Whitcomb headlines Spirit success at WNBL Awards Night

Sami Whitcomb has scooped the pool at the Cygnett Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Awards Night, receiving the coveted Suzy Batkovic Medal for the League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2024/25 season.

In an extraordinary season – where Whitcomb lead the League for scoring (440 points) and averaged 21 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5 assists per game – Whitcomb was understandably also named in the WNBL 2024/25 First All-Star Team.

After a spectacular regular season by Whitcomb’s Bendigo Sport – in which they finished clearly atop the League standings with a 18-3 record – three other Spirit players also received recognition at the WNBL’s night of nights

Veronica Burton and Kelsey Griffin joined Whitcomb in the spotlight, with both players being named in the WNBL’s 2024/25 All-Star Second Team. Burton's dynamic playmaking and defensive play was outstanding throughout her debut WNBL season, with the US import finishing with an average of 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game for the season.

Although she only played 15 games throughout the 2024/25 regular season, Griffin being named in the WNBL All Second Team shows just how much she has dominated in the paint when she has been on court, after missing the first six games of the season due to injury. Despite playing considerably less games than most of the League’s top-ranked players this season, Griffin was ranked seventh in the competition for rebounds (154), whilst averaging 13.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

Adding to the Spirit's individual accolades for the evening, Abbey Wehrung was awarded the League’s Sixth Woman of the Year. In a team packed with ability, Wehrung's consistent contributions (8.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game) off the bench have provided the team with crucial depth and versatility.

Bendigo Spirit General Manager, Dan Jackson, expressed his pride in the team's accomplishments amongst a high-quality competition.

"We are incredibly proud of Sami, Veronica, Kelsey and Abbey for their well-deserved, League-wide recognition,” Jackson said.

“Along with their teammates and our coaching and high performance staff, their hard work and dedication have been the driving force behind our success this season. These awards are a testament to their talent and their commitment to the game."

The Bendigo Spirit will now look towards their club Awards Night on Thursday (February 20), followed by the all-important Game 1 of the semi-final series against the Sydney Flames on Sunday (February 23).