Newcastle to the WNBA: Saffron Shiels’ Remarkable Rise Continues

From Newcastle to the WNBA, Saffron Shiels’ life has taken a dramatic turn after being selected in the most recent WNBA Draft by the Toronto Tempo.

Watching the draft unfold at home in Northern Sydney surrounded by friends and family, Shiels said hearing her name called came as both a shock and relief. 

“I didn’t know where I was going, I had a vague idea where. I spoke to a few teams beforehand,” Shiels said. 

Selected at Pick 26, Toronto Tempo Head Coach Sandy Brondello selected the 20-year-old on behalf of the WNBA’s newest franchise who will now hold her draft rights. 

The talented guard has long been on the radar of national selectors, winning gold at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup where she earned All-Star Five honours before featuring in the 2025 Nike Hoops Summit.

However Shiels’ journey to the WNBA Draft hasn’t been without setbacks. An ankle injury suffered ahead of WNBL26 forced the young star to miss the entire season while rehabbing back home in Newcastle.

After developing under five-time Coach of the Year Shannon Seebohm and competing with elite talent such as Finals MVP Courtney Woods, Shiels believes the next chapter is only the beginning. 

“It’s getting back on the court and feeling 100 percent healthy and getting my confidence back,” she said. 

“It’s just getting back healthy and getting some games under my sleeve.”

Now taking steps towards retuning through NBL1 before ultimately making her return to WNBL, Shiels’ rehabilitation has coincided with the rapid rise of women’s basketball globally. 

“It's pretty incredible, especially my generation entering women’s sport at a great time,” she said.

“At Townsville, we always got crowds, but I think even Perth – I think their crowd looked unbelievable. It will only continue to get better.” 

Having watched WNBL26 from the sidelines, Shiels said the competition showcased some of the strongest guard plays in recent history. With time still on her side, she continues to study elements from some of the game’s best playmakers to help shape her style. 

“I like watching every different guard that has skills I like to incorporate,” she said.

“I love watching Ally Wilson, same with Sami Whitcomb. I just take all the different parts of everyone’s game.”

A gifted scorer, crafty finisher and natural playmaker, Shiels’ ceiling remains incredibly high.