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Down Under, early-season WNBL trends are holding steady, as the Bendigo Spirit remain unbeaten, while Adelaide Lighting and UC Capitals are still winless. More importantly, the Spirit’s Sami Whitcomb continues to play as if she’s determined to win her first WNBL championship.

Sami Whitcomb has been the MVP so far—and it’s not even close

At 36, Sami Whitcomb is the best player on the best team in the league. Her averages of 26.6 points and 4.6 made 3s per game are way above the competition. Apart from the shooting, Whitcomb is also a great passer, averaging five dimes per game, while sharing playmaking duties with Kelly Wilson, who’s second in the WNBL with 5.4 assists per contest—and at 40 years old is playing in her 22nd pro season.

On her third team in three seasons, Whitcomb continues to find ways to challenge herself and become better, all while chasing that elusive WNBL championship. She already has two WNBA rings and seeing her triumph in her second homeland—she got Australian citizenship in 2018—would be a perfect summary to one of the more interesting careers this side of the Pacific.

As Indigenous Round begins, Shaneice Swain stars

To honor the Indigenous peoples of Australia, the WNBL will feature eight beautiful Indigenous-inspired jerseys, referee uniforms and basketballs during this round of games, which begins Nov. 20 and will conclude on Nov. 24.

The league features one Indigenous player, Shaneice Swain of the Sydney Flames. Selected No. 14 overall in the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, Swain is just 21 years old and is currently averaging 18.7 points, 4.7 dimes and 3.3 boards, as well as one steal and 1.3 blocks per game. Los Angeles still retains rights to Swain, as she was an unsigned draftee. So while Sparks fans rue missing out on the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft Lottery for the second-straight year, they can regain a measure of optimism by imagining Swain one day (maybe) wearing purple and gold.

Seeing Swain and the Flames face off against the Perth Lynx will be the highlight of the Nov. 23 triple-header. The game of Round 4, though, will occur on Nov. 24, with the Spirit playing against the reigning champs, the Southside Flyers.

League standings

1. Bendigo Spirit (5-0)

2. Perth Lynx (3-1)

3. Townsville Fire (2-1)

4. Geelong United (2-2)

5. Southside Flyers (1-2)

6. Sydney Flames (1-2)

7. Adelaide Lightning (0-3)

8. Canberra Capitals (0-3)