Perth Lynx


The Perth Lynx are an Australian women's professional basketball team in the Women's National Basketball League. Based in Perth, Western Australia, the Lynx are the only team representing the state in the WNBL. After being owned and operated by Basketball Western Australia from 2001 to 2015, the team's license was transferred to the Perth Wildcats and their chairman and owner Jack Bendat for five years. In March 2020, the club's license was transferred back to Basketball Western Australia.

History

The franchise debuted in the WNBL in 1988 as the Perth Breakers. After withdrawing midway through their second season in 1989, the Breakers returned to action in 1990. The team appeared in the WNBL finals every year between 1991 and 2000 except 1997, winning a championship in 1992 under coach Tom Maher. They also reached grand finals in 1993 and 1999.
In 2001, the franchise came under the ownership of Basketball Western Australia. As a result, the team was rebranded as the Perth Lynx. In 2010, another rebrand saw the team become the West Coast Waves. In Basketball WA's 14 seasons of operations, the team failed to make a finals appearance.
In April 2015, the team's license was purchased by the Perth Wildcats and their chairman and owner Jack Bendat. The team was subsequently rebranded back to the Perth Lynx moniker. In their first season under Wildcats management, the Lynx qualified for the finals for the first time since 2000. They went on to reach the 2016 grand final, their first since 1999, where they lost to the Townsville Fire.
In 2017/18, a 14-game win streak saw the Lynx clinch their maiden minor premiership. However, they lost their final four games of the season to bow out of the finals.
In March 2018, the licence agreement with the Wildcats was extended.
In March 2020, the licence was transferred back to Basketball WA.

Season-by-season records

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Players

Current roster

Notable former players

WNBL Championships:1
WNBL Finals appearances:13
WNBL Grand Final appearances:4
WNBL Grand Final MVPs:Tanya Fisher
WNBL All-Star Five:Michele Timms, Gina Stevens, Deanna Smith, Carly Wilson, Sami Whitcomb, Courtney Williams, Asia Taylor
WNBL Coach of the Year:Tom Maher, Guy Molloy, Andy Stewart
WNBL Defensive Player of the Year:Robyn Maher, Tully Bevilaqua
WNBL Top Shooter:Gina Stevens, Deanna Smith, Sami Whitcomb, Asia Taylor
Retired numbers:4 – Tina Christie, 13 – Melissa McClure, 14 – Melissa Marsh, 41 – Tully Bevilaqua

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