WNBA Preseason: Whitcomb stars for Storm
The WNBA preseason has officially kicked off, with Aussies Erin Phillips, Rebecca Allen, Leilani Mitchell, Steph Talbot, Jenna O’Hea and Sami Whitcomb all displaying healthy performances to make a case for their selection.
There were plenty of Aussies present during the Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm match, which saw the Storm take the win at 86-64.
Continuing her stellar form from the WNBL season was Sami Whitcomb, who stood out and equal top scored for the match with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 turnovers. It’s certainly a performance that will capture the eyes of the Storm coaching staff as Whitcomb hopes to make the final roster for her first piece on WNBA action.
Whitcomb’s teammate in Jenna O’Hea also put in an impressive game, totaling 6 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists for the practice match.
https://twitter.com/seattlestorm/status/859977441552375808
For the Mercury, Steph Talbot and Leilani Mitchell fronted the court, while Cayla George sat out. Mitchell put in the work with 6 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, while Talbot got her first taste of WNBA action with 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
The Aussie connection continues at Phoenix, as retired Opals legend Penny Taylor joins Sandy Brondello on the team’s coaching staff.
https://twitter.com/PhoenixMercury/status/858032053127872515
Erin Phillips has gone straight from AFLW glory with the Adelaide Crows to join her Dallas Wings for her 10th WNBA season. Dallas kicked off the preseason tournament against San Antonio on Saturday. The Wings lost 87-81 to the Stars, but got healthy minutes into 12 of their 14-man roster. Phillips totaled 6 points and 4 assists in 15 minutes, knocking down a nice 6 from 7 from the free throw line.
https://twitter.com/DallasWings/status/857006165577920513
Rebecca Allen’s New York Liberty kicked off their preseason activity, with a healthy win over the reigning champions the LA Sparks. Liberty combined for 81 points to the Sparks’ 65. Allen was influential with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. A solid result for the forward after cutting her season in Slovakia with Good Angels Kosice short due to injury.
https://twitter.com/nyliberty/status/859564531659440129
The Liberty also had a run against Chicago Sky, but weren’t able to get over the line as the Sky earned the win 86-75. Allen put in another solid performance with 8 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
https://twitter.com/nyliberty/status/859936785920663552
Allen’s clearly been putting in the work during the lead up to the WNBA season, most specifically on that half court shot(as seen below).
https://twitter.com/ninja_human/status/859433041328050176
Up next, we'll see Rachel Jarry front up for her new side the Atlanta Dream, with all our other Aussies having another crack at a preseason match in the hopes of making the final roster.