The Adelaide Lightning are excited to confirm that star guard Steph Talbot and rising standout Dallas Loughridge will continue their journeys with the club, with both players already contracted for the WNBL27 season.
As the Lightning enter an exciting new chapter under Head Coach Aja Parham-Ammar, the club is proud to have two of South Australia's finest at the heart of its roster, bringing elite experience and an infectious hunger to build something special in Adelaide.
Adding to her already decorated career, Talbot has recently signed with the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, further reinforcing her status as one of Australia’s premier basketball talents and bringing valuable international experience back to the Lightning.
One of the most decorated players in WNBL history, Steph Talbot has spent the better part of her career setting the standard for what it means to compete at the highest level. Her continued presence in Adelaide is a powerful statement – both for the club and for the young South Australian girls watching on with dreams of their own.
General Manager of Basketball Tess Madgen said having a player of Talbot's calibre remain in South Australia is something the club deeply values.
"Having one of the game's greats right here in Adelaide is something we don't take for granted. Steph is an incredible leader, on and off the court, and the impact she has not just on this team, but on every South Australian girl who dreams of playing at this level is immeasurable. We're so proud she's a Lightning."
Dallas Loughridge, meanwhile, heads into WNBL27 on the back of a breakout season that earned her the prestigious Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year award at the WNBL Awards earlier this year. After turning heads across the competition, the Lightning are eager to see Loughridge continue her upward trajectory and cement herself as one of the league's most exciting talents.
"Dallas had a remarkable season last year, being recognised as the Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year speaks for itself. We're excited to see her continue to build on the momentum she's created and keep developing into the player we know she can become," Madgen said.
Head Coach Aja Parham-Ammar said both players will be central to the culture and team identity she is building at the club.
"Steph and Dallas are going to play an important part in building what we're creating here. The culture we want at this club starts with people who care, who hold each other to a standard and show up every day ready to work. These two embody that. This is the core I'm building around, and I couldn't be more excited about what's ahead."
The Lightning's WNBL27 campaign is set to be a highly anticipated season with combination of experienced leadership and emerging talent signalling a team ready to compete.
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