Isobel Borlase

Last updated

Isobel Borlase
Forestville Eagles
Position Guard
League NBL1 Central
Personal information
Born (2004-09-12) 12 September 2004 (age 19)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Listed height180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Career information
High school
WNBA draft 2024: 2nd round, 20th overall pick
Selected by the Atlanta Dream
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–2022 BA Centre of Excellence
2022–2024 Adelaide Lightning
2023–present Forestville Eagles
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Women's basketball
Representing Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Olympic Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2024 Paris Team
Under-19 World Cup
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2021 Hungary National team
Under-18 Asian Championship
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2022 India National team

Isobel Borlase (born 12 September 2004) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Forestville Eagles of the NBL1 Central. She debuted for the Adelaide Lightning of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) in 2022, and in 2023 won the WNBL Sixth Woman of the Year and WNBL Breakout Player of the Year. In 2024, she was named to the All-WNBL First Team and was drafted 20th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA draft.

Contents

Borlase helped the Australian Gems win silver at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and gold at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship.

Early life and career

Borlase was born Melbourne, Victoria, in the suburb of Sandringham. [1] She grew up in Adelaide, South Australia, [2] where she attended Loreto College [3] and Mercedes College. [4] She played junior basketball for the Forestville Eagles [5] [6] and led South Australia Metro to victory at the 2021 Australian Under-18 Championships. [7] She also played netball and did surf lifesaving. [8]

Borlase joined the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in 2021, [9] where she played in four games in the Waratah League. [10] While in Canberra, she attended Lake Ginninderra College. [4]

Professional career

In January 2022, Borlase joined the Adelaide Lightning of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) for the rest of the 2021–22 season. [11] She appeared in one game. [12]

With the Centre of Excellence in 2022 in the NBL1, Borlase averaged 13.57 points, 5.29 rebounds, 2.64 assists and 2.0 steals in 14 games. [13]

In September 2022, Borlase re-signed the Adelaide Lightning for the 2022–23 WNBL season. [2] In the season opener, she had 25 points and nine rebounds in a loss to the Southside Flyers. [14] She finished the season averaging 13.5 points per game. [15] She was subsequently named WNBL Sixth Woman of the Year and WNBL Breakout Player of the Year. [16] [17]

Borlase joined the Forestville Eagles of the NBL1 Central for the 2023 season, [18] but appeared in only two games. [19] A back injury limited her during the 2023 off-season. [20]

In May 2023, Borlase re-signed the Adelaide Lightning for the 2023–24 WNBL season. [16] She entered WNBA draft pick discussions in her second full season, and with team captain Stephanie Talbot sidelined, she began shouldering more responsibility. [21] On 7 January 2024, she scored a career-high 31 points in an 84–68 loss to the Perth Lynx. [22] She was named to the All-WNBL First Team [23] [24] after averaging 15.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. [25]

On 15 April 2024, Borlase was selected by the Atlanta Dream with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. [26] Choosing to remain in Adelaide for another 12 months, [27] Borlase joined the Forestville Eagles for the 2024 NBL1 Central season. [28]

National team career

Borlase debuted for Australia at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Hungary with the Gems. [29] She helped the Gems win the silver medal. [30]

In 2022, Borlase helped the Gems win the gold medal at the FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship in India. [30] She was named to the All-Star Five after averaging 14.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.8 steals per game. [31]

Borlase played for the Gems at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Spain. [29]

In July 2024, Borlase was named in the Australian Opals' final squad for the Paris Olympics. [32]

Personal life

Borlase is the daughter of Darryl Borlase and Jenny Borlase. Her father played Australian rules football for the Port Adelaide Football Club while her mother played for the Australian netball team. [21] [33] Her older sister, Ella, has represented Australia in surfboat rowing [21] while her older brother, James, is also a footballer who made his AFL debut in 2023 with the Adelaide Crows. [34]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzy Batkovic</span> Australian basketball player

Suzy Batkovic is an Australian professional basketball player and politician. Suzy played her junior basketball with the Port Hunter Basketball Club in Newcastle. She has played basketball for several European clubs including the French Valenciennes, the Spanish side Ros Casares, the Russian side UMMC Ekaterinburg, and Italian side Cras Basket. In the United States, she has played for the Seattle Storm after having been selected as a first round draft pick in 2003. She has played professional basketball domestically for the Australian Institute of Sport in 1996–1999, the Sydney Uni Flames from 1999–2001, and 2009–2010, the Townsville Fire in 2001–2002, the Canberra Capitals in 2010–2011, and the Adelaide Lightning in 2011–2013; she returned to the Fire for the 2013–14 season. She has been a member of the Australia women's national basketball team, being named to the team for the first time in 1999. She won a silver medal with the team at the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2008 Summer Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristi Harrower</span> Australian basketball player

Kristi Harrower is an Australian professional basketball coach and former player. She was a decorated player with the Australian Opals, winning three silver medals and one bronze medal at four Summer Olympics. She played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 1998 to 2005 for the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx.

Rachael Pamela Sporn is an Australian former basketball player and three-time Olympian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carley Ernst</span> Australian basketball player

Carley Monika Ernst is an Australian professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darcee Garbin</span> Australian basketball player

Darcee Garbin is an Australian professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Jackson</span> Australian basketball player (born 1981)

Lauren Elizabeth Jackson is an Australian professional basketball player. Arguably the most notable Australian women's basketball player, Jackson has had a decorated career with the Australia women's national basketball team and has had multiple stints in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) between 1997 and 2024. Between 2001 and 2012, she played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cayla George</span> Australian basketball player

Cayla George is an Australian professional basketball player for the Sydney Flames of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She was a member of the Australian Women's basketball team (Opals) at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Opals were eliminated after losing to the USA in the quarterfinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayla Steindl</span> American basketball player

Kayla Maria Steindl is an American professional basketball player for the Hobart Chargers of the NBL1 South. The Ellensburg, Washington native played four years of college basketball for Gonzaga before moving to Australia to play in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL).

Alex Brooke "Ally" Wilson is an Australian professional basketball player for the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephanie Talbot</span> Australian basketball player

Stephanie Talbot is an Australian professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sami Whitcomb</span> American-Australian basketball player

Samantha Allison Whitcomb is an American-Australian professional basketball player for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the Washington Huskies before making a name for herself in Australia with the Rockingham Flames in the State Basketball League (SBL) and the Perth Lynx in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She made her debut in the WNBA in 2017 and won championships with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020. She became an Australian citizen in 2018 and made her debut for the Australian Opals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruth Davis (basketball)</span> Canadian basketball player (born 1994)

Ruth Davis is a Canadian professional basketball player. She was drafted 18th overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2016 WNBA draft. Born in Smithers, British Columbia, she played college basketball for Oregon State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloe Bibby</span> Australian basketball player

Chloe Louise Bibby is an Australian professional basketball player for the Frankston Blues of the NBL1 South. She played college basketball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Maryland Terrapins.

Morgan Yaeger is an Australian professional basketball player.

Anneli Maley is an Australian professional basketball player for the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She is also contracted with the Perth Redbacks of the NBL1 West. She made her WNBL debut in 2016 and then spent two seasons in the United States playing college basketball for the Oregon Ducks and TCU Horned Frogs. With the Bendigo Spirit in 2022, she was named the WNBL Most Valuable Player.

Marena Whittle is an Australian professional basketball player.

Shyla Jade Heal is an Australian professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexandra Sharp</span> Australian basketball player (born 1977)

Alexandra Jane Sharp is an Australian professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amy Atwell</span> Australian basketball player

Amy Atwell is an Australian professional basketball player for the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She played college basketball for the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine, where she won the Big West Conference Player of the Year in 2022.

Nyadiew Puoch is an Australian professional basketball player for the Dandenong Rangers of the NBL1 South. She previously played for the Southside Flyers of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), where she won a WNBL championship in 2024. She helped the Australian Gems win silver at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and gold at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship. She was drafted by the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.

References

  1. Hustwaite, Megan (7 July 2024). "On for young and old: Opals Olympic squad reaction". ESPN.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 July 2024.
  2. 1 2 Minh (27 September 2022). "ADELAIDE LIGHTNING SIGN SPORTING ROYALTY ISOBEL BORLASE". Adelaide Lightning . Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  3. "SACSSGSA Athletics Carnival A Grade 2018 20/03/18" (PDF). SACSSGSA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 January 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Isobel Borlase". Australian Olympic Committee . Archived from the original on 16 July 2024. High School. Loreto College, Mercedes College (SA), Lake Ginninderra (ACT).
  5. "Club Newsletter April 2023" (PDF). Forestville Eagles . p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 January 2024.
  6. Abbracciavento, Daniela (6 January 2021). "Messenger Community News names top 20 young SA athletes to watch in 2021". Messenger Newspapers . Archived from the original on 9 January 2024.
  7. "NSW ATHLETES SELECTED IN GEMS SQUAD FOR 2021 FIBA UNDER-19 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WORLD CUP SELECTION CAMP". Basketball New South Wales. 1 June 2021. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  8. "Player Feature – Isobel Borlase". YouTube. Basketball Australia. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  9. "CoE Women to receive scholarships". Basketball Australia . 6 August 2020. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  10. "Player statistics for Isobel Borlase". Waratah League . Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  11. Adelaide (21 January 2022). "IZZY JOINS LIGHTNING FOR 2022". Adelaide Lightning . Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  12. "Isobel Borlase" . Australiabasket.com. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  13. "Isobel Borlase 2022 Stats". NBL1.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  14. Badkin, Liam (9 November 2022). "Borlase bursts out of the gates with dominant debut". central.rookieme.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  15. Badkin, Liam (15 May 2023). "Lightning re-sign exciting youngster". central.rookieme.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  16. 1 2 Minh (9 May 2023). "LIGHTNING RE-SIGN LOCAL YOUNG GUN FOR TWO YEARS". Adelaide Lightning . Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  17. Brooke (5 March 2023). "CAYLA GEORGE NAMED MVP AT WNBL AWARDS NIGHT". WNBL . Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  18. "Borlase signs with Forestville Eagles". NBL1.com.au. 27 February 2023. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  19. "Isobel Borlase 2023 Stats". NBL1.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  20. Prentice, Tristan (21 April 2023). "Izzy Borlase: A Lightning start for a future Opal". PickAndRoll.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. When Opals camp arrived, Borlase had to spectate as a result of a back injury sustained through the latter part of the WNBL season.
  21. 1 2 3 Hustwaite, Megan (5 December 2023). "A stellar basketball career awaits Lightning star Isobel Borlase". ESPN.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  22. Lauren (7 January 2024). "LYNX BACK SECOND AS POTTER FIRES AGAINST LIGHTNING". Perth Lynx . Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  23. "WNBL 2023/24 First All-Star Team". twitter.com/WNBL. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  24. "WNBL 2023/24 AWARDS". WNBL . 25 February 2024. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024.
  25. "WNBA Draft Dreams Realised". Basketball Australia . 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024.
  26. "Dream Bolster Roster with Youth and International Experience with Three Picks in 2024 WNBA Draft". Atlanta Dream . 15 April 2024. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024.
  27. Tu, Jessie (17 April 2024). "Izzy Borlase and Nyadiew Puoch to reunite in WNBA after being drafted by the Atlanta Dream". WomensAgenda.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024.
  28. "WNBA Draft pick joins Forestville". NBL1.com.au. 24 April 2024. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024.
  29. 1 2 "Isobel Borlase". FIBA . Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  30. 1 2 "Isobel Borlase: The Rising Star Sets Sights on Representing Opals". Basketball Australia . 10 May 2023. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  31. "Isla Juffermans named MVP, joins All-Star Five of Borlase, Li, Yokoyama, and Hsiao". FIBA . 11 September 2022. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024.
  32. "Australian teams for Paris 2024 Olympics announced". Basketball Australia . 6 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  33. "10 things you may not know about James Borlase". Adelaide Football Club . 16 December 2020. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
  34. "Borlase to debut". Adelaide Football Club . 1 August 2023. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024.