"Bittersweet": Sami reveals Europe offer just too good

• Sami Whitcomb will not be back for WNBL 2025-26 after telling the Spirit she is going to play in Europe
• Whitcomb won the 2024-25 MVP, Grand Final MVP and WNBL Championship
• Whitcomb signed with the Phoenix Mercury for the 2025 WNBA season

Reigning MVP Sami Whitcomb closed the door on returning to the WNBL on the day the league relaunched its new brand.

Bendigo Spirit revealed point guard Whitcomb's decision to leave the club to play in Europe late on Friday, May 23, 2025 via Instagram.

“It really is bittersweet,” Whitcomb said.

"I absolutely loved my time in Bendigo this season, both on and off the court.

"It was fully my intention to return to the Spirit in season 2025-26, but to get this kind of offer at this stage of my career was something that I just couldn’t pass up.

"I’m pretty open that my family is my number one priority, and so I’m honoured to be able to take up this opportunity in Europe to support them the best I can.

"I’ll still be cheering on the girls in Bendigo from afar though — I truly believe they have the skill, talent and mindset to go back-to-back next season.

"This group was so special and I was so lucky to be a part of it — I’d count myself incredibly fortunate if the opportunity to return presented itself in the future!"

Whitcomb, 37, led the Bendigo Spirit to the 2024-25 WNBL championship against the Townsville Fire before joining the Phoenix Mercury for the 2025 WNBA season.

"Bendigo Spirit would like to thank Sami Whitcomb for her exceptional service throughout the 2024-25 season 🏆 Whitcomb has informed the club she would not be returning for season 2025-26 after receiving an offer to play in Europe," the club wrote.

"You are an absolute superstar on and off the court, Sami, we can't wait to see what you do next! ✨"

Whitcomb capped her WNBL career leading the  Spirit to their first WNBL championship in 11 years, sweeping the Townsville Fire after a 63-55 win in game two of the Grand Final series at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on March 9, 2025.

Whitcomb dominated, scoring 26 points in one of the most physical contests of the season to claim her maiden WNBL championship and be named the Rachael Sporn Medallist for the Grand Final MVP to add to the league MVP she won in February, 2025.

Spirit General Manager Dan Jackson said: “Sami was obviously a world-class player when she came to us, but we believe — and would hope that she would think the same — that our environment enabled her to put out those performances on court week after week, which ultimately led to this new opportunity for her.

"It will be impossible to replace Sami and we will miss her around the club and the wider Bendigo community, but we’re really proud of her, and wish her and the family all the best for this next chapter. And we’re also hoping this isn’t the last we see of her in a Spirit jersey."

It's a blow for the new WNBL ownership to lose the reigning MVP given the improved Collective Bargaining Agreement will deliver a 104% increase to the league minimum wage the salary cap floor growing to $723,500 by the end of the 2028-29 season.

WNBL CEO Jennie Sager said the agreement was a strong foundation for the league’s future, providing stability for players while inspiring young athletes.

"This is more than a pay deal — it’s a declaration of intent,” Sager said.

"It’s creating an environment where players can thrive on and off the court. With this agreement, we are not only delivering pay parity, but we are investing and supporting the wellbeing and careers of our athletes.

"This is the kind of change that retains talent in Australia and signals to every young girl picking up a basketball that there is a future here."

Whitcomb has a post pinned to the top of her Instagram account that reads: "Bendigold 🥇💙💛🏆 What a season! I couldn’t be more proud or adore a group of humans more! I can’t put into words what this means—I love you all and am filled with tremendous gratitude to the Spirit, Bendigo community and my teammates! Time to go home to my beautiful family ❤️🫶🏻🥹"

She posted it after the Spirit won the WNBL title.

Whitcomb has not made an announcement on her social media pages about her destination.