Rising stars making waves in the WNBL

• WNBA beckons for some of Australia's best young women's basketball players
• Atlanta is a Dream for UC Capitals' Nyadiew Puoch
• Townsville Fire has a reputation for developing young players

The WNBL is among the best leagues in the world and there’s no shortage of superstar talent spread across the all teams.

Fans are lucky enough to be able to watch Opals’ and WNBA stars such as Cayla George, Sami Whitcomb and Steph Talbot — who should all boast league MVP awards at the completion of this season when Whitcomb gets the nod.

Just as enthralling is watching Australia's rising stars forge their own careers as they make a name for themselves at the professional level.

Looking around the WNBL this season, the young talent on show highlights the strength and potential of the next generation of the league, and the Opals program too.

Let’s look at the players born from the year 2000 and on now making waves across the league.

Adelaide Lightning

It’s the Izzy and Issie show when it comes to breakout stars in Adelaide. Izzy Borlase is already an Opal Olympian with a bronze medal at just 20 years of age, while Issie Bourne put together an incredible rookie season last year fresh out of college and has continued that form in 2024/25.

Borlase is one of the most dynamic guards in the league and her ability to play through contact when driving to the bucket is second to none when you look at young players across the league (and the globe for that matter!). She’s a nightmare to defend and you get the feeling WNBL defences will be struggling to slow her down for the next decade-plus. Drafted to the Atlanta Dream last year, I’m excited to see what she can do in the WNBA in the coming years.

Bourne is somewhat of a quiet achiever, but she has continued to develop year on year going back to her days at Nebraska University to now in her second season with the Lightning. Averaging 12.8 points and four rebounds per game, while shooting an uber efficient 40% from deep, Bourne is the type of big that teams dream of having, and she’s only just getting started.

Bendigo Spirit

While she doesn’t have a solidified role on a loaded Bendigo team, Asha Nightingale is a name to remember. Still just 18 years old, Nightingale will be chasing her college dream next, having committed to Davidson College for next season.

Obviously with so much star power and going all-in on winning this year’s championship, the minutes just aren’t available for Nightingale, but I can only imagine how important this season has been for her being surrounded by veterans such as Sami Whitcomb, Marianna Tolo, Kelsey Griffin and Kelly Wilson every day.

Canberra Capitals

The Capitals are a young and exuberant squad with plenty of potential, and three players illustrate exactly that: Jade Melbourne, Nyadiew Puoch and Monique Bobongie.

They are in different stages of their careers, but all three are making waves in their respective roles for Canberra.

Jade Melbourne is already an absolute superstar of the league, and as the starting point guard for the bronze-medal winning Opals at last year’s Olympics, she has achieved so much at such a young age. We all know Melbourne’s game and what she brings to the table, and the sky really is the limit for her.

Nyadiew Puoch has all the tools to be a genuine two-way star of the league. She has been on a tear the last few games, averaging 19.7 points and 5.7 rebounds across her last three outings and you can see her confidence and comfort in her role growing with each game.

The Atlanta Dream must be excited about the player they will be getting when she makes the jump to the WNBA.

Monique Bobongie turned 18 just a month ago and this season she has announced herself to WNBL fans. Having started in nine games, she has flourished while getting extended minutes and her energy and fearlessness is so much fun to watch.

Geelong United

Despite struggling with her shot to begin her professional career, Jaz Shelley stayed locked in, creating for her teammates, but lately she has rediscovered the shooting touch that made her a star in juniors and at Nebraska University. It has come at a good time for Geelong too, as they find themselves locked in the postseason battle.

She had her breakout game (20 points, seven assists, seven steals and four rebounds) in a win over Southside earlier this month and hasn’t looked back. Shelley has been in incredible form, averaging 20 points, 5.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds in her last four games, showcasing the type of player we all know she can be.

Gemma Potter, Hannah Hank and Elissa Brett are all playing big minutes for United and have shown great signs as they progress in their professional careers. Potter was cruelled by injuries as she was making her way up the ranks but has found consistency in her body in the last two seasons and has reaped the rewards.

Hank and Brett both took the college route, and in their first professional seasons have been important for Geelong. Brett has been a constant for United, averaging 9.3 points and four rebounds per game, while Hank (6.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game) has been a workhorse on both ends, especially since the injury to captain Keely Froling.

Perth Lynx

Miela Sowah has built a career in the WNBL the hard way. Out of college, where she graduated from Duke University in 2022, she didn’t immediately secure a pro deal, instead she had to prove herself and eventually signed with the Melbourne Boomers during the 2022/23 season.

Since then, she hasn’t looked back. Having improved every year, she is now Perth’s second-leading scorer (15.4 points per game) and as the Lynx look to go one better than last season where they lost a heartbreaking Grand Final series to Southside, Sowah will be key to everything they do offensively.

Steph Gorman often doesn’t get the plaudits she deserves. She plays a selfless role on a team filled with stars and can always be relied upon to do whatever is needed. She’s a defensive menace and adds so much on that end of the floor for the Lynx as she’s capable of shutting down explosive opponents.

Southside Flyers

Dallas Loughridge was thrown into the fire this season and has proven herself as a starting guard for Southside. After overcoming an ACL injury on the eve of what would’ve been her rookie season in 2022, Loughridge returned to the court last season and the jump she has made this season is a credit to her ability to overcome adversity.

After playing limited minutes in Southside’s run to the championship last season, she has blossomed in a much larger role this season (29 minutes per game), averaging 10.2 points and two assists per game.

It certainly hasn’t been smooth sailing for the defending champions this season, but the development of Loughridge has been a joy to watch.

Sydney Flames

The Sydney Flames are in the thick of it when it comes to the race for the fourth and final postseason spot, and Shaneice Swain is the major factor why. Her 40-point performance against Townsville earlier this week was something to behold; it was one of the greatest showcases of shot-making in recent WNBL history.

When she is feeling it like she was that night, she is one of the best players to watch in the league and it’s incredible to think that she is still just 21 years old. The Los Angeles Sparks, who drafted her 14th overall in 2023, must be excited about the future she could have with their franchise.

While Swain is rightfully getting the headlines, Bonnie Deas and Carla Pitman are also proving themselves as more than worthy of playing time.

It’s crazy to think Bonnie Deas is just 18 years old. Having already committed to Arkansas University for the 2025/26 college season, Deas is one of Australia’s brightest young stars and she’s made the most of her time with the Flames this season. Since the start of December, Deas has been playing over 15 minutes per game and her career-high 13 points against Townsville in mid-December showcased her long-range shooting as she hit three triples. She has a very bright future ahead.

Carla Pitman just turned 21 but she is a large piece of Sydney’s rotation, averaging 20 minute per game. She has started three games this season and has taken advantage of every opportunity, averaging 5.2 points and three rebounds per game. When her number is called, she’s already ready to contribute and much like Deas, has been vital in helping Sydney stay within the postseason hunt.

Townsville Fire

Townsville has a knack of recruiting some of the best rising stars in the league and a lot of that has to do with coach Shannon Seebohm — players want to play for him. This season is no different and when you look at Abbey Ellis and Alex Fowler, in their first and second professional seasons, respectively, they have developed tremendously at the Fire.

Ellis has been a revelation for Townsville, with her manic energy creating problems on the defensive end, while her offensive game has become extremely polished. Graduating from Purdue University last year, Ellis has made a seamless transition to life as a pro as she’s become a starter for Townsville, averaging 10 points, 3.6 rebounds and three assists per game, while shooting a very healthy 38% from deep (including that unbelievable buzzer-beating game-winner against Southside).

Alex Fowler made the move from Canberra to Townsville this season and while her role on the team sees her take less shots, her importance (and efficiency) can’t be questioned. After shooting 32% from long range last season, she is hitting a ridiculous 55% from three-point land for the Fire.

Saffron Shiels turned 19 just days ago and she is a key cog of Townsville’s rotation, averaging over 16 minutes per game. She has great length at the guard position and because of that is a versatile weapon for Seebohm on both ends of the court. She has scored in double figures in four of her last seven outings and as the postseason nears, is getting more confident by the game.

About the Author

Hayley Wildes is passionate about all things Australian women’s basketball and loves to highlight the stories of players from all levels and competitions across the globe. From our own backyard in the WNBL, to the WNBA and the Opals, and everything in between, Hayley has you covered.