WNBL Breakout Player of the Year Award


The WNBL Breakout Player of the Year is an annual Women's National Basketball League award given since the 1988 WNBL season. The award is named the Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year Award.
The award underwent a makeover for the 2019–20 season with new criteria seeing Australian players 23 years old or under eligible for Youth Player of the Year, replacing the long-standing Rookie of the Year. In 2022–23, the award was again redefined, to acknowledge any breakout player with an improved overall performance each season.

Winners

SeasonPlayerPositionNationalityTeam
1988Lucille HamiltonAustralian Institute of Sport
1989Renae FegentAustralian Institute of Sport
1990Trisha FallonAustralian Institute of Sport
1991Michelle BroganNoarlunga Tigers
1992Allison CookMelbourne Tigers
1993Allison Cook Melbourne Tigers
1994Maryanne DifrancescoMelbourne Tigers
1995Chika EmeagiAustralian Institute of Sport
1996Jessica BibbyGuardDandenong Rangers
1997Lauren JacksonForward/centerAustralian Institute of Sport
1998Andrea CartledgeMelbourne Tigers
1998–99Caitlin RyanGuardDandenong Rangers
1999–00Shelley HammondsCenterAustralian Institute of Sport
2000–01Laura SummertonForwardAustralian Institute of Sport
2001–02Alison DownieForwardDandenong Rangers
2001–02Kamala LamshedAdelaide Lightning
2002–03Kelly WilsonGuardAustralian Institute of Sport
2003–04Kathleen MacLeodGuardAustralian Institute of Sport
2004–05Renae CaminoGuardAustralian Institute of Sport
2005–06Abby BishopForward/centerAustralian Institute of Sport
2006–07Cayla FrancisForward/centerAustralian Institute of Sport
2007–08Nicole HuntGuardAustralian Institute of Sport
2008–09Sarah GrahamGuardLogan Thunder
2009–10Tayla RobertsForward/centerAustralian Institute of Sport
2010–11Gretel TippettForward/centerLogan Thunder
2011–12Carley MijovićForwardAustralian Institute of Sport
2012–13Stephanie TalbotGuardAdelaide Lightning
2013–14Alex WilsonGuardTownsville Fire
2014–15Lauren ScherfForwardDandenong Rangers
2015–16Alex CiabattoniForwardAdelaide Lightning
2016–17Monique ContiGuardMelbourne Boomers
2017–18Ezi MagbegorForwardCanberra Capitals
2018–19Jazmin ShelleyGuardMelbourne Boomers
2019–20Ezi Magbegor ForwardMelbourne Boomers
2020Shyla HealGuardTownsville Fire
2021–22Ezi Magbegor ForwardMelbourne Boomers
2022–23Isobel BorlaseGuardAdelaide Lightning
2023–24Alex SharpGuardCanberra Capitals
2024–25Abbey EllisGuardTownsville Fire