Whitcomb Crowned WNBL MVP
Opals veteran Sami Whitcomb was named Aussie basketball’s best on a fun evening in Melbourne
Opal and WNBA star Sami Whitcomb was rewarded for an outstanding WNBL season by being named league MVP and recipient of the Suzy Batkovic Medal last night.
Despite being on the eve of finals, there was a sense of celebration in the air as players, coaches and administrators from across the league gathered to reflect on the current season.
There had been three clearly superior teams throughout the regular season, and that was shown in the awards that were handed out.
As well as Whitcomb’s MVP win, minor premiers Bendigo took home several - their impact guard Abbey Wehrung claimed the Sixth Player of the Year despite missing a chunk of games early in the season. Spirit also had three players across the All-WNBL first and second teams, Perth had an incredible four, including a first ever selection for three of those.
It was also a big night for Townsville Fire. While captain Courtney Woods was the only player named in an All-WNBL team, with an inaugural selection in the first team, the Queensland side took away several other awards.
Coach Shannon Seebohm was rewarded for rebuilding his squad and leading them to finals with the Coach of the Year Award, centre Lauren Cox beat a stacked field of imports and an Opal to be named Defensive Player of the Year, while HER WAY was honoured to present Abbey Ellis with the Betty Wilson Breakout Player of the Year. Captain Courtney made it two personal awards for the night when she claimed the Community Award for a second time.
UC Capitals skipper Jade Melbourne, who scored 40 points in her final game of the season last weekend, was named the winner of the Fans MVP Award for a second straight season.
For Fire import centre Lauren Cox, her time in the WNBL this season has been more than just about helping her side to win and taking home personal awards. Upon receiving the DPOTY trophy, Cox acknowledged her team and the league in helping her to rediscover her love for the sport.
Sami Whitcomb’s journey to the MVP award hadn’t been exactly traditional. Now 36 years old, Whitcomb came to Australia from the US in 2013 to play in the WA State League, and it was from there that she earned a WNBL contract, which then in turn led to opportunities to play in the WNBA where she has been a championship winner. Sami will join Phoenix Mercury for the next WNBA season, alongside a new look team which could challenge for a title. Having now added a league MVP to her WNBA titles, Olympic and World Cup medals, HER WAY asked Sami about her path to success later in her career.
“As long as you aren’t afraid to fail, and you take lessons from those failures, and you keep persisting, there’s really nothing you can’t accomplish along the way.”
During the 2024-25 season, Sami led the league in scoring with 21 points per game, was third for assists and fourth for steals. She also recorded her first career triple double during the season.
Sami was humble last night in acknowledging the role Australia and the WNBL has played in giving her opportunities.
“I love this league, I love playing in this league, there’s so many incredible players, so it’s an honour to get this award.”
Last night’s award also had a degree of sadness but also optimism, with the league to change hands in early April.
Outgoing Head of the WNBL Christy Collier-Hill gave an emotional address when speaking of the achievements of the WNBL, and Basketball Australia Deputy Chair Damien Armour spoke of how the 45 years of the league has “been a long journey, beyond a labour of love for many”.
Speaking to players in the room, plus from the words of incoming owners Robyn Denholm and Larry Kestelman, there was an air of optimism of taking the league to a new level.
Denholm spoke about how, with no scheduling clash against the American WNBA, the WNBL aims to be the number one league in the world when it’s being played, and spoke of a desire to see packed stadiums, more eyeballs watching, and kids wearing players’ jerseys in the street.
“We do really believe in the league, and we also believe in the product in terms of the quality of basketball we have in Australia.”
Sami Whitcomb was announced as winner by legend Lauren Jackson, who became one of seven new Life Members of the WNBL.
Check out a short highlights video from HER WAY’s chats with some of the stars. A full Video/podcast episode special is out Wednesday 19th February.