28
Feb
Player Profile
Aussies in the WNBA: Anneli Maley
Anneli Maley of Perth Lynx looks on during warm up prior to the round nine WNBL match between Canberra Capitals and Perth Lynx at AIS Arena on December 29, 2024 in Canberra. Photo: Mike Owen/Getty Images
Anneli Maley's remarkable rise from mental health struggles to Los Angeles Sparks star
- WNBL Most Valuable Player (2022) with the Bendigo Spirit
- Set Perth Lynx rebounding record with 22 rebounds in a single game
- Signed with Los Angeles Sparks for the 2025 WNBA season
Anneli Maley is an Australian basketball powerhouse, known for her elite rebounding ability and resilience after overcoming significant mental health challenges.
Name: Anneli Maley
Age: 26
Team(s): Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), Perth Lynx (WNBL), Perth Redbacks (NBL1 West)
Position: Forward
Size: 185 cm
Weight: 71 kg
Playing Style
Maley has established herself as one of Australia's premier rebounding forwards, using her exceptional timing and positioning to dominate the glass. Despite standing at 185 cm, she consistently outworks taller opponents through sheer determination and high basketball IQ. Her rebounding prowess was highlighted in her Perth Lynx debut where she grabbed an astonishing 21 rebounds, breaking a club record that had stood for over two decades.
Her offensive game has evolved significantly throughout her career, developing from a role player to a scoring threat. Maley combines strong drives to the basket with improved perimeter shooting, but her greatest offensive asset remains her ability to create second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds. Her high-energy, relentless playing style makes her invaluable to any team, particularly in clutch situations where extra possessions are crucial.
Career
Maley's journey began at the Australian Institute of Sport in 2014, but faced a significant interruption in 2016 when she experienced severe anxiety and depression, resulting in hospitalisation. This period marks one of the most important chapters in her story, demonstrating her remarkable mental fortitude as she fought back from these challenges to resume her basketball career with the Adelaide Lightning in the WNBL.
After a brief college career in the United States with Oregon and TCU, Maley returned to Australia where she truly began to flourish. The turning point came during the 2021-22 WNBL season with the Bendigo Spirit, where she captured the league's Most Valuable Player award. This breakthrough performance showcased her development into an elite talent and caught the attention of WNBA scouts, leading to her first opportunity with the Chicago Sky in 2022.
Maley's growth continued with the Perth Lynx, where she was immediately named team captain, reflecting her leadership qualities both on and off the court. Her impact was immediate, breaking the club's rebounding record in her very first game. Though the Lynx fell short in the 2023-24 WNBL Grand Final series against the Southside Flyers, Maley's consistent performances throughout the season reinforced her status as one of Australia's premier players.
The culmination of her professional journey came in February 2025 when she signed with the Los Angeles Sparks for the 2025 WNBA season. This achievement represents not only her basketball excellence but also her perseverance through mental health struggles that once threatened her career. Maley's signing with the Sparks positions her among the elite group of Australian athletes who have successfully made the transition to the world's premier women's basketball league.
Five Fast Facts
- Survived a mental health crisis in 2016 that saw her hospitalized after a panic attack mimicked cardiac arrest symptoms
- Won the WNBL MVP award in 2022 with the Bendigo Spirit
- Set a Perth Lynx club record with 22 rebounds in a single game in 2025
- Represented Australia at the 2022 FIBA World Cup, winning bronze
- Earned All-NBL1 West First Team honours and led the league in scoring in 2024
Career Highlights Timeline
2014: Moved to Canberra at age 15 to join the Australian Institute of Sport
2016: Overcame severe anxiety and depression to return to basketball with Adelaide Lightning
2017: Signed with the University of Oregon to play college basketball in the NCAA
2019: Named NBL1 Youth Player of the Year with Diamond Valley Eagles
2022: Won WNBL Most Valuable Player award with Bendigo Spirit
2022: Made WNBA debut with Chicago Sky, playing four games
2023: Appointed captain of Perth Lynx in WNBL
2023: Won bronze medal with Australian Opals at FIBA Asia Cup
2024: Named to All-NBL1 West First Team with Perth Redbacks
2025: Signed with Los Angeles Sparks for the WNBA season
Anneli Maley's basketball journey represents one of the most inspiring stories in Australian sport. From the depths of mental health struggles that threatened to end her career before it truly began, to becoming an MVP and WNBA player, her resilience stands as her most remarkable achievement. Her willingness to speak openly about her mental health challenges has made her an important role model beyond the court.
As Maley embarks on her WNBA career with the Los Angeles Sparks, she carries with her not just exceptional rebounding skills and basketball talent, but also the hopes of Australian basketball fans who have watched her overcome significant obstacles. Her continued success serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance and mental health awareness in professional sports.
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