Borlase shines under legends guidance

Backed by Australian great Penny Taylor, Isobel Borlase is ready to shine on the world stage and determined to lead the Bendigo Spirit back to the Grand Final.

At the age of 21, Isobel Borlase has capped off a historic regular season by joining the illustrious company of Penny Taylor, Lauren Jackson and Liz Cambage, all of whom won an MVP before the age of 22. 

Joining the illustrious company of Penny Taylor, Lauren Jackson and Liz Cambage of WNBL players to win the MVP before the age of 22, Isobel Borlase has just finished a historic regular season. Winning the Suzy Batkovic Medal voting by an astonishing 41 votes, Bolarse was the definitive winner this season, highlighted by her 42-point masterclass in Round 15. 

Taylor, the three-time WNBA Champion and two-time Olympic silver medallist, said Borlase is ready to be a global threat.

"I think Izzy should feel ready to take the next obvious step and take on the world," Taylor told ESPN.

"She has obviously unlocked something within herself that has allowed her to take over the WNBL this season. I can't wait to follow her journey."

As Borlase’s Opals mentor, the connection between the legend and the prodigy has been bubbling in the background this season. With Borlase explaining that having her backing is an important reassurance. 

“It's really nice to hear those words from someone like Penny and to be mentioned in some of the conversations of being one of the youngest players to win the MVP like she has. I think there's no greater honour to be in the same conversation as her,” Borlase said on The Home Run SEN. 

“We've had a few conversations about what she did, what she thought makes her game so special. And I think that's definitely helped me this season too.” 

Despite scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds in game one, the Spirit are down 0-1 in the Semi Finals against the Perth Lynx. Can the young superstar inspire her team at home to even the series?

Bendigo hosts the Lynx tonight from 7:00pm AEDT live on ESPN2 and live and free on 9Now.

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