://wnbl.basketball/southside/news/flyers-welcome-back-dual-wnba-champion/
29 https://wnbl.basketball/blog/news/brianna-turner-the-stocks-queen-steals-blocks-stocks/
Milestones and misses 