Talbot to Valkyrie, same as current WNBL'er Veronic Burton. Kate Martin is the big news fan wise, Thornton maybe best player? I don't see this team close to making finals.

Yeah, the system has never been set up for an expansion team to be competitive in season 1. At least free agency is more flexible than the last time we had expansion.

Full list of picks today .. they really went international with these:

Monique Billings
Veronica Burton
Maria Conde
Temi Fagbenle
Carla Leite
Kate Martin
Iliana Rupert
Steph Talbot
Kayla Thornton
Julie Vanloo
Cecilia Zandalasini

International = great marketing opportunities. Local market already have their teams - will get the Bay area / San Fran fans and hopefully make the Stanford connection strong and early.

Thornton wasn't all that inspiring as a leader for the Flyers when she was here. Is she meant to take on a leadership role in this group? Surely not.

Billings also a little low IQ? Just from all reports while she was here.
I agree the group is diverse but perhaps underwhelming?

Free agency has started with a bang.
Yesterday saw Plum & Loyd on the move. Today Cloud & Thomas swapping places, and supposedly Griner is on her way from Phoenix to Atlanta.
Bec Allen joining Cloud at the Sun.

I read somewhere that Allen wanted to leave CT due to the facilities originally so PHX was the ideal destination for her... now she has been traded back, surely CT trade her again before the start of the season if she doesn't want to be there?

Mitchell has re-signed with the Fever.

Phoenix really blowing the whole thing up

Phoenix gets (Satou) Sabally, Kalani Brown and Sevgi Uzun.
Dallas gets Ty Harris, NaLyssa Smith (via Indy) the rights to Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and the No. 8 pick from Indy.
Indiana gets Sophie Cunningham and the No. 19 pick.

Sparks Sign Forwards Emma Cannon, Anneli Maley

The Los Angeles Sparks signed forwards Emma Cannon and Anneli Maley, the organization announced Sunday.

...

"We're excited to add two talented players to our group in Emma and Anneli," said General Manager Raegan Pebley. “They are elite competitors who impact both ends of the floor with their toughness.”

Maley, from Melbourne, debuted in the NBL, Australia’s professional league, in 2020 with the Sydney Flames before winning the league’s Most Valuable Player Award in 2022 with the Bendigo Spirit. Maley led the WNBL in scoring and rebounding her MVP season, also pacing the league in rebounding the prior season. The forward made her WNBA debut that year with the Chicago Sky, averaging 2.0 points and 1.8 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field over four games. In 2023, Maley received a second consecutive training camp invitation from the Sky but did not appear in any regular-season contests.

The 6-foot-2 Aussie has led her native country to eight medals in international competition, including gold at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup and silver at the 2022 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup. Maley also represented Australia in 3×3 action at the 2024 Olympics. She is currently competing for the Perth Lynx of the NBL, ranking second in the league in rebounds per game (12.0). Maley also ranks ninth league-wide in steals per game (1.7), along with averaging 12.2 points and 2.7 assists per her 19 games. The 25-year-old played collegiately at the University of Oregon for two seasons before transferring to Texas Christian University.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Emma and Anneli,” said Sparks Head Coach Lynne Roberts. “Their toughness and rebounding will elevate our team.”

Sami Whitcomb -> Phoenix

Link

Tentatively WNBA-related, Georgia Amoore had 43 points & 8 assists today vs the Sooners.

Georgia is going to be great. Perhaps so great the WNBL won't be able to afford her.

Amoore already earning more this season than she would be playing in the WNBA next season.

No doubt Amoore goes Top 15 but most picks don't make the wnba and it’s hard to see a team finding room for her looking at the rosters currently. Would have to have an outstanding preseason...
Also, have to see her play against some actual defense, this could be Heal 2.0.

I use the Sofascore app to keep track of Aussies in all sorts of sports and the clowns list her nationality as USA no matter how many times I "suggest" the change or even email them!

Amoore would tear it up in the WNBL

Not sure I get the Maley off to the WNBA, she's definitely not going to be able to play the 4 position at the WNBA level & her handle & questionable shot jump is not conducive to her playing the 2 or 3 spots. Unfortunately she’s the pro typical tweener stuck in no man’s land, what she will give is plenty of effort & energy.

Yep, hard to see her locking down a spot.

Press Release

Sparks Sign Guard Shaneice Swain

The Sparks' 2023 second-round pick ranks third in Australia’s WNBL in scoring

The Los Angeles Sparks signed guard Shaneice Swain to a rookie-scale contract, the organization announced Wednesday. The 21-year-old Australian was drafted by Los Angeles in the second round (14th overall) of the 2023 WNBA Draft.

"I’m excited to join the Sparks and truly grateful for this incredible opportunity to elevate my game," Swainsaid. “I look forward to learning and growing as a player under the guidance of our new coaches and alongside very talented teammates. This is a fresh chapter for me, and I’m ready to embrace the challenges ahead.”

Swain, whose nickname among Australian basketball fans is “The Swain Train,” ranks second in three-pointers made per game (3.4) and third in scoring in the WNBL, Australia’s top league, this season. In 18 games (16 starts) for the Sydney Flames this season, she is averaging 18.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. Her 3.9 assists per game rank eighth in the league, and her 25 steals are tied for 15th. Swain’s shooting splits this season are 39.1% overall, 34.5% on three-pointers and 83.0% from the free-throw line.

Swain has twice been named WNBL Player of the Round during the 2024-25 campaign, most recently receiving the honors on Feb. 2 after posting 36 points, six assists and four rebounds in a must-win victory. She made five three-pointers in the game and scored 17 of her points in the first quarter. Eight days earlier, Swain scored 40 of her team’s 75 points, going 16-for-25 from the floor and 7-for-12 from beyond the arc.

“Shaneice is ready for the W, and the Sparks are ready for her,” Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley said. “Her explosive scoring and creative passing, combined with her defensive potential, make her an exciting rookie.”

Before joining Sydney in 2023-24, Swain spent the previous two seasons playing for the University of Canberra Capitals in the WNBL. In total, she has played 44 regular-season games professionally in Australia, starting 29 of these contests. In 2022-23, Swain ranked fourth in the WNBL in steals per game and finished top 15 in three-pointers made. In 2024, she also played in the NBL1 South in Australia, capturing NBL1 South Youth Player of the Year honors.

“We can’t wait to get Shaneice to L.A.,” said Sparks Head Coach Lynne Roberts. “She is an elite scorer who can bring instant offense to our team.”

Bibby gets a TC contract with Golden State.

Melbourne C - Washington
Whitcomb C - Phoenix
Swain RSC - LA
Wallace C - Indiana
Atwell TCC - Phoenix
Talbot C - Golden State
Bibby TCC - Golden State
Allen C - Chicago
Maley TCC - LA
Smith C - Minnesota
Magbegor C - Seattle

Assume 1 or both of Borlase + Puoch will get a chance.

Love this for Chloe!

Golden State continuing their international flavour

Not a good sign for Borlase when they just signed Winterburn to a Rookie Scale contract. + 3 other sgs on the roster.

Puoch hopefully gets in.

If I were Borlase I'd wait another year before going over anyway. I think this season has shown she could use a little more time to refine her game before getting into a WNBA camp battle.

Did not put in the effort this year, was obvious. Puoch made another step but probably not ready either.

Yep, both not ready after this season. One more for Puoch and Borlase.

Most recent ESPN mock draft:

1. Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers
UConn | point guard | 6-foot-0 | senior

2. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles
Notre Dame | point guard | 5-10 | junior

3. Chicago Sky: Sonia Citron
Notre Dame | shooting guard | 6-1 | senior

4. Washington Mystics: Dominique Malonga
France | center | 6-6

5. Golden State Valkyries: Kiki Iriafen
USC | power forward | 6-3 | senior

6. Washington Mystics: Aneesah Morrow
LSU | small forward | 6-1 | senior

7. New York Liberty: Shyanne Sellers
Maryland | point guard | 6-2 | senior

8. Connecticut Sun: Ajsa Sivka
Slovenia | power forward | 6-3

9. Los Angeles Sparks: Te-Hina Paopao
South Carolina | guard | 5-9 | senior

10. Chicago Sky: Saniya Rivers
NC State Wolfpack | small forward | 6-1 | senior

11. Minnesota Lynx: Georgia Amoore
Kentucky | point guard | 5-6 | senior

12. Dallas Wings: Sedona Prince
TCU | center | 6-7 | senior

Atwell waived already. Going with Laksa instead.

Makes sense. They need someone to fill the "spicy" role now that Sophie is gone.

Atwell has struggled to return to form this WNBL season, but I think she is still a chance in future if she gets back to where she was.

ball handling and defence needs alot of work.

seen Amoore as high as 3 on another mock

it's a catch 22 - once the players go over and work with coaches stateside - their game goes through the roof. Risk is getting cut and you're not getting that level of coaching.

Do we have anyone else playing well this year apart from Amoore?

I did see Leger-Walker (NZ) red-shirted her covid year so she's going to spend 6 seasons in college lol. Was a late round chance last year before ACL.

The best performing players this season are the same ones that have been overlooked for jnr national teams. Most of them though are playing in a crappy conference...
Dunn is really the only player other than Amoore getting on wnba mocks.

Top performers
02 Henderson - Columbia
02 Pollerd - Santa Clara
02 Hayward - Stonehill
03 Dunn - Davidson
04 Hassett - Kentucky
04 Jacobs - Fresno State
04 Crawshaw - Long Beach State
05 Twidale - California

Bleacher Report Mock Draft v2.0


1. Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers, PG, UConn
Height: 6'0"
Age: 23

2. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles, PG, Notre Dame
Height: 5’10”
Age: 21

3. Chicago Sky: Sonia Citron, G, Notre Dame
Height: 6’1”
Age: 21

4. Washington Mystics: Dominique Malonga, C/F, France
Height: 6’6”
Age: 19

5. Golden State Valkyries: Aneesa Morrow, F, LSU
Height: 6’1”
Age: 22

6. Washington Mystics: Kiki Iriafen, F, USC
Height: 6’3”
Age: 22

7. New York Liberty: Georgia Amoore, PG, Kentucky
Height: 5’6”
Age: 23

8. Connecticut Sun: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
Height: 5’11”
Age: 22

9. Los Angeles Sparks: Juste Jocyte, G, Lithuania
Height: 6’2”
Age: 19

10. Chicago Sky, Shyanne Sellers, G, Maryland
Height: 6’2”
Age: 21

11. Minnesota Lynx: Ajsa Sivka, G/F, Slovenia
Height: 6’4”
Age: 19

12. Dallas Wings: Serena Sundell, PG/G, Kansas St.
Height: 6’2”
Age: 22


Link

Notable lack of (very) tall players in there

WNBA isn't short on bigs atm. It needs pgs and sgs.

Cheers, Weedy. Love your contributions!

Wallace out for season - personal decision.

Diana Taurasi out for career (and what a career it was) - personal decision.

Weedy on the money. Apart form Amoore, nobody else is really on the WNBA radar.

Georgia Wooolley at Syracuse has been a big performer too, but WNBL is where she will be looking at.

Kelsey Rees at Oregon State is also doing well.

It's reported that Wallace's step mother passed away at the age of 53 after a 2 year battle with colorectal cancer. Condolences to Kristy and family.

be interesting what direction Rees and Williamson take their basketball after college.

DT = 20 years in the W. A well deserved retirement - hope a venture into coaching is in her plans after a break.

Wow, Wilson gets a training camp contract with chicago.

Weedy Slug - what's so surprising about Wilson being offered a training camp contract?

I think her style of play is well suited to the WNBA and I wouldn't be surprised if she sticks. Only thing going against her is probably her age.

Still very athletic & definitely still one of the quickest players in the open court for the WNBL. Allstar 5 Selection & MVP Perth Lynx , so taking in some solid body of work, nothing promised in a training camp contract.

Was unexpected, good to see.

Not sure if it was a mistake when they first announced it but Wilson is now on a rookie scale contract.

The WNBA has recently been calling them the same thing (which they effectively are - she is now the same as a player who has been drafted but not yet made the final roster)

Latest USA Today mock:

1 - Dallas Wings - Paige Bueckers, Guard, UConn
2 - Seattle Storm - Kiki Iriafen, Forward, USC
3 - Washington Mystics - Dominique Malonga, Center, France
4 - Washington Mystics - Olivia Miles, Guard, Notre Dame
5 - Golden State Valkyries - Sonia Citron, Guard, Notre Dame
6 - Washington Mystics - Aneesah Morrow, Forward, LSU
7 - New York Liberty - Georgia Amoore, Guard, Kentucky
8 - Connecticut Sun - Saniya Rivers, Guard, NC State
9 - Los Angeles Sparks - Aziaha James, Guard, NC State
10 - Chicago Sky - Hailey Van Lith, Guard, TCU
11 - Minnesota Lynx - Te-Hina Paopao, Guard, South Carolina
12 - Dallas Wings - Sania Feagin, Forward, South Carolina

Shyla Heal -> Mercury training camp

Happy for Shyla - she made the right move going overseas a couple of years ago and working on her craft. Great to see her get another chance in WNBA. An elite player.

Comments about Amoore from The Athletic's annual anonymous WNBA GM opinions series:

"Great college basketball player. Can she do enough to be a rotational WNBA player who makes it to a second contract?"
--
“Georgia Amoore's game will translate due to her ability to run a team and put her teammates in easy scoring situations due to her passing. She will excel in pick-and-roll situations and is a player with a very high basketball IQ.”
--
“It’s hard to succeed as a tiny, tiny guard, so size is just the main thing. If she can be an insane shooter off the dribble and with range, she has a chance.”
--
“She’s heady, does a ton of the (Steve) Nash stuff. She’s pretty smart in terms of knowing her limitations from a size perspective.”
--
“There’s no doubt she’s a scorer, she can shoot, she’s a playmaker. Point guards are at a premium. They’re hard to find.”

Reminder that the WNBA Draft is tomorrow morning at 9:30am AEST / 7:30am AWST, on ESPN2


Latest mock on The Athletic, FWIW:

1. Dallas Wings
Paige Bueckers | 6-0 guard | UConn

2. Seattle Storm (from Los Angeles)
Dominique Malonga | 6-6 center | ASVEL Lyon (France)

3. Washington Mystics (from Chicago)
Sonia Citron | 6-1 wing | Notre Dame

4. Washington Mystics
Justė Jocytė | 6-2 wing | ASVEL Lyon (France)

5. Golden State Valkyries
Kiki Iriafen | 6-3 forward | USC

6. Washington Mystics (from Atlanta via Dallas)
Saniya Rivers | 6-1 guard | NC State

7. Connecticut Sun (from Phoenix via New York)
Aneesah Morrow | 6-1 forward | LSU

8. Connecticut Sun (from Indiana)
Shyanne Sellers | 6-2 wing | Maryland

9. Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle)
Serena Sundell | 6-1 guard | Kansas State

10. Chicago (from Connecticut)
Te-Hina Paopao | 5-9 guard | South Carolina

11. Minnesota Lynx
Georgia Amoore | 5-6 guard | Kentucky

12. Dallas (from New York via Phoenix)
Rayah Marshall | 6-4 forward/center | USC

On Tuesday morning

And Georgia goes 6th! Nice.

Washington is a good fit.

I doubt the majority of those selected remain in the league beyond 1 year, even with expansion.

Agree, Weedy. Why do you think that is?

Amoore did well

I'm assuming Weedy is just meaning that this is not a strong draft class.
Having another 20+ roster spots opening up next year does help a lot though for anyone who can survive this year's training camp.

Thanks, Luuuc.

I wondered if it was because the financial pressures were so tight that coaches had no freedom to wait for players to develop - they had to sink or swim from the start. (From my little knowledge of the WNBA)

6th for Amoore is great, some expected as low as 9-11 as LA/CHI teams looking for PG/CG.

Washington made an effort to develop Melbourne last year (Sykes being injured helped), optimistic Amoore will a proper chance by them.


Other aussie news: Ezi with Praha Praha are Euroleague champions. Ezi named in final 6 All Star 5, off the back of semi 16p/16r and final 9p/10r/3s. With lloyd gone, Seattle should really make Ezi their 1 or 2 off player (already 1 on def).

I wondered if it was because the financial pressures were so tight that coaches had no freedom to wait for players to develop - they had to sink or swim from the start. (From my little knowledge of the WNBA)

That Aussie girl Amoore only 5'6" is a worry. That might be a bit too short to succeed in the WNBA these days. I think Shyla Heal is about the same height and she only lasted five minutes.

Amoore seems to have the right attitude to be a good team player (without knowing Shyla but going by her dad ...)

I'm not right up with women's basketball but I don't think Shyla has ever been much of an issue on her teams has she? The dad hanging around should be enough to scare off most teams, except for the Flames/Kings of course.

Praha Praha are Euroleague champions.

Yeah, take the dad factor away and I don't think there are many Shyla issues, it's just that dad has been a big shadow in most places she has been.

She was very young and under-prepared when she made her WNBA debut. She got some bad advice on that IMO.
Will be interesting to see how she goes this year now that she has been invited to Phoenix Mercury training camp. Keep in mind that although she has been on the scene for ages now, she is basically the same age as Paige Bueckers.

I'm not super high on Amoore's chances in the WNBA, but in terms of the controllables she is as ready as you could want. It's just a matter of how much of a handicap her size & quickness are at the elite level. (I'm still not entirely sold on her 3 point shot either, but maybe her efficiency improves now that she's hopefully able to be a lot more selective)

Upcoming key dates:

April 27: Training Camp Begins

May 16: Regular Season Begins

And hopefully she'll be set up for her shots more instead of having to do so much herself, which should increase her efficiency

I think Shyla's been playing in Poland so hopefully she's matured and now better prepared for a shot at the WNBA. I hope it works out for her, you can't pick your parents and it wasn't her fault her idiot dad made her the starting PG on a WNBL team he was the coach of when she was only about 14.

Shane obviously learnt from Brendan Joyce/Daniel when they were all together at the GC Blaze. It completely destroyed that team too.

I think I saw somewhere that the ceiling for Amoore is the career Dangerfield has had so far. An undersized PG who's smarts and shot is valuable from the bench. I think that's fair enough. If she gets decent bench minutes across 4-6 seasons it'll be a success.

Cut-throat season begins now, it's always the worst part of following the WNBA when all the cuts happen.

Re: Amoore's ceiling, Becky Hammon went undrafted due to concerns about her height but things turned out pretty ok for her.

Aussies at training camp:

Chicago: Ally Wilson, Bec Allen
Golden State: Steph Talbot, Chloe Bibby
Los Angeles: Shaneice Swain, Anneli Maley
Minnesota: Alanna Smith
Phoenix: Shyla Heal, Sami Whitcomb
Seattle: Ezi Magbegor
Washington: Georgia Amoore, Jade Melbourne