As Australia's NBA presence continues to grow, the same can be said for the women's game.
Across the WNBA, a new generation of Australian talent is making its mark.
With almost two weeks since the finals wrapped up, it's the perfect time to look back at the Aussies who represented the green and gold throughout the 2025 season.
Alanna Smith
Minnesota Lynx
A key piece in Minnesota's league-leading 34–10 season, Smith has solidified herself as one of the WNBA's premier defensive forwards.
Ranking third in blocks (1.9 per game), she anchored the Lynx's top-rated defence and was instrumental in their Finals run.
Despite a late-season back issue, Smith capped a career-best campaign by earning Co-Defensive Player of the Year honours, the first Australian since Lauren Jackson to do so, while setting a franchise record for blocks and reinforcing her status as a key figure for both the Lynx and the Opals.
Chloe Bibby
Indiana Fever
Chloe Bibby's first WNBA season was anything but straightforward.
The 27-year-old forward became the first Australian to sign with the Golden State Valkyries before eventually finding a home with the Indiana Fever, where she played 14 games and shot an impressive 40.5 per cent from three.
Her journey, from multiple waivers to mid-season call-ups, showcased resilience and professionalism, hallmarks of a player who has worked her way up through nearly every level of global basketball.
A former Polish League MVP and two-time NBL1 All-Star, Bibby brought floor spacing and composure to Indiana before a late knee injury ended her rookie season.
Ezi Magbegor
Seattle Storm
Now a six-year veteran at just 26, Magbegor continued her ascent as one of the league's elite bigs.
She led the WNBA in blocks (96) while averaging 8 points and 6.2 rebounds, maintaining her reputation as a defensive game-changer.
Her matchup battles with A'ja Wilson and other top forwards highlighted her growth into a consistent All-Star-calibre player. Between her WNBA dominance and European success with ZVVZ USK Praha, Magbegor's trajectory only points upward.
Georgia Amoore
Washington Mystics
Georgia Amoore's rookie season ended before it began, but her response to adversity has already made an impression.
Drafted sixth overall by the Washington Mystics, the highest Australian selection since Liz Cambage, the point guard tore her ACL just days into training camp, shelving what was expected to be a breakout debut.
The Ballarat native arrived in the WNBA after a standout college career split between Virginia Tech and Kentucky, where she was known for her leadership, scoring instincts, and durability.
The injury was a cruel twist for one of Australia's most decorated collegiate products, yet Amoore's determination to stay with the team and commit to rehabilitation has underscored the professionalism that made her a first-round pick.
While 2025 became a year of recovery instead of highlights, the Mystics remain invested in her long-term role.
Jade Melbourne
Washington Mystics
In her third WNBA season, Jade Melbourne took another step forward as a dependable spark for the Washington Mystics.
Melbourne posted career highs across the board with 5.9 points and 2.9 assists in 23.4 minutes per game, while providing steady playmaking and pace in a rebuilding lineup.
Her consistency and defensive growth stood out even as the Mystics missed the postseason. Back home with the UC Capitals, Melbourne returns more confident than ever, carrying experience from both the WNBA and the Opals' Olympic and Asia Cup campaigns.
Rebecca Allen
Chicago Sky
Rebecca Allen's first season in Chicago was a test of resilience.
The guard joined the Sky following back surgery and a heartbreaking Olympic withdrawal in 2024, determined to reestablish herself after nearly a year off the court. Though the team endured a turbulent 10–34 season, Allen remained one of its few steady voices, a mentor in a locker room that refused to back down despite constant adversity.
On the floor, she reached a personal milestone by surpassing 1,500 career points and delivered flashes of her signature shooting touch, including a 27-point outburst against Dallas.
Beyond the numbers, her composure and defensive grit embodied professionalism through chaos. Now in her 10th WNBA season, Allen continues to balance recovery and reinvention, reminding everyone why she's been a fixture in the league for over a decade.
Sami Whitcomb
Phoenix Mercury
At 37, Sami Whitcomb continues to defy expectations.
After winning WNBL MVP and a championship with Bendigo Spirit, she carried that momentum to Phoenix, where her sharp shooting and leadership helped the Mercury reach the WNBA Finals.
Whether sparking runs off the bench or steadying the team in clutch moments, Whitcomb's influence went far beyond her stat line.
Her 36-point explosion performance showcased her scoring touch, but it's her defensive effort and mentorship that define her lasting impact. Confident, tireless, and team-first, Whitcomb remains one of Australia's most enduring and admired basketball figures.
Stephanie Talbot
New York Liberty
Stephanie Talbot's 2025 season was one of transition.
After a solid start with the Golden State Valkyries, where she contributed reliable shooting and playmaking in their debut year, Talbot joined the New York Liberty midseason.
Her role shifted to a limited rotation spot, but her ability to read the game, organise defensive sets, and steady the tempo proved invaluable in tight stretches.
Even with reduced minutes, Talbot remained the kind of player coaches trust: steady, smart, and selfless. Her professionalism through a challenging year reflected the experience of a seasoned international, now set to bring that same steadiness back to Adelaide.
