WHO TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2020 PART 2
The countdown is on for the 2020 Chemist Warehouse WNBL season which will tip off next month in a North Queensland Hub.
In eager anticipation, we continue to look at the abundance of talent widely spread across the eight clubs in the league.
Adelaide Lightning
Inking a contract to her home state of South Australia, Alex Wilson will suit up with the Adelaide Lightning for the 2020 season. Wilson, who spent five years with the Sydney Uni Flames, averaged 10.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 5 APG in the 2019-20 season. The 26-year old was also named in the 2019 Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals squad prior to the 2019 FIBA Asia Cup and Olympic Qualifying events.
Brydens Sydney Uni Flames
Tipping off her second year with Brydens Sydney Uni Flames is Lauren Scherf. 24-year old Scherf averaged 8.3 PPG and 8 RPG throughout the WNBL 2019-20 season. The 6’5” Power Forward was named in the 2019 Australian Opals Squad ahead of the 2019 FIBA Asia Cup and Olympic Games qualifiers, and has played numerous stints with Australia’s Under-19 junior women’s national team, the Gems.
Deakin Melbourne Boomers
Returning to the Deakin Melbourne Boomers for her sixth season is the team’s co-captain, Maddie Garrick. The 5’10” Guard averaged 11.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.1 APG during her 2019-20 campaign. The 28-year old Garrick was also a member the Australian national women’s 3×3 team who brought home gold from the 2019 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Tokyo Stop event.
Jayco Southside Flyers
Making her return to the WNBL this season is Australian Opal and WNBA Las Vegas Aces Centre, Liz Cambage, who will suit up for the Jayco Southside Flyers. A three-time WNBA All-Star Centre, Cambage has stellar WNBA career stats including 54.4% shooting efficiency from the field and averages 16.7 PPG and 7.6 RPG. Standing at 6’8”, Cambage played with the Chemist Warehouse Opals in the 2020 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in France where she averaged 26.3 PPG, 11 RPG and 1.7 APG.
JCU Townsville Fire
A coup signing for the JCU Townsville Fire during the off-season was Shyla Heal who will take to the court in 2020 for her third season in the WNBL. Heal has previously competed for Australia in various prestigious junior international events and was recently named in the 2020 Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals squad. The 19-year old Point Guard averaged 12.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 1.6 APG last season for her former club, Villawood Properties Bendigo Spirit, taking home their Most Consistent Player award.
Perth Lynx
Remaining with the Perth Lynx for the 2020 season is the team’s 2019-20 MVP, Katie-Rae Ebzery. The 5’10” Guard and Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals squad member had a 46.5% shooting efficiency from the field and averaged 16.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 4.2 APG throughout her 2019-20 campaign. 30-year old Ebzery was also named in the 2019-20 WNBL All-Star First Team and played with the Opals in the 2020 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament averaging 7 PPG, 1 RPG and 2.3 APG.
University of Canberra Capitals
Off the back of a second consecutive WNBL Championship, co-captain for the University of Canberra Capitals, Kelsey Griffin will be back on the court with the Capitals as they aim for a three peat. The 6’2” Forward and current Australian Opals squad member averaged 15 PPG, 10 RPG and 2.7 APG during the 2019-20 WNBL season. At 33-years of age, Griffin is a four-time WNBL Champion, three-time WNBL Grand-final MVP and three-time WNBL All-Star Five player.
Villawood Properties Bendigo Spirit
Returning to the Villawood Properties Bendigo Spirit for 2020 is 27-year old Tessa Lavey. The 5’8” Guard and current Australian Opals squad member averaged 10.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 4.1 APG last WNBL season. A veteran of the league, Lavey has been playing WNBL consistently since 2009 and has represented Australia at marquee events such as the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast where the Opals won gold.
Don’t miss any of the action this season and support your club by purchasing a 2020 membership here.