THE WEEK THAT WAS – 20
The countdown to #WNBL24 is well and truly on with pre-season games almost complete while a WNBL star is now a WNBA champion. This is The Week That Was.
BOY GEORGE SHE’S GOT IT!
Cayla George etched her way into the history books on Thursday when she won the WNBA championship with Las Vegas Aces, joining an illustrious list of Australians to achieve the feat.
The reigning Suzy Batkovic Medallist is the latest Aussie to win the title emulating of those who went before her in Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor, Erin Phillips, Tully Bevilaqua, Belinda Snell, Abby Bishop, Alison Lacey, Sami Whitcomb and Ezi Magbegor.
George, who with the Aces completed her third WNBA stint this year, stepped into the starting line up to replace the injured Kiah Stokes and produced her biggest output (11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) and highest minutes (30) for the season.
The Aces defeated Sandy Brondello’s New York Liberty by one point, 70-69, to win the series 3-1.
Australian fans will get to see the newly-crowned WNBA champ in action in a few weeks time when she debuts for the Sydney Flames.
RIVER CITY RAGING SUCCESS
Brisbane’s Northside Indoor Sports Centre was the place to be last weekend as Perth Lynx, Townsville Fire, Sydney Flames and Adelaide Lightning came to town to play in the inaugural River City Rebound pre-season tournament organised by Basketball QLD and supported by Queensland Government.
Sami Whitcomb caught Fire for her new team, a star was Bourne as Isabelle dominated for the Lightning, Lara McSpadden recorded a monster double-double in her new (but old) colours and a new-look Lynx impressed in their two wins.
Watch the game replays here
Check out the stats here
FLYER SOARS AGAIN
A great basketball moment unfolded in Ballarat last weekend as Southside and Bendigo took to the court in a pre-season contest.
It was the final game of the 2022-23 pre-season this time last year when rising star Dallas Loughridge suffered an ACL injury on the eve of her debut season.
Fast forward 12 months and the 19-year-old played her first game on return from the injury and is now a step closer to her league debut in Round 1.
Check out the She Hoops documentary Back From The Brink which tracks Dallas’ rehab and return.
HOME SWEET HOME
Dual WNBL championship coach Paul Goriss has returned to the UC Capitals where he guided the club to titles in 2018-19 and 2019-20.
The current Opals and Atlanta Dream assistant coach will assist second-year Canberra coach Kristin Veal this WNBL season.
FINAL HIT OUT
Basketball fans can get a taste of WNBL in Melbourne this Saturday night when the Boomers host the Spirit at Keilor.
Boom Melbourne recruit Jordin Canada arrived in town this week and will be a drawcard whether she takes to the floor or watches on and signs autographs post-game.
Tip-off is at 7pm.