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Quarter time: How Aussies are lighting up WNBA
Australians Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith, Jade Melbourne and Rebecca Allen. Photos: Getty Images
Australia's best women's basketball players are making an impact at the start of the 2025 season
- Alanna Smith's Minnesota Lynx have started the season 9-1
- New York head coach Sandy Brondello has the Liberty off to their best start in franchise history
- How to watch every 2025 WNBA game in Australia
Six of Australia’s top female basketballers are playing key roles in the world’s top league in 2025.
With the WNBA experiencing a surge in popularity, we check in on players representing Australia on the biggest international stage in basketball.
In the first quarter of the season, Aussie stars have combined for more than 370 points.
The 2025 season welcomed Australia's newest basketball star, Georgia Amoore. The Washington Mystics selected Amoore sixth overall in the 2025 WNBA draft, making her the highest draft pick since Liz Cambage in 2011.
But Amoore sustained a season-ending ACL injury during the Mystics 2025 training camp. It happened just three days before Amoore was set to make her WNBA debut in the Mystics’ preseason game against the Indiana Fever.
Nevertheless, Australia has six outstanding basketballers hooping in the WNBA.
Here is a quick look at how the six Aussies have started the season.
Stephanie Talbot — Golden State Valkyrie
The Phoenix Mercury drafted Stephanie Talbot with the 33rd pick in the 2014 draft and made her WNBA debut in 2017 with the Phoenix Mercury. Her shooting and defensive prowess made her a key asset to the Opals’ 2024 Olympic bronze medal.
In 2025, Talbot was selected by the Golden State Valkyrie during the expansion draft.
This season off the bench, she averages 2.4 points, 13.3 minutes, and 1.0 assists per game with the 4-5 Golden State Valkyries.
Rebecca Allen — Chicago Sky
Rebecca Allen started her WNBA journey in 2015, signing with the New York Liberty as a free agent and staying with them until 2022. Renowned for her three-point shooting and defensive versatility, Allen earned a spot on the Opals’ roster for the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo.
The 222-game veteran is averaging 7.1 points, 18.3 minutes, and 0.9 assists per game with the 2-6 Chicago Sky.
Sami Whitcomb — Phoenix Mercury
Whitcomb started her WNBA career in 2017 with the Seattle Storm. Best known for her three-point shooting and versatility, she made her Olympic debut with the Opals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Now eight years into her WNBA career and two WNBA championships later, the 2024-25 WNBL MVP is averaging 7.4 points, 26.0 minutes, and 2.5 assists in the 2025 season with the 7-4 Phoenix Mercury.
Alanna Smith — Minnesota Lynx
Selected 8th in the 2019 draft by the Phoenix Mercury, the Olympic bronze medallist, Alanna Smith, showcased her athleticism and defensive skills. Following a breakthrough season with the Minnesota Lynx, Smith earned a spot on the 2024 WNBA All-Defensive second team.
Smith averages 11.0 points, 25.8 minutes, and 2.8 assists in the 2025 season with the 9-1 Minnesota Lynx.
Ezi Magbegor — Seattle storm
Ezi Magbegor was selected 12th in the 2019 draft by the Seattle Storm. Renowned for her strong defensive skills and versatility, she earned a spot in the 2024 WNBA All-Defensive first team. Magbegor also played a crucial role in the Opals securing the bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
In the 2025 season, she averages 7.4 points, 27.7 minutes, 8 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the 6-4 Storm.
Jade Melbourne — Washington Mystics
Melbourne was selected 33rd overall in the 2022 draft by the Seattle Storm. Melbourne’s agility, speed and basketball IQ made her a threat on both ends of the court.
In 2024, the 22-year-old guard was traded to the Washington Mystics, where she has maintained her dominance on the court.
In the 2025 season, Melbourne averages 8.3 points, 24.7 minutes and 2.5 assists for the 4-6 Mystics.
Head Coach Sandy Brondello — New York Liberty
Former Australian Olympian and Opals coach Sandy Brondello was appointed head coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty in January 2022. The two-time championship-winning coach has brought a strong sense of leadership and determination to every team she leads. It culminated in the Liberty winning the 2024 WNBA championship and she has the defending champions off to their best start in franchise history, unbeaten at 9-0.
