This time last year, Isobel Borlase was watching Opals teammate Sami Whitcomb contest the WNBA championship.
Fast forward an epic 12 months and the 22-year-old guard is playing to win basketball's ultimate prize in her rookie season with Atlanta Dream, who have never won a title. What looms as a fascinating best-of-seven series tips off in San Franciso on Sunday morning Australian time against second-year franchise Golden State Valkyries.
It's the latest high in a brilliant 2026 for Borlase who in February was crowned WNBL MVP. She made her WNBA debut in May and in September played in her first FIBA World Cup.
"I've had moments of 'wow' being in these arenas and atmospheres. The past few seasons, I've been at home watching the WNBA Finals, last year Sami was in it and I thought it was amazing - the level of basketball, the atmosphere, the environment," Borlase says.
"I was in awe of it and now I'm like 'What the hell, I'm here!' It's crazy and so exciting."
The 20th pick from the 2024 WNBA draft, who waited two seasons to make the jump to the biggest women's league on the planet, has averaged 13 minutes off the bench and 4.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and an assist.
In last weekend's third and deciding game against New York Liberty in the semifinals, Borlase teamed 10 points with 2 rebounds, 2 steals and a block in just under 20 minutes court time.
Having a thorough understanding of her role has been her focus.
"There's 44 games in the season so not every game will be a perfect contribution and it's a real mental game of just finding ways to show up and believing in what you bring," she explains.
"I think that's something I've learned here, and there's still a way to go, but it's doing that in a minute, five minutes, you don't know how long it's going to be.
"I've shown glimpses of what I can look like when I feel confident and there's been other games where's it's probably been overwhelming so it's been about how I can stay as consistent as possible, as that's what you want coming off the bench.
"It's all about belief."
The young Australian has been embraced by her Dream teammates with Angel Reese in a post-game interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe last week chanting "Issy, Issy, Issy, Oi! Oi! Oi!"
"They tend to think that's what Australia is all about - the Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, kangaroos and koalas but little do they know there's more to Australia to me than the wildlife," Borlase laughs.
"It's a way of making me feel included and showing me that they care and whenever they do it at games it's actually really cool, so I do appreciate it."
Borlase was just 9 years old when the Dream last contested the WNBA Finals in 2013.
An Aussie is guaranteed to lift the trophy this year with fellow Opal Miela Sowah on the Golden State Valkyries, however as a development player she doesn't hit the floor.
Sowah, too, has experienced an incredible year from scoring the championship winner in overtime for Townsville in game two of the WNBL Grand Final series to earning an 11th-hour World Cup call up to replace Whitcomb.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven WNBA Finals starts Sunday at 6.30am AEDT.