"Sky's the limit" for star after incredible rookie season

She may have fallen agonisingly short of a memorable WNBA championship in her rookie season, but Izzy Borlase has more than made a name for herself in the United States.

During her first season, the WNBL26 MVP made 56 appearances with the Dream and became a vital piece off their bench, highlighted by her four double-digit scoring outputs in the Playoffs (compared to six during the regular season).

Following their Game 7 defeat to Golden State, Karl Smesko spoke glowingly about the Bendigo Spirit star.

“I think she’s had an amazing year,” Smesko said.

“All the growth that she had this year, that’s a remarkable 12 months.

“I think the sky’s the limit for what she can become.”

Another who praised 22-year-old Borlase was Olympic teammate and fellow WNBA star Alanna Smith.

“I was so happy for her. I think she’s a superstar, and she can basically do whatever she wants. She’s just so talented, and she’s a great person,” Smith said on The Loop, presented by Blackmores.

“[During the WNBA Finals] I was sitting at home yelling at my TV like, ‘Put Izzy on.’

“I thought she played so good the entire time, through the whole Playoffs. She was awesome.

“She’s made a name for herself this year, and she’s only going to get better.”

Dallas Wings forward Smith went on to explain what this incredible WNBA campaign would do for her upcoming 2026-27 season with the Spirit.

“It [the WNBA] is such a good preparation and foundation to lay [leading into the WNBL],” she said.

“You’re playing against some of the best players in the world, the most talented players in the world, and then you come down to the WNBL, and it’s a little bit of a different style.

“Izzy obviously won an MVP last year, and I have no doubt she’ll probably be putting up MVP numbers again.”

Borlase is expected to make her WNBL27 Season debut in the coming weeks with Bendigo, who host Geelong on Monday night from 7pm AEDT.

That Round 3 fixture in Ballarat is live on 9Now and ESPN via Disney+.