{"id":892749,"date":"2026-09-15T10:04:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T10:04:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/892749\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T10:04:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T10:04:14","slug":"wnbl27-free-agency-every-clubs-confirmed-squad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/892749\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBL27 Free Agency: Every club’s confirmed squad"},"content":{"rendered":"

Big re-signings and even bigger departures headline a busy free agency period for season 2026-27<\/p>\n

The WNBL27 <\/a>off-season has turned into an arms race, and the reigning champions started it. Bendigo Spirit<\/a> have signed Australian Opals<\/a> and Seattle Storm<\/a> point guard Jade Melbourne<\/a>, the biggest move of the free agency period, and they have not stopped there.<\/p>\n

Isobel Borlase<\/a> has come back to Bendigo as well, and so has Marianna Tolo, the five-time champion and WNBL Life Member returning for a 13th season and her first since her daughter Mya was born in May.<\/p>\n

Southside Melbourne Flyers have rebuilt in the other direction under new coach Sam Mackinnon<\/a>. They lost Maddy Rocci, then landed Chinese international Wang Siyu to headline the backcourt and American centre Sakima Walker, a 196cm title winner with South Carolina in 2024 who averaged 11.9 points and 6.7 rebounds a game at Cal.<\/p>\n

The import market has been just as busy elsewhere. Adelaide Lightning have taken two in Phoenix Mercury guard Shay Ciezki and WNBA import Maddy Westbeld, and Aja Parham-Ammar has built the rest around Opals pair Steph Talbot <\/a>and Zitina Aokuso, with Jess McDowell-White arriving from Sydney and Kiara Waite from Perth.<\/p>\n

Below is basketball.com.au<\/a>‘s complete WNBL27 free agency and signings tracker, featuring every contracted player, new signing, departure and projected depth chart for all nine clubs. This page will be updated throughout the off-season as every roster move is confirmed.<\/p>\n

\"Adelaide<\/a>Adelaide Lightning 2026-27 Roster Tracker<\/p>\n

Head coach: Aja Parham-Ammar<\/p>\n

Contracted<\/p>\n

Shay Ciezki (I) – Jess McDowell-White – Steph Talbot – Maddy Westbeld (I) – Zitina Aokuso – Tayla Brazel – Gemma Potter – Aspen Crase – Kiara Waite – Elissa Brett – Coco Hodges (DP)<\/p>\n

New arrivals<\/p>\n

Maddy Westbeld (Import, WNBA) – Aspen Crase (Basketball Australia CoE) – Kiara Waite (Perth Lynx) – Shay Ciezki (Import, Phoenix Mercury) – Elissa Brett (Geelong Venom) – Gemma Potter (Geelong Venom) – Jess McDowell-White (Sydney Flames) – Zitina Aokuso (UC Capitals) – Coco Hodges (Development Player)<\/p>\n

Departures<\/p>\n

Ella Tofaeono (Tasmania Jewels) – Brooke Basham (Tasmania Jewels) – Dallas Loughridge (NCAA) – Charlotte Whittaker (UC Capitals) – Sharne Robati (UC Capitals)<\/p>\n

Transactions<\/p>\n

September 3: Zitina Aokuso explains her move to the LightningAugust 6: Aspen Crase signs out of the Basketball Australia Centre of ExcellenceJuly 29: Maddy Westbeld signs as an import off her rookie WNBA season, pending league approvalJuly 13: Brooke Basham departs for the Tasmania Jewels after five seasonsJuly 9: Kiara Waite signs from the Perth LynxJuly 2: Shay Ciezki signs from the Phoenix Mercury, filling the vacancy left by Dallas LoughridgeJuly 2: Ella Tofaeono departs for the Tasmania JewelsJune 25: Dallas Loughridge departs for a US college opportunityJune 22: Elissa Brett signs from GeelongMay 28: Charlotte Whittaker departs for the UC CapitalsMay 19: Gemma Potter signs a one-year deal\"Bendigo<\/a>Bendigo Spirit 2026-27 Roster Tracker<\/p>\n

Head coach: Kennedy Kereama<\/p>\n

Contracted<\/p>\n

Jade Melbourne – Isobel Borlase – Abbey Wehrung – Kelsey Griffin – Kelly Wilson – Georgia Booth – Casey Samuels – Kelsey Rees – Olivia Pollerd – Marianna Tolo<\/p>\n

New arrivals<\/p>\n

Jade Melbourne (UC Capitals) – Kelly Wilson (re-signed)<\/p>\n

Still to sign<\/p>\n

Departures<\/p>\n

Megan McConnell (UC Capitals) – Emma Clarke (Townsville Fire)<\/p>\n

Transactions<\/p>\n

September 11: Marianna Tolo re-signs with the Bendigo SpiritSeptember 4: Kelly Wilson re-signs for a 23rd WNBL season, pending league approvalJuly 16: Kelsey Griffin re-commits to the SpiritJune 30: Jade Melbourne signs as a marquee player after six seasons in CanberraMay 8: Kennedy Kereama signs a two-year extension after winning WNBL26 Coach of the YearApril 29: Abbey Wehrung re-signs on a one-year contractMarch 30: Georgia Booth re-signs after her first full WNBL seasonMarch 27: Olivia Pollerd signs a new two-year contractMarch 20: Isobel Borlase re-signs on a one-year deal after her MVP season\"Canberra<\/a>UC Capitals 2026-27 Roster Tracker (Roster Complete)<\/p>\n

Head coach: Paul Goriss<\/p>\n

Contracted<\/p>\n

Isabella Brancatisano – Amy Atwell – Nyadiew Puoch – Sharne Robati – Charlotte Whittaker – Megan McConnell (I) – Isabel Palmer – Nicole Munger (I) – Manuela Puoch – Caitlyn Jones – Jasmyn Boutzos (DP) – Zara Funnell (DP)<\/p>\n

New arrivals<\/p>\n

Jasmyn Boutzos (Development Player, NBL1 Canberra Nationals) – Zara Funnell (Development Player, NBL1 Canberra Nationals) – Megan McConnell (Bendigo Spirit) – Caitlyn Jones (NBL1 Canberra Nationals) – Manuela Puoch (Southside Melbourne Flyers) – Charlotte Whittaker (Adelaide Lightning) – Isabel Palmer (University of Utah) – Amy Atwell (Perth Lynx) – Sharne Robati (Adelaide Lightning)<\/p>\n

Departures<\/p>\n

Jade Melbourne (Bendigo Spirit) – Zitina Aokuso (Adelaide Lightning) – Teige Morrell (Perth Lynx)<\/p>\n

Transactions<\/p>\n

\u200dSeptember 2: Jasmyn Boutzos and Zara Funnell join as development players\u200dAugust 18: Megan McConnell signs as the 10th and final player\u200dAugust 10: Caitlyn Jones joins for her WNBL debut, doubling as a club Community Coach\u200dJuly 29: Nat Hurst returns to the Capitals bench as lead assistant to Paul Goriss\u200dJuly 10: Nicole Munger re-signs with the Capitals\u200dMay 14: Amy Atwell signs from the Perth Lynx\u200dApril 30: Sharne Robati signs from the Adelaide Lightning\u200dMarch 31: Isabella Brancatisano re-signs for WNBL27\u200dUndated: Manuela Puoch joins the Caps\"Geelong<\/a>Geelong Venom 2026-27 Roster Tracker<\/p>\n

Head coach: Cheryl Chambers<\/p>\n

Contracted<\/p>\n

Maddy Rocci – Bec Cole – Indiah Bowyer – Alex Sharp – Han Xu (I) – Lilly Rotunno – Wanglai Zhang (I) – Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard – Dakota Crichton – Millie McCarthy (DP) – Aleks Connolly (DP) – Poppy Stevens (DP) – Jasmine King (DP)<\/p>\n

New arrivals<\/p>\n

Millie McCarthy (Development Player) – Aleks Connolly (Development Player, NBL1 South Geelong United) – Poppy Stevens (Development Player) – Jasmine King (Development Player) – Han Xu (Import, Perth Lynx) – Wanglai Zhang (Import, Chinese National Team) – Indiah Bowyer (Southside Melbourne Flyers, via NBL1 Geelong United) – Dakota Crichton (Townsville Fire) – Maddy Rocci (Southside Melbourne Flyers) – Bec Cole (missed WNBL26)<\/p>\n

Departures<\/p>\n

Jaz Shelley (Sydney Flames) – Casey Benson (Import) – Bec Allen – Gemma Potter (Adelaide Lightning) – Kate Oliver – Shyla Heal (Europe) – Elissa Brett (Adelaide Lightning) – Taylor Mole (Tasmania Jewels)<\/p>\n

Transactions<\/p>\n

\u200dSeptember 4: Millie McCarthy, Aleks Connolly, Poppy Stevens and Jasmine King named as development players\u200dJuly 28: Wanglai Zhang signs alongside Han Xu\u200dJuly 27: Han Xu commits to the Venom\u200dJune 18: Indiah Bowyer promoted from Geelong United NBL1\u200dMay 15: Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard re-signs\u200dMay 8: Dakota Crichton signs from Townsville on a two-year deal\u200dMay 5: Maddy Rocci signs from Southside Melbourne\u200dApril 22: Bec Cole returns to the WNBL with Geelong on a two-year deal\u200dMarch 31: Alex Sharp re-signs for a third consecutive season\"Perth<\/a>Perth Lynx 2026-27 Roster Tracker<\/p>\n

Head coach: Ryan Petrik<\/p>\n

Contracted<\/p>\n

Georgia Amoore – Nya Lok – Haley Peters (I) – Anneli Maley – Teige Morrell – Alex Ciabattoni – Steph Gorman – Teonni Key (I) – Samantha Ashby – Sami Whitcomb (Out for WNBL27 with a knee injury)<\/p>\n

New arrivals<\/p>\n

Teonni Key (Import, Toronto Tempo) – Georgia Amoore (Washington Mystics) – Samantha Ashby (NBL1 West Perth Redbacks) – Haley Peters (Import, Southside Melbourne Flyers) – Sami Whitcomb (Phoenix Mercury) – Teige Morrell (UC Capitals)<\/p>\n

Departures<\/p>\n

Kiara Waite (Adelaide Lightning) – Ally Wilson (Sydney Flames) – Amy Atwell (UC Capitals) – Han Xu (Geelong Venom) – Brianna Turner (Import) – Yemiyah Morris (Import) – Nya Lok<\/p>\n

Transactions<\/p>\n

September 13: Nya Lok and the Perth Lynx mutually part ways, the reason is undisclosed.August 31: Teonni Key signs with the Lynx, the 22nd pick in the 2026 WNBA DraftAugust 28: Georgia Amoore signs with the Lynx, the sixth pick in the 2025 WNBA DraftAugust 27: Sami Whitcomb ruled out of WNBL27 with an ongoing knee injuryAugust 26: Samantha Ashby signs from NBL1 WestAugust 25: Haley Peters signs as an importJuly 9: Kiara Waite departs for the Adelaide Lightning after two seasonsMay 21: Teige Morrell returns to the Lynx after one season with the UC CapitalsMay 14: Sami Whitcomb signs a two-year dealMay 6: Nya Lok signs a two-year deal after leaving Southside MelbourneMay 5: Alex Ciabattoni re-signs after a career-best WNBL26 seasonMay 4: Steph Gorman re-commits to the Lynx\"Southside<\/a>Southside Melbourne Flyers 2026-27 Roster Tracker<\/p>\n

Head coach: Sam Mackinnon<\/p>\n

Contracted<\/p>\n

Wang Siyu (I) – Saffron Shiels – Lara Edmanson – Carly Ernst – Hannah Hank – Haylee Andrews – Tess Heal – Isobelle Wightman – Claire Jacobs – Cayla George – Holly Griffiths (DP) – Macey Boyle (DP)<\/p>\n

New arrivals<\/p>\n

Macey Boyle (Development Player, NBL1 South Keilor) – Holly Griffiths (Development Player, Grand Canyon) – Claire Jacobs (La Salle \/ Nevada, NBL1 West Mandurah) – Wang Siyu (Import, China) – Saffron Shiels (Townsville Fire) – Tess Heal (Kansas State) – Hannah Hank (Australian Gangurrus 3×3)<\/p>\n

Promoted<\/p>\n

Isobelle Wightman (development player to the full roster)<\/p>\n

Departures<\/p>\n

Manuela Puoch (UC Capitals) – Indiah Bowyer (Geelong Venom) – Isabelle Bourne (Sydney Flames) – Nya Lok (Perth Lynx) – Maddy Rocci (Geelong Venom) – Haley Peters (Perth Lynx)<\/p>\n

Transactions<\/p>\n

August 27: Macey Boyle signs as a development player off a career-best NBL1 South season at KeilorAugust 21: Holly Griffiths returns on a development player contract after three US college seasonsAugust 17: Claire Jacobs joins after five US college seasons across La Salle and NevadaAugust 14: Isobelle Wightman promoted from development player to the full rosterJune 18: Indiah Bowyer departs for the Geelong VenomJune 17: Manuela Puoch departs for the UC CapitalsJune 2: Tess Heal signs after completing her NCAA career at Kansas StateMay 28: Wang Siyu signs with the FlyersMay 26: Saffron Shiels signs from the Townsville FireMarch 2025: Lara Edmanson earns her first WNBL contract\"Sydney<\/a>Sydney Flames 2026-27 Roster Tracker (Complete)<\/p>\n

Head coach: Renae Garlepp<\/p>\n

Contracted<\/p>\n

Jaz Shelley – Ally Wilson – Lauren Nicholson – Isabelle Bourne – Isabelle Morgan – Charlise Dunn – Agnes Emma-Nnopu – Maya Dodson (I) – Yang Shuyu (I) – Darcy Rees – Shaneice Swain (Out for WNBL27 with an ACL injury) – Kaila Proctor (DP) – Zoey Miller (DP) – Peggy Schell (DP) – Alex Oliver (DP)<\/p>\n

New arrivals<\/p>\n

Kaila Proctor (Development Player, Bankstown) – Zoey Miller (Development Player, Manly-Warringah) – Peggy Schell (Development Player, Norths) – Alex Oliver (Development Player, Sydney Comets) – Darcy Rees (NBL1 Illawarra Hawks) – Yang Shuyu (Import, China) – Maya Dodson (Import) – Isabelle Bourne (Southside Melbourne Flyers) – Ally Wilson (Perth Lynx) – Jaz Shelley (Geelong Venom) – Charlise Dunn (Davidson Wildcats)<\/p>\n

Departures<\/p>\n

Keely Froling (Tasmania Jewels) – Ruby Perkins (California Golden Bears) – Jess McDowell-White (Adelaide Lightning)<\/p>\n

Transactions<\/p>\n

August 28: Zoey Miller, Peggy Schell, Alex Oliver and Kaila Proctor named as development playersJuly 13: Darcy Rees signs from NBL1 Illawarra HawksJune 11: Maya Dodson signs a one-year dealMay 8: Isabelle Bourne signs from the Southside Melbourne FlyersMay 4: Ally Wilson returns to the Flames on a two-year dealMay 1: Jaz Shelley signs a two-year dealApril 17: Charlise Dunn signs a two-year deal after her NCAA career at DavidsonApril 2025: Shaneice Swain signs a three-year extensionJuly 2026: Shaneice Swain suffers a season-ending ACL injury playing NBL1 SouthUndated: Yang Shuyu commits to the Flames<\/p>\n

WNBL26 roster: Olivia Epoupa, Lauren Nicholson, Isabelle Morgan, Mikhaela Cann, Carla Pittman, Shaneice Swain, Zoey Miller, Agnes Emma-Nnopu, Caitlin Martin, Lara McSpadden, Keely Froling, Ruby Perkins, Madeleine Norris, Unique Thompson (Import)<\/p>\n

\"Tasmania<\/a>Tasmania Jewels 2026-27 Roster Tracker (Roster Complete)<\/p>\n

Head coach: Claudia Brassard<\/p>\n

Contracted<\/p>\n

Steph Reid – Gianna Kneepkens (I) – Darcee Garbin – Keely Froling – Madina Okot (I) – Katie Deeble – Brooke Basham – Taylor Mole – Mia Jacobs – Ella Tofaeono – Andie Smith (DP) – Chloe Broomhall (DP) – Portia Chopping (DP) – Ava McDonald (DP) – Georgia Taylor (DP)<\/p>\n

New arrivals<\/p>\n

Madina Okot (Import, Atlanta Dream) – Gianna Kneepkens (Import, Connecticut Sun) – Brooke Basham (Adelaide Lightning) – Mia Jacobs (Oregon Ducks) – Katie Deeble – Steph Reid (Sopron Basket) – Taylor Mole (Geelong Venom) – Ella Tofaeono (Adelaide Lightning) – Darcee Garbin (NBL1 Cockburn Cougars) – Keely Froling (Sydney Flames) – Andie Smith (Basketball Australia CoE)<\/p>\n

Transactions<\/p>\n

August 5: Madina Okot signs as the club second import and the final player on the inaugural rosterJuly 26: Gianna Kneepkens signs as the club first importJuly 13: Brooke Basham signs with the JewelsJuly 7: Mia Jacobs signs after four years in NCAA basketballJune 25: Chloe Broomhall, Portia Chopping, Ava McDonald and Georgia Taylor named as development playersJune 15: Taylor Mole becomes the first Tasmanian-born player signed by the JewelsJune 1: Steph Reid signs from Sopron BasketMay 10: Darcee Garbin signs with TasmaniaApril 17: Keely Froling signs after departing the Sydney FlamesApril 7: Andie Smith joins as a development player\"Townsville<\/a>Townsville Fire 2026-27 Roster Tracker<\/p>\n

Head coach: Shannon Seebohm<\/p>\n

Contracted<\/p>\n

Abbey Ellis – Miela Sowah – Courtney Woods – Alex Fowler – Marie Gulich (I) – Chloe Forster – Lauren Jensen (I) – Emma Clarke – Alicia Froling – Cheyenne Bobongie – Catelyn Van Es (DP) – Bree Stephens (DP)<\/p>\n

New arrivals<\/p>\n

Cheyenne Bobongie (North Queensland junior) – Emma Clarke (NBL1 North) – Lauren Jensen (Import) – Catelyn Van Es (Development Player) – Bree Stephens (Development Player)<\/p>\n

Departures<\/p>\n

Dakota Crichton (Geelong Venom) – Saffron Shiels (Southside Melbourne Flyers)<\/p>\n

Transactions<\/p>\n

September 3: Cheyenne Bobongie completes the champion WNBL27 rosterJuly 24: Lauren Jensen signs as an American import guardJune 2: Emma Clarke signs with the defending champions ahead of the FIBA Women 3×3 World CupMay 26: Saffron Shiels departs for the Southside Melbourne FlyersMay 8: Dakota Crichton departs for the Geelong Venom after helping Townsville win the WNBL26 championshipUndated: Catelyn Van Es signs, finalising the rosterWNBL27 FREE AGENCY MOVES – BY DATE<\/p>\n

Millie McCarthy, Point Guard (WNBL26: NBL1 South Waverley Falcons)<\/p>\n

September 4 – Joins the Geelong Venom as a development player under incoming coach Cheryl Chambers, the only one of the four raised outside the region, through Perth’s Perry Lakes Hawks and a bigger role at Waverley Falcons in 2026.<\/p>\n

Aleks Connolly, Development Player (WNBL26: NBL1 South Geelong United)<\/p>\n

September 4 – A fixture of Geelong United’s NBL1 rotation and the club’s 2026 Big V VYC Women’s MVP, promoted into the Venom’s WNBL27 program.<\/p>\n

Poppy Stevens, Development Player (WNBL26: NBL1 South Geelong United)<\/p>\n

September 4 – Completes the climb from Geelong United’s junior ranks through the NBL1 and into the Venom’s inaugural WNBL squad.<\/p>\n

Jasmine King, Development Player (WNBL26: NBL1 South Geelong United)<\/p>\n

September 4 – The second of the Geelong United juniors elevated to the Venom, with Chambers pointing to her scoring instincts.<\/p>\n

Kelly Wilson, Point Guard (WNBL26: Bendigo Spirit)<\/p>\n

September 4 – The WNBL’s all-time games record holder and a five-time champion re-signs with the Spirit for a 23rd season, pending league approval.<\/p>\n

Cheyenne Bobongie, Development Player (WNBL26: Did not play)<\/p>\n

September 3 – The Mackay junior and Australian Under-17 representative completes the reigning champion Townsville Fire’s WNBL27 roster.<\/p>\n

Jasmyn Boutzos, Guard (WNBL26: NBL1 Canberra Nationals)<\/p>\n

September 2 – The Canberra local joins the UC Capitals as a development player after a season with the Nationals under Caps assistant coach Nat Hurst.<\/p>\n

Zara Funnell, Guard (WNBL26: NBL1 Canberra Nationals)<\/p>\n

September 2 – The second Canberra Nationals guard added to the Capitals’ development list on the same day.<\/p>\n

Teonni Key, Forward (WNBL26: Did not play)<\/p>\n

August 31 – The 6ft5in forward, taken 22nd in the 2026 WNBA Draft by Toronto, commits to the Perth Lynx.<\/p>\n

Georgia Amoore, Guard (WNBL26: Did not play)<\/p>\n

August 28 – The Ballarat-born Washington Mystics guard, sixth pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, comes home to the Perth Lynx.<\/p>\n

Zoey Miller, Development Player (WNBL26: Sydney Flames)<\/p>\n

August 28 – Returns to the Flames for a second season after averaging 14.5 points, five assists and 4.5 rebounds for Manly-Warringah, who reached the NBL1 East final.<\/p>\n

Peggy Schell, Forward (WNBL26: NBL1 East Norths Bears)<\/p>\n

August 28 – Joins the Flames as a development player after 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds a game for the Bears.<\/p>\n

Alex Oliver, Development Player (WNBL26: NBL1 East Sydney Comets)<\/p>\n

August 28 – Added to the Flames list off career-best figures of 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds for the Comets.<\/p>\n

Kaila Proctor, Development Player (WNBL26: NBL1 East Bankstown Bruins)<\/p>\n

August 28 – The younger sister of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor joins the Flames after driving Bankstown to the NBL1 East title and second at the national finals.<\/p>\n

Sami Whitcomb, Guard (WNBL26: Perth Lynx)<\/p>\n

August 27 – The Lynx confirm Whitcomb will miss the WNBL27 season with an ongoing knee injury, and the FIBA World Cup with it.<\/p>\n

Macey Boyle, Development Player (WNBL26: NBL1 South Keilor)<\/p>\n

August 27 – The 22-year-old joins the Southside Melbourne Flyers as a development player after a season of career highs at Keilor.<\/p>\n

Samantha Ashby, Guard (WNBL26: NBL1 West Perth Redbacks)<\/p>\n

August 26 – The Western Australian guard joins her hometown Lynx after averaging 21.4 points a game for the Redbacks and an NBL1 West All-Second Team selection.<\/p>\n

Haley Peters, Forward (WNBL26: Southside Melbourne Flyers)<\/p>\n

August 25 – The Duke alum, who played 33 games for Connecticut in the 2025 WNBA season, joins the Perth Lynx as an import.<\/p>\n

Holly Griffiths, Forward (WNBL26: NCAA Grand Canyon)<\/p>\n

August 21 – Returns to the Southside Melbourne Flyers on a development contract after three US college seasons, having played WNBL23 with the club.<\/p>\n

Megan McConnell, Point Guard (WNBL26: Bendigo Spirit)<\/p>\n

August 19 – The American completes the UC Capitals roster as their tenth and final player, pending WNBL review and approval, after averaging 11.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in her WNBL debut season<\/p>\n

Claire Jacobs, Guard (WNBL26: Did not play)<\/p>\n

August 17 – The Perth-born 24-year-old joins the Southside Melbourne Flyers after five US college seasons across La Salle and Nevada, and 21.5 points a game for Mandurah in NBL1 West<\/p>\n

Isobelle Wightman (WNBL26: Southside Melbourne Flyers)<\/p>\n

August 14 – Promoted from development player to the full Flyers roster after three appearances in WNBL26, two of them semi-finals<\/p>\n

Caitlyn Jones, Guard (WNBL26: NBL1 Canberra Nationals)<\/p>\n

August 10 – Joins the UC Capitals for her WNBL debut and doubles as a club Community Coach, after 22.0 points a game as the Nationals’ leading scorer<\/p>\n

Aspen Crase, Position not stated (WNBL26: Centre of Excellence)\u200d<\/p>\n

August 6 – The Sapphires gold medallist signs with the Adelaide Lightning, pending league approval<\/p>\n

Madina Okot, Centre (WNBA)<\/p>\n

August 5 – The Kenyan-born 21-year-old, the 13th pick in the 2026 WNBA draft and currently at the Atlanta Dream, becomes the Tasmania Jewels’ second import and the final player on their inaugural roster<\/p>\n

Bree Stephens (WNBL26: NBL1 Townsville Flames)<\/p>\n

August 5 – Earns her first WNBL contract with the Townsville Fire through the development player pathway<\/p>\n

Catelyn Van Es (WNBL26: Townsville Fire)<\/p>\n

August 5 – Re-signs with the Fire for a second season as a development player after winning their Community Player of the Year award<\/p>\n

Nat Hurst, Coach (WNBL26: UC Capitals)<\/p>\n

July 29 – The seven-time WNBL champion returns to the Capitals bench as lead assistant to Paul Goriss<\/p>\n

Maddy Westbeld, Forward (WNBL26: Did not play)<\/p>\n

July 29 – The 24-year-old American signs with the Adelaide Lightning as an import off her rookie WNBA season, pending league approval. Her sister Kathryn played for the Lightning in 2019<\/p>\n

Marie G\u00fclich, Centre (Import)<\/p>\n

July 29 – The 196cm German international joins the reigning champion Townsville Fire as an import, having been the 12th pick in the 2018 WNBA draft with 66 WNBA games behind her<\/p>\n

Han Xu, Centre (WNBL26: Perth Lynx \u2013 Import<\/p>\n

July 28 – The 211cm Chinese international joins the Geelong Venom on a one-year deal after being named WNBL26 Defensive Player of the Year and All-WNBL Second Team<\/p>\n

Wanglai Zhang, Forward\/Guard (Import)<\/p>\n

July 28 – The back-to-back WCBA champion signs with the Geelong Venom on a one-year deal, announced alongside Han Xu<\/p>\n

Gianna Kneepkens (WNBL26: Import)<\/p>\n

July 26 – The 15th pick in the 2026 WNBA draft, off her rookie season at the Connecticut Sun, becomes the Tasmania Jewels’ first import<\/p>\n

Lauren Jensen, Guard (WNBL26: Did not play)<\/p>\n

July 24 – The 178cm American signs with Townsville as an import, arriving from AEO Proteas Voulas after a Creighton career that took her past 2,000 points<\/p>\n

Kelsey Griffin (WNBL26: Bendigo Spirit)<\/p>\n

July 16 – The 2019 MVP and five-time champion re-signs for an 11th season at Bendigo and a 15th in the WNBL, after averaging 11.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in WNBL26<\/p>\n

Brooke Basham, Combo Guard (WNBL26: Adelaide Lightning)<\/p>\n

July 13 – The 28-year-old South Australian rounds out the Tasmania Jewels’ Australian rostered players after five seasons at the Lightning and 21.7 points a game for Cairns in NBL1<\/p>\n

Darcy Rees, Centre (NBL1 Illawarra Hawks)<\/p>\n

July 13 – The 6’4″ 26-year-old completes the Sydney Flames roster after five years at Washington and stints in Switzerland, England and Germany<\/p>\n

Nicole Munger, Wing (WNBL26: UC Capitals)<\/p>\n

July 10 – The Capitals re-sign their longest-tenured player on a one-year import deal for a fifth straight season<\/p>\n

Kiara Waite (WNBL26: Perth Lynx)<\/p>\n

July 9 – The 19-year-old joins the Adelaide Lightning after two seasons and 22 games at Perth. Adelaide call her a forward and the WNBL call her a 6’3″ centre<\/p>\n

Mia Jacobs, Forward (Oregon Ducks)<\/p>\n

July 7 – The 22-year-old 6’2″ forward signs with the Tasmania Jewels after four US college years ending at Oregon and 1,774 career college points<\/p>\n

Shay Ciezki, Guard (Import)<\/p>\n

July 2 – The 22-year-old Phoenix Mercury developmental guard signs her first international deal with the Adelaide Lightning, filling the vacancy left by Dallas Loughridge<\/p>\n

Ella Tofeoana, Centre (WNBL26: Adelaide Lightning)<\/p>\n

July 2 – The New Zealand international and 40-game WNBL veteran joins the Tasmania Jewels. See the spelling note below, this name is published three different ways<\/p>\n

Shuyu Yang, Guard (Import)<\/p>\n

June 30 – The captain of the Chinese national team signs with the Sydney Flames as an import<\/p>\n

Jade Melbourne, Guard (WNBL26: UC Capitals)<\/p>\n

June 29 – The Opals guard leaves Canberra after six seasons and signs with the Bendigo Spirit as a marquee player<\/p>\n

Katie Deeble, Point Guard (WNBL26: Did not play)<\/p>\n

June 29 – The 22-year-old signs with the Tasmania Jewels<\/p>\n

Jack Fleming, Zoe Mesman, Matt Clarke and Shakira Bone, Coaches (WNBL26: various)<\/p>\n

June 26 – The Tasmania Jewels name their assistant coaching staff, with Bone in a newly created development coach position<\/p>\n

Chloe Broomhall, Portia Chopping, Ava McDonald and Georgia Taylor, Development Players (WNBL26: various)<\/p>\n

June 25 – Four development players signed out of the Tasmania Jewels’ open try-outs, three Tasmanians and one Victorian<\/p>\n

Dallas Loughridge (WNBL26: Adelaide Lightning)<\/p>\n

June 25 – The reigning WNBL Breakout Player of the Year departs the Lightning for a US college opportunity<\/p>\n

Elissa Brett, Guard (WNBL26: Geelong Venom)<\/p>\n

June 22 – The South Australian returns home to the Adelaide Lightning, most recently with Ballarat in NBL1<\/p>\n

Indiah Bowyer, Guard (WNBL26: Southside Melbourne Flyers)<\/p>\n

– June 18 – The 23-year-old Cairns product commits to the Geelong Venom<\/p>\n

Manuela Puoch, Forward (WNBL26: Southside Melbourne Flyers)<\/p>\n

June 17 – The 19-year-old signs a two-year deal with the UC Capitals, joining her sister Nyadiew, after Australian Gems silver in 2025<\/p>\n

Taylor Mole, Wing (WNBL26: Geelong Venom)<\/p>\n

June 15 – The 27-year-old becomes the first Tasmanian-born player signed by the Tasmania Jewels<\/p>\n

Maya Dodson, Centre (Import)<\/p>\n

June 11 – The 191cm American joins the Sydney Flames as their first import, arriving from Leganes in Spain<\/p>\n

Ryan Petrik, Coach (WNBL26: Perth Lynx)<\/p>\n

June 3 – Re-appointed by the Lynx on a multi-year deal after three grand final series in five years<\/p>\n

Tess Heal, Guard (WNBL26: Did not play)<\/p>\n

June 3 – Signs with the Southside Melbourne Flyers for two seasons after completing her NCAA career at Kansas State<\/p>\n

Steph Reid, Point Guard (WNBL26: Sopron Basket)<\/p>\n

June 1 – The 29-year-old Opal signs as the Tasmania Jewels’ marquee player, returning from Europe and Asia<\/p>\n

Emma Clarke (WNBL26: Did not play)<\/p>\n

May 29 – The 26-year-old 3×3 star signs with the reigning champion Townsville Fire ahead of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, with five WNBL seasons behind her<\/p>\n

Wang Siyu, Guard (Import)<\/p>\n

May 28 – The Chinese national team guard, known as Rainy, signs with the Southside Melbourne Flyers as an import<\/p>\n

Charlotte Whittaker, Power Forward (WNBL26: Adelaide Lightning)<\/p>\n

May 28 – The New Zealand Tall Fern signs a two-year deal with the UC Capitals, having been an injury replacement player at Adelaide<\/p>\n

Saffron Shiels, Guard (WNBL26: Townsville Fire)<\/p>\n

May 26 – Shiels joins the Southside Flyers after missing the entire WNBL26 season through injury<\/p>\n

Teige Morrell, Centre (WNBL26: UC\u00a0Capitals)<\/p>\n

May 21 – Morrell returns to the Lynx after a season in the nation’s capital<\/p>\n

Coco Hodges, Guard (WNBL26: Juniors)<\/p>\n

May 21 – The star South Australian junior signs with the Adelaide Lightning as a development player<\/p>\n

Steph Gorman, Guard (WNBL26: Perth Lynx)<\/p>\n

May 19 – The defensive stopper and three-point specialist rejoins the Perth Lynx on a one-year deal, making it her fourth season with the club<\/p>\n

Gemma Potter, Forward (WNBL26: Geelong Venom)<\/p>\n

May 19 – Recovering from a devastating ACL injury. Potter signs a one-year deal with the Adelaide Lightning<\/p>\n

Isabel Palmer, Guard (WNBL26: NCAA – University of Utah) <\/p>\n

May 19 – The former University of Utah standout guard signs a two-year deal with the UC\u00a0Capitals. Palmer is currently playing NBL1 North with the Sunshine Coast Phoenix<\/p>\n

Zitina Aokuso, Centre (WNBL26: UC Capitals)<\/p>\n

May 13 – The veteran Opals centre joins the Adelaide Lightning on a one-year deal<\/p>\n

Darcy Garbin, Forward (WNBL26: Did not play, NBL1 Cockburn Cougars)<\/p>\n

May 10 \u2013 signs with the Tasmania Jewels.<\/p>\n

Issie Bourne, Forward\/Centre (WNBL26: Southside Melbourne Flyers)<\/p>\n

May 8 – Bourne signs a one-year deal to join the Sydney Flames under Renae Garlepp<\/p>\n

Dakota Crichton, Forward (WNBL26: Townsville Fire)<\/p>\n

May 8 – The WNBL26 champion with the Fire returns home to join the Geelong Venom<\/p>\n

Kennedy Kereama, Coach (WNBL26: Bendigo Spirit)<\/p>\n

May 8 – The WNBL26 Coach of the Year extends with the Bendigo Spirit for two more seasons<\/p>\n

Maddison Rocci, Guard (WNBL26: Southside Melbourne Flyers)<\/p>\n

May 5 – Rocci signs a deal to join former Flyers coach Cheryl Chambers and championship teammate Bec Cole at the Geelong Venom<\/p>\n

Alex Ciabattoni, Guard (WNBL26: Perth Lynx)<\/p>\n

May 5 – The veteran combo guard re-signs with the Perth Lynx after a career-best season in WNBL 26<\/p>\n

Nya Lock, Guard (WNBL26: Southside Melbourne Flyers)<\/p>\n

May 5 – Southside announced Lock would be on the move for next season with the defensive stopper reportedly switching to another playoff team from last seasonMay 6 – Lock signs a two-year deal to join the Perth Lynx<\/p>\n

Lilly Rotunno, Guard (WNBL26: Geelong Venom)<\/p>\n

May 4 – The Queensland product re-signs with the Geelong Venom after a breakout WNBL26 season<\/p>\n

Alex Wilson, Guard (WNBL26: Perth Lynx)<\/p>\n

May 4 – The 2025-26 WNBL\u00a0All-First\u00a0Team member will return to the Sydney Flames where she played from 2015-2020, signing a two-year deal to join coach Renae Garlepp<\/p>\n

Amy Atwell, Guard (WNBL26: Perth Lynx)<\/p>\n

May 4 – The Lynx announce Atwell will not be returning to Perth for next season with the sharpshooter believed to be making a big move east<\/p>\n

Jaz Shelley, Guard (WNBL26: Geelong Venom)<\/p>\n

May 1 – The former Geelong Venom captain has moved to the Harbour City, signing a two-year deal with the Sydney Flames<\/p>\n

Sharne Robati, Forward (WNBL26: Adelaide Lightning)<\/p>\n

April 30 – The Kiwi international has made an off-season move, joining the UC\u00a0Capitals on a one-year deal<\/p>\n

Tayla Brazel, Guard\/Forward (WNBL26: Adelaide Lightning)<\/p>\n

April 29 – South Australian product Tayla Brazel returns to the Adelaide Lightning, signing a two-year extension with the club<\/p>\n

Abigail Wehrung, Guard (WNBL26: Bendigo Spirit)<\/p>\n

April 29 – The former Sixth Woman of the Year announces her return to the Bendigo Spirit, re-signing a one-year deal with the regional Victorian club<\/p>\n

Bec\u00a0Cole, Guard\/Forward (WNBL26: Missed last season)<\/p>\n

April 22 – The two-time WNBL\u00a0champion with the Southside Flyers is back in the WNBL, reuniting with Cheryl Chambers at the Geelong Venom after missing WNBL26<\/p>\n

Charlise Dunn, Forward (WNBL26: NCAA – Davidson Wildcats)<\/p>\n

April 17 – One of Australia’s brightest young prospects signs a two-year deal with the Sydney Flames<\/p>\n

Andie Smith, Forward\/Centre (WNBL26: Basketball Australia CoE)<\/p>\n

April 7 – The sister of AustralianOpals star Alanna Smith signs on with the Tasmania Jewels as a development player<\/p>\n

Isabella Brancatisano, Guard (WNBL26: UC Capitals)<\/p>\n

March 31 – One of Canberra’s leaders in Isabella Brancatisano will return to the nation’s capital for WNBL27<\/p>\n

Alex Sharp, Forward (WNBL26: Geelong Venom)<\/p>\n

March 31 – Sharp has re-signed with the Geelong Venom, returning to the club for a third consecutive season<\/p>\n

Georgia Booth, Guard (WNBL26: Bendigo Spirit)<\/p>\n

March 30 – Booth re-signs with the Bendigo Spirit after shining in her first season as a fully contracted player in WNBL26<\/p>\n

Olivia Pollerd, Forward (WNBL26: Bendigo Spirit)<\/p>\n

March 27 – The young sharpshooting forward signed a new two-year deal with the Spirit after an impressive rookie campaign<\/p>\n

Isobel Borlase, Guard (WNBL26: Bendigo Spirit)<\/p>\n

March 20 – Last season’s MVP returns to the Bendigo Spirit on a one-year deal after leading the Spirit to the playoffsOTHER NEWSMarch 31 – Southside Melbourne Flyers announce Australian basketball legend Sam Mackinnon as their new head coach, replacing Kristi Harrower after two seasons at the helmMarch 26 – Former Australian Opals skipper Tess Madgen was named the new general manager of the Adelaide Lightning<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Big re-signings and even bigger departures headline a busy free agency period for season 2026-27 The WNBL27 off-season…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":892750,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[574],"tags":[64,63,726,85],"class_list":["post-892749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-basketball","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-basketball","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/892749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=892749"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/892749\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/892750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=892749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=892749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=892749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}