Spirit farewell league MVP as Europe calls

BENDIGO Spirit will enter its Women’s National Basketball League championship defence later this year without one of the crucial cogs in its 2024-25 title success.

It follows star shooting guard and 2024-25 league MVP Sami Whitcomb’s decision to pursue an offer to play in Europe next season.

Whitcomb had signed a two-year deal with the Spirit ahead of last season, but with a clause to opt out should an opportunity to play in Europe come to fruition.

That offer arrived this week on the back of one of the most dominant seasons by an individual and team in WNBL history.

The 36-year-old, who is signed to the Phoenix Mercury this WNBA season, will bid goodbye to the Spirit with mixed emotions.

“It really is bittersweet,” Whitcomb said.

“I absolutely loved my time in Bendigo this season, both on and off the court.

“It was fully my intention to return to the Spirit in season 2025-26, but to get this kind of offer at this stage of my career was something that I just couldn’t pass up.

“I’m pretty open that my family is my number one priority, and so I’m honoured to be able to take up this opportunity in Europe to support them the best I can.

“I’ll still be cheering on the girls in Bendigo from afar though – I truly believe they have the skill, talent and mindset to go back-to-back next season.

“This group was so special and I was so lucky to be a part of it – I’d count myself incredibly fortunate if the opportunity to return presented itself in the future.”

In a remarkable regular season in which the Spirit went 18-3, Whitcomb claimed her first Suzy Batkovic Medal as league MVP, leading the league in scoring (440 points) and averaged 21 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5 assists per game.

She continued her stellar from in finals, as the Spirit swept the Sydney Uni Flames and Townsville Fire to snare their first championship since winning back-to-back pennants in 2013–14.

Whitcomb capped an amazing season by winning the Rachael Sporn grand final MP award.

Spirit general manager Dan Jackson said the club was incredibly proud of Whitcomb, a two-time WNBA championship winner with Seattle Storm.

“Firstly, we are extremely thankful that Sami chose to come to Bendigo and play for the Spirit. We already knew of her outstanding talent on court but the way she really committed herself to the Bendigo community was exceptional.

“As a national league club, from an on-court perspective we see our role as two-fold – to win championships, and to help develop players to play at the highest international level.

“Based on these criteria, the 2024-25 season was pretty successful for us – we got the Championship, and Sami has now got even further recognition of what a superstar she is with this opportunity to play in Europe.

“Sami was obviously a world-class player when she came to us, but we believe – and would hope that she would think the same – that our environment enabled her to put out those performances on court week after week, which ultimately led to this new opportunity for her.

“It will be impossible to replace Sami and we will miss her around the club and the wider Bendigo community, but we’re really proud of her, and wish her and the family all the best for this next chapter.

“And we’re also hoping this isn’t the last we see of her in a Spirit jersey.”