28
Feb
Player Profile
Aussies in the WNBA: Isobel Borlase
Isobel Borlase of the Lightning shoots during the round eight WNBL match between Sydney Flames and Adelaide Lightning at Quay Centre, on December 22, 2024 in Sydney. Photo: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
Isobel Borlase captures WNBA Atlanta Dream's attention after stellar WNBL season
- Named to All-WNBL First Team in 2024 after standout season with Adelaide Lightning
- Won Olympic bronze medal with Australian Opals in Paris 2024
- Drafted 20th overall by Atlanta Dream in 2024 WNBA Draft
Isobel Borlase is a rising Australian basketball star whose elite playmaking and scoring abilities have earned her international recognition.
Name: Isobel Borlase
Age: 20
Team(s): Adelaide Lightning (WNBL), Melbourne Tigers (NBL1 South), Australia Opals
Position: Guard
Height: 180 cm
Playing Style
Borlase's game is characterised by her scoring versatility and basketball IQ. The 180 cm guard thrives as both a consistent shooter and crafty finisher around the rim, making her difficult to defend in half-court sets. Her ability to read defences and make the right decision consistently stands out, whether that's finding her own shot or creating opportunities for teammates.
What separates Borlase from many young guards is her two-way impact. Despite her youth, she's shown an advanced understanding of defensive positioning and timing, averaging over two steals per game in multiple competitions. This combination of offensive firepower and defensive awareness made her an exciting prospect in the 2024 WNBA Draft where the Atlanta Dream selected her with the 20th overall pick.
Career
Borlase's meteoric rise began with the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in 2021, where she honed her skills against quality competition in the Waratah League. This development period proved crucial for her growth, setting the foundation for her future professional success and catching the attention of WNBL scouts.
The Adelaide Lightning signed Borlase for the 2021-22 WNBL season, though she appeared in just one game. When given a more significant role the following season, she immediately seized the opportunity. In the 2022-23 season opener, Borlase announced herself with an impressive 25-point, nine-rebound performance against the Southside Flyers. Her breakthrough campaign concluded with her winning both WNBL Sixth Woman of the Year and WNBL Breakout Player of the Year awards – extraordinary accomplishments for such a young player.
The 2023-24 season saw Borlase elevate her game even further. With team captain Stephanie Talbot sidelined, Borlase embraced greater responsibility and delivered consistently at a high level. Her season peak came on January 7, 2024, when she scored a career-high 31 points against the Perth Lynx. Her outstanding season earned her a spot on the All-WNBL First Team after averaging 15.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
Following her selection by the Atlanta Dream in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Borlase chose to continue her development in Australia for another year. She returned to the Adelaide Lightning for the 2024-25 WNBL season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. She's currently with the Melbourne Tigers in the NBL1 South competition, continuing to refine her game before potentially making the jump to the WNBA.
Five Fast Facts
- Borlase comes from an elite sporting family – her father Darryl played Australian rules football for Port Adelaide, her mother Jenny represented Australia in netball, her brother James plays in the AFL, and her sister Ella has represented Australia in surfboat rowing.
- She helped the Australian Gems win silver at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and gold at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship.
- At the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship, Borlase was named to the All-Star Five after averaging 14.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.
- Born in Melbourne but raised in Adelaide, Borlase grew up playing multiple sports including basketball, netball, and surf lifesaving.
- Despite being drafted by the Atlanta Dream in 2024, she chose to stay in Australia for another year to continue her development.
Career Highlights Timeline
2021: Joined the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and represented Australia at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup, winning silver.
2022: Won gold with Australia at the FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship and was named to the All-Star Five; Signed with Adelaide Lightning for her first full WNBL season.
2023: Won WNBL Sixth Woman of the Year and WNBL Breakout Player of the Year awards after averaging 13.5 points per game for Adelaide.
2024: Named to the All-WNBL First Team; Drafted 20th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Draft; Selected for the Australian Opals Olympic team for Paris 2024, winning a bronze medal.
2025: Joined the Melbourne Tigers in the NBL1 South competition.
At just 20 years old, Isobel Borlase has already established herself as one of Australia's most promising basketball talents. Her rapid development from junior prospect to Olympic bronze medallist and WNBA draftee showcases both her natural talent and dedicated work ethic. Her decision to remain in Australia after being drafted demonstrates a mature understanding of her development path.
As Borlase continues to refine her skills with Melbourne Tigers in NBL1 South, Australian basketball fans eagerly anticipate her eventual WNBA debut.
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