Players to watch in Round 3

Can’t decide what to watch this weekend? Here are five players you need to keep on your radar heading into Round 3.

Mackenzie Holmes vs Perth Lynx: Saturday, November 1st from 7:00pm AEST live on ESPN2

Coming off a Player of the Round performance, Geelong’s Mackenzie Holmes is looking like the best import so far of WNBL26. With 33 points against Adelaide and adding another 30 in a close loss to Bendigo, the 6'3" American has been a force on both ends for the Venom. 

With co-star Alisia Pili expected to miss another 2-3 weeks and Opal Shyla Heal expected sooner, Holmes will continue to shoulder the load for Chris Lucas’ side in their home clash against the 2-0 Perth Lynx. 

‍Kadi Sissiko vs Adelaide Lightning: Saturday, November 1st from 2:30pm ACDT live on ESPN

French star Kadi Sissoko has made a huge first impression on the league in two games. 

Making her debut at John Cain Arena, she was described as “Australia’s Angel Reese” with her outstanding athleticism, defensive instincts and scoring ability in both the half and full-court. 

Averaging 17.5 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists per game – the former Phoenix Mercury forward has established herself as a perfect fit in a Jade Melbourne-led fast-paced offence.

With a point to prove after falling 70-105 at home against Townsville in Round 2, expect an aggressive Sissoko to give Adelaide her all on Saturday afternoon.

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Ally Wilson vs Geelong Venom: Saturday, November 1st from 7:00pm AEST live on ESPN2

With Olympian Ally Wilson expected to return in Round 3, the Perth Lynx’s 2-0 record looks even more daunting for the rest of the competition. 

As the x-factor in the Opals’ gold medal win in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, Wilson is one of Australia’s best of the generation, having represented her country at the Paris games in the inaugural 3x3 side and making the All-WNBL First Team last season. 

With Head Coach Ryan Petrik flagging ball handling as a major concern in last Sunday’s press conference, Wilson will unlock every aspect of Perth’s offence when healthy. 

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Tegan Graham vs Townsville Fire: Tuesday, November 4th from 6:00pm AWST live on ESPN

With Perth missing three starters and Olympian Amy Atwell still finding her feet after surgery, Tegan Graham had a “brilliant” game against superstar Lauren Nicholson. 

Holding the two-time WNBL champion and Opal to five points in the second half, Graham’s managed to completely disrupt Nicholson’s offensive output. 

With a two-game Round ahead, expect Head Coach Ryan Pretik to entrust Graham with guarding Geelong Jaz Shelley on Saturday and Player of the Round 1 Abbey Ellis, Opal Miela Sowah and WNBA talent Lucy Olsen in their Tuesday night game on November 4th. 

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Lauren Cox vs Southside Melbourne Flyers: Sunday, November 2nd from 12:30pm AEST live on 9Go 

The reigning Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year, Lauren Cox, cannot wait to match up with one of the league’s all-time greats in Cayla George on Friday Night.

“She’s a great player, everyone knows the name Cayla George, she’s a legend in this country and in the basketball world, so it’s going to be a team effort trying to stop her,” she told CODE Sports. 

George currently sits third all-time in scoring with 5244 points, hoping to pass Rachael Sporn all-time for second (5823) by the end of the season. 

Having only scored nine points in WNBL26, expect Cox to find her groove offensively as the Fire sit 2-0 on top of the ladder heading into Round 3.

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