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Stephanie Talbot
Stephanie Talbot
Stephanie Talbot
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Stephanie Talbot (born 15 June 1994) is an Australian professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Adelaide Lightning of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL).

Key Information

Talbot was a member of the Australian women's basketball team (Opals) at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the Opals were eliminated after losing to the USA in the quarterfinals.[1] At the 2024 Summer Olympics she earned a bronze medal with the Australian team.[2]

Career

[edit]

WNBL

[edit]

Talbot began her career at just the age of 17, playing with the Adelaide Lightning for the 2011–12 WNBL season. In just her second season, Talbot was recognised as one of the brightest prospects in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), winning the 2013 Betty Watson Rookie of the Year award.[3] In accepting her award, Talbot was asked what she had learned from playing with Olympians Suzy Batkovic, Laura Hodges and Jennifer Screen, and she replied "Shitloads".[4]

In 2018, Talbot returned to the league after signing with the Melbourne Boomers.[5] This was her first season back after spending two seasons overseas in Europe.

In 2019, it was announced Talbot would re-join the Adelaide Lightning, returning to both her home state and her first WNBL team.[6]

In 2020, Talbot re-signed with the Adelaide Lightning for her second consecutive season.[7]

In June 2023, Talbot re-signed with the Lightning for four more seasons.[8]

WNBA

[edit]

In 2014, Talbot nominated for the WNBA draft, where she was selected in the third round (33rd overall) by the Phoenix Mercury.[9] Talbot opted to play for the Canberra Capitals for the WNBL 2014-15 season.[10] In 2017, the Phoenix Mercury re-acquired Talbot.[11]

In 2019, Talbot was traded to the Minnesota Lynx after two seasons with the Mercury.[12] In the off-season, she was traded to the New York Liberty for draft pick Erica Ogwumike.[13]

After electing to sit-out the 2020 season, Talbot's rights remained with the Liberty. In February 2021, the Liberty traded their negotiating rights to the Seattle Storm.[14] Talbot would subsequently sign a training camp contract with the Storm.[15] She played for the Storm for two seasons.

On 1 February 2023, Talbot signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Sparks.[16] She missed the 2023 WNBA season due to an ACL injury sustained while playing in Australia.[17] On 22 August 2024, Talbot signed a one-year contract extension with the Sparks.[18]

On 6 December 2024, Talbot was selected as the Golden State Valkyries' pick from the Sparks' 2024 roster in the WNBA expansion draft.[19] On 13 July 2025, Talbot was waived by the Valkyries.[20]

On 21 July 2025, Talbot signed with the Liberty.[21]

National team

[edit]

Youth Level

[edit]

Talbot made her international debut for the Sapphires at the 2009 FIBA Under-16 Oceania Championship in Brisbane. Later in 2013, Talbot was a member of the bronze medal winning team at the World Championship held in Lithuania.[22] At that tournament, Talbot was named to the World Championship All-Star Five.

Senior Level

[edit]

Talbot is a current member of the Australian Women's basketball training squad. At official senior FIBA tournaments, Talbot has played for the Opals at the 2015 Oceania Women's Championship, 2016 Olympic Games and 2018 World Cup.[23]

Talbot, like all the other members of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Opals women's basketball team, had a difficult tournament. The Opals lost their first two group stage matches. They looked flat against Belgium and then lost to China in heartbreaking circumstances. In their last group match the Opals needed to beat Puerto Rico by 25 or more in their final match to progress. This they did by 27 in a very exciting match. However, they lost to the United States in their quarterfinal 79 to 55.[24]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game  FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold  Career best ° League leader

WNBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]

Stats current as of end of 2025 season

WNBA regular season statistics[25]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2014 Did not appear in WNBA
2015
2016 Did not appear in WNBA (Olympics)
2017 Phoenix 34 24 17.9 .415 .381 .652 2.7 1.6 0.7 0.3 0.9 4.4
2018 Phoenix 31 8 14.6 .464 .386 .905 1.9 1.3 0.4 0.3 0.9 3.7
2019 Minnesota 33 10 17.0 .370 .326 .871 2.4 1.2 0.9 0.3 1.3 5.2
2020 Did not play (opted out)
2021 Seattle 30 9 17.9 .483 .415 .750 2.9 1.6 0.5 0.4 1.6 5.7
2022 Seattle 34 1 16.1 .464 .397 .583 3.1 1.3 0.7 0.3 1.1 5.0
2023 Did not play (injury)
2024 Los Angeles 37 10 16.2 .395 .260 .690 2.7 2.1 0.5 0.5 1.0 3.5
2025 Golden State 16 10 16.8 .339 .250 .643 3.3 2.0 0.6 0.1 1.2 3.6
New York 22 0 12.4 .422 .333 .643 2.2 1.5 0.5 0.2 1.0 2.5
Career 7 years, 6 teams 237 70 16.6 .423 .351 .717 2.6 1.6 0.6 0.3 1.1 4.3

Playoffs

[edit]
WNBA playoff statistics
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2017 Phoenix 4 0 5.7 .750 .500 1.000 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.5 2.0
2018 Phoenix 4 4 27.1 .474 .333 .600 5.3 2.8 1.0 0.0 2.2 6.3
2019 Minnesota 1 0 14.9 .500 .500 – 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 5.0
2021 Seattle 1 0 17.0 .500 .000 .000 4.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 6.0
2022 Seattle 6 2 21.3 .448 .500 .600 4.3 1.7 0.5 0.5 1.0 6.2
2025 New York 1 0 9.0 .000 .000 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Career 6 years, 3 teams 17 6 17.6 .476 .400 .583 3.2 1.4 0.5 0.2 1.1 4.8

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Stephanie Talbot

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Stephanie Talbot (born 15 June 1994) is an Australian professional basketball player who competes as a forward for the in the (WNBA). Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall, she is known for her versatile play on both ends of the court, contributing in scoring, rebounding, and defense. Talbot was selected by the in the third round (33rd overall pick) of the , though she did not join the league until 2017 after developing her career overseas and in Australia's WNBL. Over her WNBA tenure spanning seven seasons, she has played for six teams: the (2017–2018), (2019), (2021–2022), (2024), Golden State Valkyries (early 2025), and (mid-2025 onward). In 237 regular-season games, she has averaged 4.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while earning a Commissioner's Cup championship with the in 2021. In the (WNBL) of , Talbot began her professional career with the Lightning in 2013, where she was named Rookie of the Year that season. She later played for the Canberra Capitals and Melbourne Boomers before returning to in 2025, earning the league's MVP award (Suzy Batkovic ) in 2020, along with All-WNBL First Team honors in 2019–20 and 2022. Internationally, Talbot has been a key member of the Australian Opals national team since her debut in 2015, participating in three : Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. Her achievements include a at the , a bronze medal at the 2022 where she was named to the Five, and a gold at the 2009 FIBA Under-16 Women's Oceania Championship.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family

Stephanie Talbot was born on 15 June 1994 in , a remote town in Australia's known for its tropical climate and sparse population in the region's vast . Shortly after her birth, Talbot's family relocated to Kadina, a rural town on South Australia's , where she spent her formative years. Kadina, the largest settlement in the Copper Coast region with a population exceeding 5,000, is characterized by its agricultural economy and historical ties to copper mining, providing a close-knit community environment amid the peninsula's coastal and farming landscapes. Talbot's parents, Trevor and Ros Talbot, supported her early development in this regional setting, though specific details on siblings or direct parental influences on athletics remain limited in . Growing up in these remote and rural areas of shaped her initial exposure to an active outdoor lifestyle, distinct from urban centers.

Entry into basketball

Talbot first organized involvement in basketball came at the age of eight, when she began playing the sport alongside netball in her rural hometown of Kadina, South Australia. Growing up in a small country town, she participated in local junior leagues, which provided her initial structured exposure to competitive play. Her family supported her early athletic pursuits by encouraging participation in multiple sports, fostering a foundation for her development as an athlete. By age 10, Talbot had joined the Forestville Eagles, a prominent -based club, starting in the under-12s division two team before quickly earning promotion to division one due to her standout performance as a forward. This move to marked a significant step in her training, where she honed her skills under local coaches, including those at Forestville who emphasized fundamental development for young forwards. Later, she transitioned to the Eastern Mavericks, working with coach Alex Wilson, who helped refine her versatility and defensive capabilities during state-level junior competitions. These club experiences in South Australia's junior domestic leagues were crucial in building her physical presence and IQ. At 14, Talbot relocated to for , reducing travel demands and allowing greater focus on intensive training integrated with her education. This period aligned with her entry into advanced youth programs, culminating in her selection for the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (CoE) in , an elite residential academy at the Australian Institute of Sport dedicated to high-potential young athletes. The CoE provided specialized coaching and facilities that shaped her as a professional-caliber forward, emphasizing technical skills, conditioning, and tactical awareness. In local and state youth competitions, Talbot earned early recognition as a key contributor, serving as a standout player for at the under-14 National Championships in . She later led the Norwood team to victory in the under-18 state championships, showcasing her leadership and scoring ability in South Australian domestic play. These achievements highlighted her rapid progression through junior ranks without entering professional leagues.

Club career

WNBL career

Talbot made her WNBL debut with the Adelaide Lightning during the 2011–12 season at the age of 17, appearing in four games as a forward off the bench. In the following 2012–13 season, her first full campaign as a rookie, Talbot emerged as a key contributor for the Lightning, earning the Betty Watson Rookie of the Year award, which recognizes the top-performing first-year player in the league based on overall impact, as voted by WNBL coaches. Talbot transitioned to the Canberra Capitals for the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons, where she solidified her status as a versatile forward. In 2014–15, she played all 22 regular-season games, leading the team in scoring with averages of 13.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, while showcasing her defensive prowess with notable performances, including a 28-point, 12-rebound effort in the final regular-season matchup. Her contributions helped the Capitals improve their standing, though they missed the playoffs both years. After overseas commitments, Talbot joined the Melbourne Boomers for the 2018–19 season, playing 21 of 23 games and averaging 12.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, while adding 2.5 steals per contest to highlight her all-around game. Her scoring and playmaking were instrumental in guiding the Boomers to the semi-finals, marking a strong return to the league. Talbot returned to the Adelaide Lightning in the 2019–20 season, where she has since become a cornerstone player and team captain. In subsequent seasons, she has delivered standout performances, including a career-high 31 points in a 2020 victory over the UC Capitals, contributing to multiple playoff appearances for the Lightning. In June 2023, she re-signed with the Lightning on a four-year contract, securing her commitment through the 2026–27 season, and re-signed again in June 2025 for her 11th season with the club, underscoring her leadership in the team's pursuit of a championship. Throughout her WNBL career, spanning over a decade with the , Capitals, and Boomers, Talbot has averaged approximately 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game across more than 200 appearances, with her impact evident in high-stakes games and team advancements to the postseason.

Overseas career

Talbot began her overseas club career in the 2016–17 season with AZS PWSZ of Poland's Basket Liga Kobiet. Appearing in 26 games and averaging 32.4 minutes per game, she posted averages of 15.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.6 steals while shooting 50.0% from the field. Her versatile production made her the only player in the league to rank in the top 10 for scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks that season. In the 2017–18 season, Talbot moved to USO Mondeville in France's Ligue Féminine de Basket. She adapted to the league's physical and tactical demands, contributing key scoring outbursts, including a career-high 30 points in a road win over Landerneau on September 30, 2017. These performances highlighted her growing offensive efficiency in a more competitive European environment. Talbot's European stints during WNBA off-seasons honed her all-around game, enhancing her defensive instincts and perimeter shooting through increased playing time and exposure to diverse playing styles. No further European club contracts or trials are recorded after the 2017–18 season.

WNBA career

Talbot was selected by the in the third round (33rd overall pick) of the . Following the draft, she chose to continue developing overseas in and rather than joining the Mercury immediately, delaying her WNBA debut. She signed a multi-year contract with Phoenix ahead of the 2017 season and made her league debut that year, appearing in 34 games as a reserve forward and contributing to the team's depth during their championship run. In 2018, Talbot played 31 games for the Mercury, averaging 3.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game while providing versatile defense off the bench. On May 21, 2019, Talbot was traded to the , where she appeared in 33 regular-season games during the 2019 season, primarily as a role player in the frontcourt. She did not play in the , which was held in a condensed bubble format amid the . On February 10, 2021, Talbot was traded to the , joining the team for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. With Seattle, she contributed to their 2021 playoff push, playing in 30 games as a reserve. In 2022, she appeared in 34 games, maintaining her role as a defensive specialist. Talbot signed a multi-year contract with the Los Angeles Sparks on February 1, 2023, but suffered a torn ACL while playing overseas in January 2023, causing her to miss the entire 2023 WNBA season. She returned to action in 2024 with the Sparks, playing 37 games and averaging 3.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game as a key bench forward, including standout performances in defensive rotations. Ahead of the 2025 season, Talbot was selected by the expansion Golden State Valkyries in the December 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft. In 16 games with the Valkyries, she averaged 3.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game before being waived on July 13, 2025. On July 21, 2025, she signed with the New York Liberty, where she played 22 games as a reserve forward, posting season averages of 2.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game across 38 total appearances in 2025 while adding depth to the Liberty's contending roster during their title pursuit.

International career

Youth career

Talbot made her international debut with the Australian Sapphires at the 2009 Under-16 Oceania Championship in , , where she appeared in all three games, averaging 3.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per contest. Despite her limited statistical output as a 15-year-old reserve, she contributed to Australia's dominant performance, culminating in a 68-54 victory over in the final. This event marked the beginning of her youth international career, highlighting her early potential in a team that qualified for the subsequent world championship. Talbot continued her development with the Sapphires at the 2010 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in , , playing in eight games and averaging 3.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game as advanced to the quarterfinals before finishing in eighth place overall. She returned for the 2012 FIBA Under-18 Oceania Championship, stepping into a more prominent role with averages of 13.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across three victories, including another gold medal win against that secured qualification for the world level. Her breakthrough came at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in , , where Talbot emerged as a key forward for , averaging 13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and a team-high 5.3 assists per game while shooting 57.8% from the field in nine contests. Her versatile playmaking and scoring efficiency helped the Sapphires claim bronze with a semifinal run, and she was subsequently named to the tournament's Five alongside players like and Astou Ndour. Throughout her youth career, Talbot primarily operated as a forward, leveraging her 6-foot-2 frame for rebounding and transition play while distributing the ball effectively to teammates in structured offenses. Following the 2013 bronze medal, she began transitioning to senior preparation by joining the Australian Opals extended training squad in late 2014, paving the way for her full senior debut the next year.

Senior career

Talbot made her debut with the Australian Opals senior national team at the 2015 Women's Oceania Championship, where Australia defeated 89-44 in the final to claim gold and secure qualification for the . Talbot represented Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, starting all five games and averaging 9.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over 18.5 minutes per game en route to a gold medal victory. She represented the Opals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, appearing in all six games as a bench player during the team's run to the quarterfinals, where they fell to France 71-74 before finishing fifth overall. In the tournament, Talbot averaged 0 points, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game, reflecting her limited role at age 22 as one of the squad's younger members. At the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Spain, she contributed more substantially, playing all six games and averaging 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists over 22.3 minutes per contest, though the Opals were defeated in the bronze medal game to finish fourth. Talbot competed for Australia at the 2019 FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Bangalore, India, playing in six games and averaging 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists as the Opals earned bronze. Her senior international profile grew further at the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Australia, where she started in eight games, averaging 8.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists to earn All-Star Five honors as the host nation captured bronze. Talbot competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in ), but a foot injury restricted her to two games, where she averaged 2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists as the Opals exited in the quarterfinals following a 66-76 loss to the . Her role expanded significantly in subsequent years, particularly after recovering from an ACL tear in 2023, positioning her as a veteran forward integral to team dynamics. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Talbot played all six games, averaging 5.7 points, a career-high 7.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game for the Opals. In the contest against , she tallied 6 points and 7 rebounds, including a game-sealing block on a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds of an 85-81 victory that returned to the Olympic podium for the first time since 2012. Across her senior Opals career spanning major FIBA tournaments, Talbot has appeared in 28 games, providing versatile forward play with representative averages of around 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, while evolving into a key leader post-Tokyo by mentoring emerging talent and anchoring the frontcourt with defensive tenacity and playmaking vision.

Career statistics

WNBA regular season

Talbot's WNBA regular season career spans seven seasons from 2017 to 2025, during which she played in 237 games, averaging 16.2 minutes per game, 4.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Her career is 42.3%, with 35.1% from three-point range and 71.7% from the free-throw line, contributing to 1,019 total points, 625 rebounds, and 372 assists. In advanced metrics, she has earned 6.7 overall, with a (PER) averaging around 10.8 across her tenure. The following table summarizes her per-game regular season statistics year by year:
SeasonTeam(s)GPGSMPGPPGRPGAPGFG%3P%FT%PER
2017PHO342417.94.42.71.6.415.381.65210.6
2018PHO31814.63.71.91.3.464.386.90511.0
2019MIN331017.05.22.41.2.370.326.87111.4
2021SEA30917.95.72.91.6.483.415.75010.6
2022SEA34116.15.03.11.3.464.397.58313.2
2024LAA371016.23.52.72.1.395.260.6909.9
2025GSV/NYL381014.22.92.71.7.375.286.6439.1
Career-2377216.24.32.61.6.423.351.71710.8
In 2025, Talbot split her season between the Golden State Valkyries (16 games: 3.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.0 APG) and the (22 games: 2.5 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.5 APG), providing versatile bench production in 14.2 minutes per game overall. Her career-high rebounding average of 3.1 came in 2022 with the , while assists peaked at 2.1 in 2024, highlighting her growing role as a . Following a torn ACL sustained in December 2022 while playing overseas, which sidelined her for the entire , Talbot demonstrated notable recovery progress upon returning in with the . She adapted to a utility role, increasing her assist numbers to a career best amid a gradual build-up in game shape, and maintained consistent efficiency in 2025 despite playing for two teams and limited starts. Her PER dipped slightly post-injury to 9.9 in and 9.1 in 2025 from a peak of 13.2 in 2022, but her remained positive (0.6 and 0.7, respectively), underscoring sustained contributions to team success.

WNBA playoffs

Stephanie Talbot has appeared in 17 WNBA playoff games across six seasons, primarily as a bench contributor providing rebounding and perimeter shooting in high-stakes matchups. Her playoff role often emphasized defensive energy and offensive spacing, differing from her more versatile regular-season contributions by focusing on selective scoring opportunities amid reduced minutes. In 2017 with the , Talbot played limited minutes across four first-round and semifinal games, totaling 8 points and 2 rebounds while adjusting to postseason intensity. Her most notable early playoff showing came in 2018 with Phoenix, where she averaged 6.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists over four games, including a of 11 points and 11 rebounds in the first-round opener against the that helped secure a sweep. This performance highlighted her rebounding prowess in a starting role amid injuries, though Phoenix fell in the semifinals to . Talbot's 2019 stint with the was brief, limited to one first-round game where she scored 5 points in a loss to . Joining the in 2021, she contributed 6 points and 4 rebounds in a single first-round appearance against Phoenix. In 2022, Talbot saw expanded playoff action with , playing all six games en route to the semifinals, where she averaged 6.2 points and 4.3 rebounds, peaking with 12 points (including three three-pointers) in Game 5 of the series against Las Vegas despite the 's 3-2 defeat. Her three-point efficiency in that run reached 50% (7-for-14), underscoring her value as a spot-up shooter in playoff rotations. With the in 2025, Talbot appeared in one first-round game, logging 9 minutes without recording a point or rebound in a blowout loss to Phoenix. Over her playoff career, Talbot has averaged 17.0 minutes, 4.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, with a field-goal percentage of 50.0% and a three-point percentage of 37.5%, reflecting solid efficiency in limited opportunities. Her cumulative totals include 83 points, 53 rebounds, and 24 assists across 289 minutes, demonstrating consistent impact on winning teams that reached at least the semifinals twice.
Playoff RunTeamGamesMPGPPGRPGAPGFG%3P%
2017PHO45.62.00.50.3.750.500
2018PHO427.16.35.32.8.500.308
2019MIN114.95.01.01.0.500.500
2021117.36.04.00.0.500.000
2022621.46.24.31.7.500.500
2025NYL18.40.00.00.0.000.000
Career-1717.04.93.11.4.500.375

Awards and honors

Domestic and professional awards

Talbot's professional career began in the (WNBL) with the Lightning, where she earned the Betty Watson Rookie of the Year award in the 2012/13 season. This honor, named after pioneering Australian figure Betty Watson, recognizes the top first-year player based on performance metrics, coach evaluations, and media votes, with Talbot's selection highlighting her immediate impact through versatile forward play and defensive contributions in 22 games. The award propelled her visibility, contributing to her third-round selection in the and establishing her as a foundational talent in Australian domestic basketball. In the 2019/20 WNBL season, Talbot received All-WNBL Second Team honors, acknowledging her as one of the league's elite performers alongside the top five players per position, based on statistical output and peer assessments. She elevated further in 2020, becoming the first player in WNBL history to win both the Suzy Batkovic (MVP) award—polling 73 votes from coaches, captains, and media for her all-around dominance—and the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year award in the same season, underscoring her dual-threat ability in scoring, rebounding, and perimeter defense for the Adelaide . This dual accolade, the fifth instance of a player earning both but the first simultaneously, cemented her status as a league cornerstone. She followed with All-WNBL First Team selections in 2020 and 2022, reflecting sustained excellence among the premier forwards. In 2023, Talbot again claimed the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year award, recognizing her league-leading blocks and steals while with the . Transitioning to the WNBA, Talbot was drafted 33rd overall in the third round by the in 2014, a milestone that validated her domestic success and opened pathways to international professional circuits, though she deferred her debut to continue overseas play. During her tenure with the in 2021, she contributed to the team's Commissioner's Cup championship, the league's inaugural mid-season tournament victory, where the defeated the 79-57 in the final, earning Talbot a share in the $500,000 prize pool distributed among roster players. No individual WNBA awards followed, but her veteran role persisted into 2025, when she was selected by the expansion Golden State in the December 2024 draft before signing with the mid-season, adding depth to their forward rotation. Talbot's European stint from 2016 to 2017 with TTT Riga in yielded no major league honors, focusing instead on professional development abroad.

International achievements

Talbot's international achievements began to emerge during her youth career, particularly at the 2013 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship in , , where she helped secure a by defeating 73–68 in the bronze medal game. Averaging 13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 57.8% from the field, Talbot's versatile playmaking and scoring efficiency stood out, earning her a spot on the tournament's Five alongside players like of the . This and individual recognition highlighted her early development as a key forward for Australia's youth programs, showcasing her potential on the global stage at age 19. Transitioning to the senior level, Talbot contributed to Australia's silver medal at the in Rio de Janeiro. She helped secure gold at the 2015 FIBA Oceania Women's Championship, her debut major tournament with the Opals, where the team dominated regional competition to qualify for the Olympics. At the in , Australia earned silver, with Talbot playing a supporting role. She also won gold with the Opals at the in Gold Coast, . Talbot further excelled at the 2022 in , averaging 8.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game en route to a , with her all-around performance earning selection to the tournament's All-Star Five. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Talbot played a pivotal role in Australia's win, averaging 5.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across six games; her defensive impact peaked in the game against , where she recorded 6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and a crucial block on a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final minute, sealing an 85–81 victory.

References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/t/talbost01w.html
  2. https://www.wnba.com/player/203855/stephanie-talbot
  3. https://www.australia.basketball/players/3942753
  4. https://www.basketball.com.au/news/opals-star-talbot-returns-to-lead-lightning
  5. https://www.wnbl.com.au/news/steph-talbot-named-2020-chemist-warehouse-wnbl-mvp
  6. https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/stephanie-talbot
  7. https://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/stephanie-talbot/
  8. https://visitcoppercoast.com.au/kadina
  9. https://d3pbdxdl8c65wb.cloudfront.net/n/520/2024/Oct/30/YPCT291024B.pdf
  10. https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/inside-stephanie-talbot-journey-back-to-basketball-2/
  11. https://www.botinagy.com/blog/its-a-long-way-there/
  12. https://milestonesandmisses.com/2021/01/09/steph-talbot-becomes-the-first-player-in-wnbl-history-to-win-the-most-valuable-player-award-and-defensive-player-of-the-year-award-in-the-same-season/
  13. https://mercury.wnba.com/news/phoenix-mercury-signs-olympian-stephanie-talbot
  14. https://adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/adelaide-lightning-new-face-alex-ciabattoni-claims-wnbl-rookie-of-the-year-award/news-story/44dd0a46840259ff50d0f9a9d38a593d
  15. https://www.australia.basketball/players/3613241
  16. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/canberra-capitals-sign-adelaide-wnbl-star-stephanie-talbot-20140514-zrc1u.html
  17. https://www.botinagy.com/blog/prodigal-daughter-home-for-lightning/
  18. https://arr.news/2023/09/19/talbots-return-in-sight/
  19. https://pickandroll.com.au/p/wnbl-the-free-agency-puzzle-is-coming
  20. https://www.wnbl.com.au/news/adelaide-re-sign-superstar-steph-talbot
  21. https://www.wnba.com/player/203855
  22. https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Stephanie_Talbot/179826?Women=1
  23. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/75591/stephanie-talbot
  24. https://sparks.wnba.com/news/sparks-sign-stephanie-talbot
  25. https://www.si.com/wnba/liberty/news/new-york-liberty-sign-stephanie-talbot
  26. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/176788-steph-talbot
  27. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/248-fiba-u16-womens-oceania-championship/3922/games/47199-NZL-AUS
  28. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/news/world-u19women-2023-news-the-fibau19-all-star-five-ballers-from-2011-to-2021-where-are-they-now
  29. https://olympics.com.au/olympians/stephanie-talbot/
  30. https://sparks.wnba.com/news/stephanie-talbot-wins-bronze-medal-with-australian-opals-at-olympic-games-paris-2024
  31. https://www.olympics.com.au/news/magbegor-masterpiece-ensures-opals-claim-olympic-bronze/
  32. https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/stats/_/id/3099736/stephanie-talbot
  33. https://herhoopstats.com/stats/wnba/player/stephanie-talbot-stats-11eaeccf-b78e-5ec6-abdf-1f3cc36cb6a8/
  34. https://sparks.wnba.com/news/stephanie-talbot-injury-update
  35. https://clutchpoints.com/wnba/los-angeles-sparks/how-stephanie-talbot-became-the-sparks-ultimate-utility-player-exclusive
  36. https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/t/talbost01w/gamelog-playoffs/
  37. https://winsidr.com/2018/08/mercury-use-offensive-explosion-to-power-past-wings/
  38. https://www.wnbl.com.au/news/16577
  39. https://www.thenexthoops.com/international/wnbl/steph-talbot-re-signs-with-adelaide-lightning-in-wnbl/
  40. https://www.wnba.com/news/storm-rout-sun-79-57-to-win-inaugural-commissioners-cup-august-12-2021
  41. https://liberty.wnba.com/news/welcome-to-ny-steph
  42. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/277-fiba-u19-womens-basketball-world-cup/7478/players/176788-stephanie-talbot
  43. https://slamonline.com/archives/usa-defeats-france-wins-gold-medal-at-womens-fiba-u19-world-championship/
  44. https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/34650043/fiba-women-world-cup-2022-complete-schedule-results-news-highlights
  45. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/womens-olympic-basketball-tournament-paris-2024/teams/australia/176788-steph-talbot
  46. https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/olympics/paris-2024-steph-talbot-block-stops-game-tying-three-pointer/clzpgynfv003f0gqq2fyujk5o
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