Aussie Watch: WNBL stars shine in WNBA

The WNBL's overseas stars continue to shine for their respective WNBA teams, most notably young guns Jade Melbourne and Nyadiew Puoch.

The Australian Opals point guard exploded for a career-high 23 points for Seattle against Portland on Sunday AEST.

The Bendigo Spirit recruit also added 5 assists, 4 triples, 2 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block.

This followed a 13-point and 7-assist showing in the previous fixture against New York.

Fellow Storm star and 2022 WNBL champion Ezi Magbegor tallied 7 points, 6 dimes, 3 boards, 2 blocks and 1 steal in Sunday's fixture with the Fire.

UC Capitals forward Puoch also scored a career-high on Sunday, contributing 19 points (including 4 triples), 3 steals, 2 rebounds and 1 assist to steer the Fire past the Storm.

“[The key for me was ] not thinking too much about it, just shooting it when I'm open, driving if they've blown out too fast, and just doing what I can do to help the team,” Pouch said in Sunday’s post-game press conference. 

“I thrive when I'm having a lot of fun. I love playing defence, so a lot of my energy comes from that end of the floor, [which helps other parts of my game].”

Other Aussies to excel recently are former Adelaide Lightning star Alanna Smith (who had 11 points (including two triples), 6 boards and 1 steal for Dallas against Golden State before tallying 11 points, 8 rebounds and 1 steal against her former team Minnesota) and 2014 WNBL Defensive Player of the Year Bec Allen (who produced 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals for New York against Las Vegas).

Finally, Allen's Liberty teammate and Geelong Venom recruit Han Xu added 14 points, 5 boards, 1 steal and 1 block.

The WNBL27 Season tips off on October 15 as Tasmania hosts Geelong in their historic first clash.