10
Feb
Brilliant Borlase joins Australia's elite 21-club MVPs
Isobel Borlase poses with the Suzy Batkovic Medal and Kennedy Kereama poses with the Coach of the Year Award during the 2026 WNBL MVP Awards Night at the Australian Museum on February 9, 2026 in Sydney. Photo: Jason McCawley/Getty Images for WNBL
Highlights
Isobel Borlase becomes the youngest Bendigo Spirit player to win WNBL MVP after a dominant 25–26
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"WNBA-ready" Bendigo Spirit Australian Opal Isobel Borlase joined an elite club after being named the WNBL26 MVP in Sydney last night (Monday, February 9, 2026).
Borlase is now the fifth Australian women's basketball star to win the league's Most Valuable Player Award as a 21-year-old or younger.
Australia's greatest ever basketballer Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor, Alison Cook and Liz Cambage all won the WNBL MVP as or before being 21.
- Alison Cook (1993)
- Lauren Jackson (1998-99, 1999-00, 2002-03 and 2003-04)
- Penny Taylor (2000-01 and 2001-02)
- Liz Cambage (2010-11)
Borlase signed with the Bendigo Spirit before the start of WNBL26 from the Adelaide Lightning.
Australian basketball icon Michele Timms said Borlase, drafted by the Atlanta Dream in 2024 with the 20th pick, after leading the defending champions to a composed 77–71 road win over Geelong Venom at Geelong Arena on Saturday, December 13, 2025 in Round 9 of WNBL26. Borlase poured in a game-high 29 points on an efficient 11-of-18 shooting, adding eight rebounds.
Isobel Borlase — 2025–26 season
Minutes: 33.5 │ Points: 24.0 │ Rebounds: 6.5 │ Assists: 4.0 │ Steals: 2.0 │ Blocks: 0.4 │ Turnovers: 3.5 │ FG: 45% │ 3PT: 34% │ FT: 90%
- Scoring outbursts:
- 42 points (Jan 21)
- 33 points (Jan 23)
- 32 points (Jan 5)
- Multiple 27–29 point games across Nov–Dec
- Efficiency under pressure:
- Several high-efficiency nights (60–67% FG) even on double-digit attempts.
- Some sub-40% FG games, but they coincide with very high volume
- Free-throw reliability is elite:
- Regularly perfect or near-perfect from the line (many 100% FT games).
WNBL CEO Jennie Sager said: "Isobel has set the benchmark for excellence in WNBL26.
"Her consistency, competitiveness, and ability to lift her team in key moments have been outstanding. She represents everything this award stands for and continues to inspire the next generation of players."
Borlase claimed the MVP honour from a highly competitive field of finalists, including:
- Dallas Loughridge (Adelaide Lightning)
- Stephanie Talbot (Adelaide Lightning)
- Kelsey Griffin (Bendigo Spirit)
- Mackenzie Holmes (Geelong Venom)
- Alex Ciabattoni (Perth Lynx)
- Anneli Maley (Perth Lynx)
- Ally Wilson (Perth Lynx)
- Cayla George (Southside Melbourne Flyers)
- Maddison Rocci (Southside Melbourne Flyers)
- Unique Thompson (Sydney Flames)
- Abbey Ellis (Townsville Fire)
- Miela Sowah (Townsville Fire)
- Courtney Woods (Townsville Fire)
- Zitina Aokuso (UC Capitals)
It wasn't the only top gong the Spirit, who finished third on the ladder, took home as Kennedy Kereama was named the WNBL26 Coach of the Year.
Sager added: "Kennedy’s impact this season has been exceptional.
"To bring together a largely new group and turn them into one of the most consistent and competitive teams in the league is a remarkable achievement. His leadership, professionalism, and commitment are to be commended, and he is a role model for anyone starting their coaching journey.”
All-WNBL First Team
- Isobel Borlase (Bendigo Spirit)
- Mackenzie Holmes (Geelong Venom)
- Anneli Maley (Perth Lynx)
- Ally Wilson (Perth Lynx)
- Courtney Woods (Townsville Fire)
All-WNBL Second Team
- Kelsey Griffin (Bendigo Spirit)
- Alex Ciabattoni (Perth Lynx)
- Han Xu (Perth Lynx)
- Cayla George (Southside Flyers)
- Miela Sowah (Townsville Fire)
WNBL MVP Awards List
- 1982 – Karen Ogden (Australia, St Kilda Saints)
- 1983 – Karen Ogden (Australia, St Kilda Saints)
- 1983 – Robyn Maher (Australia, Nunawading Spectres)
- 1984 – Julie Nykiel (Australia, Noarlunga Tigers)
- 1985 – Kathy Foster (Australia, North Adelaide Rockets)
- 1986 – Kathy Foster (Australia, Hobart Islanders)
- 1987 – Robyn Maher (Australia, Nunawading Spectres)
- 1988 – Julie Nykiel (Australia, Noarlunga Tigers)
- 1989 – Kathy Foster (Australia, Hobart Islanders)
- 1990 – Debbie Slimmon (Australia, Bulleen Melbourne Boomers)
- 1991 – Joanne Metcalfe (Australia, Melbourne Tigers)
- 1992 – Debbie Slimmon (Australia, Bulleen Melbourne Boomers)
- 1993 – Allison Cook (Guard, Australia, Melbourne Tigers)
- 1994 – Shelley Gorman (Guard, Australia, Sydney Flames)
- 1995 – Sandy Brondello (Guard, Australia, Brisbane Blazers)
- 1996 – Rachael Sporn (Forward, Australia, Adelaide Lightning)
- 1997 – Rachael Sporn (Forward, Australia, Adelaide Lightning)
- 1998 – Michelle Griffiths (Forward, Australia, Sydney Flames)
- 1998–99 – Lauren Jackson (Forward/Centre, Australia, Australian Institute of Sport)
- 1999–00 – Lauren Jackson (Forward/Centre, Australia, Canberra Capitals)
- 1999–00 – Trisha Fallon (Guard/Forward, Australia, Sydney Flames)
- 2000–01 – Penny Taylor (Forward, Australia, Dandenong Rangers)
- 2001–02 – Penny Taylor (Forward, Australia, Dandenong Rangers)
- 2002–03 – Lauren Jackson (Forward/Centre, Australia, Canberra Capitals)
- 2003–04 – Lauren Jackson (Forward/Centre, Australia, Canberra Capitals)
- 2004–05 – Katrina Hibbert (Guard/Forward, Australia, Bulleen Melbourne Boomers)
- 2005–06 – Katrina Hibbert (Guard/Forward, Australia, Bulleen Melbourne Boomers)
- 2006–07 – Hollie Grima (Centre/Forward, Australia, Bulleen Melbourne Boomers)
- 2007–08 – Natalie Porter (Forward, Australia, Sydney Uni Flames)
- 2008–09 – Rohanee Cox (Guard/Forward, Australia, Townsville Fire)
- 2009–10 – Kristi Harrower (Guard, Australia, Bendigo Spirit)
- 2010–11 – Liz Cambage (Centre, Australia, Bulleen Boomers)
- 2011–12 – Suzy Batkovic (Centre, Australia, Adelaide Lightning)
- 2012–13 – Suzy Batkovic (Centre, Australia, Adelaide Lightning)
- 2013–14 – Suzy Batkovic (Centre, Australia, Townsville Fire)
- 2014–15 – Abby Bishop (Forward/Centre, Australia, Canberra Capitals)
- 2015–16 – Suzy Batkovic (Centre, Australia, Townsville Fire)
- 2016–17 – Suzy Batkovic (Centre, Australia, Townsville Fire)
- 2017–18 – Suzy Batkovic (Centre, Australia, Townsville Fire)
- 2018–19 – Kelsey Griffin (Forward, Australia, Canberra Capitals)
- 2019–20 – Kia Nurse (Guard, Canada, Canberra Capitals)
- 2020 – Stephanie Talbot (Guard/Forward, Australia, Adelaide Lightning)
- 2021–22 – Anneli Maley (Forward, Australia, Bendigo Spirit)
- 2022–23 – Cayla George (Forward/Centre, Australia, Melbourne Boomers (7))
- 2023–24 – Jordin Canada (Guard, United States, Melbourne Boomers (8))
- 2024–25 – Sami Whitcomb (Guard, Australia, Bendigo Spirit (3))
- 2025–26 – Isobel Borlase (Guard, Australia, Bendigo Spirit (4))
