Former Iowa women’s basketball star and current Washington Mystics guard Lucy Olsen has excelled during her first season with the Townsville Fire of Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL).
Although Olsen remains under contract with the WNBA’s Mystics, the former Hawkeye‘s stellar season with the Fire in the Down Under has earned her a spot as a finalist for the WNBL’s Sixth Woman of the Year award.
Advertisement
In her 22 games played for the Fire so far this season, Olsen averages 9.4 points, 3.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game on 36.6% shooting from the floor, 34.4% from 3-point territory, and 86.2% from the free-throw line.
Olsen is joined by fellow finalists Geelong Venom’s Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard, Southside Melbourne Flyers’ Nya Lok, Canberra Capitals’ Nicole Munger, Bendigo Spirit’s Kelsey Rees, and Perth Lynx’s Stephanie Gorman.
According to the WNBL, the award honors the standout player who comes off the bench and consistently delivers game-changing impact, energy, and performance. To be eligible for the award, a player must have started more games on the bench than they have in the starting five.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 20: Lucy Olsen of the Fire celebrates after scoring during the round 14 WNBL match between Perth Lynx and Townsville Fire at Perth High Performance Centre on January 20, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
The winner will be determined through the combination of votes from the league’s head coaches, lead assistant coaches, club captains, and the awards panel.
Advertisement
Olsen’s success with the Fire has guided the club to an 18-4 record and homecourt advantage as the No. 1 seed entering the WNBL’s Finals, which features the top four teams at the end of the regular season.
The Townsville’s final regular-season matchup will be on Feb. 8 against the Bendigo Spirit (16-6) from the Townsville Entertainment Centre. That game will start at 5:30 p.m. AET, which is 1:30 a.m. CT on Feb. 8.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Former Iowa women’s basketball star up for WNBL honor
