Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Despite losing one of their star signings for the upcoming season, the Perth Lynx have secured an Australian WNBA rising star to boost their hopes of ending a three-decade title drought.
Opal Sami Whitcomb announced that she would miss the FIBA Women’s World Cup on Thursday before Perth later confirmed that she wouldn’t play in the 2026/2027 WNBL season because of a lingering knee issue.
Whitcomb’s loss is massive as she was one of the biggest coups in the free-agency period after she left the league following her premiership-winning season with the Bendigo Spirit in 2025.
But despite her loss, the Lynx rebounded by inking a deal with the WNBA’s 2025 No.6 overall draft pick, Georgia Amoore.
The 25-year-old is currently playing for the Washington Mystics, where she is averaging six points and 3.4 assists, and has helped the side secure a post-season berth.
The Ballarat-born star missed the 2025 season because of injury after she produced one of the most decorated collegiate careers by an Australian guard.
Most notably, Amoore became just the third player in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history to record at least 2,300 career points and 800 assists, while she broke Kentucky’s more than four-decade-old single-season assists record with 213.
“I’m really excited to be joining Perth and getting the opportunity to come home and play in the WNBL,” Amoore said.
“From my first conversations with (coach) Ryan (Petrik) and the club, I really liked the way they spoke about how they want to play.
“I love playing fast, getting up and down the floor and creating for the people around me, so I think it’s going to be a really good fit.”
The signing is a boost for the Lynx, who fell short of claiming their first championship since 1992 by losing to the Townsville Fire in last season’s grand final.
Over the off-season, the club’s roster has been decimated with towering Chinese superstar Han Xu (Geelong Venom), sharpshooter Amy Atwell (UC Capitals) and Opal Ally Wilson (Sydney Flames) leaving.
“Georgia’s competitiveness, basketball IQ and ability to play at pace made her an outstanding fit for the club,” Petrik said.
“She is one of the smartest and most exciting Australian guards in the game, and we’re incredibly excited to bring her to Perth.
“To bring an Australian guard of her calibre back home and into our program is massive for us.”
