Free Agency: Flames import swap and sign former college star
The Sydney Flames have found their replacement for injured star import Didi Richards, while Adelaide Lightning welcome back their star import. All the latest WNBL FREE AGENCY news.
Womens Basketball
How ‘miserable’ Opals star fought her way back
After two years of huge moments, champion basketballer Cayla George was left ‘miserable’ and with nothing left to give. Now she’s revealed how playing in Taiwan ‘filled my cup.’
Opals star announces retirement from basketball
After the greatest individual honour of her career, an Opals star has announced her retirement from basketball, confident that the future for the Australian team is “super bright”.
Geelong cop baptism of Fire to open new WNBL season
The WNBL’s newest club will be in the spotlight when the league opens its new season on October 30. See the full draw here.
‘Find the cash’: Who fills the last four NBL roster spots?
NBL free agency is all but done, with just four vacant roster spots left across the entire league. Here’s every roster, which clubs are still hunting — and who they might sign.
Shyla finds sole purpose as Heal plots WNBA return
Three years after her brutal WNBA exit, Shyla Heal is plotting a return to the big league — and she’ll be doing it in her own signature shoe, tailor made for female hoopers.
Rookie Opal defies odds to elevate famed SA family’s sporting legacy
Izzy Borlase has plenty to live up to in a family filled with SANFL and netball stardom. But the rookie Opal more than held her own in her role in Australia’s bronze medal efforts in Paris.
Geelong United lands AFLW superstar in huge coup
Geelong United has added one of the country’s most decorated dual athletes Monique Conti to its inaugural roster, with Conti lining up in the AFLW before returning to the basketball court.
Full metal Jackson: How basketball GOAT saved the Opals’ culture
It took four screws and two titanium plates to rebuild the legend that is Lauren Jackson, and in turn, it has rebuilt the culture of the Opals, as they fight for a podium return in Paris.
Injury cursed Opal left ‘shattered’ after remarkable comeback
Bec Allen’s injury curse has left her ‘shattered’ after a remarkable comeback from broken ribs and a collapsed lung. The shooter opens up on the brutal road back, and the core Opals group who can lead them back to the podium.
‘Stay in the mix’: Gutsy call earns Opal late Olympic reprieve
Called in to help the Opals prepare for Paris after being dumped from the squad, Amy Atwell’s Olympic hopes were slim — but not none. Here’s how the Aussie sharpshooter stayed ready.
Cracker night calamity concusses basketball captain
A star NT basketball captain suffered a bizarre concussion in a fireworks accident as her team stumbled in the fight for a finals spot. Read what happened.
Long road back for LJ after successful dual surgeries
Lauren Jackson has undergone successful duel leg surgeries as she contemplates the long road back to continue her storied basketball careeer.
Fire snatch Townsville talent from southern WNBL rivals
The Townsville Fire have completed a major coup to secure the signature of one of the finest North Queensland basketball talents of the last decade. Find out how the Fire pulled it off.
Flames coach praises ‘best team in the league’ ahead of NBL1 finals
Townsville Flames coach James Rapinett has thrown down the gauntlet a week before finals as he eyes NBL1 North glory. Find out why he thinks his team can go all the way in 2024.
Olympic uncertainty as injuries hit for star Opals
Just a day after the squad was named for the Olympics, the Opals have been hit with a pair of injuries that could unsettle their Paris preparations.
Jackson’s gruelling process to secure spot on fifth Olympic team
After a relentless lead up to being named in her fifth Olympic team, Lauren Jackson has locked in her ticket to Paris and will bring her whole family along for the journey as the Opals plan for a return to the podium.
Opals lock in Paris squad, Jackson crowns comeback
The Opals have locked in a 12-strong squad for Paris that is full of WNBA talent, while 43-year-old icon Lauren Jackson has been called up for her fifth Olympic Games.
‘No one’s going to die’: lid on for Garbin girls amid Olympic hope
Darcee Garbin prefers to leave the limelight to gold-medal Diamond sister Sophie and just be “Darcee, the basketballer”. In a few days time, though, she might be ‘Garbin, the Olympian’.
Maley chooses next WNBL home amid chase for Olympic dream
In Melbourne chasing her dream of wearing the green and gold in Paris, the WNBL’s rebounding queen Anneli Maley has put pen-to-paper on her next contract.
‘Never meant to play again’: LJ’s long road to Olympic history
Lauren Jackson ‘was never meant to play again’ after the 2022 World Cup, now a fifth Olympics is on her radar. The GOAT opens up to MATT LOGUE on her Paris hopes, career fears, Hall of Fame and the Opals bright future.
Aussie power couple chasing history on two fronts in Paris
Superstar basketball couple Anneli Maley and Marena Whittle are set to create powerful history on two counts at the Olympics, as the 3×3 ballers make waves on and off the court.
Opals future star, WNBL favourite on brink of Olympic dream
Young Opal Jade Melbourne says she has left everything out on the court ahead of Olympic team selection. The fan favourite opens up on the ‘sisterhood,’ the Paris dream and experiencing her first WNBA trade.
‘Brighter future’: NBL, Tesla chair, join forces to take on the WNBL
A consortium involving the man behind the NBL’s ascent and the Australian chair of Tesla have joined forces and will take ownership control of the WNBL in 2025.
NBA legend sues Aussie team over statement
Aussie basketball legend Shane Heal has launched a fresh legal battle against his former team the Sydney Flames over a media statement made by the club.
Future Opals gun reveals full extent of serious knee injury
Australian rising star Isla Juffermans could face a lengthy stint on the sidelines but the worst fears have been allayed following her gruelling injury end at the Under-20s National Championships.
‘She will have a statue’: Time to immortalise Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson is one of the WNBA’s and Australia’s greatest. Storm coach Noelle Quinn is in Australia and says a statue of the hoops legend in Seattle is inevitable. But what about at home?
WNBL slammed over embarrassing fixture bungle
When the WNBL released its fixture, something wasn’t quite right. Here’s how an ‘embarrassing’ double booking confused three clubs across two leagues and left one owner seething.
Townsville Fire round 10 hub: Community spirit fuels Reid’s fire
Steph Reid has only played for the Fire for four years, but her rise to the top has been meteoric. Read her story along with key match-ups and burning questions ahead of their round 10 clash.
How Whitcomb stepped up to sink former club
Sami Whitcomb ensured the Fire began 2024 atop the WNBL standings with a basketball masterclass against her former club on Sunday night. Find out why Perth aren’t making excuses.
Decade of regret clouds Kestelman’s WNBL interest
As a key figure in the NBL’s resurrection maintains interest in the cash-strapped WNBL, hesitancy from some basketball powerbrokers could stymie the plan.
Townsville import’s tale of terror, escape and rekindling her joy
Less than three months after sheltering in a staircase from Hamas rocket attacks, Swedish basketballer Amanda Zahui B is lighting up the WNBL with the Townsville Fire. Read her incredible story.
Just getting started: Flame burns brightly for Coffs talent Juffermans
Coffs Harbour’s Isla Juffermans checked off the latest milestone in her promising basketball career with her first WNBL points as the 18-year-old talent prepares for a college stint with Louisville.
Cambage, Kanye family friendship grows
Former Opal Liz Cambage has worked her way into the inner sanctum of one of the world’s strangest, most polarising families.
Opals make it official: Lauren Jackson’s Paris dream alive
Lauren Jackson is officially in the frame for a fifth Olympic Games — at age 42 — after she was named in the Opals squad charged with punching its ticket for Paris. SQUAD REVEAL
Top 50 sports women: Can anyone beat Kerr to No.1 spot?
This has been a watershed year for Australian female athletes. From the Matildas to our swimmers, they have made their mark at home and abroad. We reveal the top 50 for 2023.
‘Under missiles and bombs’: WNBL recruit’s terrifying Israel escape
The WNBA veteran revealed the terrifying moment Hamas missiles and bombs went flying overhead and the circumstances that led to her walking out on Israeli club Maccabi Bnot Ashdod.
Why Opals captain wants to lead women’s hoops revival in Sydney
Tess Madgen has seen what the revival of the Kings has done for basketball in Sydney, which is why the Australian captain wants to play a key role in the Flames returning back to the top of the tree.
WNBL three-point queen sets sights on Paris 2024: Orange Army
Alice Kunek reveals her Olympic ambitions, young gun Saffron Shiels goes 14 in 14, burning questions and key match-ups plus the final word from Alice herself. Get your Orange Army liftout.
Hero or traitor: Whitcomb braces for unknown in Perth return
Fire WNBL captain Sami Whitcomb has no idea what reception awaits her when she steps on to the court in Perth, the only home she had known in Australia until her defection to Townsville.
Yesterday’s price isn’t today’s: MVP fancy’s free agency Boom
She’s only played three WNBL games but Jordin Canada has arrived even better than advertised, the early-MVP favourite set to spark a free agency frenzy in the WNBA.
Townsville Fire round 3 hub: McDowell-White on family and Fire
Jess McDowell-White opens up about family, five years of winter and how the Fire found her, plus see the key match ups and three burning questions ahead of the UC Capitals match in round 3.
WNBL fans left in the dark after Nine broadcast crash
Technical issues have marred the opening rounds of the WNBL for the second year running, with fans missing the game winning shot in the grand final rematch, after the broadcast flatlined.
Lauren Jackson opens up on her greatest regret
Having soared to the very top of her sport while still playing professionally at age 42, Australian basketball royalty Lauren Jackson has very few regrets in life – but one sticks out.
The green light that unleashed Aokuso’s MVP form
Zitina Aokuso looked to have unlocked her best form in the Fire’s season opener on Saturday off the back of a spectacular shooting display. Find out what piece of advice helped her turn a corner.
GOAT returns but MVP candidate brings boom
After more than 270 days, Lauren Jackson finally made her WNBL return. But it was a Boomers MVP candidate who dominated the cross-town battle.
WNBL season preview: Your ultimate guide to the 2023/24 season
The 2023/24 WNBL season is underway with hot talent from home and abroad. We preview every team, their stars and young guns in your ultimate guide to a bumper year ahead.
How Townsville Fire hit the jackpot to secure financial future
The largest contribution from the private sector in club history has secured the immediate future of the Townsville Fire in the wake of wider concerns over the viability of the WNBL.
Indigenous Round a chance to recommit in wake of ‘No’ vote
The NBL and WNBL have partnered in this year’s Indigenous Round, which takes on added significance in the wake of the angst caused by the ‘No’ vote on the Voice to Parliament.
Townsville Fire suffer major blow five days from season opener
The Townsville Fire’s championship hopes have taken a major hit just five days out from their opening game. Find out why one of their most important players will not suit up on Saturday.
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