THE WNBL has had a very traffic-heavy third week in the league\u2019s Free Agency Period, as five of the competition\u2019s eight sides made roster updates, whilst the Adelaide Lightning announced earlier today that they will disclose their second (possibly third) signing this upcoming Monday.<\/p>\n
Going through each team alphabetically, Draft Central<\/em> outlines how the third week has panned out.<\/p>\n Adelaide Lightning<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Almost two weeks prior to now, the Lightning organisation revealed their marquee signing of the WNBL21 season, with the acquisition of Australian Opal and member of the Phoenix Mercury, Alanna Smith<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Moving down the track to earlier today, Adelaide\u2019s social media platforms teased the fact that on Monday June 29, the unveiling of their second and possibly third Free Agency signings will be made known to the public.<\/p>\n Bendigo Spirit<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Known to carry a development philosophy throughout their club, the Bendigo Spirit further cemented that notion with the acquisition of 17-year-old Young Gun and University of Indiana-commit, Paige Price<\/strong>.<\/p>\n While Price spent all of last season as a development player with the Melbourne Boomers, getting just a couple of runs throughout the campaign, she\u2019s eager to get some serious game time, as she signs with her former side\u2019s country rivals.<\/p>\n But the rising star knows that she needs to work hard if she\u2019s to earn additional minutes for next season<\/a> under the guidance of Head Coach Tracy York<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cI am excited to be joining the Bendigo Spirit. I have spent a lot of time training and playing at Bendigo throughout my Vic Country experience, so I know the place well and feel comfortable in the environment and excited to be back in Vic Country.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere are no guarantees or promises from Tracy, but it is up to me now to earn any minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see the move to Bendigo as the next progression in my career and I\u2019ve loved Tracy\u2019s coaching style when I played under her for Australia at the FIBA Oceania Tournament so I am confident I will make the most of this opportunity,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Price is the sixth confirmed member for the Spirit next season, following the confirmations of Alicia Froling<\/strong>, Carley Ernst<\/strong>, Cassidy McLean<\/strong>, Demi Skinner<\/strong> and Tessa Lavey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Melbourne Boomers<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n At the conclusion of her second season with the Melbourne Boomers, newly re-signed 20-year-old Ezi Magbegor<\/strong> was gifted the Betty Watson Australian Youth Player of the Year Award for a record setting second time of her career, which makes you understand why the club is ecstatic to welcome her back for a third fixture in WNBL21.<\/p>\n With the Seattle Storm set to debut Magbegor in the coming weeks for their shortened WNBA season, it provides the Opal an opportunity to really raise her benchmark of opposition, before coming back to the WNBL to help push for the franchise\u2019s first title under the \u2018Melbourne\u2019 moniker in the club\u2019s history.<\/p>\n In a brief statement to the club, Magbegor highlighted her confidence in the team that is set to take shape<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019m excited to be going into my third year with the Boomers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWith a lot of returning players, we\u2019ve built a strong team and I am looking forward to getting on the court with the team and really working this season,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n As per Melbourne\u2019s signed players thus far, Magbegor joins the likes of co-captains Maddie Garrick<\/strong> and Cayla George<\/strong>, as well as Townsville\u2019s Tess Madgen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Perth Lynx<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Shortly after it was divulged that All-WNBL First Team recipient Katie Ebzery<\/strong> and WA-local Darcee Garbin<\/strong> were to be playing in the red and black next season, it seems as though \u2018home is where the heart is\u2019 for much of the Lynx\u2019s WNBL21 roster, as Ryan Petrik<\/em><\/strong> and his team signed returning Perth player and former WNBL Rookie of the Year recipient, Alex Ciabattoni<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Beginning her WNBL career in her home state of South Australia, Ciabattoni would cement a splendid rookie season with the Lightning, earning herself ROTY honours in the 2015\/16 season. She would make the move out west for the 2017\/18 season with the Perth Lynx, helping the team to a minor premiership and a 15-6 record. Following a semi-final upset to the Boomers, the 26-year-old Forward made the trip over to Italy to sign with Reyer Venezia (Serie A1), while also going on loan to Ponzano Basket during her overseas stint.<\/p>\n Heading back home to what Ciabattoni calls her \u201csecond home\u201d, Petrik seems optimistic of what this Perth side is capable of<\/a> as they move along in the offseason, given he knows what his latest signee\u2019s skills bring to the table.<\/p>\n \u201cAlex is someone who can do a little bit of everything and with the way the game is going that skillset is really valuable to us,\u201d he said<\/p>\n \u201cWe know Chibba\u2019s game really well and we\u2019re confident that she has the ability to be a real weapon for us this season.\u201d<\/p>\n Sydney Uni Flames<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Following the signings of Australian Opal Lauren Mansfield<\/strong> and the fast developing Anneli Maley<\/strong>, the Sydney Uni Flames became the final team to enter the Free Agency conversation, as they confirmed more signings to come in the next couple of weeks.<\/p>\n Mansfield, who spent her previous season with the Lynx, provided herself with what was a very respectable season. Earning solid numbers in all of the major categories, Mansfield averaged 9.6 points, 4.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals (eighth highest in the WNBL) per game.<\/p>\n Heading into the twilight years of her career at the age of 30, Mansfield is still aiming to refine her game further, which she addressed following the announcement of her transfer<\/a>. “After speaking with Katrina, who emphasised building a good culture with a mix of young talent and experienced players, I thought Sydney would be a great fit for the further development of my basketball career,\u201d explained Mansfield.<\/p>\n The latter of the Flames\u2019 two signings, Maley, who played for the Southside Flyers in WNBL20, projects an energy around her that motivates her teammates. This attracted Head Coach Katrina Hibbert<\/em><\/strong> to the 21-year-old, something her side will need if they are to improve upon their sixth-place finish from last season.<\/p>\n