Sami Whitcomb is no stranger to the big stage — from FIBA World Cups and the Olympics to the WNBL and WNBA Finals — but each campaign carries a story of its own.
The 37-year-old guard and Opals Olympian has slotted seamlessly into the Phoenix Mercury, who are set for a clash with the Las Vegas Aces in Game One of the WNBA Finals tomorrow.
Whitcomb was part of Seattle Storm’s finals campaigns from 2017–2020, winning two WNBA championships along the way, but her journey since joining the Mercury in 2025 has been unique.
“It is different each time you do it with each group,” Whitcomb said ahead of the series.
“And for me, I just love this team so much. I love these people so much that it would be so fulfilling to do it, with them and for them.”
The Mercury’s run into the 2025 WNBA Finals, akin to recent campaigns with the Opals and Bendigo Spirit, has been built on culture and belief. For Whitcomb, those elements are as crucial to success as execution on the floor.
“The thing that sticks out is just the incredible teams I’ve been on and the people I’ve been able to do it with,” Whitcomb reflected.
"In all these instances — the Olympics, the WNBA, with Bendigo and then in Phoenix — the culture, dynamics, and leadership of the teams have been some of the best environments I’ve been around. Highly competitive, but also just really great people. That combination has just been a real winning one.”
“When you’re playing year-round, when you’re in the grind of a season, you want to be around good people. I want to be around people that are going to lift me up and build me up,” said Whitcomb.
“When things aren’t going well, they’ve got my back still. I think that really matters. And the older I’ve gotten, that has grown to matter more.”
Sacrifice has been a part of the 2025 campaign as well, being away from sons Nash and Reef and partner Kate for the 20-week WNBA Season.
“Like, I've been away from my family again for a while. To win does obviously make that time apart seem a lot more worthwhile,” she said.
“It’s worth the sting of being apart, and anytime I think about it, I know that for them to see me as a champion is something really special to share with my kids. I'm older now, so you just never know when you're going to get to be at this stage,” she added.
The opportunity for Whitcomb to claim a third WNBA title and contribute to the Mercury’s first since 2014 awaits.
“This team coming together, there’s so much belief… so there’s lots of things really motivating us and pushing us individually for it,” she said.
“And I feel really fortunate that I am and that I get to do it in a way that's, you know, I feel really involved with this team. I feel like I get to really contribute and have a role. And I think that's really special.”
Game One of the WNBA Finals starts tomorrow for Whitcomb with Phoenix vs Las Vegas at Nevada's Michelob Ultra Arena.
Tip Off: Saturday 3 October at 10:00 AEST.
