Bec Allen lifts lid on retirement, rehab, her WNBA return, and role in Clark-Reese flashpoint

Bec Allen didn’t know if she’d make the court this season. She opens up to JESSICA ROBINSON about her mental challenge in rehab, suiting up for a new team in a new city, and the role she played in the viral Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese flashpoint.

She’s been a staple of the WNBA for the past decade, but Aussie Bec Allen didn’t know if she would make it back to the court in 2025.

A new season, with a new team in a new city, the star shooter says the season opener with Chicago Sky meant more to her than anyone would know.

It was her first game in over eight months, and the wave of emotions hit her like a ton of bricks.

“A lot of people don’t know that for me that (first game back after injury) was a really big milestone moment,” Allen, 32, told Code Sports.

“I achieved a lot to get back on the court and no one will know the mental battle that it took to get back to this season.

“Once I committed to it, I was all in.

“That first game, regardless of the result, I was really proud of myself.”

Rebecca Allen drives to the basket. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

A cruel hamstring injury at a pre-Paris Olympics practice match ruled her out of the Opals’ bronze medal Games.

That heartbreak followed a World Cup nightmare where Allen sustained a partially collapsed lung and two broken ribs which kept her on the sidelines, again missing out on that podium magic.

So as she rehabbed in Melbourne, away from the game, retirement came knocking on her door but she concedes calling time on her playing career on such a flat note wouldn’t be “who I am as a player.”

“I couldn’t end my career in a scratch match against Canada,” Allen said.

“That for me just doesn’t sit well.

“Not everyone gets the fairytale ending, I don’t believe in that and I don’t think I need that but I do want to finish in a different way.

“That whole retirement thing, I really questioned it when I was at home because that last season was deeply sad for me.

“I’m so thankful for my family, they rallied around me.”

Bec Allen is a staple of the Opals team. Picture: Getty Images

Fit and firing, Allen’s first six matches of her two year deal in the Windy City has her hitting her stride, stringing together a set of consistent strong showings since her injury, averaging 8.2 points and 3.2 rebounds off the bench.

“I never thought I’d play 10 years in the league so this season, I really want to be healthy, I want to enjoy it, I’m around really good people so that matters a lot to me.”

WNBA’S CELEB ERA

A handful of games into her 10th season, Allen is experiencing a new first.

The WNBA has entered a newfound era of household names taking on the league.

Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark elevated her college fame to a stamp on the global map, her name alone has the Fever upgrading to bigger stadiums and selling them out.

When the Fever travel to other cities, those teams are also forced to book out larger arenas to accommodate the sky high ticketing demand, which the Aussie says is “unreal.”

And fellow collegiate superstar Angel Reese is right up there with her.

The NCAA champion with LSU turned WNBA All-Rookie Team power forward hosts her own podcast, has a foundation and is forging a path in fashion, hitting the iconic Met Gala this year.

Angel Reese takes a hard foul from Caitlin Clark. Picture: Getty Images

She boasts 4.9 million Instagram followers and for Allen, it’s a whole new world since she joined the league in 2015.

“I don’t think I’ve ever played with a legit celebrity,” Allen said from the car park post-game at Windtrust Arena (Chicago Sky’s home arena) where fans packed outside waiting for the Sky star.

As the team’s security navigated each player’s outdoor car parking arrangements, the always closed garage doors rolled open for Reese to leave the building in her chic $183,000 Mercedes Benz G-Wagon as Allen and teammate Kia Nurse waited their turn.

“What I’ve really liked is that she’s a really good person, I’ve enjoyed every day being around her,” Allen said.

“She’s a really good energy amongst the group.

“In terms of basketball, we’re still trying to find that cohesion, and she’s obviously a focal point for us.”

Bec Allen defends against Indiana Fever’s Lexie Hull. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

The two most talked about WNBA names have been adding fuel to the fire since they both entered the league, taking subtle shots at one another over social media and in press conferences.

Their competitive rivalry winding back to college days.

The 23-year olds were the headline act for the league’s season opener and it didn’t take long for the spark to ignite.

Clark and Reese got caught up in the heat of the moment, after Allen’s attempted shot from the arc.

“Firstly, it was my shot that missed and she got the rebound and that’s what started the whole tackle,” Allen laughed.

“People just love that rivalry, they are two big names of the league, and they bring a huge audience on either side.

“It gets viewers, so whatever.

“I’m just there trying to diffuse the situation, I’m not a fighter, I’m just like ‘we’re good guys, we’re good!’

The Sky are set to host the Fever on Sunday AEST, however Clark is set for one more game on the sidelines as she nurses a quad injury.

Select games of the WNBA can be seen on Kayo Sports.

Originally published as Bec Allen lifts lid on retirement, rehab, her WNBA return, and role in Clark-Reese flashpoint