Don't know Aussie basketballer Cayla George yet? That's about to change.

Thanks to our brand partner, WNBL

Cayla George is a three-time Olympian, a World Cup medallist and a WNBA champion who was destined to be a basketballer from the first time she set foot on a court at age nine. Now, she's gearing up to play in the biggest season opener in WNBL history — a moment that highlights just how far her love for the game has taken her.

Before basketball, Cayla was a sporty kid growing up in the Adelaide Hills, trying a bit of everything — netball, cricket, softball, swimming and cross-country running — without ever landing on a favourite.

That changed when a local basketball coach approached her mum about joining a local competition.

Cayla remembered being drawn in immediately. "I loved how I could go all over the court and score," she told Mamamia. "I loved that I could dribble — it felt like a really different sport."

From that local team she went on to try out for the District Under-10s with the Eastern Mavericks.

"I was a big fish in a small pond in the Adelaide Hills," she said. "Literally a big fish: I was always the tallest standing in the back for school photos."

It's no surprise she quickly excelled, playing with the senior women's team at just 14. At first, that was her big goal. "I remember they wore bodysuits, which is why I really wanted to play with them," she laughed.

But soon her ambitions grew.

"As I got older, I had more of an understanding of the Australian Institute of Sport pathways, state teams, of the Opals. At around 15, I started setting major goals for myself, and that's where my motivation came from. I decided I wanted to represent Australia in basketball at the highest level."

And through hard work and talent, that's exactly what she did.

Cayla has been part of the Opals program since 2008 and has represented Australia on countless occasions since debuting in 2014, winning three basketball World Cup medals and an Olympic bronze medal. She's played internationally in the United States, France, Hungary and Taiwan, and in 2023 she won a WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces.

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A post shared by CAYLA GEORGE (@cfrannykg)

Despite her decorated international career, Cayla explained that playing for the Opals was "the height of her success".

"There's nothing like donning green and gold and representing your country, your family and yourself. But it's certainly tough — there are more lows than highs. The Opals have such a massive legacy that it can feel overwhelming. Decades before I even played for them, they had already built an impressive medal record, so when you don't achieve the medal you hoped for, it's tough — you don't want to let that legacy down."

"I've been able to achieve almost all of my goals and then some," she said. "There are obviously hurdles and low moments, things don't always go smoothly, but I never stopped focusing on what I wanted to achieve."

Cayla has recently signed a three-year deal with the Southside Melbourne Flyers in the WNBL, and she's just as excited for this next career step as she has been for all those that came before it. Her debut to open the season on her new team will be at John Cain Arena, which holds significant prestige for athletes.

Although Cayla is 36 (and the next oldest member on the Flyers team is 26), she has no intention of slowing down. "It's great because I'm much more of a veteran than anyone else," she said. "I'm still working hard — that mindset doesn't change."

She's thrilled to play in the WNBL, which she considers critical in the development of women's sport in Australia — a space that has historically lagged behind men's sport.

"The pace of change needs to be quicker, but there's definitely some momentum happening now," she said of the developing interest in women's basketball and the WNBL.

"We've recently had a great investment in the WNBL league. There's new ownership, and we can already see the differences in how the WNBL is portrayed in the media. The WNBL now has a free-to-air broadcaster for every single game."

In Cayla's view, these developments are long overdue.

"We've already been delivering the product — Australia is ranked second in the world now behind the USA. The WNBL produces great players. I mean, we were getting incredible results without the resources, so imagine adding the resources!"

Cayla's hope for the future of women's basketball in Australia is that "juniors don't have to grind so hard to be seen" — and support for the WNBL is a critical part of that.

Cayla George and her daughter Pearl. Image: Supplied.

"Increased visibility is so important. I grew up with Opals players on my school books — I want that visibility for other young girls who want to play basketball. That means easy access to the sport, not having to sign up and pay for this and do that. It's really exciting that we're going to gain more followers for the WNBL and get more kids to be inspired."

"My daughter Pearl, she can be whatever she wants to be, but all she knows is pro-basketballers, so I want that for her."

Grab your tickets to the WNBL season opener online. 

Feature Image: Instagram/@cfrannykg.

Basketball like you've never felt it.
The WNBL isn't just about incredible athletes on the court – it's about women changing the game.
The season opener at John Cain Arena is your chance to be part of something bigger: the energy of the crowd, the pride in every play, and the thrill of watching world-class talent rise right in front of you.
Bring your friends, your family, your daughters and sons – and experience the kind of sporting moment you'll talk about long after the final buzzer.
Greatness is closer than you think. Tickets on sale now.