15
Oct
Breaking News
Lynx add WNBA star Turner as Xu arrival delayed
Breanna Turner #11 of the Indiana Fever drives to the basket during the game against the Las Vegas Aces during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs on September 29, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images)
Highlights
Perth Lynx sign WNBA veteran Breanna Turner short-term as Han Xu delays WNBL debut.
- Perth Lynx sign Breanna Turner on short-term deal while waiting for Han Xu to arrived
- Turner previously played three WNBL seasons with Adelaide Lightning
- She is a former NCAA champion and three-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year
Perth Lynx have signed "proven winner" WNBA veteran Breanna Turner as a stop-gap to start the WNBL 2025-26 season while the Western Australian club waits for marquee signing Han Xu to arrive in Australia.
Perth signed forward/centre Turner, 29, to a short-term contract while Xu, 25, fulfils her commitments to the Chinese national team.
“I’m really looking forward to joining the Perth Lynx and competing in the WNBL once again,” Turner said.
“It’s a great opportunity to contribute to a strong team and experience basketball in a new environment.
"I’m ready to get to work and help the team start the season strong.”
basketball.com.au understands Xu will miss the first seven games of season.
Lynx head coach, Ryan Petrik, said Turner’s arrival would provide a major boost to the team’s early-season campaign.
“Brianna is a proven winner and one of the best defenders in the world,” Petrik said.
“Her ability to protect the rim, rebound and lead by example will be huge for us. We’re excited to welcome her to Perth and can’t wait to see her in action.”
The Lynx said: "The 1.91m Indiana Fever star has built a reputation as one of the league’s premier defenders. A WNBA All-Rookie Team selection in 2019 and two-time All-Defensive First Team honouree (2020, 2021), she also helped her team to a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title and a 2025 semi final appearance."
“Brianna is a proven winner and one of the best defenders in the world,” head coach Ryan Petrik added.
“Her ability to protect the rim, rebound and lead by example will be huge for us.
"We’re excited to welcome her to Perth and can’t wait to see her in action.”
Turner has played three seasons in the WNBL for the Adelaide Lightning, first in 2019-20 and again in 2023-24 and last season.
Perth Lynx
- Anneli Maley
- Kiara Waite
- Steph Gorman (re-signed on Friday, June 20, 2025)
- Alex Ciabattoni (re-signed on Friday, July 4, 2025)
- Ally Wilson (re-signed on Tuesday, July 8, 2025)
- Amy Atwell (re-signed on Wednesday, July 9, 2025)
- Tegan Graham (signed on Thursday, August 7, 2025).
- Alira Fotu (signed on Tuesday, September 23, 2025)
- Han Xu (signed on Sunday, October 12, 2025)
- Breanna Turner (signed on Tuesday, October 14, 2025)
INS: Alira Fotu; Han Xu; and Breanna Turner.
OUTS: Miela Sowah, Teige Morrell
The Lynx go on the road in their first game against Turner's former club Adelaide Lightning in Round 1 on Sunday, October 19.
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