The WNBL is back!
After the first round of WNBL action, we saw 80 NBL1 stars suit up with their new teams and they lit it up.
Check out some of the key performances from NBL1 players.
Lauren Nicholson - Townsville Fire
Starting off with Sutherland Sharks superstar and NBL1 East Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Nicholson. She had 35 points against the UC Capitals, showing she can play both sides of the ball. The Player of the Round was electric for Townsville and got them their first win of the season.
Special mention to NBL1 North Finals MVP Steph Reid who had 13 points and 14 assists for the Fire.
Robbi Ryan - Perth Lynx
After an NBL1 West First-Team season and her first stint in Australia with the Joondalup Wolves, Robbi Ryan was signed by the Perth Lynx.
Ryan made her debut against the Boomers on Wednesday but made her biggest impact on Sunday against the Spirit. In 22 minutes she had eight points, four assists and four rebounds against some of the WNBL’s best bigs like Anneli Maley and Alicia Froling.
Under Ryan Petrik, the import forward will have time to get more comfortable and look like her NBL1 self, where she averaged 20 points for the 18-2 Wolves.
Isobel Borlase - Adelaide Lightning
As the NBL1’s pick for the Who to Watch for the WNBL season from the Adelaide Lightning, Isobel Borlase had an outstanding professional debut with 25 points and nine rebounds against the Southside Flyers.
The Basketball Australia CoE star was one of the best young prospects in the Wildcard Series, putting up huge numbers against some of the best NBL1 West squads last season.
She came into her first WNBL season with a FIBA Asia Cup gold medal and a massive NBL1 season, if she continues this momentum, she could be the x-factor for Nat Hurst’s Lightning this season.
Next round's must-watch game
The Sydney Flames, led by NBL1 North MVP Tiana Mangakahia play their first game against the Bendigo Spirit on Saturday - that will be a must-watch game for Round 2 of the WNBL 2022/2023.
