Wed
Jan 22, 2025
The biggest women's signings of 2025 so far
NBL1.com.au
With just over two months away from the season starting, check out the biggest signings this offseason so far!
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Heading into the new year, a number of NBL1 clubs have already made major moves for the 2025 season.
Check out our picks for each conference's most impactful women’s signings below.
NBL1 North - Starts May 1
Sunshine Coast Phoenix: Erin Bollmann
The back-to-back NBL1 North Defensive Player of the Year will play for her third team this coming season, signing with the Sunshine Coast Phoenix back in November.
She’s one of the club's biggest recruits in some time, bringing in a championship-calibre guard and someone who can dominate on both ends of the court.
Last season she averaged 20.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 3.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, bringing a little bit of everything to the Phoenix this season.
With a disappointing 2-15 record last season, expect that to flip in 2025 under Bollmann’s leadership.
Related: The biggest men's signings of 2025 so far
NBL1 East - Starts March 29
Norths Bears: Jolene Anderson
A comeback season is in store for Jolene Anderson.
Joining the North Bears midseason in 2023, she went on to completely change their season from a strong finals team to champions and runners-up in the National Finals.
Named the 2023 Finals MVP, the veteran will return for a full season alongside the talented young core at the Bears. Since she last saw the NBL1 court, she has played in Spain and Mexico, extending her dominance across the globe.
With a full season, expect Anderson to fit in seamlessly alongside WNBL prospect Carla Pitman and club star Maddie O’Hehir.
Honourable mention: Caitlyn Jones
NBL1 South - Starts March 29
Bendigo Braves: Casey Samuels
The reigning NBL1 Central Halls Medallist (MVP) Casey Samuels will be a major addition to the historically successful Bendigo Braves line-up.
With a 2022 NBL1 South Grand Final runner-up season, an undefeated 28-0 streak in 2023 claiming both the conference and National champions and a National Finals runners-up season in 2024, Samuels will be another major piece to their ongoing success.
Last season she led the Central Districts Lions from last to champions, averaging 21.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists in her second season with the club. With Bendigo under new leadership, making their return to the finals with the addition of Samuels will be a must-watch team.
Honourable mention: Sara Blicavs (Melbourne Tigers)
NBL1 West - Starts April 4
Warwick Senators: Chloe Forster
The MVP runner-up is set for a massive season in 2025.
Being named to the NBL1 West First Team and averaging a career-high 19.9 points per game, the star on the rise will be an MVP favourite coming into the season.
Being named the Youth Player of the Year in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league during the offseason, Forster will be game-ready and motivated to bring Warwick another championship after their four-point loss in Semi Finals last season.
Honourable mention: Alex Sharp (Rockingham Flames)
NBL1 Central - Starts March 29
Woodville Warriors: Erin Phillps
Dual-sport legend Erin Philips will make her long-awaited return to the court with the Woodville Warriors in 2025.
The two-time WNBA champion, silver medallist at the 2008 Olympics, WNBL champion and three-time All-Star Five member is one of the most accomplished basketballers the country has seen.
She made the change to AFL in 2016, winning two league best and fairest awards and three premierships.
Now returning to basketball, she will lead a young core alongside championship-winning point guard Jasmin Fejo, who will both be looking to improve on last season’s record of 2-16.
Honourable mention: Morgan Yaeger (Eastern Mavericks)
Stay up-to-date with all the latest signings via the Roster Tracker here.
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