Every week, ESPN's Megan Hustwaite brings together the stories that have caught her eye across the WNBL.
So Golden for Sowah
Shooting guard Miela Sowah may return to Townsville with a WNBA championship ring but she's set to bring home a whole lot more than bling to the reigning champs.
The World Cup Opal is part of second-year franchise Golden State Valkyries who, with a 3-2 lead, can win the WNBA title in Game 6 on Friday morning against Isobel Borlase's Atlanta Dream.
As a development player, Sowah can't hit the court but being in an elite environment has only amplified her game and what it means to be a pro.
"With my role as the DP, I do team trainings and personal development so skill work, extra conditioning, gym sessions are longer, heavier weights are more extensive on the body because it's about getting stronger," she told ESPN.
"We play stay-ready games, we have practice players, we play against the guys to get game conditioning, to get faster, stronger and it definitely helps in terms of staying ready."
The three-point specialist, who sunk the game-winner in overtime to give Townsville the WNBL championship back in March, experienced a life highlight last week when she met NBA superstar Steph Curry.
Curry and Warriors teammates wore Valkyries singlets at their practice and were in the crowd for Game 2.
"That was absolutely insane because he's an icon, I love my three pointers and grew up watching him play," she said.
"To even be able to meet him and chat to him, especially me being from Australia and a Brisbane girl was something I could never have imagined.
"It's a crazy world over here."
The WNBA Finals series has a strong WNBL flavour with Aussies Sowah and Borlase plus imports past and present.
Dream rookie Madina Okot will soon join Tassie while Atlanta also features 2023-24 league MVP Jordin Canada and former Boomer and Flyer Naz Hillman. The Valkyries boast 2024-25 champion Veronica Burton, ex Flyer Kayla Thornton and former Perth centre Laeticia Amihere.
Froling's life imitating art
Nobody wants to ping a calf but for Keely Froling it meant taking some of her own medicine.
The Tasmania Jewel tore hers during the club's historic season opener on October 15 and, despite it being her first soft tissue injury, as a physio by trade knows exactly how to treat it.
The 30-year-old forward works out of Launceston clinic In-Balance during the offseason with her contract allowing her to play WNBL with the Jewels.
"I'm definitely doing some of my own physio with the help of our own physios but doing everything I can -- strength, cardio. I started running on Monday which was day 11, the calf feels really good and my strength is really good, super high," Froling said.
"Injury wise, I've only had my knee injuries, this is my first soft tissue injury and honestly it didn't really hurt. I felt it tear then was fine, so I was a bit surprised it was as bad as it is."
In a surprise to no one, Froling has an early return date in her sights. Her leadership and steadying influence will be a welcome return for Claudia Brassard's side.
"I've got Adelaide (November 7) circled which will be three and a half weeks post injury," she said.
Tassie, chasing their second win, are back on their home floor this weekend hosting undefeated Sydney.
Rocci back 'as soon as I can'
She's one of the league's hardest workers and now Maddy Rocci is working hard to return from injury.
The Geelong point guard noticed her left foot pulled up sore after the season opener against Tasmania where she drained 33 points on Venom debut.
She was courtside in a moonboot at the weekend when her new team registered its first win of the season against her old team, Southside.
"I'm doing everything to get back on court as soon as I can and am in great hands with the medical team and following all steps I have to so I can make sure that when I hit the court running I'm ready," Rocci said.
The 28-year-old impressed in pre-season where Geelong took out the tournament, then Round 1, looking super fit and fiercely focused. She attributes a refresh to her early good touch.
"I think what's made me play the way I have been and the pre-season I had is the environment I'm in now. It's been a breath of fresh air and I'm loving my time at Geelong so much," Rocci explains.
"I feel like as you get older you gain so much more experience and that's what's helped my game."
OPALS WATCH -- The Opals who shone in Round 2
Courtney Woods (Fire) 27 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals vs. Bendigo and 13 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals vs. Sydney
Issie Bourne (Flames) 24 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals vs. Canberra and 13 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal vs. Townsville
Zitina Aokuso (Lightning) 20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals vs. Perth
Alex Fowler (Fire) 19 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals vs. Bendigo
Steph Talbot (Lightning) 19 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal vs. Perth
Jade Melbourne (Spirit) 19 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds vs. Townsville
Amy Atwell (Caps) 18 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal vs. Sydney
Steph Reid (Jewels) 15 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, vs. Southside
Abbey Ellis (Fire) 14 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds vs. Bendigo