The Week That Was – 12
Two imports are Australia bound, two youngsters have inked development player contracts, the national champions have been crowned, the Opals are back on court and an Australian great joins the Hall of Fame. Happy Friday, this is The Week That Was.
DREAM LYNX
Perth Lynx have netted Atlanta Dream guard Aari McDonald to fill their second import spot for #WNBL24.
The guard, who was selected with pick No.3 in the 2021 draft, is averaging 7.5 points, 3 assists and 2.2 rebounds this WNBA season.
The Lynx will be hoping their new recruit has the kind of impact their last WNBA imports made with Marina Mabrey and Jackie Young dominating in 2021-22 on the way to a grand final berth.
RUTH RETURNS
Bendigo has added a mighty dose of size to its roster in the form of 198cm experienced centre Ruth Davis (nee Hamblin).
A 2016 WNBA draft pick, the 29-year-old has played in the US, Europe and also represented Canada at FIBA level.
Davis is no stranger to the WNBL having previously played with Perth and Adelaide.
YOUNG CAPS
The UC Capitals have filled two of their three development player spots with Abby Solway and Shakera Reily.
Solway played under coach Kristin Veal in the nation’s capital last season while Reily, who has produced strong NBL1 form in South and East over the past two seasons, returns to the Caps where she was part of the 2019-20 championship.
PENNY JOINS THE GREATS
One of Australia’s finest ever basketballers has added another accolade to her sparkling CV with Penny Taylor this week inducted to the FIBA Hall of Fame.
As a teenager, Taylor was part of the AIS’ iconic WNBL title then won a pair of league MVP awards before embarking on a stellar career in both the WNBA and through Europe which netted championships and a swag of individual awards.
A triple Olympian (2004, 2008, 2016), dual Olympic medallist (2004, 2008) and Olympic captain (2016), Taylor shone for the Opals on the international stage and was named tournament MVP at the 2006 World Cup where Australia won gold.
OPALS ON TOUR
An array of WNBL talent will be showcased in China as the Opals jetted off this week for a five-game series.
Zitina Aokuso, Steph Reid, Alice Kunek, Saffron Shiels (Townsville Fire), Amy Atwell, Anneli Maley (Perth Lynx), Alex Sharp, Alex Bunton (UC Capitals), Shaneice Swain (Sydney Flames), Nyadiew Puoch (Southside Flyers) and 2022-23 champion Shyla Heal (who will play in Poland next season) will represent Australia against the world No.2 who claimed the FIBA Asia Cup in Sydney last month.
The tour provides valuable preparation and experience against international opposition in the lead up to February’s Olympic qualification tournament.
Southside coach Cheryl Chambers will take the reins of the team while Opals head coach Sandy Brondello leads New York in the WNBA.
NATIONAL CHAMPS
A Bendigo Braves team featuring WNBL names completed the perfect season by winning the NBL1 National Championship in WA last Sunday.
Kelly Wilson, Amy Atwell, Meg McKay and Cassidy McLean were key play makers in the side that won 28 straight games to lift the trophy.
McKay proved she’s the real Meg-VP, after winning the NBL1 South league MVP she was the player of the final with a mammoth 46 points and 15 boards against a Norths Bears team featuring Sydney Flames youngster Emma Donnelly.
McKay, Atwell and Ally Wilson, who represented Norwood, won selection in the All-Star 5.