WNBA champion Ezi Magbegor leads field of exceptional, young talent in WNBL season
WNBA champions, future Opals stars and more. We have named the WNBL’s top 20 youngsters. SEE WHO MADE THE LIST
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WNBA champions, future Opals stars and returning college talents – this year’s field of emerging young talent in the WNBL has everything.
With no imports allowed in this year’s reduced hub season in North Queensland due to COVID-19, local youngsters have been given more opportunity than ever to shine at the top level.
And most have taken the opportunity with both hands.
From Ezi Magbegor showing why she played an important role in the Seattle Storm’s 2020 WNBA title to Shyla Heal – the daughter of Australian basketball legend, Shane – having a breakout season and leading her Townsville Fire towards the playoffs, basketball fans have been treated to some incredible displays over the past month.
So much so that we thought we would recognise the young talent in the league with a top 20 list. See who made it below:
WNBL’S TOP 20 YOUNG TALENT (23 and under)
20. Tayah Burrows, 19 – Guard – Perth Lynx
An energiser bunny for the Perth Lynx, Tayah Burrows decided to stay and play WNBL before starting her US college career. The point guard has impressed onlookers with her relentlessness and energy every time she hits the floor.
19. Ella Batish, 21 – Forward – Adelaide Lightning
Another young contributor for the Lightning, Batish has taken the opportunity after being signed late following the injury to marquee signing Alanna Smith. The Melbourne product, who has been impressive in the NBL1 competition, has shown she can play in the WNBL.
18. Ashleigh Isenbarger, 23 – Forward – Perth Lynx
A consistent bench piece for the Perth Lynx, Ashleigh Isenbarger was another one of the team’s youngsters to make an impression despite having already played in the WNBL with Perth and Melbourne. Her ability to pick and pop and guard multiple positions made her a valuable late addition for coach Ryan Petrik.
17. Keira Rowe, 21 – Guard/Forward – Sydney Uni Flames
An athletic guard, who won a FIBA Under-17 World Championship in 2016, Kiera Rowe is a valuable piece for the Sydney Uni Flames off the bench. After moving from the Southside Flyers, Rowe spends a lot of her minutes guarding the opponent’s best wing player and at only 21 still has a big future in the WNBL.
16. Emma Clarke, 20 – Guard/Forward – Perth Lynx
Foregoing her college career after transferring from Colorado to Texas Tech, Clarke has been another shining light for the young Perth Lynx. The WA junior, who has represented Australia at the junior level, has shown she is a player of the future with her length and athleticism. Has averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in her rookie season.
15. Demi Skinner, 23 – Forward – Bendigo Spirit
In her second season with the Bendigo Spirit, Demi Skinner has shown improvement and at times, especially in the second half of the campaign, has been the third contributor the Spirit have needed to be competitive. Skinner is averaging 6.3 points per game along with 2.4 rebounds while shooting more than 42 per cent from three.
14. Taylor Ortlepp, 23 – Guard – Adelaide Lightning
After a four-year US college career at Boston College, Taylor Ortlepp has returned to the Adelaide Lightning and has shown she can be a valuable contributor off the bench for Chris Lucas’s side. Had some big moments early on in the season an could be a big part of Adelaide’s future.
13. Monique Conti, 21 – Guard – Southside Flyers
An underrated high-energy guard, Monique Conti gives the Southside Flyers a boost every time she hits the floor. Guarding the opponents best guard majority of the time when she hits the floor, Conti is someone who can change a game quickly an could be an x-factor off the bench for the Flyers in the finals.
12. Abby Cubillo, 21 – Guard – UC Capitals
The first WNBL player from the Northern Territory, Abby Cubillo has once again stepped up for the two-time defending champion UC Capitals, starting most games this season. Her tenacity on the defensive end against opposing team’s guards has been a major reason the Capitals impressive regular season to date.
11. Courtney Woods, 23 – Guard/Forward – JCU Townsville Fire
The Brisbane product, who had a successful college career at Northern Illinois University where she finished as the school’s all-time leader in made threes and games played, has made a smooth transition to the WNBL in her rookie season. Woods has been an offensive sparkplug off the bench for the Fire averaging 6.5 points per game and shooting at 44 per cent from beyond the arc.
10. Chelsea Brook, 22 – Forward/Centre – Adelaide Lightning
In her fifth season in the WNBL and with the Adelaide Lightning at just the age of 22, Chelsea Brook has stepped into a bigger role as the starting big this year and has shown she is more than capable. With the team still a chance of making finals, Brook has played an important supporting role to Steph Talbot and Alex Wilson, averaging 10.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
9. Alexandra Sharp, 23 – Guard/Forward – Perth Lynx
One of the shining lights for the Perth Lynx, Alex Sharp has shown she is a talent to keep an eye on in the years to come in the WNBL. The two-time World University Games gold medallist and FIBA Under-19 World Championship bronze medallist has made her mark in her rookie season, especially to finish the season. She finished as one of the league’s best rebounders with eight per game along with 8.9 points per game.
8. Jade Melbourne, 18 – Guard – UC Capitals
Another youngster who burst onto the scene this year, Jade Melbourne has been a huge part of the UC Capitals’ success this season, especially early on when the team was missing several key players through injury. Having committed to Arizona State University, Melbourne even completed her final Year 12 exam in the hub and is averaging 7.8 points along with 2.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
7. Megan McKay, 23 – Forward/Centre – JCU Townsville Fire
The Perth-born centre has proved a major addition for the Townsville Fire as the starting big on the team that looks destined for a playoff run. After four years at St Mary’s followed by a year in Germany, McKay has been a big presence inside, especially defensively for Shannon Seebohm’s side, averaging seven points and six rebounds, shooting more than 65 per cent.
6. Tahlia Tupaea, 23 – Guard – UC Capitals
Already an eight-year veteran in the WNBL, Tahlia Tupaea is still only 23-years-old but has a mountain of experience behind her, including a championship in 2017. The guard, who was also pick 36 in the 2017 WNBA Draft moved on from the Syney Uni Flames to join the UC Capitals this year and is making a big impact for the defending champions averaging 6.3 points and 4.4 assists per game.
5. Zitina Aokuso, 22 – Centre – JCU Townsville Fire
Bouncing back after missing last season with an ACL injury, Zitina Aokuso is playing a huge role on the inside for the Townsville Fire – giving the likes of Shyla heal and Lauren Nicholson a big target in the paint. Aokuso, along with fellow youngster Heal, have led the Fire back to prominence, averaging 93 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting more than 50 per cent from the field.
4. Anneli Maley, 22 – Forward – Sydney Uni Flames
The rebounding machine from the Sydney Uni Flames! Anneli Maley has relished a bigger role after moving to the Flames from the Flyers, leading the league in rebounds with more than 11 per game, including a season-high of 20 against the Perth Lynx. Known for her work ethic and relentless attack on the boards, Maley has become a favourite to watch among fans this season.
3. Shyla Heal, 19 – Guard – JCU Townsville Fire
The breakout player of the competition, Shyla Heal has been a revelation for the Fire this season, forming arguably the best backcourt in the WNBL along with Lauren Nicholson. Her performances have led to selection in the Opals squad and even predictions having her slotted in as a first-round draft pick in the WNBA next year. Heal has averaged 16.5 points along with 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
2. Maddison Rocci, 22 – Guard – UC Capitals
A massive part of the UC Capitals back-to-back championships, Maddison Rocci has established herself as one of the best guards in the country, earning a call up to the Opals squad for the Tokyo Olympics. The Melbourne product will look to add playing for the Opals to her international resume after representing Australia at the junior levels. Rocci has once again been impressive for the Capitals, averaging 15.7 points and more than three assists and three rebounds per game.
1. Ezi Magbegor, 21 – Forward – Melbourne Boomers
Easily takes out top spot after an incredible year, which included winning a WNBA championship in her first season with the Seattle Storm. Has dominated in recent weeks after a slow start to the WNBL season, averaging 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting more than 54 per cent from the field. Magbegor already has an illustrious career in the sport, winning a gold medal at the FIBA Under-17 Championships in 2016, where she won MVP after scoring 28 points in the final against the USA and won the WNBL’s rookie of the year in 2018. She also has a Commonwealth Games gold, FIBA World Cup silver and an Asia Cup bronze medal to her name.
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