THE WNBL season is getting closer each day, and the preparations of each team are starting to ramp up as the pre-season reaches the pointy end. In our player spotlight series, we take a look at the starting lineup of each team and what each player will bring to the table. With plenty of exciting player movements around the league, there are set to be some enthralling dynamics across the league.

The first team on the agenda is the Southside Flyers, who will be looking to back up their impressive 2020 campaign. The Flyers will enter this season with the title of ‘reigning champions’, but with a few new faces on the roster, they will be just as dangerous in their quest to claim back-to-back titles.

Our final player for the Flyers is new recruit Abby Bishop, who was one of the side’s most prominent additions in the offseason. Having demonstrated her dominance in the past, Bishop should combine well with her new teammates in the frontcourt to create one of the league’s most dynamic starting lineups.

A native of Boolaroo in South Australia, Bishop began grinding for basketball success at an early age. Like many of her peers, she began her professional basketball career with a spot playing for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in 2005/2006.

She was recognized as a youngster with plenty of potential during her time with the AIS, which was shown with the athletic tall winning the league’s Rookie of the Year award. Her star was beginning to shine and at just 18 years of age, Bishop joined the Canberra Capitals in the NBL. During her debut season with the club, she continued her progression towards basketball stardom.

Bishop spent the next four seasons with the Capitals, improving as each season went on. In 2010, she decided to take her talents to the biggest stage in the world, joining the Seattle Storm in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the United States.

While she did not receive much playing time, her work ethic and professionalism was still impressive to her coaches and teammates. The Storm won the 2010, although Bishop unfortunately missed out due to a concussion sustained at a team practice.

Following the 2010 season, Bishop elected to return to Australia to focus on the upcoming Olympic games in London. This worked successfully, with the side winning a bronze medal in London and Bishop a valuable contributor to the team. She eventually returned to the Storm in 2015 for a second stint with the side.

A return to the WNBL saw Bishop suit up for the Dandenong Rangers, Adelaide Lightening and the Capitals over a three year period. During this time, she continued her steady progression, as she surged to become one of the league’s strongest performers.

Her career reached new heights in the 2014/15 season, when she was awarded the League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award following an outstanding regular season. She put her name forth as one of the Capitals best players of the modern era, with an MVP award and three titles next to her name.

In the years since, Bishop has made appearances both internationally and domestically, with her most recent appearance being with the Townsville Fire in the 2020 season, where she performed admirably in a losing grand final side.

Flyers coach Cheryl Chambers says the Flyers are looking forward to seeing what Bishop will add to the team, given her years of strong performing.

“She’s really settled in well,” Chambers says. “She’s in really good shape, despite a significant time off the floor. She brings some length and can shoot the three as well, so we are really excited for her to help us stretch the floor.”

Photo: Evan Morgan