Who to Watch for WNBL 23/24

With the WNBL 23/24 season starting tonight, let’s take a deep dive into which NBL1 players you need to watch for each team going into the season. 

Related: 79 NBL1 players set to play WNBL 23/24

Adelaide Lightning 

After claiming the NBL1 Central MVP, Brooke Basham will stay in Adelaide for the Summer and suit up for the Lightning once again. 

Basham took her game to another level in 2023, averaging 22.6 points per game, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the North Adelaide Rockets. 

Having re-signed for the 2024 NBL1 Central season, Basham will be one of the stars of the WNBL to tune into each night. 

What a pass by Brooke Basham ?

Watch the #NBL1Central Game of the Week Live & Free via Kayo Freebies ? pic.twitter.com/hSwSDPxrvj

— NBL1 (@NBL1) May 27, 2023

Bendigo Spirit 

After an underrated season with the Preliminary Finalist Rockingham Flames, Casey Samuels is heading to Bendigo for the WNBL season. 

Averaging 19 points, five rebounds and three assists for the Flames, -- the veteran will add her scoring prowess and leadership skills to the talented Spirit. 

For the 2024 NBL1 season, she'll return to the Central Districts Lions in NBL1 Central. 

Joining Rockingham teammate Mehryn Kraker, the Spirit have a wealth of NBL1 talent and Samuels will have to be a key piece for a bounce-back season. 

Melbourne Boomers 

Penina Davidson dominated another season up in Far North Queensland for the Cairns Dolphins, averaging 16 points, 11.4 rebounds and shooting over 55 percent from the field. 

Round 1 saw her best, with a 40 point and 21 rebounds explode against the then reigning champion Townsville Flames. 

Missing time during the season with National Team duties, Davidson’s impact was only felt in 13 games. Despite the interruptions, she remained one of the best forwards in the conference all season. She now will return to the Boomers, alongside NBL1 South stars Keely Froling, Sherrie Calleia and Taylah Simmons. 

Perth Lynx 

After claiming the NBL1 South Championship, Finals MVP, National Finals Championship and an All-Star Five selection for the tournament – Amy Atwell could not be more ready for the WNBL season. 

In seven games last season Atwell scored over 30 points, highlighted with 36 points in 32 minutes in the NBL1 South Grand Final and 44 points against the Northside Wizards in the National Finals. 

Amy Atwell was on FIRE ?

4??4?? points on 8?? made triples to beat the Northside Wizards ?‍??

Watch the #NBL1NationalFinals Live & Free via Kayo Freebies ? pic.twitter.com/2vLyO2oJC6

— NBL1 (@NBL1) August 19, 2023

Her second season with the Lynx features a new-look roster, bringing in former WNBL MVP Anneli Maley and NBL1 East star Ashlee Hannan under 2022 National Championship coach Ryan Petrik. 

Southside Flyers 

A finalist for Youth Player of the Year, Georgia Booth will stay in Melbourne for the WNBL season with the Southside Flyers. 

Booth saw a major boost in scoring from the 2022 season, upping her average by 5.9 points per game – finishing the 2023 season with an average of  14.3 points and 4.4 rebounds. 

Having re-signed for the 2024 season, the 20-year-old will have a full WNBL season to improve under the wing of Bec Cole, Lauren Jackson and Leilani Mitchell. 

Georgia Booth has arrived ?

The @NBL1 rising star was unstoppable on Friday night, pouring in a career-high 25 points as she led the Cobras to a huge home win over the Rangers ?

She'll look to keep it going at home on Friday night, when the Cobras host the Sabres #NBL1 pic.twitter.com/ZCDRMIHNwb

— Kilsyth Basketball (@KilsythCobras) April 11, 2023

Sydney Flames 

After another stellar season out West, Emma Clarke will return to Sydney for a second season.

For the Perry Lakes Hawks last season, she averaged 20 points per game and 8.8 assists for the Finals team. 

The Flames have revamped their roster, bringing in former Bendigo Brave Tess Madgen and former Dolphin Cayla George. Off the bench, Clarke will be a critical piece in a turnaround season for last season’s sixth-placed team. 

Townsville Fire 

17-year-old superstar Saffron Shiels will get her WNBL opportunity with the reigning champions in Townsville. With the CoE, Shiels was the go-to star averaging 11 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the fourth-placed team.

Wearing green and gold multiple times, she’s represented Australia in the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup and three prior tournaments going into this WNBL season. 

She now joins NBL1 North MVP Courtney Woods and NBL1 North First Team members Mikaela Ruef and Steph Reid. 

Saffron Shiels is ice cold ?

BA Centre of Excellence advance past Sutherland to the Semi-Finals ?

Watch the #NBL1FinalsEast via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App ?&? pic.twitter.com/2SbN4caTWz

— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 29, 2023

UC Capitals 

Silver medallist at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup, Monica Okoye will be one of the most exciting NBL1 players in the WNBL this season. 

After averaging 10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists for the Geelong United Supercats, Okoye now joins the UC Capitals for her debut WNBL season. 

The three-point sniper was a critical piece in the Supercats’ run to the Preliminary Finals last season, falling short to the Waverley Falcons. 

After a disappointing season, the Capitals have reloaded their roster with talent and Okoye will be one of many NBL1 stars to fill out the new-look roster. 

Don't leave Monica Okoye alone on top ?#FIBAWWC x #AkatsukiJapan ?? pic.twitter.com/wwYnX78SMg

— FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 27, 2022