WITH the WNBL home and away season done and dusted, Draft Central has compiled its own Team of the Year taking into consideration a host of elements such as consistency, scoring ability, rebounding prowess and so on. It is no surprise that top four teams such as Melbourne Boomers and Townsville Fire have a couple of players named in the squad while ladder leaders, the Southside Flyers only have the one given their bench depth and frequent rotation.

Lauren Nicholson has been a spark for Townsville Fire with the side enjoying a rise up the ladder and the guard in scintillating form. Nicholson is as consistent as they come and has been a real general since crossing to the Fire this season with her ability to regularly attack the rim, averaging an impressive 18.5 points a game. The other guard to accompany Nicholson in the starting five is the ever-reliable Steph Talbot who once again has led the charge for Adelaide. Despite missing out on finals, Talbot has been a solid contributor throughout the season plying her trade on the scoreboard and has fallen just short of a double-double with an average of nine rebounds and 18.2 points.

It is hard to go past the services of WNBA star and Opals stalwart Liz Cambage who has well and truly made a splash in her debut season with Southside Flyers this year. Cambage is crucial cog in the Flyers outfit and is a key reason for their continued success in 2020 and will be hoping to get another piece of silverware if things go to plan in the upcoming finals series.

Melbourne Boomers captain, Cayla George is another no brainer with the forward able to have an influence across the court, registering a solid 14.7 points and 9.2 rebounds each time she steps out on court. George is a menace in all areas of the court, however able to get hands to ball and regain possession for her side. New recruit Darcee Garbin did not skip a beat throughout the 2020 season with the forward finding the basket with great ease, knocking back an average of 16.5 points for Perth while also amassing 7.2 rebounds in a solid season.

Looking at the bench, UC Capitals youngster Maddison Rocci has enjoyed a strong run of form and been a key contributor for the side amassing, 16.2 points along with an average of two steals per game. Following the theme of young players making a splash is Ezi Magebegor, with the Melbourne Boomers regular plying her trade effectively at a 56.2 per cent clip and proving to be a handful out on court thanks to her 14.8 points and 8.6 rebounds. The move to Townsville has done wonders for Shyla Heal with the 19-year-old enjoying the extra court time and her numbers reflecting that with the guard averaging 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and a handy 1.2 steals.

Carley Ernst was a steady stream of points for Bendigo Spirit who have languished at the bottom of the ladder, collecting an average of 14.8 points per game while the other bench spot goes to Lauren Scherf. The Sydney Uni Flames center played an integral role throughout their campaign, managing 11 points, 7.2 rebounds and a couple of blocks per game.

Please take into account the statistics are a reflection of averages per game.

STARTING FIVE:

G: Lauren Nicholson (TF) – 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.08 steals, 48.1 FG%
G: Steph Talbot (AL) – 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.8 blocks, 47.9 FG%
C: Liz Cambage (SF) – 23.3 points, 8.2 rebounds 1.0 assist, 0.5 steals, 1.9 blocks, 62.6 FG%
F: Cayla George (MB) – 14.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.0 blocks, 43.2 FG%
F: Darcee Garbin (PL) – 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks, 41.2 FG%

BENCH:

G: Maddison Rocci (UC) – 16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 0 blocks, 40.5 FG%
G: Shyla Heal (TF) – 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 0 blocks, 40.6 FG%
C: Lauren Scherf (SUF) – 11 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.1 blocks, 34.6 FG%
F: Carley Ernst (BS) – 14.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.9 blocks, 34.7 FG%
F: Ezi Magbegor (MB) – 14.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1..5 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.1 blocks, 56.2 FG%