WNBA star Smith backs Tasmania’s WNBL franchise

The revamped WNBL will continue its extraordinary growth next season with the introduction of a Tasmanian franchise.

One who knows firsthand how massive that news is for the state of Tasmania is one of their greatest products and current WNBA star, Alannah Smith.

“The sports market in Tasmania is so untapped,” Smith said to CODE Sports.

“The fans are awesome and the chance for Tasmanians to get behind a team that represents them is really cool.

“It’s not a surprise the JackJumpers have the support they do, and I’m super keen to see how the WNBL team goes down there. I think they’re going to get the same love the JackJumpers do, and I’m excited for the fans to be able to support a great women’s team.”

While the build of Tasmania’s inaugural roster is still in the works, the Minnesota Lynx star, who was named the WNBA’s 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, admits she’s ‘considered’ being part of the club’s historic squad, despite the competitive overseas market for players like herself.

“Being a part of the first thing in anything is cool, you’re a trail blazer and I think that will be appealing for a lot of players, to be honest, to be part of something new and lead the way,” Smith said.

The 29-year-old Opal, who guided the Lynx to the 2024 WNBA Finals, will head to Miami in January to compete in the new 3×3 league, Unrivaled.

Read the full story here >> Tassie’s Opal backs WNBL team to soar