Australia’s WNBA contingent just got bigger, with WNBL stars Nyadiew Puoch and Isobel Borlase both being drafted by the Atlanta Dream, while college star Jaz Shelley was picked by the Phoenix Mercury.
Former Southside Flyer Puoch was selected with the 12th pick in the draft, while Adelaide Lightning goaltender Borlase was taken eight spots later, with both now heading to a team that finished with a 19th overall record -21 in the 2023/24 season.
Shelley took the collegiate route to the league, playing first for Oregon, then Nebraska before the Mercury selected her 29th.
These three Australians are now part of an already historic draft class that includes superstars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
MORE: What women’s basketball legends said about Caitlin Clark’s future in the WNBA | View the full 2024 WNBA Draft order
Atlanta Dream Nyadiew Puoch drafts with pick 12
After a nervous wait, Australia’s Puoch heard her name called as the final pick in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Australian Nyadiew Puoch is selected 12th overall in the WNBA draft! ????????
Find out why scouts were so keen on her, plus a touching response when asked about her family after the selection ❤️
Watch the WNBA Draft on ESPN! ???? pic.twitter.com/dTKKG93oHT
– ESPN Australia and New Zealand (@ESPNAusNZ) April 16, 2024
At just 19 years old, Puoch will be one of the youngest players selected in this year’s draft, but she comes into the league with plenty of experience, having just won a WNBL championship with the Southside Flyers, alongside from WNBA icon Lauren Jackson.
Standing six-foot-three, Puoch is a versatile player who can play as a winger and big, with elite two-way ability often demonstrated during the Flyers’ title run.
Nyadiew Puoch Statistics 2023/24 WNBL
- 6.2 points
- 3.6 rubles
- 1 ace
- 0.4 stl
- 0.8 black
- 40.9 fg%
- 28.9 3pts%
- 67.4 ft%
Atlanta Dream drafts Isobel Borlase with pick 20
The Dream have doubled down on their Australian selections, taking Adelaide Lightning guard Isobel Borlase with the 20th pick in the draft.
Isobel Borlase is a great athlete. Top-notch balance and body control. Name to watch for the 2024 WNBA Draft pic.twitter.com/n78EiEDwyT
– Intuition Hoops (@IntuitionHoops) April 11, 2024
Borlase, also 19, was her team’s leading scorer last WNBL season, averaging over 15 points per game on nearly 42 percent shooting from the field.
Isobel Borlase Statistics 2023/24 WNBL
- 15.6 points
- 4.7 rubles
- 2.5 stars
- 1.8 stl
- 0.6 black
- 41.7 fg%
- 27.5 3pts%
- 73.8 ft%
Phoenix Mercury drafts Jaz Shelley with pick 29
Shelley completes Australia’s 2024 draft contingent, having been selected with the 29th pick by the Phoenix Mercury.
THE @PhoenixMercury I grabbed a special one. ????
Jaz Shelley ➡️ Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/i2RnCaVsM1
– Big Ten Women’s Basketball (@B1Gwbball) April 16, 2024
The 23-year-old previously won the WNBL Rookie of the Year award in 2019, before spending five seasons in the NCAA, first with Oregon and then with Nebraska.
His college career was incredibly impressive, earning All-Big Ten honors in his final three years with the Cornhuskers.
Jaz Shelley College Stats 2023/24
- 13.4 points
- 4.3 rebs
- 5.7 stars
- 1.6 stl
- 0.3 black
- 38.5 fg%
- 33.7 3pts%
- 87.1 ft%
