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 Perth Lynx, who made headlines across the WNBL with their ability to bring in talented players both domestically and internationally.

The final player in the side’s potential starting lineup looks to be WA local Darcee Garbin, who has established herself as one of the finest players in the league throughout her ten year career.

Garbin hails from the town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, and began her professional basketball journey by the time she had turned 18 with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). She signed with the West Coast Waves WNBL team, and spent three seasons on their list. During her time on the team, she gradually increased her average statistics per game as she emerged as one of Australia’s brightest young basketball talents.

After averaging a career-high points per game tally in 2014/15, she moved to the Townsville Fire, where she won two championships. She was a member of the team’s 2016 and 2018 title squads, where she proved a more than capable contributor. Much like her time at the Waves, she was able to steadily increase her output on a yearly basis, particularly her rebounding numbers, as she was able to use her 6 ft 2 in frame to pull down boards for her side.

She returned to the West Coast Waves (who now operate as the Perth Lynx) for the 2020/21 season, where she averaged a career-high 16.5 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game as one of the team’s most consistent and strongest performers. If she continues her gradual improvement on the same trajectory, she will be set for a massive campaign in the upcoming season.

She has also participated in the State Basketball League (SBL) for the Rockingham Flames, where she was able to demonstrate that she is a class above many. In 2019, she was named to the SBL All-Star Five after an outstanding season.

Garbin also has gathered a considerable amount of experience at international level. She was exposed to this level of play when she was selected to represent Australia at the FIBA U19 World Championship, and throughout her time as an Opal, she has been the recipient of two bronze and a gold medal. Her most recent third place finish came at the 2021 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, which wrapped just over a week ago.

Garbin will combine well with teammate Lauren Scherf, with the pair expected to dominate inside scoring and the rebounding battle.

Perth Lynx General Manager Brent Dawkins explained that the side is eager to get the pair back on the court.

“They haven’t been able to play a heap of basketball in the last 18 months, so they’re keen to get back into it once they get out of quarantine and we can’t wait to have them in our team this year,” Dawkins said.

Following years of steady growth as a player, Garbin will once again prove a strong weapon for the Lynx, with her powerful presence and ruthless rebounding a key factor.

Picture credit: Frankston Blues