WNBL Free Agency: Heal and Tupaea become first to switch teams
TALENTED teenager Shyla Heal became the first Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) player to switch allegiances for the 2021 WNBL season. Amongst a high number of re-signings for the University of Canberra Capitals – six players re-signed to the reigning premiers – Heal moved from Bendigo Spirit to the Sunshine State to take a chance with Townsville Fire.
Speaking to Heal last week, the 18-year-old has the intention of nominating for next year’s WNBA Draft, and she is determined to have a strong season with the Fire alongside another talented youngster in Zitina Aokuso. In a breaking announcement today, Sydney Uni Flames point guard Tahlia Tupaea has also headed inland and signed on with the Capitals. The talented 23-year-old who has had her fair share of bad luck through injuries since debuting at the age of 15 – the second youngest in WNBL history – will look to have a clean run in the nation’s capital.
The other big talking point was Alanna Smith returning to Australia from College to line-up with Adelaide Lightning next season. She was drafted in the first round – eighth overall pick – in last year’s WNBA Draft to go to the Phoenix Mercury after graduating through Stanford.
Given the likelihood of Brianna Turner‘s unavailability – due to the league not having imports – the power forward position is Smith’s for the taking. It allows her to team up with Lauren Nicholson and Steph Talbot in the City of Churches to try and bring Adelaide a title after being on the verge of being a contender the last couple of seasons.
The Spirit might have lost Heal over the Free Agency Period, but have re-signed Demi Skinner and Tessa Lavey, whilst Jenna O’Hea put pen to paper for another season with Southside Flyers. The Capitals re-signed six players in a spree early in the period, with Maddison Rocci, Abby Cubillo, Alex Delaney and Keely Froling joining Kelsey Griffin and Marianna Tolo in the capital to try and mount a title defence.
Three players have also announced their retirement from the league with Adelaide’s Nat Hurst, Bendigo’s Gabe Richards and Sydney Uni’s Sarah Graham calling it a day.
Lynx stun Spirit to hand Bendigo first loss
THERE are now no unbeaten sides in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) after the Perth Lynx defeated Bendigo Spirit in a top of the table clash that will shape the remainder of the 2024/25 season. The twos sides clashed at Red Energy Arena on Thursday night, and it was the top-placed Bendigo looking to […]
Townsville extinguishes Flames to open round
WEDNESDAY night in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) saw the Townsville Fire put an end to the Sydney Flames‘ three game winning streak by defeating the latter by 25 points at Townsville Entertainment Centre. It was third against fourth when the Fire hosted the Flames, with both teams in strong form heading into the […]
Lynx, Wildcats get wins over weekend
JUST ONE game each was played by the Western Australian sides over the weekend for the first time all year, and it came as a success as both teams had convincing victories. For the Perth Lynx, Thursday night welcomed the bottom-placed UC Capitals to Bendat as the home side looked to bounce back from their […]
Collier shows her class in tough loss
ALTHOUGH it may not have been the ideal result for her UC Capitals, import Charli Collier delivered her best performance at Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) level in the loss to the Adelaide Lightning over the weekend. Collier and the Capitals travelled to Adelaide 36ers Arena to take on the Lightning and were looking to […]
George guns it to lead Flames past Lynx
A STARRING performance from Cayla George has helped the Sydney Flames claim an 11-point win over the Perth Lynx in Round 6 of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) over the weekend. Two top four contenders locked horns at Quaycentre on Saturday night in an exciting clash given the recent form of the sides. The […]
Lynx slip after back-to-back losses
AFTER winning both of their games last weekend, hopes were high for the Perth Lynx as they each sought to push themselves towards top spot on the WNBL ladder. It wasn’t to be however as the Lynx dropped both games in Round 6 and now sit 6-3 on the season. On Thursday night the Lynx […]
Conti debuts for Geelong as United strike Lightning
GEELONG United made it two from two against Adelaide Lightning in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) yesterday, with the league’s newest side overcoming the last placed South Australian team by 10 points. A big name making her debut in the match was talented guard Monique Conti now her AFLW commitments – including yet another […]
Flyers look to quell Lightning
SOUTHSIDE Flyers face a must-win contest against WNBL slow starters Adelaide Lightning in order to remain in contention with the top three sides. A victory in tonight’s clash against the Lightning will edge the Flyers back to an even 4-4 win-loss keel, while also handing their opponents a sixth loss in the 2024/25 season. The […]
Western teams looking to follow up winning weekend
FOLLOWING a successful weekend that delivered four wins from four games for the Western Australian sides, the Perth Lynx and Perth Wildcats will both again face two opponents this weekend. For the Lynx, who reside second on the WNBL table after five consecutive wins, their round kicked off on Thursday night in a blockbuster, with […]
