Full history of every Australian WNBA Draft pick

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Forty-seven Australians have reached the pinnacle of women's basketball since the WNBA's inception in 1997.

Four Australians were selected in the 2026 WNBA Draft, continuing the country’s growing influence across the league as Saffron Shiels, Amelia Hassett, Charlise Dunn and Manuela Puoch all heard their names called. It's the second time in the league's 30-year history.

Toronto Tempo selected Shiels at No. 26 before adding Dunn at No. 36, while the Los Angeles Sparks drafted Hassett at No. 35 and the New York Liberty selected Puoch at No. 41.

Australia’s most active draft period was from 1998 to 2001 during the league's formative years, with 10 Australians selected over four drafts in that time during what was the start of a golden era for the Australian Opals. Fourteen Australians have entered the league undrafted.

Australia's greatest basketballer of all-time Lauren Jackson is the only Aussie to be drafted with the first pick.

Remarkably, of the eight players that have played for seven or more seasons in the WNBA, four of those were undrafted — proof that talent transcends draft status.

Women’s basketball Hall of Famers Jackson and Penny Taylor, both draftees in 2001, had storied careers that spanned more than a decade.

Leilani Mitchell and Erin Phillips, both second-round selections, round out this group of long-serving Australian WNBA players.

A surge of young Australians have entered the league in the past decade including Ballarat-born guard George Amoore, who was taken sixth overall by the Washington Mystics in 2025.

Amoore was the highest Australian pick since centre Liz Cambage was selected second overall in 2011, and the Minnesota Lynx took forward Kelsey Griffin with the third pick in 2010.

Three Australians were selected in the top 30 in 2024 — not achieved since Jackson’s draft year 24 years ago.

Complete history of Australians in the WNBA Draft

2026

• ‍Saffron Shiels – Toronto Tempo (Selected 26th)
• Amelia Hassett – Los Angeles Sparks (Selected 35th)
• Charlise Dunn – Toronto Tempo (Selected 36th
• ‍Manuela Puoch – New York Liberty (Selected 41st)

2025

• Georgia Amoore: #6, Washington Mystics
• Stephanie Talbot: Golden State Valkyries (2025 Expansion Draft)

2024

• Nyadiew Puoch: #12, Atlanta Dream
• Isobel Borlase: #20, Atlanta Dream
• Jaz Shelley: #29, Phoenix Mercury

2022

• Amy Atwell: 3rd round, #27, LA Sparks
• Jade Melbourne: 3rd round, #33, Seattle Storm

2021

• Shyla Heal: #8, Chicago Sky

2019

• Alanna Smith: #8, Phoenix Mercury
• Ezi Magbegor: #12, Seattle Storm

2018

• Kristy Wallace: 2nd round, #16, Atlanta Dream

2014

• Stephanie Talbot: 3rd round, #33, Phoenix Mercury

2011

• Liz Cambage: #2, Tulsa Shock
• Rachel Jarry: 2nd round, #18, Atlanta Dream

2010

• Kelsey Griffin: #3, Minnesota Lynx
• Alison Lacey: #10, Seattle Storm

2008

• Leilani Mitchell: 2nd round, #25, Phoenix Mercury

2005

• Erin Phillips: 2nd round, #21, Connecticut Sun

2003

• Suzy Batkovic: 2nd round, #22, Seattle Storm

2001

• Lauren Jackson: #1, Seattle Storm
• Penny Taylor: #11, Cleveland Rockers
• Kristen Veal: #13, Phoenix Mercury
• Jae Kingi-Cross: 2nd round, #22, Detroit Shock

2000

• Jessica Bibby: 3rd round, #45, NY Liberty
• Katrina Hibbert: 4th round, #57, Seattle Storm
• Sandy Brondello: #6, Miami Sol (2000 Expansion Draft)

1999

• Trisha Fallon: 2nd round, #19, Minnesota Lynx
• Jennifer Whittle: 4th round, #37, Washington Mystics

1998

• Rachael Sporn: 2nd round, #14, Detroit Shock
• Sandy Brondello: 4th round, #34, Detroit Shock

1997

• Michele Timms: Assigned to the Phoenix Mercury