WNBL: Sami Whitcomb, Townsville Fire are dominating at midseason

We’re more than halfway through the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season and several WNBA players have been enjoying outstanding seasons.

The Townsville Fire, led by Seattle Storm guard Sami Whitcomb, has been the best team in the league so far this season, holding an 11-3 record. Whitcomb is averaging 16.1 points per game, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists, while shooting 40.2 percent from the field. She topped the Perth Lynx—her former squad—with a dominant 26-point performance on New Year’s Eve. She then led the Fire to a comeback win over the Lynx on Jan. 5 with an efficient 19-point outing, finishing 7-for-10 from the field.

The Melbourne Boomers, led by Los Angeles Sparks guard Jordin Canada, have also had a strong season (9-5) so far. As have the Perth Lynx (9-5), led by Atlanta Dream guard Aari McDonald. Canada is averaging 14.9 points per game on 38.2 percent shooting, while also leading the league with 8.1 assists per game. McDonald has been putting up 18.8 points per game and 5.9 assists on an efficient 46.1 percent from the field.

Jade Melbourne is leading the WNBL in scoring, averaging 19 points per game, but her UC Capitals team currently is last in the standings with a 3-9 record. Melbourne, a Seattle Storm guard, is shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 41.8 percent from 3, while also putting up 7.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Other standout WNBA players include Brianna Turner, who is leading the WNBL in rebounding with 13.9 boards per game. The Phoenix Mercury forward is also averaging 6.9 points and 3.9 assists per game for the Adelaide Lightning, who are 4-11 this season. And just last week, Sydney Flames forward Cayla George rose to fourth on the all-time WNBL points list. She’s averaging 11 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the Flames, who are .500 this season (7-7).

Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson, who won two championships with the Seattle Storm in her 12-year WNBA career, is still contributing to the Southside Flyers at age 42. She’s averaging 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in limited minutes for Southside. The Flyers have been led by Dallas Wings guard Jasmine Dickey and Seattle Storm center Mercedes Russell. Russell is averaging 16 points per game on league-best 54.7 percent shooting, while Dickey is averaging 7.6 points on 45.8 percent shooting. Former WNBA guard Leilani Mitchell also plays for Southside.