Isobel Borlase, born on September 12, 2004, in Melbourne, Victoria, is an Australian professional basketball player rapidly rising to prominence in the sport.
Currently playing for the Adelaide Lightning in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), she has already made significant strides in her young career.
At just 20 years old (as of March 9, 2025), Borlase has been drafted into the WNBA, represented Australia at the Olympics, and earned numerous accolades for her performances.
Coming from a family steeped in sporting tradition, Isobel’s journey is not just her own but reflects the athletic legacy of her parents and siblings.
Siblings
Isobel is the youngest of three siblings, each of whom has carved out their own path in the world of sports.
Ella, the eldest sibling, is approximately four years older than Isobel, making her around 24 years old as of March 2025.
While she enjoys surfing as a hobby, Ella has established herself as a prolific competitor in surf boat rowing.
Among her accolades, Ella and her team have won gold medals at the Australian Short Course Championships and the U23 South Australian Short Course Championships.
She also earned a silver medal in the Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Challenge in New Zealand and reached the final of the Champion of Champions Surf Boat Challenge, finishing third overall at the Surf Boat Interstate Championships.
James, the middle sibling, is approximately 21 or 22 years old as of March 2025. Following in his father’s footsteps, James has pursued a career in Australian rules football.
He is currently a key defender for the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League (AFL), showcasing his athletic prowess and competitive nature.
Growing up, James and Isobel were particularly close and fiercely competitive, engaging in various sports and games such as table tennis and soccer.
Career
Borlase’s journey began with the Forestville Eagles, where she played junior basketball and led South Australia Metro to victory at the 2021 Australian Under-18 Championships.
In 2021, she joined the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in Canberra, a pivotal step in her development.
While there, she attended Lake Ginninderra College and played in the Waratah League, averaging 13.57 points, 5.29 rebounds, 2.64 assists, and 2.0 steals in 14 games during the 2022 season.
Her professional debut came in January 2022 with the Adelaide Lightning in the WNBL, where she appeared in one game during the 2021–22 season.
She returned to the Lightning for the 2022–23 season, making an immediate impact.
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In the season opener, she scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds, finishing the season with an average of 13.5 points per game.
Her standout performance earned her the WNBL Sixth Woman of the Year and WNBL Breakout Player of the Year awards.
In May 2023, Borlase re-signed with the Adelaide Lightning for the 2023–24 season, stepping into a more prominent role following an injury to team captain Stephanie Talbot.
She delivered a career-high 31 points in a game against the Perth Lynx on January 7, 2024, and averaged 15.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game for the season.
On April 15, 2024, Borlase was selected 20th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Draft, a testament to her growing reputation on the international stage.
Choosing to remain in Australia for another year, she played for the Forestville Eagles in the 2024 NBL1 Central season, averaging 15.33 points, 5.33 rebounds, 3.17 assists, and 2.33 steals in six games.
She returned to the Adelaide Lightning for the 2024–25 WNBL season, continuing to build her legacy.
Internationally, Borlase has represented Australia with distinction.
She helped the Australian Gems win silver at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and gold at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship, where she was named to the tournament’s All-Star Five.
In July 2024, she was named to the Australian Opals’ squad for the Paris Olympics, where she played in every game and contributed to the team’s bronze medal finish—their first Olympic medal since 2012.
Accolades
Borlase’s accolades include WNBL Sixth Woman of the Year in 2023, recognized for her impactful contributions off the bench during her breakout season and WNBL Breakout Player of the Year in 2023, awarded for her emergence as a standout talent in her first full WNBL season.
Others are All-WNBL First Team in 2024, honored for her exceptional performance during the 2023–24 season, placing her among the league’s elite, WNBA Draft Selection in 2024, selected 20th overall by the Atlanta Dream, marking her entry into the world’s premier women’s basketball league and FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship Gold Medal in 2022, part of the Australian Gems team that claimed the title, with Borlase earning All-Star Five honors.
Borlase also has a FIBA Under-19 World Cup Silver Medal in 2021, contributed to Australia’s second-place finish as a junior international and Paris Olympics Bronze Medal in 2024, played a role in the Australian Opals’ medal-winning campaign, showcasing her potential on the global stage.
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