Homegrown Opal Stephanie Talbot signs with Adelaide Lightning for next season

Adelaide Lightning’s off-season momentum has continued by signing home-grown Opal Stephanie Talbot.

Stephanie Talbot drives to the basket for Australia. Picture: Ian Hitchcock (Getty).

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Adelaide Lightning’s off-season momentum has continued by signing homegrown Australian Opal Steph Talbot.

The 2016 Rio Olympian was a sought-after free agent after averaging 12.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists with Melbourne Boomers last WNBL season.

The 24-year-old small forward joins Lauren Nicholson in committing to the Lightning for next season just weeks after its future was secured by a new consortium.

“Steph ticks all the boxes for us and I am tremendously excited to have her back in Adelaide Lightning colours,” coach Chris Lucas said.

Steph Talbot in action for Melbourne Boomers last season. Picture: Michelle Couling

“She is a two-way player, a great defender who also can devastate you offensively. I think she hit six-of-eight threes here for Melbourne in a game against us late in the season and just killed us.

“It is great to have her back. Steph is a well-loved and popular teammate and she is South Australian as well, so we could not be happier.”

Talbot won a gold medal at last year’s Commonwealth Games and for the past two years has played with the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA.

“It was always my goal to come back to Adelaide and play for the Lightning,” Talbot said.

“I’m super-excited to be home. It’s where I wanted to be so when Chris approached me, it was a very easy decision.

“I’m just looking to get better. I don’t want to be a middle-of-the-pack player and Chris is putting a team together that will play for each other.”