It’s finally here.
After months of planning, preparation, and pre-season practice, the Adelaide Lightning officially kicks off a blockbuster new season brimming with expectation and excitement against the Sydney Flames on Sunday.
A vastly retooled roster, brimming with world class talent, will look to break a five-year finals drought, and bring playoff basketball to the State Basketball Centre for the first time.
The team will again be led by inspirational captain Steph Talbot, who returned to Adelaide after an impressive WNBA season with the Las Vegas Aces this week. The former league MVP returns to the WNBL in rare touch, after recently being named All-Second Team at the FIBA World Cup.
Talbot will be flanked by a blend of elite international and homegrown stars, including players from the WNBA and Opals framework, as well as some of the country’s most exciting young talent.
Opals star Zitina Aokuso will make her highly anticipated club debut in Sydney, having joined the club from Canberra in the off-season. The two-time WNBL champion has established herself as the most dominant big in the league and will headline an imposing frontcourt alongside import Maddy Westbeld.
Arriving from the Phoenix Mercury, Westbeld follows her sister Kathryn’s footsteps, who also played in Adelaide following a storied career at Notre Dame and in the WNBA. Westbeld's rare blend of size and shooting empowers her to impact games in a multitude of ways, and the 24-year-old looms as a genuine difference maker.
Also arriving from Phoenix is import Shay Ciezki, an explosive playmaker who has already taken the reins of the offense after an impressive rookie season in the WNBA. The shared synergy with Westbeld is already a major advantage for Adelaide, with the pair expected to hit the ground running in round one.
Rounding out the backcourt is breakout candidate Jess McDowell-White, as well as homegrown talents Tayla Brazel and Elissa Brett. Each player possesses elite shooting capabilities and strong defensive instincts, specifically recruited with the intent to impact the scoreboard, and shut down some of the league’s leading offensive threats.
Round one will also see a teenage dream come true for Aspen Crase, who makes her WNBL debut at just 18 years old, and only days after winning a gold medal at the U/18 Asia Cup.
Development Players Abbey Jones and Sienna Lehmann - the niece of Lightning legend Rachael Sporn - will also make the trip to Sydney, earning the right to suit up after impressing at the Technology One Townsville Tip Off last month.
Recruit Gemma Potter continues rehabilitating a torn ACL, with her return date continually being monitored by high-performance staff.
The season opener comes after a gruelling pre-season, with head coach Aja Parham-Ammar implementing her own system and style upon the group after being promoted from the interim position at the end of last season.
Awaiting in Sydney is a Flames outfit that’s also undertaken a major off-season overhaul under coach Renae Garlepp, recruiting a number of homegrown stars including Ally Wilson, Issie Bourne, and Jaz Shelley. Much like Adelaide, the Flames are looking to break a long championship drought and carry lofty expectations after a productive off-season.
The chance to face one of the WNBL’s championship favourites provides an exciting opportunity to make a major statement in round one, as the Lightning looks to establish itself as the league's most dangerous team.
Tip-off is at 12:30 AEST, and you can stream the action live on 9GO, 9Now, and ESPN on Disney+.
