A full player guide to Geelong’s 2024/25 WNBL roster
Geelong United’s historic first WNBL roster boasts WNBA experience along with seasoned vets and a host of young talent. Find out more about the players set to take the court this season.
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Geelong United will step straight into fire when it tips off a historic first season in the WNBL in front of a Geelong Arena crowd against Townsville on Wednesday night.
Head coach Chris Lucas has built a roster headlined more by youth than experience, though versatility is a feature with several players boasting weapons when it comes to scoring, rebounding or defending.
Here is everything you need to know about Geelong’s inaugural roster.
#4 Jaz Shelley
A former WNBL rookie of the year before embarking on a five-year collegiate career in the US, the 24-year-old Shelley arrived back on Australian shores earlier this year after getting drafted by Phoenix in the WNBA but later cut on the final day of training camp.
The 5’9” guard can do it all in regards to scoring, rebounding or assisting and set a college program record at Nebraska for most three pointers in a game while she finished fourth overall in their history for 3-pointers.
#5 Elissa Brett
The Adelaide-born Brett, 24, returns to Australia fresh off a five-year collegiate stint, most recently at Michigan as a graduate transfer.
The 6’0” guard can score from all over the court, and is a strong defender who can also rebound well from the guard position.
Brett made headlines in 2023 after she was on the receiving end of a punch by an opposing player during a handshake line-up, while earlier this year, she had a front-row seat when US star Caitlin Clark broke the NCAAW’s all-time scoring record.
#7 Sarah Elsworthy
The South Australian returns to the league for the first time since 2020, though the 26-year-old is no stranger to Geelong, having lined up for its NBL1 team for the past four seasons.
A 5’7” cm guard, Elsworthy describes herself as “a defensive pest” while her all-round game saw her average 14.59 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.3 steals a game in the NBL1 last season.
#10 Gemma Potter
At just 22, Potter is already approaching her sixth season within the league. And while two ACL injuries put Potter’s career on “pause”, she made her successful return to court for Canberra last season, where she was named the Capitals’ best defensive player while averaging 10.2 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals. Spent the winter playing for Diamond Valley Eagles in the NBL1.
#11 Taylor Mole
The Hobart product has previous WNBL experience with Adelaide Lightning, but it was the 6’2” forward’s most recent NBL1 season playing with Mackay which caught Geelong coach Chris Lucas’ attention, when she averaged 22.12 points, 2.76 assists and 7.53 rebounds a game.
The 25-year-old previously spent five years in the US college system with Colorado State and Santa Barbara.
#12 Hannah Hank
The 6’2” forward arrives for her first season in the WNBL after a four-year college stint at Clemson, while the 23-year-0ld is fresh off a strong NBL1 season with Brisbane Capitals where she averaged 12.88 points and 10.41 rebounds a game.
#13 Haley Jones
A Stanford graduate, Jones helped the Cardinals to the 2021 NCAA national title before she went pick number six in 2023 WNBA draft.
Spending the last two seasons with Atlanta Dream, this is Jones’ first overseas playing stint, with the 23-year-old primarily a point guard, though she can run through multiple positions and score when needed.
#14 Monique Conti
The AFLW star has been a staple of the WNBL since 2016. The 5’5” guard was rookie of the year in 2017 and won a championship with Southside Flyers in 2020.
Currently amid an AFLW season with Richmond, Conti will arrive later in the season, though as a disruptive defender who can hit the scoreboard, she is expected to push for selection and minutes quickly.
#15 Lynetta Kizer
The 34-year-old brings experience and height to the post for Geelong as a 6’4” forward-centre, with seven seasons in the WNBA across five teams and multiple international stints across Europe, though it will be her first season in the WNBL.
#21 Keely Froling
Another experienced name among a young roster, the 28-year-old Froling reunites with Chris Lucas, after lining up for the coach at Melbourne Boomers last season where she averaged 12.7 points and eight rebounds.
The 6’2” forward has played in the WNBL since 2011 and won a championship with Canberra in 2019, while she made her Opals debut in 2021.
#55 Daniel Raber
The Israeli national team player will line up in her first WNBL season after a strong season with Cockburn Cougars in the NBL1, where she averaged 18.74 points, 5.05 assists and 11.05 rebounds.
The 5’11” forward can play the three to five position and has played domestically in Europe.
Development players
#2 Tanielle Knight
The Western Heights College graduate has represented Victoria at a national level, while enjoying several successful Big V seasons with championship-level Wyndham, which included winning a title. The 20-year-old forward was a development player for Bendigo Spirit last season.
#16 Dakota Crichton
Crichton, 19, is another to represent Victoria on the national stage, and has long been touted as someone who can play at the WNBL level. The 6’1” guard/forward can run the floor, score in the paint and rebound, with her last few seasons spent playing for Big V outfit Warrnambool.
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Originally published as A full player guide to Geelong’s 2024/25 WNBL roster
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