How WNBL MVP Sami Whitcomb fits into the Phoenix Mercury’s plans

During the league’s awards night, Lauren Jackson was called to the stage to announce the MVP. She echoed Aussie basketball fans’ sentiments as she opened the envelope and eased into the grand reveal: “Not sure anyone’s going to be surprised, but Sami.”

Whitcomb joined basketball elite in becoming a mononym based on her play throughout the season. She also led her team in assists per game en route to the Spirit’s white hot 37.3% three-point shooting, two whole percentage points higher than second place.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Whitcomb told reporters on awards night. “The league is filled with a lot of talent and I think our team itself has a lot of that talent.”

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Contextualize this with her sharing creation duties with the Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton, whose 15.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists would have ascended her into the MVP conversation in any other season, and it compounds how impressive her production was.

“It’s a credit to our team and how well we’ve done,” Whitcomb said.

Ever present, Whitcomb is “excited for the opportunity” to play in Phoenix with the Mercury. At this juncture of her life, however, she has just won an MVP in the WNBL, led her team to a postseason series win and is preparing for a championship matchup against the Townsville Fire.

“I think I’m going to try and enjoy being with this team, with this group, for one last series. You can always look ahead to the next game or the next week, but we’re at that pointy end of the season now where we can’t,” Whitcomb told The Next in a voice note.

Whitcomb cannot replace Diana Taurasi. No one can. But what Whitcomb can do is be herself. She can bring flair to her passing, unbridled confidence to her shooting and carry herself around with a poise to match. When Whitcomb lets her creativity flow she’s at her best which should work in symbiosis with Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts.

“Everyone’s always trying to do the right things,” Tibbetts told assembled media at postgame press conference. “People make mistakes, I make mistakes out there too, I’m not perfect. As long as our heart and mind is in the right spot and keep believing in each other. I just want to instil that in our group. It’s not over as long as we stay together and keep working. It’s life, it’s basketball.”

Even with the departure of so many integral culture pieces in Phoenix, the essence is the same. During a postgame press conference on a balmy May night last season, Natasha Cloud was posed a question about fitting in with the Mercury and Diana Taurasi butted in, “we wanted Tash to come here and be exactly who she is. There was no fitting in. She came in, and she does what she does and we gave her the keys.”

This identity remains strong in the desert with Tibbetts and Kahleah Copper still there, and there’s no doubt the additions of Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally will enhance this. Whitcomb perfectly fits out to all of this and thrives in a Bendigo Spirit system predicated on individuality and responsibility — the overlap with how the Mercury play is obvious.

“I certainly like to lean towards empowerment and accountability from within the playing group,” Spirit head coach Kennedy Kereama told The Next.

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This past season, with Whitcomb at the helm, Kereama has had by far and away his strongest season in the WNBL, with the Spirit netting the league’s strongest winning percentage in over a decade. He noted Whitcomb’s glaring superlative talent on the offensive end, adding his thoughts on the defensive side of the court, “I think she’s been a really underrated defender. There’s a reason why we’ve been wrestling with first place defensively all season long and that takes five people doing their job exceptionally well.”

Kereama added that Whitcomb is “studious” and able to “add clarity and confidence” in her conversations with teammates when applying lessons learned in video sessions and during games.

Part of Whitcomb’s move to Bendigo was to find her joy for the game again.

“Joy is a big motivating factor for me,” Whitcomb said. “I’m very lucky that I’ve had the enjoyable season that I’ve had this year. That’s something I was chasing as well.”

Through her experience with Kereama and the Spirit, Whitcomb is the perfect candidate to pair with Tibbetts and the Mercury. Add in the motivation of a weird 2024 for the Storm across the board and we’re talking about a re-energized play initiator who can catch fire from beyond the arc. And don’t forget: the Australian Opals don’t leave Paris on the podium without her.

Diana Taurasi is one of one. Her departure from the Mercury will be felt in so many ways. Phoenix will need experience, confidence, competitiveness, play initiation and 3-point shooting. Whitcomb’s resume stands out from the pack, and her cover letter with the Bendigo Spirit got her over the line.

The Phoenix Mercury are embarking on a new journey with Thomas, Sabally and Copper leading the way. But Whitcomb could be a difference-maker in the ways they’ll miss Taurasi most.

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