Aussie Stars Shine in WNBA Draft

0:00It's April 14, Sydney news today starts now, AI powered and ready. Two Australian rising stars just got picked in the WNBA draft, boosting the league's growing Aussie presence. Safran Shields went 26 overall to the Toronto Tempo, where she'll team up with her Opel's coach Sandy Brondello. Manuela Poe landed 41st with a New York Liberty, marking another big win for Down Under Talent. Shields becomes the third Australian on Toronto's roster, joining Opel Christy Wallace and Madi Ratchie. For Poe, it's a family affair. Her sister Naya Doe got snapped up by the Portland Fire in the expansion draft, back on April 4. Poe herself, shown off the bench last season and helped snag Silver at the 2025 Phoeba under 19 Women's World Cup. These picks highlight the impact of Aussie players' stateside. Shields, a 20-year-old from the Townsville Fire's Championship squad, brings solid stats from prior seasons, 5.4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

1:04Porch, at 19, averaged 4.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in her breakout year. Meanwhile, the top spot wants to Aussie Fud, heading to the Dallas Wings to reunite with her college teammate, Paige Becker's last year's number one pick. Other early selections included Olivia Miles to the Minnesota Lynx and Awafam to the Seattle Storm. Adelaide Steph Talbid, also resigned with Champs Las Vegas Aces. Aussies are flooding the WNBA, setting up epic battles in more civilware down the line watch. This space as they light it up.