EMERGING Spirit guard Georgia Booth will be staying put in Bendigo this winter, committing to the Braves for the 2026 NBL1 South season.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old joins the Braves program under former Opals star Tess Madgen following a brilliant NBL1 season last year with Dandenong Rangers in which she was shortlisted as a finalist for Women’s Youth Player of the Year.<\/p>\n
Her strong NBL1 campaign was instrumental in Booth being offered a full WNBL contract with the Spirit in 2025-26, after spending the club’s 2024-25 championship season as a development player.<\/p>\n
Booth rewarded the Spirit with a strong season in her role off the bench, averaging 3.6 points and 1.96 rebounds, highlighted by equal season-highs of 11 points in back-to-back games against Adelaide Lightning and Perth Lynx in November.<\/p>\n
She is the second Spirit player to be signed by the Braves this off-season, alongside Olivia Pollerd.<\/p>\n
Madgen sees unlimited potential in Booth, who established herself as a dual code talent, playing with Port Melbourne’s VFLW team in 2024-25.<\/p>\n
“I’m really excited to work with Georgia in the upcoming NBL1 season,” Madgen said.<\/p>\n
“She is a tremendous athlete, but an even better person.<\/p>\n
“She really proved herself as a three-point shooter last NBL1 season and we can’t wait to work together to continue building her game.<\/p>\n
“Georgia has an outstanding work ethic; she is tough and she’s a great teammate, attributes that can take her wherever she wants to go.<\/p>\n
“I have a great belief in G and we’ll do everything we can help her to achieve the goals she’s set for herself.”<\/p>\n
Booth enjoyed a breakout season for the Rangers in 2025, averaging 14.08 points, 2.21 assists and 6.63 rebounds and nearly two steals per game.<\/p>\n
She is part of a growing stable of athletes managed by Stella Athlete management, under the guidance of former WNBL star and head coach Sally Phillips.<\/p>\n
Phillips said she was genuinely excited for Booth.<\/p>\n
“First and foremost she is an incredible athlete who has been juggling her basketball and VFLW career,” she said.<\/p>\n
“On the court, Georgia is taking giant leaps forward in her development. And what is most impressive is her strong work ethic.<\/p>\n
“Georgia is doing all the right things on and off the court to give herself the best chance of establishing herself as a WNBL star.”<\/p>\n
Booth last year became the second player in three years to be promoted from development player to fully contracted with the Spirit, following in the footsteps of teammate Micah Simpson.<\/p>\n
Other confirmed signings for the Braves women include Jessica Smith, Hannah Hank, Ahlise Hurst and Mia Harvey.<\/p>\n
The Braves launch their season on the road against Ballarat Miners on 28 March.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
EMERGING Spirit guard Georgia Booth will be staying put in Bendigo this winter, committing to the Braves for the 2026 NBL1 South season. The 23-year-old joins the Braves program under former Opals star Tess Madgen following a brilliant NBL1 season last year with Dandenong Rangers in which she was shortlisted as a finalist for Women’s […]<\/p>\n