The WNBA preseason has come and gone and rosters are officially finalised ahead of opening night on May 19 in the USA.
Before the rosters were set, eight Australians signed onto teams for a chance to compete to be a part of the 144. All but Anneli Maley, who was a last minute cut, found their names on official rosters.
Below is a list of the Australians in the WNBA for season 2023 and how they fared in the preseason.
Chicago Sky
Alanna Smith: After pretty much a season out of the league, Smith finds herself back on an official WNBA roster. The fourth year forward played extremely well during the Sky's two preseason games.
Throughout the Sky's three preseason games, she averaged 4.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, one steal, and 1.3 blocks in 18.3 minutes off the bench.
Connecticut Sun
Bec Allen: The seventh-year forward made her Sun debut and showed fans in Connecticut what is in store. Allen proved her defense will heavily complement that of Alyssa Thomas and brings the ability to stretch the floor as a post player, a much-needed gap when they traded Jonquel Jones to acquire Allen.
In Connecticut's two preseason games she started both, averaging seven points, four rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 22.6 minutes.
Indiana Fever
Kristy Wallace: Wallace didn't produce much offensively during the preseason but she impacted the game in more facilitating and off-ball roles on both sides of the floor. Wallace will be expected to handle more facilitating roles as either a starting or backup point guard.
In the Fever's two preseason games she averaged 3.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and two assists in 17.5 minutes per game.
Las Vegas Aces
Cayla George: Cayla George stepped onto the court ahead of her fourth season in the WNBA and first since she suited up for the Dallas Wings in 2018. Although she played sparingly in Las Vegas' two preseason games, she did show her impact as a point forward.
She averaged 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 15 minutes.
In lieu of a highlights video, please enjoy this beautiful Mother's Day post from Las Vegas' Fox 5's Paloma Villicana.
Seattle Storm
Note: The Seattle Storm only played in one official preseason game against the Phoenix Mercury. They also participated in an unofficial scrimmage against the Los Angeles Sparks. These statistics reflect both games.
Ezi Magbegor: Magbegor started both games and put up pretty consistent numbers. If all goes according to plan, she will be the starting centre.
She averaged seven points, five rebounds, and 1.5 blocks during a promising preseason play.
Jade Melbourne: The most exciting addition to the sr Australia made the cut for Seattle's final roster. She played off the bench in both games but showed off her versatile skillset.
She averaged three points, 3.5 rebounds, and two assists off the bench.
Sami Whitcomb: Whitcomb's preseason return to Seattle wasn't the best but that doesn't mean she won't continue her known success back in Washington.
She averaged two points with no other offensive or defensive stat to her name.
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