UC Capitals Off-Season Tracker

WNBA

Nyadiew Puoch – Portland Fire

After being drafted by the Atlanta Dream in 2024, Nyadiew has held off making her WNBA debut while she grew her game in Australia. Now making the move to the US, Nyadiew was picked up by the league’s newest team the Portland Fire in the Expansion Draft. We’ve had our first look at Nyadiew in Portland colours in two pre-season games, one against the Seattle Storm, and another against the Los Angeles Sparks where she put up 12 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal.

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Jade Melbourne – Seattle Storm

After joining the Australian Opals at World Cup Qualifiers in Turkey, Jade played three games with Beijing Great Wall in China (WCBA) – averaging 13 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds.

Now entering her fourth WNBA season, Jade has made the move back to the Seattle Storm after spending the last two years with the Washington Mystics. She spent her rookie year with the Storm in 2023 after they picked her up in the 2022 WNBA Draft.

Currently amid training camp, Seattle has played two pre-season games – one against Nyadiew’s Portland Fire and one against the Golden State Valkyries where Jade contributed 9 points, 2 assists, and 1 steal.

The WNBA regular season begins on Saturday 9 May, you can watch in Australia via the WNBA app.

NBL1 East

Nicole Munger – Newcastle Falcons

The 3-time league MVP continues her run leading the Newcastle Falcons in the east. Seven games into the season, Munger is continuing to dominate the league, averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. Newcastle currently sit in third on the ladder, after dropping their season opener by a single point have since gone on a six-game win streak. Munger sits in second place on the MVP ladder behind Jaz Shelley from Norths Bears who she goes up against this weekend.

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Zara Russell – Centre of Excellence

Before she heads off to college to play for University of California, Zara is playing in Canberra with the Centre of Excellence – leading a team made up of the most promising up and coming young players in Australian basketball. After making it all the way to the East grand final in 2025, Zara is continuing her good form and currently leads her team in points, assists, steals, and three-points made proving her impact at both ends of the floor. She was awarded the ANZAC Day Round Medal against the Maitland Mustangs for the player who best exemplifies the ANZAC spirit of endurance, courage and mateship.

You can watch Zara and the CoE with free entry at home games at the AIS Training Hall in Canberra, and stream all NBL1 East games for free via their website.

NBL1 West

Sharn Hayward – Mandurah Magic

Hayward has opted to stay out west this NBL1 season, moving from the Willetton Tigers to Mandurah. She has had a great start to the 2026 season, putting up career best numbers of 11 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds per game. Hayward and the Magic are currently sitting fifth on the ladder in a competitive West conference.

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Jayda Clark – Warwick Senators

It’s been a homecoming for Clark this NBL1 season, moving back to her junior club the Warwick Senators. She is currently having a career best season, averaging 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. The Senators currently sit sixth on the ladder after narrowly dropping their last two games, but with only two games separating second and eighth you can expect it to be a close conference.

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Teige Morrell – Rockingham Flames

As a 3-time league MVP, Morrell signature was highly sought after this NBL1 season – staying out west to join the Rockingham Flames. She is currently averaging a double-double of 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, helping her team secure third position on the ladder.

All NBL1 games are streamed free via their website.

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NBL1 South

Isa Brancatisano – Melbourne Tigers

After spending the last three seasons in Mount Gambier, Isa has made the move back to the Melbourne Tigers and is playing alongside her sister Charlotte. The Tigers had a tough start to the season without the strength of their full squad. Isa currently leads her team for steals and is averaging 15 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds per game.

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Zitina Aokuso – Melbourne Tigers

After the WNBL season, Aokuso joined the Xinjiang Magic Deer in China for the WCBA finals. She made five appearances and averaged 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist per game.

Returning home to Australia, she has made the move back to the south conference to play with the Melbourne Tigers - currently averaging 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. After missing the start of the Tigers season, she now leads the team in both assists and rebounds.

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Emme Shearer – Kilsyth Cobras

In her second NBL1 season, Emme has travelled to the Kilsyth Cobras for 2026. She is averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game under Head Coach and Caps alumni Emilee Harmon.

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Tayha Watkins – Diamond Valley Eagles

Running it back for her second season with the Eagles, Tayha is contributing 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. Her team currently sit in fourth on the south ladder but with only one win separating second and eight there is still lots of movement to come in a such a large south conference.

All NBL1 games are streamed free via their website.

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NBL1 North

Monique Bobongie – Mackay Meteorettes

Entering her fifth NBL1 campaign, Mon is back in her hometown again and playing with her sister Cheyenne for Mackay. She continues to be a main contributor for her team, leading in points, blocks, and steals per game. The north competition begins later than other conferences, and only four games in Mackay sit in third on the ladder.

Abby Solway – Southern Districts Spartans

Solway has left behind a Canberra winter and headed north to become a Spartan. She is currently averaging a career high 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists per game as her team start on undefeated four game run.

All NBL1 games are streamed free via their website.

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