19
Feb
Future Uncertain
Kelsey Griffin: 'I don’t know if this is my last game'
Kelsey Griffin of the Spirit celebrates after winning Game 2 of the WNBL Grand Final series between Townsville Fire and Bendigo Spirit at Townsville Entertainment Centre on March 9, 2025 in Townsville. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
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Kelsey Griffin admits she is unsure if WNBL26 semi-final loss was her final game.
- Game 2: Southside produced a 48-point turnaround to send their semi-finals series to a deciding game three
- Game 2: Double double-doubles by Han Xu and Anneli Maley lead Perth sweep
- Game 1: MVP runner up Anneli Maley dominates Isobel Borlase's Bendigo
Bendigo Spirit forward Kelsey Griffin, who is one of the most decorated players in WNBL history, revealed she was unsure if she had played her last game after being eliminated by the Perth Lynx in the WNBL26 Semi-Finals on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in Bendigo.
WNBL MVP and five-time champion Griffin, 38, notched her 250th game this season but said: “I think about my next steps daily.
“(Wife) Erin and I will take some time and figure out what we want to do.
“I’ve probably retired in my head four times. I actually retired after the hub season. Got a full-time teaching job and realised sometimes a bad day at basketball is better than a good day working nine-to-five.
"I don’t know if this is my last game. If it was, I feel really fortunate.
“If I have a word for this season, it’s immense gratitude. From recognition from the league, other players, mostly my teammates. It’s been one to remember for me for sure.”
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The American-Australian came into the league with Bendigo in 2012, signed with the Canberra Capitals (2018-2022) before returning to the Victorian country club for the 2022-23 season.
“I’ve tried to have more reflective practice,” she said.
“Part of this season was about 250 games, but also excitement around new (WNBL) ownership.
“I was a delegate for eight years advocating for progression. I wanted to see what it could be. There’ll be teething issues, but the runway is huge.
“Where women’s basketball is globally is exciting. Ownership believes in it and is prepared to resource it.
“I’m excited to watch it grow, even if from the sidelines one day.”
Griffin, who won her MVP award in Canberra in 2019 to go with a championship and Grand Final MVP, was excited about WNBL26 MVP Isobel Borlase.
“Everyone knew Izzy was talented coming out of the CoE. She put everyone on notice,” Griffin said.
“But for me, it’s the growth in her voice. Early pre-season, I had to encourage her to speak up. Today she gave me a pep talk before the game.
“For her to go from inside herself to confidently speaking up, that’s what I’m most proud of.
“The joy she’s playing with and connecting with teammates is special. She’s always been talented. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
“She’s a sponge. Her instincts are incredible. It’s about not overloading her. She wants to be great, takes pride in representing this country, and wants to go to the WNBA.
“I didn’t have the best transition into being a pro. I’ve loved playing a small part in what’s going to be an amazing career.”
Borlase, 21, was drafted by the Atlanta Dream with the 20th pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
“She’s a phenomenal talent but an amazing human,” Griffin declared.
“The league’s in really good hands.
“She’s the person you want as the face of the league, not just because of her talent but because of how she goes about it. She builds people up around her. She never chased stats or recognition. She just put our team on her shoulders to try to win games all season long.
“We had a ton of adversity. I think she showed what she’s capable of just at 21. I’m really excited to see where her career goes.
“Anytime I get a chance to talk about Izzy and my teammates, I will.”
Griffin was also big on big Kelsey Rees, the South Australian 196cm (6'5) forward, who is the daughter of former WNBL player Nicole Guy-Rees and four-time NBL champion and 1994 NBL Grand Final MVP Paul Rees.
“We know her as Paul,” Griffin revealed.
“Kels is incredibly conscientious, very intelligent, really thinks the game.
“When I first met her at the CoE, she was like a baby giraffe, 15 or 16 and still growing. But she knew every position on the floor and what each player was meant to do.
“She handled adversity in college, was intentional about where she chose to play. Bendigo hasn’t historically been a destination club, but her and Polly (Olivia Pollerd) chose here because they believed in what they could get out of their careers.
“There wasn’t a practice that went by that Kelsey didn’t stay after to work. Polly had to step up massively when Tolo went out and played out of position. She’s the ultimate teammate.
“I feel so fortunate to play with such great people.”
Kelsey Griffin Career highlights
- 5× WNBL champion (2013, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2025)
- 3× WNBL Grand Final MVP (2013, 2014, 2019)
- WNBL Most Valuable Player (2019)
- 3× All-WNBL First Team (2015, 2016, 2019)
- 3× All-WNBL Second Team (2022, 2025, 2026)
- WNBL Defensive Player of the Year (2015)
- FIBA Asia Cup Most Valuable Player (2017)
- All-American – USBWA, State Farm Coaches' (2010)
- First-team All-American – AP (2010)
- Big 12 Player of the Year (2010)
- Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2010)
- 3× First-team All-Big 12 (2007, 2008, 2010)
- Big 12 All-Freshman Team (2006)
- No. 23 retired by Nebraska Cornhuskers
