Lightning strike deal with Sapphires star

The Adelaide Lightning announced on Thursday that up-and-coming star Aspen Crase has committed to the club for the WNBL27 season, pending League approval.

Aspen, who was a part of the 2025 Centre of Excellence women's program, recently helped the Australian Sapphires win gold at the 2025 FIBA U17 Women's Oceania Cup in Samoa.

Lightning General Manager of Basketball, Tess Madgen, is excited about what Aspen can bring to both ends of the floor.

"Aspen brings an exciting skillset and style of play to our program, which was on display when her team won gold at the Under 20 Nationals," Madgen said.

"She's making a significant impact in NBL1 with the Centre of Excellence, where her energy, intensity and competitiveness are lifting those around her.

"We can't wait to bring her energy back to Adelaide where we know her journey will inspire young South Australian girls aspiring to follow a similar pathway."

Aspen is looking forward to representing the Lightning and her hometown during her first WNBL season and connecting with the next generation of athletes.

"It means everything to me to get the chance to wear the jersey of a team I grew up watching," Crase said.

"I am looking forward to playing with some of the best players in the country, pushing myself every day to get better and getting the privilege to grow under the guidance of coach Aja [Parham-Ammar], GM Tess Madgen and the Lightning community.

"Growing up as a local SA junior, giving back and helping inspire the next generation of young girls is really important to me.

"Community is such a big part of basketball, and it's exciting to be a part of the continued growth of women's sport and basketball in Adelaide and around the world."

Parham-Ammar is thrilled to have a player of Crase's talent join the Lightning.

"Aspen possesses a level of maturity that is rare for such a young player, matched only by her exceptional work ethic," Parham-Ammar said.

"She has achieved a lot in her young career, showing that she's ready to immerse herself in a professional environment that challenges her to train and compete daily against some of the best talent in Australia.

"We are confident that her game will be elevated and her development accelerated."

Aspen, who will attend Davidson College at the completion of the WNBL27 season, joins Zitina Aokuso, Tayla Brazel, Elisa Brett, Shay Ciezki, Coco Hodges, Jessica McDowell-White, Gemma Potter, Steph Talbot, Kiara Waite and Maddy Westbeld as players committed to the Lightning this season.