Sami's MVP win takes Spirit to new heights

• Sami Whitcomb was named the 2024/25 Suzi Batkovic Medal for the WNBL MVP 
• It was the first WNBL MVP award of her career
• Whitcomb's Bendigo Spirit finished the regular season first on the ladder at 18-3

Sami Whitcomb has capped-off a dominant season for the Bendigo Spirit after taking home the 2024/25 Suzi Batkovic Medal for the WNBL's Most Valuable Player at the league awards night.

The award was Whitcomb's first WNBL MVP and comes after leading the Spirit to the first place on the ladder following the regular season, with a record of 18-3, and establishing themselves as the comfortable favourites for this year's title.

While the 36-year-old, who has won two WNBA championships, has been a superstar of the WNBL for years as a two-time scoring leader and four-time All-WNBL First Team member, she has ticked off one of the two achievements she had left in the league. The only accolade left - a WNBL championship.

Following a season with the Townsville Fire, Whitcomb made the move to Bendigo in arguably the biggest signing of the WNBL offseason, and formed a star-studded line-up with the likes of Kelsey Griffin, Marianna Tolo, Kelly Wilson, import Veronica Burton and more.

After capturing her first WNBL MVP award, we take a look at what made Whitcomb's season so dominant.

Scoring Prowess

One of Whitcomb's most notable attributes is her scoring ability. Throughout the season, she averaged 21 points per game, with several standout performances:

1. A season-high 35 points against the Townsville Fire on December 14, 2024
2. 33 points against the Southside Flyers on February 2, 2025
3. 30 points against the Townsville Fire on November 16, 2024

These high-scoring games demonstrate Whitcomb's ability to take over games and provide offensive firepower when her team needs it most. Her scoring versatility is evident in her shot selection, with a mix of three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and drives to the basket.

Three-Point Specialist

Whitcomb's reputation as a three-point specialist is well-deserved. She attempted an average of 8.2 three-pointers per game, connecting on 3.4 at 41.5%. Her most impressive performances from beyond the arc include:

1. 8-of-13 (61.5%) against the Southside Flyers on February 2, 2025
2. 6-of-14 (42.9%) against the Perth Lynx on January 15, 2025
3. 6-of-11 (54.5%) against the Adelaide Lightning on November 2, 2024

These statistics highlight Whitcomb's ability to stretch the floor and punish defences from long range, making her a constant threat opponents must account for.

Playmaking and Ball Distribution

While primarily known for her scoring, Whitcomb has also shown her capabilities as a playmaker, averaging 4.8 assists per game, with several standout performances:

1. 10 assists against the Perth Lynx on December 5, 2024
2. 9 assists against both the Adelaide Lightning (December 27, 2024) and the UC Capitals (November 8, 2024)
3. 8 assists against the Geelong United on January 29, 2025 and the Southside Flyers on December 22, 2024

These games demonstrate Whitcomb's ability to create opportunities for her teammates and contribute to the team's overall offensive dominance.

Rebounding and Defence

Whitcomb's impact extends beyond the offensive end of the court, averaging 6.1 rebounds per game, with a season-high of 13 rebounds against the Perth Lynx on December 5. This ability to contribute on the boards, especially as a guard, adds another dimension to her game and helps her teams secure crucial possessions.

Defensively, Whitcomb has been a disruptive force, averaging two steals per game with her best performance in this category coming against the Southside Flyers on February 2, where she recorded six steals.

Consistency and Efficiency

One of the most impressive aspects of Whitcomb's season has been her consistency. In 19 out of the 21 games, she scored in double figures, demonstrating her reliability as a scoring option. She has shown the ability to impact games even when her shot isn't falling by contributing in other areas such as rebounding and playmaking.

Whitcomb's free-throw shooting has been particularly noteworthy, with multiple games of perfect accuracy from the charity stripe and this ability to convert free throws at a high rate (85.7% for the season) makes her even more dangerous in close game situations.

OTHER WNBL AWARD WINNERS

Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year - Lauren Cox, Townsville Fire

Fan's MVP - Jade Melbourne, UC Capitals

All-WNBL First Team - Sami Whitcomb (Bendigo Spirit), Courtney Woods (Townsville Fire), Ally Wilson (Perth Lynx), Naz Hillmon (Southside Flyers), Laeticia Amihere (Perth Lynx)

All-WNBL Second Team - Veronica Burton (Bendigo Spirit), Kelsey Griffin (Bendigo Spirit), Anneli Maley (Perth Lynx), Jade Melbourne (UC Capitals), Miela Sowah (Perth Lynx)

Coach of the Year - Shannon Seebohm, Townsville Fire

Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year - Abbey Ellis, Townsville Fire

Sixth Woman of the Year - Abbey Wehrung, Bendigo Spirit

Community Award - Courtney Woods, Townsville Fire

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