Lynx legend Whitcomb returns on two-year deal

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Phoenix Mercury WNBA teammates Sami Whitcomb and Anneli Maley are now part of the core of the Perth Lynx's pursuit of a WNBL championship in 2026-27.

Whitcomb, 37, inked a two-year deal with her former club today, a season removed from winning the WNBL25 championship with the Bendigo Spirit, MVP and Grand Final MVP while Maley, who joined the Mercury on waivers, was already locked in for WNBL27.

“Committing to the Lynx and being based in Perth, with my family around me, is a dream scenario,” Whitcomb said.  

“It's great to come home and join a club that I know has such a rich history, strong culture and plays really exciting basketball.

“Our roster for next season is shaping up to be really exciting, and I’m excited to link up with Ryan and the team when I get back from my time with the Mercury in the WNBA and get stuck in.”

Whitcomb, recovering from injury to start the 2026 WNBA season, is the first major signing for the Lynx, which lost Amy Atwell (Canberra Capitals) and Ally Wilson (Sydney Flames) to free agency.

"Sami is one of the most accomplished players in women's basketball, so to add someone of her calibre and with her basketball IQ to the roster is a real coup for us,” Lynx general manager Chris Earl said.  

“Her winning pedigree across multiple leagues, her experience with the Opals, and her ties to Perth make her return hugely exciting for our program and fans, and we can’t wait to see her back out on the WNBL stage in a Lynx jersey again.”

Speculation is also red hot that Chinese superstar Han Xu, who is making an impact for the New York Liberty at the start of the WNBA season, will return to Perth next season.

Perth Lynx – WNBL27

Head coach: Ryan Petrik
Contracted: Alex Ciabattoni, Nya Lok, Anneli Maley, Sami Whitcomb
Departed: Ally Wilson (to Sydney Flames), Amy Atwell, Brianna Turner (Short-term Import), Yemiyah Morris (Import)
Free agents: Han Xu, Stephanie Gorman, Kyana Weir, Jaya Scafidi, Kiara Waite, Tegan Graham, Kuir Gayo, Alira Fotu
Transactions:
Alex Ciabattoni – Guard. May 5 – Ciabattoni re-signed after a career-best WNBL26 season.
Amy Atwell – Guard. May 4 – Perth announced Atwell would not return for WNBL27.
Ally Wilson – Guard. May 4 - The 2025-26 WNBL All-First Team member will return to the Sydney Flames where she played from 2015-2020, signing a two-year deal to join coach Renae Garlepp

Sami Whitcomb and the Perth Lynx

Whitcomb played five active seasons with the Perth Lynx across two stints from 2015 to 2018 and 2021-2023. She helped Perth reach three WNBL Grand Finals or semi-final series during that period and earned four All-WNBL First Team selections with the club.

In 2015-16, Whitcomb averaged 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game as the Lynx reached the WNBL Grand Final for the first time since 1999. She was named the Lynx Club MVP and to the All-WNBL First Team.

In 2016-17, she led the WNBL in scoring with 24.1 points per game and set league single-season records for three-pointers (105) and total points (652). She scored 41 points in a semi-final against the Dandenong Rangers, the highest semi-final score in WNBL history at the time. She again earned All-WNBL First Team honours and the Lynx Club MVP award.

In 2017–18, Whitcomb served as co-captain and averaged 17.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game as Perth won the minor premiership after a 14-game winning streak.

Whitcomb returned to Perth for 2021–22 and averaged 14 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as the Lynx reached the WNBL Grand Final, losing 2–1 to the Melbourne Boomers.

In 2022–23, she averaged 18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, earned All-WNBL First Team honours and helped Perth reach the semi-finals.

Whitcomb joins Anneli Maley, Alex Ciabattoni and Nya Lok as players confirmed for the Perth Lynx roster for WNBL27.