Free Agency Updates

Follow for all the Free Agency updates in the lead up to WNBL24


08/09/2023

Joining original import Mercedes Russell, who is returning in 2023-24, is Dallas Wings rookie guard Jasmine Dickey. The 23-year-old was selected with pick 30 in last year’s WNBA draft.

Townsville Fire have signed Indiah Bowyer, who played for the Flames last season, and Texas Tech college graduate Ella Tofaeono as development players.


01/09/2023

Fresh from New Zealand’s best-ever finish (4th) at the FIBA Asia Cup, Esra McGoldrick is headed to the WNBL. The 23-year-old forward, who averaged 5.4 points and 4.6 rebounds for her nation at the Sydney tournament in July, will play for the Bendigo Spirit this WNBL season.


25/08/2023

Perth Lynx have netted Atlanta Dream guard Aari McDonald to fill their second import spot for #WNBL24.

Bendigo has added a mighty dose of size to its roster in the form of 198cm experienced centre Ruth Davis (nee Hamblin).

The UC Capitals have filled two of their three development player spots with Abby Solway and Shakera Reily.


18/08/2023

Leilani Mitchell is returning to the Flyers. Southside’s inaugural MVP will represent the teal team like she did in 2019-20 and the 2020 hub season where she earned Grand Final MVP honours for her dominant display against Townsville.

The record-breaking Kelly Wilson is back. The Bendigo Spirit are delighted to announce the Women’s National Basketball League games-record holder is locked in for her 21st season.


11/08/2023

Two-time Seattle Storm WNBA champion Mercedes Russell is returning to Southside.

Chloe Tugliach and Sophia Locandro will remain with the Capitals and Spirit after re-signing with their respective clubs for #WNBL24.


04/08/2023

She was the league leader in three-point percentage last season and Abbey Wehrung is remaining at Bendigo Spirit. Wehrung, who went at 52.2 per cent from deep in 2022-23, will suit up for the Spirit for a fourth season (2018-19, 2019-20, 2022-23).

Also in Victoria, the Southside Flyers have locked away Carley Ernst for the upcoming WNBL season.


28/07/2023

The first time she played Down Under she came second in the Suzy Batkovic Medal for 2019-20 league MVP. And now Brianna “Breezy” Turner is back with Adelaide proving Lightning does strike twice.

Former Sparks, Fever and Storm centre Jantel Lavender, who measures in at 193cm, will wear purple next season when she suits up for the Melbourne Boomers.

The Boomers also announced their final roster spot this week with 25-year-old New Zealand guard Tera Reed to make her WNBL debut.

The teal puzzle continues to come together at the Southside Flyers with point guards Maddy Rocci and Dallas Loughridge and excitement machine Nyadiew Pouch all re-committing for #WNBL24.

Casey Samuels will return to the league next season, joining Bendigo Spirit for what will be her eighth WNBL campaign.


21/07/2023

Townsville unveiled their final roster spot for #WNB24, announcing championship player and Rachael Sporn Medallist Tianna Hawkins will return to the Fire for the upcoming season.

Southside commenced their roster announcements, sharing that Bec Cole will be back in teal for the Flyers in #WNBL24.

Bendigo have unveiled an import for the first time since 2019-20, with American guard Mehryn Kraker set to make her WNBL debut with the Spirit, while Alicia Froling will remain in Bendigo colours, re-signing with the Spirit.

Brooke Basham has re-signed with Adelaide Lightning and will enter her third fourth WNBL campaign.


14/07/2023

In one of the biggest import signings in recent years, two-time WNBA champion Jordin Canada is Melbourne bound.

Two Canadians will make their WNBL debuts in #WNBL24.

Townsville has signed Cassandra Brown who is currently averaging 19.9 points and 8.1 rebounds in her second NBL1 South season with Mount Gambier, and Perth  have added some significant size following the departure of Lauren Scherf with 196cm centre Emily Potter. Perth also farewell Robbi Ryan and Tayah Burrows who will head to Europe.

Australian 3×3 star Ally Wilson will again suit up for Bendigo Spirit next season, while WNBA star Jocelyn Willoughby will play her second season in the WNBL, albeit in different colours, making the move from Sydney to Adelaide.


07/07/2023

Highly touted teenage guard Saffron Shiels will continue her development under Shannon Seebohm at Townsville this season.

While Adelaide added another bright homegrown prospect to its roster, signing Taylor Mole. Guard Lizzy Tonks has also joined Adelaide from the UC Capitals, extending the player-coach connection with coach Nat Hurst who coaches the 26-year-old at the Nationals in NBL1 East.

New UC Capitals recruit Monica Okoye was a member of Japan’s silver-medal winning team at the recent FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.


30/06/2023

Ella Batish will wear the Lightning’s colours once again next season, while league star Kelsey Griffin will again lead the Bendigo Spirit after taking up the #WNBL24 season option in her contract.

Meanwhile, Lara McSpadden has returned to where her WNBL career began, the Sydney Flames.

Opals and WNBA star Sami Whitcomb will cross from one side of the country, after captaining Perth Lynx the past two seasons, to the other suiting up with Townsville Fire next season.

Alex Ciabattoni returns to Perth after giving birth to son Elijah in January this year!


23/06/2023

The 2021-22 Suzy Batkovic Medallist Anneli Maley is going west.

Bendigo Spirit, where she’s played for the past two seasons, announced on Thursday afternoon that coach and player had mutually agreed to part ways which cleared the path for Perth Lynx to announce on Friday morning that they’d landed the World Cup bronze medallist’s signature.

Sydney Flames announced that Sydney product, Vanessa Panousis has re-signed for the #WNBL24.

Panousis, who becomes the Flames’ seventh rostered player for WNBL24 alongside Cayla George, Lauren NicholsonTess Madgen, Shaneice Swain, Kiera Rowe and Emma Clarke, has re-signed with the club on a one-year deal. 

Alex Fowler grew up in Townsville attending Fire games, idolising league stars and will now forge a WNBL career of her own.

The 21-year-old, who carved out a brilliant college career with the Portland Pilots, has joined a UC Capitals roster brimming with young talent where she reunites with Australian under-17 and 19 teammates Jade Melbourne and Gemma Potter.

Adelaide Lightning coach Nat Hurst who not only has Isobel Borlase on her team but now has another Issie in Isabelle Bourne after signing the University of Nebraska graduate and Gems star in a major coup.


16/06/2023

Adelaide Lightning and Steph Talbot have shown their long-term commitment to each other for the next four years.

The World Cup All-Star Five member ruptured her ACL late last WNBL season and while she will miss the majority of #WNBL24 Talbot will add her high basketball IQ to Nat Hurst’s coaching staff.

After departing Canberra, the Swain Train has arrived in Sydney.

WNBL young gun and 2023 WNBA draftee Shaneice Swain has signed with the Flames for the next three seasons with the final year a mutual option.


09/06/23

Monique Conti made the move back to cross-town rivals, Melbourne Boomers. Returning for the first time since 2019-20. While Alex Sharp made a cross-country move from the west coast to the east with UC Capitals. 

Alice Kunek has signed with reigning champion Townsville Fire, returning home from Europe to play in the league for the first time since 2019-20.

The MVP is on the move with 2022-23 Suzy Batkovic Medallist Cayla George joining Melbourne Boomers and Australian Opals teammate Tess Madgen at the Sydney Flames.

Elsewhere, Miela Goodchild is heading west for increased opportunities with the Perth Lynx who also announced the signing of rookie Stephanie Gorman.

Taylah Simmons, who represented Southside Flyers in 2021-22, will reunite with former teammates Sara Blicavs and Kristy Wallace at the Boomers.


26/05/2023

The big signings kept rolling in this week!  

Perth Lynx locked in two names to their 23/24 roster with Mackenzie Clinch-Hoycard re-signing for another season, and 22/23 Development Player, Chloe Forster elevated to the main roster.  

The UC Capitals announced they had recruited an exciting up-and-comer in Jayda Clark. The 17-year-old will commence her professional career with the Caps after developing her game at the Centre of Excellence and playing an integral role in the 2022 FIBA Under-16 Women’s Asian Championship-winning team.  

Sydney Flames revealed they had another huge signing for the 23/24 season! WNBL23 Championship-winning captain, Lauren Nicholson, will make the move back to Sydney on a three-year deal where she won a Championship in 2017.  

Meanwhile, Deakin Melbourne Boomers announced two high-calibre signings of their own. Two Opals are set to don the purple in the upcoming season, with Sara Blicavs and Keely Froling heading to the Boom Box from Southside and Sydney respectively.  

JCU Townsville Fire announced another returning member of the WNBL23 Championship team, with Mikaela Ruef re-signing for another season at the Fire Pit.  


19/05/2023

The 23/24 Cygnett WNBL Free Agency period is in full swing with multiple clubs announcing re-signings, as well as a huge signing for the Sydney Flames.  

Adelaide Lightning secured the signature of Izzy Borlase for another two years after a breakout debut season.  

The Deakin Melbourne Boomers announced Penina Davidson and Kristy Wallace would return to the Boom Box for another season.  

The first big move for the season came from Australian Opals’ Captain, Tess Madgen. After seven seasons with the Boomers, the Sydney Flames announced she had signed a two-year deal.  

Reigning Champions JCU Townsville Fire announced that Championship player, Kate Gaze, would be returning to the Fire Pit.  

While Perth Lynx announced their first re-signing for the 23/24 season, with WA local, Amy Atwell, locked in for another year.  

Two massive names still remain on the Free Agency list in reigning League MVP, Cayla George, and fellow Opal, Sami Whitcomb. Who will secure their signatures?  


09/05/2023

Free Agency Starts