UC CAPITALS SECURE OLYMPIAN SHARPSHOOTER AMY ATWELL

The UC Capitals are thrilled to announce Olympian and WNBA draftee Amy Atwell is headed east to become a Cap.

Atwell is ready to take on a new challenge in Canberra after spending the last four seasons with the Perth Lynx where she helped lead her team to four finals appearances.

“I have loved my time at Perth and have been lucky enough to experience a decent amount of success there. However, I just felt like I needed a change for my basketball career.

“I have only ever played for Perth and I’m excited to see what else is out there and experience a new club and city,” Atwell said.

Away from the WNBL, Atwell has plied her trade internationally and was a late call up for the Australian Opals team that won bronze at the Paris Olympics.

Most recently, she has represented Australia with the Gangurrus and helped the team go undefeated to claim their sixth FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup title.

Having worked with Atwell during Opals camps, Caps Head Coach Paul Goriss is familiar with her game and is pleased to have secured one of the league’s most prolific three-point shooters.

“One of our priorities we needed to address this off-season was for more perimeter shooting and scoring. Amy is an elite world class scorer and will provide much needed shooting output, and the ability to create space on offense.

“She has also shown she’s not only a shooter but can attack close outs and put the ball on the floor. Amy’s work ethic, dedication and desire to continue to develop her game especially at the defensive end of the floor is one area I am excited to work with and challenge her on,” Goriss said.

Atwell says her familiarity with Goriss played a part in influencing her decision to join the Caps.

”I have always loved working with Goz at Opals commitments and what I’m looking forward to most is building that connection up on a more consistent basis. I also can’t wait to meet all the fans,” Atwell said.

Getting to call AIS Arena home is another thing Atwell is looking forward to, with memories of the Canberra fans sticking with her after some close contests between the Lynx.

“I’ve loved playing at AIS Arena. The one that sticks out to me the most was this year’s game where Nards [Puoch] hit a buzzer beater from half court to win the game.  

“The crowd was so engaged and loud the whole game, and I felt as an opposing team member it was so hard to wrestle back any moment purely because of the crowd and the fans. The environment they created was crazy and I can’t wait to be on the other end of it for a change,” she said.

Prior to her professional career, Atwell graduated college in the USA at the University of Hawaii. Despite working through an ACL injury in her freshman year, Atwell went on to finish her college career as Hawaii's all-time leader in made three-pointers with 205.

In 2022, she was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with Pick 27 in the WNBA draft. She went on to play four games with the Sparks before being waived and added six more WNBA appearances with the Phoenix Mercury in 2024.

Caps Executive General Manager, Christy Collier-Hill is looking forward to having someone of Atwell’s calibre join the squad, noting the impact she brings off the court as well.

“Amy is an incredibly exciting addition for us. With her elite shooting and scoring, she’s a proven performer at both WNBL and international level,” Collier-Hill said.

“Beyond that, Amy brings a level of professionalism and experience that will be invaluable to our group. She understands what it takes to win, and she’ll play a big role in setting standards and elevating those around her.

“We’re thrilled to have her at the Capitals and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll have on and off the court this season,” Collier-Hill said.  

Atwell will join the team, pending WNBL review and approval, alongside Nyadiew Puoch, Isa Brancatisano, and Sharne Robati.

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