[15][16] She averaged 2.9 points and 8.5 minutes in 31 games during the regular season,[14] before averaging 6.2 points and 12.5 minutes in six games throughout the playoffs,[17] helping the Storm win the WNBA championship with a 3–0 sweep over the Washington Mystics in the Finals. Her nine steals were two away from matching the UW school record. “That’s always something that teams that win is a special opportunity and you want that chance to win again, and defend it. While initially giving up on a professional career in 2010, Whitcomb still had the urge to play, and in June 2011, Whitcomb signed in Germany with ChemCats Chemnitz for the 2011–12 season. We chat to her about reaching another WNBA Finals with the Seattle Storm but now her decision to return home to Perth to be with pregnant wife Kate Malpass, and why she has to go through four weeks of quarantine just to get home! “If anything I think this whole year with the pandemic and everything has just reminded us of what’s important and what our priorities are. There is still every chance that Whitcomb might have to self-isolate in hotels for the next four weeks with two of them in Sydney and two more in Perth even though she’s hoping that’s not the case, so it really was now or never in terms of getting home even if the WNBA Finals were taking place. [73], In May 2017, Whitcomb applied for Australian citizenship. [33], Whitcomb returned to Basket Lattes for the 2019–20 season. [75] On February 1, 2018, Whitcomb was naturalized at a ceremony in Perth before flying to Italy the next day for the Opals' training camp. [20] On August 12, 2020, she tied her career high for 3-pointers in a game with six to finish with a season-high 20 points in a 100–63 win over the Atlanta Dream. [5] Despite considering signing in Switzerland, Whitcomb did not play professionally during the 2010–11 season, deciding instead to join her college team's coaching staff as a video coordinator. ... Former world champion bobsledder Nicola Minichiello and wife, bobsled coach Jo Manning. American-born Opals sharpshooter Sami Whitcomb has revealed to Megan Hustwaite the sliding doors moment that led her to Australia during the latest episode of the new SBS series, Courtside 1v1. Guest. [18], With the Storm in 2019, Whitcomb averaged 7.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 35 games. On January 31, 2009, she scored a then career-high 29 points against Arizona State. Not only did she help the Seattle Storm capture its fourth WNBA championship, but she and her wife Kate welcomed their first child. Seattle Storm's Sami Whitcomb leaves bubble, will miss WNBA Finals ESPN | 09-29 The Seattle Storm will be without guard Sami Whitcomb for the WNBA Finals, as she has left the bubble in Bradenton, Florida, to return to Australia to be with her wife for the birth of their first child. [32], For the 2018–19 season, Whitcomb played for French team Basket Lattes. The positive at least in her hotel in Sydney is that Whitcomb has access to fresh air, a kitchen and a laundry despite being locked inside for two weeks, but she’ll be glued to the WNBA Finals and with the Storm already up 1-0 over the Las Vegas Aces, she’s confident of a second championship in three years. [27] Wolfenbüttel made the finals in 2012–13 but went bankrupt and couldn't play out the season. Another word for discordant. The Seattle Storm will be without one of their top sharpshooters for the WNBA Finals. [56] Her 23.6 points and 2.8 steals per game were first in the WNBL for the regular season, while her 91 three-pointers set a WNBL single-season record. [35] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was cut short. But with her and wife Kate Malpass expecting their first child any day now, she wanted to be back home to be with her family although the ramifications of COVID-19 have meant that has become a little more ⦠That was a Tigers team coming into the season that lost the likes of Kate Malpass, Stacey Barr, Emma Lobb and now Zoe Harper as well. “We didn’t have to force bonding or team activities in the bubble because we are close and friends, and if we want to hang out we will. [19] Whitcomb appeared in all 22 games for the Storm. Her 567 total points was also the second best mark ever set in the WNBL regular season—Penny Taylor had 570 in 2002. But because we are all so close we found that balance a bit easier than other teams might have. [42] In 26 games, she averaged 25.3 points per game. While Whitcomb hopes to earn another WNBA championship over the coming days and can’t wait to get back underway in the WNBL at the Lynx, ultimately what’s occupying most of her mind right now is looking forward to her and Kate welcoming their son into the world. As her Seattle Storm teammates celebrated sweeping the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night in Bradenton, Florida, to win their second championship in the last three years, it was midday Wednesday in Sydney, Australia, where backup guard Sami Whitcomb was joining in via a Zoom call that the WNBA projected on a screen overlooking the [â¦] [29] In 15 games during Middle European League play between September 29 and December 21, she averaged 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.9 steals per game. ", "GAME RECAP: Storm makes it rain with WNBA record-tying 18 threes in 100-63 victory over Atlanta", "Seattle Storm's Whitcomb puts family before WNBA glory", "Storm guard Sami Whitcomb leaves WNBA bubble to be with wife for birth of their first child", "Game Recap: Storm takes home fourth championship, beat Aces in Game 3, 92-59", "New York Liberty Acquire Natasha Howard And Sami Whitcomb", "Whitcomb to launch pro basketball career in Germany", "Potkey: Anger makes punting history on Eisen's show", "From the WA State Basketball League to the WNBA – the Sami Whitcomb story", "Spisska Nova Ves signs Samantha Whitcomb", "Seattle Storm player recounts COVID-19 journey through France and Australia", "Player statistics for Samantha Whitcomb", "Rockingham Flames triumph in women's SBL", "Inspired Whitcomb leads Flames to back-to-back women's SBL titles", "PERTH LYNX SIGN AMERICAN GUARD SAMI WHITCOMB", "SAMI WHITCOMB NAMED WNBL PLAYER OF THE WEEK", "LYNX SMASH FIRE, QUALIFY FOR GRAND FINAL", "Townsville Fire beats Perth Lynx in WNBL grand final series opener", "Townsville Fire beat Perth Lynx in Game II of WNBL Grand Final series for second-straight title", "SAMI WHITCOMB NAMED WNBL PLAYER OF THE MONTH", "Sami Whitcomb put together an incredible...", "PROUD LYNX DENY DANDENONG, FORCE SERIES DECIDER", "SAMI WHITCOMB NAMED TO WNBL ALL-STAR FIVE", "SECOND-HALF HEROICS HELP LYNX MAKE HISTORY", "THURSDAY PREVIEW – PERTH LYNX VS DANDENONG RANGERS", "Perth Lynx call for WNBL change after semifinal heartbreak against the Melbourne Boomers", "CLUTCH SHOOTING EARNS WHITCOMB PLAYER OF THE WEEK", "HIGH-SCORING DUO AGAIN NAMED TO TEAM OF THE WEEK", "SAMI WHITCOMB, COURTNEY WILLIAMS NAMED TO WNBL ALL-STAR FIVE", "Europe-bound Sami Whitcomb quits Perth Lynx", "SEATTLE STAR SAMI WHITCOMB BACK TO LIGHT UP THE WNBL", "Sami Whitcomb's looking forward to her homecoming with the Perth Lynx", "Sami Whitcomb to miss WNBL season for Perth Lynx amid arrival of first child", "Sami Whitcomb's WNBA fame could be pain for Australian Opals", "SAMI WHITCOMB ADDED TO AUSTRALIAN OPALS SQUAD", "Citizenship arrives before Sami Whitcomb departs", "Lynx star and three Wildcats in Games sides", "WNBL: Ryan Petrik adamant resting Katie Ebzery was the right call after captain dominates Bendigo", "WA basketball star Sami Whitcomb's baby joy alongside wife Kate Malpass as son Nash is born", "Perth Lynx star Sami Whitcomb chases WNBA dream amid stellar WNBL season", "Former UW standout Sami Whitcomb seeks to make Storm roster", "After Unlikely Path to WNBA, Sami Whitcomb Lands in Perfect Spot With Seattle Storm", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sami_Whitcomb&oldid=1006148709, American expatriate basketball people in Australia, American expatriate basketball people in Germany, American expatriate basketball people in Slovakia, Sportspeople from Ventura County, California, Washington Huskies women's basketball players, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 11 February 2021, at 09:37. “A big part of deciding to play with the Lynx and come back to Perth was Ryan becoming the head coach, I have a lot of confidence in him as a coach and obviously I’m familiar with him,” she said. [38], In 2018, Whitcomb had a three-week stint with the Willetton Tigers and subsequently won three straight Player of the Week awards.[45]. [41][42] For the season, Whitcomb was crowned league MVP and earned All-Star Five honors for the third straight year. Nothing about life wherever you have been in the world in 2020 has been normal and for Whitcomb and the rest of the WNBA players, playing out of the bubble in Florida has been quite the experience. Australian Basketball star Sami Whitcomb (R) with her partner Kate Source: supplied. “I’m just disappointed that our Perth fans won’t get a chance to come to games and be a part of it in that way.”. follow us Perth sorely missed the shooting prowess of Sami Whitcomb, who sat out the season to be with wife Kate Malpass for the birth of their first child, a beautiful son Nash who was born in mid-November. Firstly she was part of the Seattle Storm team that wrapped up their series to book in another trip to the WNBA Finals, and then she made the announcement that her and Kate had decided she had to get home to Australia as soon as possible or risk missing the birth. Whitcomb returned to Germany for the 2012–13 season, signing with the Wolfenbüttel Wildcats in July 2012. [3], As a sophomore in 2007–08, Whitcomb's role on the team increased dramatically as she appeared in all 31 games and received 30 starting assignments. She graduated from Washington with a degree in history. [53] She appeared in all 27 games for the Lynx in 2015–16, averaging 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game. She was waived by the Sky on May 9 after appearing in two WNBA preseason games. Six days later, she recorded her first career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds against UCLA. Guest. [3], After going undrafted in the 2010 WNBA draft, Whitcomb signed a training camp contract with the Chicago Sky on April 25, 2010. After an absence of two years, Whitcomb will resume her WNBL career with the Perth Lynx for the 2020/21 season in a significant boost for the club under coach Ryan Petrik who was the one that brought her down under in the first place to play at the Rockingham Flames in the SBL. “It has been a long time away so I’m excited to be there for that and excited to at least see and hear what’s happening with the WNBL season and what it’s going to look like. [27] In 20 games, she averaged 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game. Photo: Seattle Storm. Regardless I’ll need to quarantine again and then by the end of October and beginning of November I will be free, and then Kate is due a couple of weeks after that in November.”. [71][72] However, on November 4, 2020, she opted out of joining the Lynx for the WNBL Hub season in Queensland in order to be alongside her wife in Perth for the birth of their first child. [3][4], In her four-year career at Washington, Whitcomb scored 1,205 points, a mark that ranks 15th all-time in the program's history. As a senior in 2005–06, she averaged 17.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game. [1] Her parents divorced when she was young, and through basketball she was able to keep a close relationship with her father despite spending less time together. Sami Whitcomb, American, and Kate Malpass, Australian Cyesha Goree, American, and Tatsiana Likhtarovich, Belorusian Jacki Gemelos, American-Greek, and Sabrini Cinili, Italian. [79][80], "Sami Whitcomb is a 29-year-old rookie for the Seattle Storm – she just doesn't play like one", "Seattle Storm Signs Sami Whitcomb, Nikki Greene", "LYNX STAR SAMI WHITCOMB SIGNS WITH WNBA'S SEATTLE STORM", "Perth Lynx star Sami Whitcomb gets WNBA call-up with Seattle Storm", "Defending champion Sparks beat Storm 78–68 in opener", "Sami Whitcomb leads second-half rally as Seattle Storm upends New York Liberty", "Whitcomb hits 6 of Storm's 14 3s in 87–81 win over Liberty", "SAMI WHITCOMB MAKES WNBA SPLASH, SETS RECORD", "Sami Whitcomb Re-Signs with Seattle Storm", "SAMI WHITCOMB RE-SIGNS WITH SEATTLE STORM", "Sami Whitcomb's Seattle Storm win the WNBA title", "WNBA announces plans for 2020 season to start late July in Florida", "What does Sami Whitcomb's departure mean for the Storm? [3], As a senior in 2009–10, Whitcomb started all 31 games and earned All-Pac-10 selection and Pac-10 All-Academic honorable mention honors. But the process had stalled by June because of the challenges associated with applying from overseas. The couple then had their marriage recognised in Australia when same-sex marriage laws changed. In a separate trade with Seattle, the Liberty got guard Sami Whitcomb for the rights to Stephanie Talbot. [43] In 26 games, she averaged 25.3 points per game. [78] She won a World Cup silver medal with the Opals. She won numerous awards during her time at Buena, including the 2004–05 Co-County Player of the Year from the league coaches and the Ventura County Star's 2005–06 Girls' Basketball Player of the Year. We feel like we have sort of unfinished business from the 2019 year,” she said. “And then with Darcee and Katie signing, they were a big part of why I wanted to come to Perth because I have so much respect for both of them as players and competitors. Whitcomb married her long-time partner Kate in the U.S. in 2017. [38], Whitcomb re-joined the Flames for the 2014 season and once again earned MVP and All-Star Five honors. [23] The Storm went on to defeat the Las Vegas Aces 3–0 in the Finals to garner Whitcomb her second WNBA championship. “Sometimes you’d want to be alone to get a lot of that balance and not everything being basketball so it was hard to find that balance. [3], As a junior in 2008–09, Whitcomb appeared in all 30 games while starting 29 of them. Find more ways to say discordant, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. She was later named Pac-10 Player of the Week for her 24-point scoring output against California on March 2. [26] In 22 games, she averaged 11.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game. She tallied 652 points throughout her 27 games, the highest single season points total in the WNBL's 36-year history. “We are really excited to be mums and to meet him and this is obviously going to be the most exciting adventure that we will go on as partners.”. “It sucks I was in a position to have to choose but at the end of the day it wasn’t like I sat there for two or three days to decide. She made her debut in the WNBA in 2017 and won championships with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020. [33] In December 2018, she scored a season-high 40 points, which included 10 three-pointers. You are constantly walking past each other and seeing each other so in that regard it’s quite different,” Whitcomb said. [62] She helped the Lynx record their first 10-game win streak since 1993,[63][64] with the streak finally ending after 14 straight wins culminating in claiming the minor premiership with a first-place finish and a 15–6 record. Whitcomb was always excited to return to the Lynx for the upcoming season having spent the past two WNBA off-seasons in France with Basket Lattles. She averaged 11.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game over 89 contests (59 starts) during her three-year tenure with New York. Samantha Allison Whitcomb (born July 20, 1988) is an American-Australian professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). We would literally just play cards or sit by the pool but sometimes everyone wanted their own space too after we were around each other 24 hours a day. She also helped her team win three Channel League titles as a sophomore, junior and senior. Her 11.2 points per game were ranked second on the team, while her 62 steals was a team high and her 74 assists were also second. She led the team with an 81.0 free-throw shooting percentage (17-for-21), was fourth on the squad with 15 three-pointers made, and averaged 4.3 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. [76] The couple had their first child in November 2020. [33] In June 2019, she was selected to the Opals' Asia Cup training squad. “So I’m in Sydney now for two weeks and then I’ll fly home to Perth and hopefully I’ll be able to do a home quarantine, but that remains to be determined. But as Sami and Kate sipped coffee while the rest of the city slept, the enormity Whitcombâs recent achievements couldnât be glossed over. [14], On February 1, 2018, Whitcomb re-signed with the Storm on a multi-year deal. Sami and her spouse got their marriage recognition in Australia after the rule of same-sex marriage were changed. She might be back in Australia a little bit earlier than she hoped but Sami Whitcomb is confident her Seattle Storm can become WNBA champions without her as she prepares to become a mother for the first time ahead of returning to the Perth Lynx. I’ve been away from Perth for most of this year and I was really only in Perth for a month and-a-half or whatever it was in that interim when I was back from France and before I went to WNBA,” Whitcomb told the SBL Shootaround podcast. “It’s been hard to do this apart and obviously I haven’t been able to be there for her throughout this pregnancy, so it was special for me to be back home now for the birth and everything after. Once that is done she needs to do another two weeks of quarantine in Perth, which she desperately hopes she can do at home with Kate about to give birth within the next month. [59], Whitcomb returned to the Lynx for a third season in 2017–18[60][61] and was named co-captain. On January 31, 2009, she scored a then career-high 29 points against Arizona State. [74] In December 2017, she was added to the Australian Opals squad ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, with her Australian citizenship application approval imminent. sign up to the wnbl newsletter for news and updates. “Obviously with all the restrictions and travel issues to get back into Australia, and to Perth specifically, it was just going to be too risky and too close to call. But really in the big picture as much as basketball means to Whitcomb and as much as she would have wanted to be there to help the Storm try and win another WNBA championship, nothing trumps being there for your family for the important milestone moments. [3], Whitcomb married her long-time partner Kate in the U.S. in 2017. But with her and wife Kate Malpass expecting their first child any day now, she wanted to be back home to be with her family although the ramifications of COVID-19 have meant that has become a little more complicated than it otherwise would have been. In 2005, she placed second in the league in shot put and first in the county for seeded throwers. She also earned Pac-10 All-Academic honorable mention honors. [3], Whitcomb was also a two-time letterwinner in track and field during her sophomore and junior years. [28][37] In 24 games, she averaged 22.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.8 steals per game. She has no doubt that’s a big reason they are now closing in on that championship. In May 2015, Whitcomb signed with the Perth Lynx for the 2015–16 WNBL season. “I’m interested to see what they come up with and how it’s going to look, and what that will mean for me moving forward. She was there for the first ultrasound, getting to hear their baby's heartbeat and learning they would have a boy. Kate Malpass: Willetton Tigers: 5.52 Steals per game: Sami Whitcomb: Rockingham Flames: 3.2 Blocks per game: Louella Tomlinson: Willetton Tigers: 3.13 Field goal percentage: Lara Napier: Willetton Tigers: 55.6% 3-pt field goal percentage: Lyndal Gardner: Stirling Senators: 38.3% Free throw percentage: Deanna Smith: Perry Lakes Hawks: 92.2% [7][8][9] In her debut on May 13, she recorded three points and three rebounds in just under seven minutes off the bench in a 78–68 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. “It wasn’t so much the decision itself that was difficult because Kate and I were in agreement on it and it was simple knowing what we wanted to do. “So we swept in the semis to make it to the Finals again which is really exciting, and then I was kinda faced with the difficult decision of staying for the Finals Series and potentially missing the birth of Kate and I’s first child or leaving at the stage,” Whitcomb said. [10] On May 26, she scored a career-high 22 points and hit six three-pointers in 15 minutes off the bench in an 87–81 win over the New York Liberty. The Willetton captain had a huge night and made sure her team made up for the heartbreak of 12 months ago when Sami Whitcomb and the Rockingham Flames denied her and the Tigers. “I’m super excited to be back. [70], Whitcomb made a return to the Lynx in June 2020, signing for the 2020–21 season. “That was a whole separate saga and once they told me I couldn’t do that I had to rebook and fly through Sydney which was worse-case scenario because it added two weeks’ extra quarantine. “And it’s a really exciting group of other players as well and I remember coaching against Alex Sharp and she’s a tremendous talent. Currently, she is living happily with he⦠âSami Whitcomb will be an instant fan favorite, not only for her elite shot-making ability, but also for her tenacity and drive,â New York general manager Jonathan Kolb said in ⦠It's then time to chat with the legend herself Sami Whitcomb and boy is there a lot of ground to cover. [24] For the season, Whitcomb led Seattle's reserves with a career-high 8.1 points per game alongside 2.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 16.5 minutes. She finished the season with averages of 24.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, while knocking down 105 three-pointers throughout the year, besting her own WNBL record for most three-pointers made in a season. Whitcombâs big year Whitcombâs big year Whitcombâs big year. “It’s genuine chemistry and friendships off the court, and respect for each other which is something that has been a separator for us for sure.”. It has had its positives and negatives but in the end for Whitcomb what it did was highlight just how close the group at the Storm are and the chemistry they have.
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