Through the first seven rounds of the WNBL26 season, she’s been one of the competition’s top performers.

Now Bendigo star Izzy Borlase’s name is being thrown into the MVP discussion.

And rightfully so, with the Paris Olympic bronze medallist averaging 22.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game while hitting 89.4 per cent from the free throw line.

These career best stats, including a 7.8-point jump in points per game, have powered the Spirit to a 7-2 record this season.

One that is backing the Borlase for MVP talk is Australian Opals coach Sandy Brondello.

“At the moment, she [Borlase] would be up there in the MVP rankings, without a doubt,” Brondello said.

“Just because of how impactful she is, which is great to see. Last year, we wanted her to continue to work on a three point shot and that’s a part of the process. And now she’s just taking what defence gives her. She’s doing a great job. She’s got really good poise.”

“She’s strong, obviously. She’s finishing well, but she’s making the right decisions, passing it out when she needs it, and shooting the three too. You see a really confident young player that is working really hard on her game, which includes conditioning.”

Brondello, who recently signed on as the head coach of WNBA franchise Toronto Tempo, explained a big part of the 21-year-old’s jump, along with her intense training, has been the shift from Adelaide to Bendigo, where Borlase was forced out of her comfort zone.

“Going to Bendigo was a right move for her,” Brondello said.

“Being surrounded by some really experienced veteran players that really are pouring into her and have given her so much confidence can only be a good thing. It’s been fun to watch, she’s a great kid.”

“She’s just very happy and very confident and is playing great basketball. The better you play, you’re going to get more confidence and it’s great to see, and I know she’s only going to keep getting better and better.”

While Borlase, who in 2023 won the WNBL Sixth Woman of the Year and WNBL Breakout Player of the Year, welcomes the praise, especially from a mentor like Brondello.

But she isn’t buying too much into it, rather concentrating on helping the Spirit claim back to back championships.

“I’m not really thinking about the personal accolades, just concentrating on just playing well to help my team win at this stage,” Borlase said.

“The environment I’m in is also allowing me to play like this. Teammates like Kelsey [Griffin], [Marianna] Tolo and the bigs on our team are putting me in the best position to succeed and score.”

“The numbers I’m putting up are helping my team win, so I’m just going to try and continue to do that because that’s what we’re playing for at the end of the day.”

Borlase, who admits she worked hard on her game and body during the off season, went on to say how impressed she is with her team’s strong start to the 2025-26 campaign, considering the new group in Bendigo.

“The way that our relatively new team has come together and bought into wanting to find ways to win is really exciting,” she said.

“I thought we were going to be a good team, but to be where we are already is impressive.”

While Borlase’s mind is on Bendigo’s Round 8 fixture with Geelong in Ballarat, Brondello believes the WNBA is in the future of the Atlanta Dream draft pick.

“Everyone wants to play in the WNBA and you want to push yourself against the very best, and Izzy is no different,” Brondello said.

“She was drafted last year, so now it’s about her going over there and proving that she deserves to be in that league. I’m excited about that. She’s such a young player that’s got such a high upside.”

“She’s going to get better by competing at this level and then challenging herself in the WNBA. I’m excited to see her development over the next years.”

Tickets to Friday’s Round 8 fixture at Selkirk Stadium, which will be broadcast live on ESPN and 9Now, are still available here.