Lynx lose masked WNBL hero in huge double blow

Justin Chadwick |

Ally Wilson has traded Perth for Washington in a setback for the Lynx’s WNBL title hopes.
Ally Wilson has traded Perth for Washington in a setback for the Lynx’s WNBL title hopes.

The Perth Lynx’s hopes of ending their 34-year title drought have taken a massive double hit after star guard Ally Wilson and co-captain Amy Atwell confirmed they won’t be coming back to the WNBL club.

Wilson is currently in the US chasing her WNBA dream, having signed a training camp deal with the Washington Mystics.

When she returns to the WNBL, she will play for the Sydney Flames, having penned a two-year deal with her former club.

The 32-year-old starred during her two-season stint in WA, making the WNBL All-Star First Team on both occasions and helping lift Perth to the 2025/26 grand final.

THANK YOU, ALLY WILSON ❤️

We would like to thank Ally Wilson for her outstanding service to the club, after confirmation that she will not be returning for next season. We wish her all the best for the future 🫶

Read more via the link below. pic.twitter.com/ACPgdtCwLg

— Perth Lynx (@PerthLynx) May 4, 2026

Wilson averaged 14.2 points, 4.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game last season, wearing a face mask for much of that campaign to protect her broken nose.

Later on Monday, the Lynx confirmed they are also losing Atwell.

Atwell joined the Lynx prior to the 2022-23 WNBL season and quickly established herself as a key figure within the program.

A standout season during 2023-24 – which ultimately led to Opals selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – saw her average 18.8 points per game throughout the season, and set a finals record with nine-three pointers in a single game.

The loss of Wilson and Atwell will leave a huge void for the Lynx as they attempt to make up for last season’s grand final loss to Townsville Fire and win their first title since 1992.

Shyla Heal.
Aussie young gun Shyla Heal is one of two players on the move out of Geelong. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Over at the Geelong Venom, Shyla Heal has advised the club she will be activating her European out-clause, meaning she won’t return for next season.

Heal, the daughter of NBL great Shane, averaged 15.75 points and 3.6 assists last season.

Geelong have also lost Jaz Shelley, who has signed with the Sydney Flames on a two-year deal.

Shelley led the league in steals last season (2.57 per game), and also averaged 12.9 points, 4.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game.

AAP