'Means everything to me": Sami reflects on Opals Olympics bronze a year on

• Sami Whitcomb's Phoenix Mercury sit fourth on the WNBA standings with a 16-11 record
• After winning her first WNBL championship with Bendigo last season, Whitcomb signed in Turkey
• She is averaging 10.2 points per game for Phoenix while shooting 34.5% from three-point range

After an Olympic Bronze Medal with the Opals in 2024, Sami Whitcomb has her eyes fixed on a shot at her third WNBA title, this time with new team Phoenix Mercury

Sami Whitcomb has never been one to follow the obvious path.

Undrafted in 2010, now a two-time WNBA champion, Olympic bronze medallist with the Opals, and mother-of-two, her basketball journey is as fierce and unconventional as her game. Fresh off a deep dive conversation on The Crumbs podcast, Whitcomb gave fans a candid look into her life, leadership, and love for the game, on both sides of the Pacific.

The Grind Behind the Glamour

What’s it really like being a WNBA player?

“It’s the dream, absolutely. But it’s also an absolute grind,” Whitcomb admitted.

“Mentally and physically, it asks a lot of you. You’re playing against the best in the world every night, there’s really nothing like it.”

Currently suiting up for the Phoenix Mercury, Whitcomb is relishing life in the desert, and not just because of the sunshine.

“Phoenix is such a well-run organisation. From top to bottom, they support us in ways that raise the standard for the whole league," she said.

Respecting the Past While Welcoming the Future

With the WNBA surging in popularity thanks to the arrival of new stars like Caitlin Clark, Whitcomb is embracing the momentum, but with a note of caution.

“It’s fantastic for the league,” she said.

“But I do think there’s frustration when new fans don’t know about the legends who built this. Players like Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird, they paved the way. They deserve their flowers too.”

“They weren’t just good players, they carried the league when there was less visibility, less money, and fewer opportunities. They laid the foundation.”

As someone who’s played alongside Bird, Whitcomb has seen that legacy up close.

“It’s hard to understand unless you’re there day in, day out. But these women shaped what the WNBA is today.”

Mercury Rising

Phoenix entered the season flying under the radar, but they’re one of the most exciting teams in the league right now, thanks in no small part to a new core featuring Alyssa Thomas (AT), and Satou Sabally.

“The chemistry we’ve built, and how quickly it’s come together, has been really fun,” Whitcomb said.

“AT is unbelievable. You can’t fully appreciate her until you see the work, the IQ, the toughness up close, every day.”

Whitcomb’s own fit has been seamless. “I’d tried to play with AT before, and when Phoenix told me they wanted to shoot the most threes in the league, I knew it was going to be a great fit for me," she said.

And yes, even the Mercury’s social media team gets her vote. “They’re top-tier. We all laugh about the posts after wins. They make it fun. It’s another reason this club is so special," Whitcomb said.

Bronze, Brilliance, and a love for the Opals

A year on from the Opals’ Paris Olympics bronze medal, Whitcomb still gets emotional reflecting on the campaign.

“That team means everything to me. What we went through, how hard we worked. It was special,” she said.

“And having LJ [Lauren Jackson] back. You can’t measure what she brought. Her presence lit a fire in us. She calmed us, pushed us, and reminded us who we were playing for.”

Whitcomb also spoke glowingly of rising star Jade Melbourne.

“To see Jade share the floor with LJ, it’s storybook stuff. Her joy, her energy, it’s infectious. She’s got such a bright future. She’s one of my favourite players," Whitcomb said.

Looking Ahead: Europe and an Opals World Cup in 2026

Though Whitcomb won a WNBL title with Bendigo earlier this year, she’s heading back to Europe next season, this time to Turkey for both personal and professional reasons.

“It’s bittersweet leaving Bendigo. But this is the right opportunity financially, competitively, and for our family. With a World Cup and new WNBA CBA coming, I want to be playing my best basketball," she said.

“This is a bit like the last hurrah for us when it comes to Europe. We made the decision to go as a family to Istanbul, and we can’t wait to have that experience together next year.”

Asia Cup Pride: “That Group Was Just Special”

Though not in uniform for the Opals’ recent Asia Cup win, Whitcomb’s passion for the green and gold was front and centre as she followed the tournament closely from afar.

“You always want to be there, especially for the tournaments,” she said.

“But watching that group come together the way they did. The energy, the joy, the toughness — it was really beautiful to watch.”

Whitcomb singled out key contributors, praising Cayla George for her fiery leadership and her “captain’s moment” lifting the trophy.

“Cayla deserved that. She’s given so much to the Opals. That was a full circle moment for her," Whitcomb said.

She also gave a shoutout to rising stars like Isobel Borlase, noting how important it is to see newer faces making an impact.

“It was a really exciting group. The vibe was contagious, just a fun, connected team. I was super proud watching it unfold," she said.

For Whitcomb, seeing the next generation step up doesn’t signal a changing of the guard, it’s a continuation of a tradition she’s fiercely proud to be part of.

“We’ve got depth, we’ve got fire, and we’ve got a culture that’s still growing stronger. That’s what makes being an Opal so meaningful," she added.

Final Stretch and Final Word

With the WNBA season entering its crucial final phase, Whitcomb is locked in.

“This part of the season goes so fast after All-Star break. Every game matters now. I believe in this group, we’ve got something special.”

And when it comes to pre-game tunes? “I’m a country girl at heart,” she laughed.

“But when it’s game time, it’s Pink all the way. She just gets you fired up.”

Sami Whitcomb is the kind of player you want on your team. And she’s the kind of person you want representing Australian basketball. We’ll all be watching the final part of the WNBA season with an eye on Sami’s Mercury as they look to make an impact when the playoffs tip-off in September.

Check out the full podcast via The Crumbs here.