WNBL star returns to Sutherland

Opal and back-to-back NBL1 East Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Nicholson has re-signed with the Sutherland Sharks for the 2024 season. 

The 2019 NBL1 Finals MVP and champion made the move to Sutherland in the 2022 season, taking the club to the Grand Final before losing to Lauren Jackson’s Albury Wodonga Bandits. 

In the 2023 season, she led the country in scoring with 29.5 points per game, adding seven rebounds, 6.6 assists and 2.6 steals to her averages for the season. 

She was named to the NBL1 East All-Star Five, while claiming back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards. 

What a game ??

On Sunday, Lauren Nicholson and Shyla Heal went head-to-head for 4??0?? points each ?

Watch some of the best plays ? pic.twitter.com/hAxZpqbqsR

— NBL1 (@NBL1) May 23, 2023

In the first round of the Finals, she scored 32 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds against the Centre of Excellence – falling short by only five points to end their season. 

The WNBL champion made the move to the Sydney Flames this season, where she is averaging 16.5 points, 3.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds for the fourth-placed Flames. 

Sharks General Manager Adrian Dark said retaining Nicholson is essential to the club’s foundation. 

“Every year when Lauren plays for our club it’s a privilege. She is a world-class athlete, club member and person,” he said.

“I’m thrilled that she has once again chosen to play the NBL1 for us. Lauren is without a doubt one of the greatest basketballers to come out of Sutherland Basketball and her connection with our community is extremely special and we are extremely lucky to have someone like Lauren be a part of our club.”

Stay up-to-date with all the latest NBL1 signings via the 2024 Roster Tracker here.