THE 2021 Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) returns on December 4, meaning it is time for our season previews to begin. Today is the Perth Lynx, who finished seventh in 2020.

Perth Lynx

2020 Finish: 7th

Recruits: Lauren Scherf (Flames), Jackie Young (WNBA), Marina Mabrey (WNBA)

Squad list:

Alex Ciabattoni
Alexandra Sharp
Ashleigh Isenbarger
Darcee Garbin
Emma Clarke
Emma Gandini 
Jackie Young
Lauren Scherf
Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard
Marina Mabrey
Mia Jacobs
Mia Satie
Tayah Burrows

After finishing second last in 2020, the only way is up for Perth as they look to improve this coming season, having bolstered their line-up with some outstanding recruits.

Although captain Katie-Rae Ebzery has retired, they have picked up some talented players in the offseason. Lauren Scherf comes across from Sydney Uni Flames and adds some star power to the lineup, but all the talk is about a couple of Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) talents. Marina Mabrey arrives Down Under having averaged 10.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game during her 2020 WNBA season.

The 2019 WNBA number one pick, Jackie Young is another addition to the Lynx outfit, averaging 11 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Las Vegas Aces in 2020. Both players add to an already strong outfit, but provide a stacked back court. Throw in the ever-dominant Darcee Garbin and in-from Alex Sharp who won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the National Basketball League (NBL)1 Women’s West competition, and the Lynx will be tough to beat.

Border closures mean that the Lynx will have to wait a few more weeks before kicking their season off, but that will no doubt only make them even hungrier to get started. With month delay on the rest of the competition, the Lynx will tip-off their season on January 2 against Adelaide Lightning.