Ezi destined for DPOY as 2025 WNBA season tips-off

• No.6 draft pick Georgia Amoore looks set to miss the entire 2025 WNBA season with an ACL injury
• Bec Allen has moved to the Chicago Sky while Sami Whitcomb will feature for the Phoenix Mercury
• Ezi Magbegor could be on track to win her first Defensive Player of the Year award

The 2025 WNBA season gets underway tomorrow morning (AEST) and after what is always a cutthroat training camp and preseason process, a number of Australians have made final rosters.

It promises to be an eventful season as Sandy Brondello’s New York Liberty look to defend their title, while Alanna Smith and the Minnesota Lynx will be looking for revenge after falling in a heartbreaking Game 5 in the Finals to the Liberty.

There are storylines everywhere you look across the league, with No.1 draft pick Paige Bueckers set to bring new excitement to the Dallas Wings, the Indiana Fever have reshaped their roster and coaching staff around Caitlin Clark, the Golden State Valkyries enter their inaugural season, and could A’ja Wilson win her fourth league MVP crown and third in four years?

So where do the Australians stand on the eve of the season? Let’s break it down.

Bec Allen (Chicago Sky)

Bec Allen has sadly been riddled with injuries the past couple of years, but she’s proven, when healthy, she’s one of the best two-way players in the league. Her length is an absolute problem on the defensive end with her ability to get in passing lanes for steals or deflections, while her long-range shooting is effortless.

After being traded from Phoenix to Connecticut then to Chicago, it was a whirlwind offseason for Allen and we’re all hoping to see her enjoy a healthy season. With a Sky team on the rise, she will be a key part of their rotation and will add a lot defensively alongside the emerging frontcourt force of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.

Having not played over the WNBA offseason, it may take some time for Allen to find her groove, but no doubt she’ll have an impact when she does.

Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm)

Ezi Magbegor returns to Seattle for her sixth season and is coming off an incredible 2024 season, which saw her named to WNBA All-Defensive First Team for the first time in her career (she was named to the Second Team the previous two seasons).

She put together some ridiculous stat lines last season, highlighted by her 13 points, eight rebounds and an incredible eight blocks against Chicago, and she recorded at least two blocks in 24 of 37 games played.

There’s no denying the impact she has on the defensive end and is a true contender to win her first Defensive Player of the Year Award. There was plenty of change for Seattle over the offseason as they traded perennial All-Star Jewell Loyd and landed French phenom Dominique Malonga with the second pick in the draft.

Storm fans will be looking forward to seeing the Magbegor and Malonga frontcourt duo come to life over the coming years as both have the potential to be game-changers with their athleticism and instincts.

Jade Melbourne and Georgia Amoore (Washington Mystics)

It was a heartbreaking start to Georgia Amoore’s WNBA career, sustaining an ACL injury just days after being drafted sixth overall. I have no doubt she will have a long and successful professional career, and I can’t wait to see her torching defenders when she gets back on court.

For Jade Melbourne, opportunity presents itself this season, her second with the Mystics. Despite limited opportunities, she made an impact in her first season in Washington with her signature infectious energy and speed.

After averaging 14 minutes per game last season, she played 22 minutes in both Mystics preseason outings against Indiana and Atlanta. She struggled with turnovers against the Dream but did finish with six points, two steals, two rebounds and an assist.

There’s playing time to be won for Melbourne and I’m looking forward to seeing her take full advantage.

Alanna Smith (Minnesota Lynx)

Alanna Smith truly announced herself last season with a dominant 2024 for the Lynx as they made it all the way to the Finals. Paired alongside MVP-candidate Napheesa Collier, Smith adds another layer of defence to a Lynx squad that thrives on that end of the court.

Smith was top five in the league for blocks (1.5 per game), while averaging career-highs in points (10.1), assists (3.2) and steals (1.4), while also shooting 39.8% from deep, making her one of the best long-range shooters in the league.

She’s continued to level up every year and that only means great things for the Lynx as they hope to go one better than last season. Smith played in one of Minnesota’s two preseason games and didn’t miss a beat, finishing with 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Steph Talbot (Golden State Valkyries)

Steph Talbot is going to have an important role to play on this Golden State team. She’s the type of player every building team needs to have; a versatile guard/wing that can play both sides of the ball and doesn’t need the ball in her hands to be effective.

While she didn’t play in either of Golden State’s preseason games, listed as out due to injury/illness, as the season goes on, you just know the Valkyries are going to lean on her.

Sami Whitcomb (Phoenix Mercury)

Sami Whitcomb made the move from Seattle to Phoenix via free agency and joins a team that is barely recognisable from last year. Mercury legends Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner are gone, while adding All-Stars Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally to play alongside Kahleah Copper signals Phoenix means business.

For Whitcomb, she is coming off one of the most impressive WNBL seasons in history, finishing as the run-away league MVP, Finals MVP and most importantly a Champion. She was on another level for Bendigo and with superstars around her in Phoenix, she will have room to operate in, which is an exciting proposition considering how good of a shooter she is.

I hope Whitcomb isn’t pigeonholed as just a shooter though. Too often in the WNBA she is made to stand in the corner and be ready to shoot, but she’s at her best when she’s involved in the ball handling duties and given more responsibility. With not a lot of guard depth, I’d expect to see Whitcomb heavily involved in the Mercury offence.

Unfortunately, with only 12 roster spots for each team, tough decisions have to be made, and five Australians were waived in recent days; Shaneice Swain (Los Angeles Sparks), Chloe Bibby (Golden State), Shyla Heal (Phoenix), Anneli Maley (Los Angeles) and Ally Wilson (Chicago).

About the Author

Hayley Wildes is passionate about all things Australian women’s basketball and loves to highlight the stories of players from all levels and competitions across the globe. From our own backyard in the WNBL, to the WNBA and the Opals, and everything in between, Hayley has you covered.