Turkish Delight: Sami reveals Besiktas move

• Sami Whitcomb has signed a one-year deal to play in Turkey for the 25-26 season
• Whitcomb won the 2024-25 MVP, Grand Final MVP and WNBL Championship
• Whitcomb signed with the Phoenix Mercury for the 2025 WNBA season

As WNBL Free Agency opens, reigning MVP Sami Whitcomb has revealed she will be moving to Turkey, signing with Besiktas for the 25-26 season in the Turkish Super League.

Bendigo Spirit revealed Whitcomb's decision to leave the club via Instagram.

“It really is bittersweet,” Whitcomb said.

"I absolutely loved my time in Bendigo this season, both on and off the court.

"It was fully my intention to return to the Spirit in season 2025-26, but to get this kind of offer at this stage of my career was something that I just couldn’t pass up.

"I’m pretty open that my family is my number one priority, and so I’m honoured to be able to take up this opportunity in Europe to support them the best I can.

"I’ll still be cheering on the girls in Bendigo from afar though — I truly believe they have the skill, talent and mindset to go back-to-back next season.

"This group was so special and I was so lucky to be a part of it — I’d count myself incredibly fortunate if the opportunity to return presented itself in the future!"

Whitcomb, 37, led the Bendigo Spirit to the 2024-25 WNBL championship against the Townsville Fire before joining the Phoenix Mercury for the 2025 WNBA season.

"Bendigo Spirit would like to thank Sami Whitcomb for her exceptional service throughout the 2024-25 season 🏆 Whitcomb has informed the club she would not be returning for season 2025-26 after receiving an offer to play in Europe," the club wrote.

"You are an absolute superstar on and off the court, Sami, we can't wait to see what you do next! ✨"

Whitcomb capped her WNBL career leading the  Spirit to their first WNBL championship in 11 years, sweeping the Townsville Fire after a 63-55 win in game two of the Grand Final series at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on March 9, 2025.

Whitcomb dominated, scoring 26 points in one of the most physical contests of the season to claim her maiden WNBL championship and be named the Rachael Sporn Medallist for the Grand Final MVP to add to the league MVP she won in February, 2025.

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