WNBL champion Bec Cole joins our team

• Two-time WNBL champion with Southside Flyers (2020, 2024) Bec Cole joins basketball.com.au
• Captain of the Flyers the last two seasons
• 3x3 World Cup leading scorer, Asia Cup gold and bronze medalist. Asia Cup Team of the tournament and Asia Cup MVP.

Basketball.com.au is excited to welcome Australian two-time WNBL champion to the team as a regular contributor for the platform.

Cole has a resume which speaks for itself as a 2x WNBL champion, 1x WNBL All-Star Five, Australian Opals squad member, 1x NBL1 National champion, 1x NBL1 National Finals All-Star Five, where she was also the MVP of that tournament and 1x NBL1 Conference (South) champion, and a trailblazer for the Australian 3x3 teams.

With women's basketball on the cusp of a seismic shift in ownership of the WNBL, a record number of players on WNBA rosters and the Opals sitting at No. 2 in the world, it is the perfect time for Basketball.com.au to increase women's basketball coverage.

"We are so exciting to welcome Bec to the team and expand our women's basketball coverage," said Basketball.com.au General Manager Anthony Alsop.

"Having an active WNBL player, an experienced media commentator and a really well-connected athlete such as Bec join our team speaks to what we are trying to do with Basketball Media. We want to elevate new voices, hear from our current crop of athletes, and promote women's basketball coverage to the level it deserves in Australia."

Debut episode of "It's A Cole World"

In the first episode of Bec's new show, she discusses the future of the WNBL, including ownership change, rising star Georgia Amoore's bright future, and why she can't wait for Brisbane's WNBL expansion franchise to take the floor in 2026.

In her first "It's A Cole World" episode, she said Brisbane would be a prime destination for some of Australia's best women's players.

"Who doesn't want to play in the Sunshine State?" she said.

"This means more jobs for Aussie women's basketballers. More viewership, another game and another team fans can be a part of."

Watch Episode 1 of It's a Cole World above.

Who is Bec Cole

Rebecca Cole is one of Australian basketball's most accomplished shooting guards, known for her scoring ability and championship success across multiple leagues.

Name: Rebecca Cole
Age: 33
Team(s): Southside Flyers (WNBL), Waverley Falcons (NBL1 South)
Position: Shooting guard
Size: 178 cm

Playing Style

Rebecca Cole has established herself as one of the WNBL's premier shooting guards, combining exceptional perimeter shooting with the ability to attack the basket. Her offensive game is built around a smooth jump shot and quick first step that allows her to create space against defenders. Cole excels in catch-and-shoot situations and has developed into a reliable three-point threat who can stretch the defense and open driving lanes for teammates.

What separates Cole from other guards is her basketball IQ and decision-making in high-pressure situations. She demonstrates excellent court vision when operating as a secondary playmaker and possesses the defensive awareness to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots. Her work ethic on both ends of the floor makes her a complete player who coaches rely on during crucial moments of close games.

Career

Cole's basketball journey began at the Australian Institute of Sport (2009-2012), where she developed her fundamentals and prepared for professional competition. Her WNBL career officially launched with the Bulleen Boomers in 2012, staying with the organisation through its transition to the Melbourne Boomers until 2018. During these formative professional years, Cole established herself as a reliable rotational player while steadily improving her shooting and defensive abilities all while recovering from her second ACL injury.

In 2018, Cole made a pivotal career move by joining the Dandenong Rangers, which later became the Southside Flyers. This decision proved transformative for her career, as Cole's game elevated to new heights. The 2019 season marked her breakthrough as she earned selection to the WNBL All-Star Five, recognition of her emergence as one of the league's elite guards. Her scoring ability, defensive intensity, and leadership qualities made her an integral part of the Flyers' success.

The 2020 season saw Cole claim her first WNBL championship with the Southside Flyers, cementing her status as a winning player at the highest level of Australian basketball. She continued to develop her game in subsequent seasons, balancing her WNBL commitments with appearances in state leagues like NBL1 South. Cole's experience with teams such as the Nunawading Spectres, Eltham Wildcats, Melbourne Tigers, and Dandenong Rangers in various state competitions helped maintain her sharpness and expanded her versatility as a player.

The 2024 season proved to be another pinnacle in Cole's career as she secured her second WNBL championship with the Southside Flyers. This championship success wasn't limited to the WNBL, as Cole also led the Waverley Falcons to the NBL1 National championship, earning Finals MVP honours and selection to the NBL1 National Finals All-Star Five. This remarkable double championship year highlighted Cole's enduring excellence and ability to perform at her best when the stakes are highest.

Five Fast Facts

1. Played for six different Victorian-based teams throughout her career
2. Attended Caulfield Grammar School before beginning her professional career
3. Has maintained a professional career spanning over 15 years (2009-present)
4. Won championships in both the WNBL and NBL1 during the 2024 season
5. Represented the Bulleen Boomers in two different leagues (WNBL and Big V)

Career Highlights Timeline

2009: Began professional career with the Australian Institute of Sport

2012: Joined the Bulleen Boomers for her first WNBL club signing

2018: Transferred to Dandenong Rangers (later Southside Flyers)

2019: Runner-Up WNBL MVP, Selected to the WNBL All-Star Five for the first time

2020: Won first WNBL championship with Southside Flyers

2022: Joined Waverley Falcons in NBL1 South

2024: Completed championship double, winning WNBL title with Southside Flyers and NBL1 National championship with Waverley Falcons, earning Finals MVP honours

2025: Joined basketball.com.au as a key expert on Australian basketball

Rebecca Cole's career showcases the rewards of persistence, skill development, and adaptability in Australian basketball. From her early days at the Australian Institute of Sport to becoming a two-time WNBL champion, Cole has consistently elevated her game while contributing to winning cultures across multiple teams and competitions. Her ability to perform at the highest level for over 15 years demonstrates her professional approach and dedication to her craft.