{{Short description|American-Australian basketball player (born 1988)}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Infobox basketball biography | name = Sami Whitcomb | image = Sami Whitcomb 32 Beşiktaş WB TKBSL 20251224 (3) (cropped).jpg | caption = Whitcomb with Beşiktaş JK in 2025 | position = Shooting guard | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 10 | weight_lb = 149 | league = WNBA<!--WNBL--> | team = Phoenix Mercury<!--Perth Lynx--> | number = 33<!--32--> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|7|20}} | birth_place = Ventura, California, U.S. | nationality = American / Australian | high_school = Buena (Ventura, California) | college = Washington (2006–2010) | draft_league = WNBA | draft_year = 2010 | career_start = 2010 | career_end = | years1 = 2011–2012 | team1 = ChemCats Chemnitz | years2 = 2012–2013 | team2 = Wolfenbüttel Wildcats | years3 = 2013–2016 | team3 = Rockingham Flames | years4 = 2013 | team4 = ŠKBD Rücon | years5 = 2015–2018 | team5 = Perth Lynx | years6 = {{WNBA Year|2017}}–{{WNBA Year|2020}} | team6 = Seattle Storm | years7 = 2018 | team7 = Willetton Tigers | years8 = 2018–2020 | team8 = Basket Lattes | years9 = 2021 | team9 = Galatasaray | years10 = {{WNBA Year|2021}}–{{WNBA Year|2022}} | team10 = New York Liberty | years11 = 2021–2023 | team11 = Perth Lynx | years12 = 2023 | team12 = Willetton Tigers | years13 = {{WNBA Year|2023}}–{{WNBA Year|2024}} | team13 = Seattle Storm | years14 = 2023–2024 | team14 = Townsville Fire | years15 = 2024 | team15 = Rockingham Flames | years16 = 2024–2025 | team16 = Bendigo Spirit | years17 = 2025 | team17 = Perry Lakes Hawks | years18 = {{WNBA Year|2025}}–present | team18 = Phoenix Mercury | years19 = 2025–2026 | team19 = Beşiktaş JK | years20 = 2026 | team20 = Rockingham Flames | years21 = 2026–present | team21 = Perth Lynx | highlights = * 2× WNBA champion ({{WNBA Year|2018}}, {{WNBA Year|2020}}) * WNBL champion (2025) * WNBL Grand Final MVP (2025) * WNBL Most Valuable Player (2025) * 5× All-WNBL First Team (2016–2018, 2023, 2025) * All-WNBL Second Team (2024) * 2× WNBL Leading Scorer Award (2017, 2025) * 2× SBL champion (2014, 2015) * 3× SBL MVP (2013–2015) * 2× SBL Grand Final MVP (2014, 2015) * 4× SBL All-Star Five (2013–2016) * SBL All-Defensive Five (2016) * 3× SBL scoring champion (2013–2015) * All-Pac-10 (2010) | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Women's basketball}} {{Medal|Country|{{bkw|AUS}}}} {{Medal|Competition|Olympic Games}} {{Medal|Bronze|2024 Paris|Team}} {{Medal|Competition|FIBA World Cup}} {{Medal|Silver|2018 Spain|}} {{Medal|Bronze|2022 Australia|}} {{Medal|Competition|FIBA Asia Cup}} {{Medal|Bronze|2021 Jordan|}} }}
'''Samantha Allison Whitcomb''' (born July 20, 1988) is an American-Australian professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is also contracted with the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She played college basketball for the Washington Huskies before making a name for herself in Australia with the Rockingham Flames in the State Basketball League (SBL) and the Perth Lynx in the WNBL. She made her debut in the WNBA in 2017 and won championships with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020. She became an Australian citizen in 2018 and made her debut for the Australian Opals. With the Bendigo Spirit in 2025, she was named WNBL Most Valuable Player and won her first WNBL championship.
==Early life== Born and raised in Ventura, California,<ref name=bio>{{cite web |url=http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208063862 |title=Sami Whitcomb Biography |work=GoHuskies.com |accessdate=July 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092912/http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208063862 |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> Whitcomb played soccer as a child before taking up basketball at age 12.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQlXTm00a2U |title=Perth Lynx – Sami Whitcomb Bio |work=YouTube.com |date=November 10, 2015 |accessdate=November 12, 2015}}</ref> Her parents divorced when she was young, and through basketball she was able to keep a close relationship with her father despite spending less time together.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hurd |first=Sean |url=http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/20214584/sami-whitcomb-seattle-storm-29-year-old-rookie-finds-way-wnba |title=Sami Whitcomb is a 29-year-old rookie for the Seattle Storm – she just doesn't play like one |work=ESPN.com |date=August 1, 2017 |accessdate=August 2, 2017}}</ref>
Whitcomb attended Ventura's Buena High School, where she was a four-year letterwinner and one-year team captain for the basketball team. She won numerous awards during her time at Buena, including the 2004–05 Co-County Player of the Year from the league coaches and the Ventura County Star's 2005–06 Girls' Basketball Player of the Year. She also helped her team win three Channel League titles as a sophomore, junior and senior. As a senior in 2005–06, she averaged 17.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game.<ref name="bio" />
Whitcomb was also a two-time letterwinner in track and field during her sophomore and junior years. In 2005, she placed second in the league in shot put and first in the county for seeded throwers.<ref name="bio" />
==College career== As a freshman at Washington in 2006–07, Whitcomb appeared in 21 games and received four starting assignments. She missed eight games mid-season after suffering a broken right hand during practice. She led the team with an 81.0 free-throw shooting percentage (17-for-21), was fourth on the squad with 15 three-pointers made, and averaged 4.3 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.<ref name="bio" />
As a sophomore in 2007–08, Whitcomb's role on the team increased dramatically as she appeared in all 31 games and received 30 starting assignments. Her production subsequently increased and she was rewarded for her efforts with a Pac-10 All-Defensive honorable mention team selection. She also earned Pac-10 All-Academic honorable mention honors. Her 11.2 points per game were ranked second on the team, while her 62 steals was a team high and her 74 assists were also second. On January 4, 2008, she recorded a near triple-double with nine points, nine steals and seven rebounds against Washington State. Her nine steals were two away from matching the UW school record. Six days later, she recorded her first career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds against UCLA. She was later named Pac-10 Player of the Week for her 24-point scoring output against California on March 2.<ref name="bio" />
As a junior in 2008–09, Whitcomb appeared in all 30 games while starting 29 of them. She earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors and was named to the Pac-10 All-Defensive honorable mention team for a second-straight season. She also earned Pac-10 All-Academic second team honors. She led the Huskies in scoring (12.8 ppg), steals (2.3 spg), three-pointers made (54) and free-throws made (71), while she was second in rebounding (3.9 rpg) and third in assists (1.2 apg). On January 31, 2009, she scored a then career-high 29 points against Arizona State.<ref name="bio" />
As a senior in 2009–10, Whitcomb started all 31 games and earned All-Pac-10 selection<ref>{{cite web |title=PAC-12 CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RECORD BOOK Through 2021–22 |url=https://static.pac-12.com/sports/basketball-w/pdf/22-23/P12_WBB_Record_Book_2223.pdf |work=pac-12.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909160724/https://static.pac-12.com/sports/basketball-w/pdf/22-23/P12_WBB_Record_Book_2223.pdf |archive-date=September 9, 2022}}</ref> and Pac-10 All-Academic honorable mention honors. She averaged a career-best 13.0 points per game, set a personal high with 175 rebounds, and was named Pac-10 Player of the Week on December 28, 2009. She went on to score a career-high 32 points against Washington State on January 29, 2010.<ref name="bio" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208017761 |title=Sami Whitcomb Named All-Pac-10 |work=GoHuskies.com |date=March 10, 2010 |accessdate=July 27, 2015}}{{dead link|date=July 2024}}</ref>
In her four-year career at Washington, Whitcomb scored 1,205 points, a mark that ranks 15th all-time in the program's history.<ref name="bio" /> She graduated from Washington in the spring of 2010<ref name=wherearethey>{{cite web |last=Evans |first=Jayda |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-huskies/where-are-they-now-sami-whitcomb/ |title=Where are they now: Sami Whitcomb |work=SeattleTimes.com |date=December 25, 2010 |accessdate=July 27, 2015}}</ref> with a degree in history.<ref name="bio" /> She began as a coaching intern while playing her final season and after a quick WNBA training camp stint, Whitcomb opted to take the open position of the Huskies' video coordinator for the 2010–11 season.<ref name="wherearethey" />
==Professional career== ===WNBA=== After going undrafted in the 2010 WNBA draft, Whitcomb signed a training camp contract with the Chicago Sky on April 25, 2010.<ref name=transactions>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/archive/wnba/transactions/WNBA_2010.html |title=2010 WNBA Transactions |work=WNBA.com |accessdate=July 27, 2015}}</ref> She was waived by the Sky on May 9<ref name="transactions" /> after appearing in three preseason games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/games/20100430/CHIMIN/boxscore.html |title=Chicago Sky vs Minnesota Lynx |work=wnba.com |date=April 30, 2010 |access-date=January 10, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503002549/http://www.wnba.com/games/20100430/CHIMIN/boxscore.html |archive-date=May 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/games/20100506/MINCHI/boxscore.html |title=Minnesota Lynx vs Chicago Sky |work=wnba.com |date=May 6, 2010 |access-date=January 10, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511121537/http://www.wnba.com/games/20100506/MINCHI/boxscore.html |archive-date=May 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/games/20100507/CHIIND/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore |title=Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever |work=wnba.com |date=May 7, 2010 |access-date=January 10, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121092603/http://www.wnba.com/games/20100507/CHIIND/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore |archive-date=November 21, 2011}}</ref>
On February 8, 2017, Whitcomb signed with the Seattle Storm ahead of the 2017 WNBA season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://storm.wnba.com/news/seattle-storm-signs-sami-whitcomb-nikki-greene/ |title=Seattle Storm Signs Sami Whitcomb, Nikki Greene |work=WNBA.com |date=February 8, 2017 |accessdate=February 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/lynx-star-sami-whitcomb-signs-with-wnbas-seattle-storm |title=LYNX STAR SAMI WHITCOMB SIGNS WITH WNBA'S SEATTLE STORM |work=PerthLynx.com |date=February 9, 2017 |accessdate=February 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Chris |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/basketball/perth-lynx-star-sami-whitcomb-gets-wnba-callup-with-seattle-storm/news-story/ae9658a13b02be5fa6e80bba5f3281de |title=Perth Lynx star Sami Whitcomb gets WNBA call-up with Seattle Storm |work=PerthNow.com.au |date=February 9, 2017 |accessdate=February 9, 2017}}</ref> In her WNBA debut on May 13, she recorded three points and three rebounds in just under seven minutes off the bench in a 78–68 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/game/20170513/SEALAS/ |title=Defending champion Sparks beat Storm 78–68 in opener |work=WNBA.com |date=May 13, 2017 |accessdate=May 13, 2017}}</ref> On May 26, she scored a career-high 22 points and hit six three-pointers in 15 minutes off the bench in an 87–81 win over the New York Liberty.<ref>{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Percy |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/sami-whitcomb-leads-second-half-rally-as-seattle-storm-upends-new-york-liberty/ |title=Sami Whitcomb leads second-half rally as Seattle Storm upends New York Liberty |work=SeattleTimes.com |date=May 26, 2017 |accessdate=May 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnba.com/game/20170526nylsea/ |title=Whitcomb hits 6 of Storm's 14 3s in 87–81 win over Liberty |work=WNBA.com |date=May 26, 2017 |accessdate=May 26, 2017}}</ref> Her six second-half three-pointers tied the WNBA record for most three-pointers in a half.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-makes-wnba-splash-sets-record |title=SAMI WHITCOMB MAKES WNBA SPLASH, SETS RECORD |work=PerthLynx.com |date=May 29, 2017 |accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref> In 34 games in 2017, she averaged 4.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 12.2 minutes per game.<ref name=brwnba>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/w/whitcsa01w.html |title=Sami Whitcomb WNBA Stats |work=Basketball-Reference.com |accessdate=October 6, 2017}}</ref>
On February 1, 2018, Whitcomb re-signed with the Storm on a multi-year deal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://storm.wnba.com/news/sami-whitcomb-re-signs-seattle-storm/ |title=Sami Whitcomb Re-Signs with Seattle Storm |work=WNBA.com |date=February 1, 2018 |accessdate=February 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-re-signs-with-seattle-storm |title=SAMI WHITCOMB RE-SIGNS WITH SEATTLE STORM |work=PerthLynx.com |date=February 2, 2018 |accessdate=February 2, 2018}}</ref> She averaged 2.9 points and 8.5 minutes in 31 games during the regular season,<ref name="brwnba" /> before averaging 6.2 points and 12.5 minutes in six games throughout the playoffs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-wins-wnba-championship |title=SAMI WHITCOMB WINS WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP |work=PerthLynx.com |date=September 13, 2018 |accessdate=September 13, 2018}}</ref> helping the Storm win the WNBA championship with a 3–0 sweep over the Washington Mystics in the Finals.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Craig |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/sami-whitcombs-seattle-storm-win-the-wnba-title-ng-b88959369z |title=Sami Whitcomb's Seattle Storm win the WNBA title |work=The West Australian |date=September 13, 2018 |accessdate=September 13, 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Lexi Brown with the ball guarded by Sami Whitcomb (48315065062).jpg|thumb|right|upright|Whitcomb (right) in July 2019, defending Lexie Brown of the Minnesota Lynx]] With the Storm in 2019, Whitcomb averaged 7.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 35 games.<ref name="brwnba" />
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 WNBA season was reduced to a 22-game regular season at IMG Academy, without fans present.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/mystics/wnba-announces-plans-2020-season-start-late-july-florida |title=WNBA announces plans for 2020 season to start late July in Florida |website=NBC Sports Washington |date=June 16, 2020 |accessdate=October 7, 2020}}</ref> Whitcomb appeared in all 22 games for the Storm.<ref name=substack>{{cite web |last=James |first=Derek |url=https://thenext.substack.com/p/what-does-sami-whitcombs-departure |title=What does Sami Whitcomb's departure mean for the Storm? |work=thenext.substack.com |date=September 30, 2020 |accessdate=October 7, 2020}}</ref> On August 12, 2020, she tied her career high for 3-pointers in a game with six to finish with a season-high 20 points in a 100–63 win over the Atlanta Dream.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://storm.wnba.com/news/game-recap-storm-make-it-rain-with-wnba-record-tying-18-threes-in-100-63-victory-over-atlanta/ |title=GAME RECAP: Storm makes it rain with WNBA record-tying 18 threes in 100-63 victory over Atlanta |work=WNBA.com |date=August 12, 2020 |accessdate=August 13, 2020}}</ref> After appearing in all three games of the Storm's 3–0 semifinal series sweep over the Minnesota Lynx,<ref name="substack" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Hustwaite |first=Megan |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sport/article/2020/10/05/seattle-storms-whitcomb-puts-family-wnba-glory |title=Seattle Storm's Whitcomb puts family before WNBA glory |work=sbs.com.au |date=October 5, 2020 |accessdate=October 7, 2020}}</ref> she left the WNBA bubble in Bradenton, Florida, and returned to Perth, Australia, to be with her wife for the birth of their first child.<ref name=seattletimes>{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Percy |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/storm-guard-sami-whitcomb-leaves-wnba-bubble-to-be-with-wife-for-birth-of-their-first-child/ |title=Storm guard Sami Whitcomb leaves WNBA bubble to be with wife for birth of their first child |work=seattletimes.com |date=September 29, 2020 |accessdate=October 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=How one phone call almost forced Sami Whitcomb to miss both her son's birth and the WNBA championship |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/how-one-phone-call-almost-forced-sami-whitcomb-to-miss-both-her-sons-birth-and-the-wnba-championship-ng-b881682247z |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=The West Australian |date=1 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The Storm went on to defeat the Las Vegas Aces 3–0 in the Finals to garner Whitcomb her second WNBA championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://storm.wnba.com/news/game-recap-storm-takes-home-fourth-championship-beat-aces-in-game-3-92-59/ |title=Game Recap: Storm takes home fourth championship, beat Aces in Game 3, 92-59 |work=WNBA.com |date=October 7, 2020 |accessdate=October 7, 2020}}</ref> For the season, Whitcomb led Seattle's reserves with a career-high 8.1 points per game alongside 2.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 16.5 minutes.<ref name="seattletimes" />
On February 10, 2021, Whitcomb was acquired by the New York Liberty via sign-and-trade in exchange for the rights to Stephanie Talbot.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/new-york-liberty-acquire-natasha-howard-and-sami-whitcomb/ |title=New York Liberty Acquire Natasha Howard And Sami Whitcomb |work=WNBA.com |date=February 10, 2021 |accessdate=February 11, 2021}}</ref> On June 26, 2021, she scored a career-high 30 points in a 101–78 win over the Atlanta Dream. She made 7 of 12 from 3-point range and tied her career high with 22 points in the first half.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2021/06/26/whitcomb-laney-score-28-each-liberty-beat-dream-99-78/46715557/ |title=Whitcomb scores career-high 30 as Liberty beat Dream 101-78 |work=usatoday.com |date=June 26, 2021 |accessdate=October 1, 2021}}</ref> She appeared in 30 games during the 2021 WNBA season, including a career-high 28 starts, averaging career highs of 11.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.<ref name=lynx21>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/whitcomb-returns/ |title=WHITCOMB RETURNS |work=wnbl.basketball/perth |date=December 25, 2021 |accessdate=December 25, 2021}}</ref> She also shot 42.5% from 3-point range.<ref name=storm23>{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Percy |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/former-storm-fan-favorite-sami-whitcomb-returning-to-seattle/ |title=Former Storm fan favorite Sami Whitcomb returning to Seattle |work=seattletimes.com |date=February 3, 2023 |accessdate=February 4, 2023}}</ref>
After serving as one of the Liberty's captains in 2021,<ref>{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Jackie |url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/sami-whitcomb-liberty-wnba-most-improved/ |title=Sami Whitcomb has always been improving with nothing to prove |work=thenexthoops.com |date=August 14, 2021 |accessdate=June 4, 2022}}</ref> Whitcomb became the team's sole captain in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lieberman |first=Ellie |url=https://www.slamonline.com/wslam/sami-whitcomb-women-history-month/ |title=Sami Whitcomb's Seven Years Playing Overseas Led to Finding Love and a Home with the Liberty |work=slamonline.com |date=April 1, 2022 |accessdate=June 4, 2022}}</ref> On July 12, 2022, she scored 15 of her season-high 17 points in the third quarter of the Liberty's 107–101 loss to the Las Vegas Aces. She became the first Liberty player in the quarters era to make five-plus 3-pointers in a single quarter, tying the WNBA record for most threes in a third quarter in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://liberty.wnba.com/news/aces-outlast-liberty-despite-wnba-record-setting-73-point-second-half/ |title=Aces Outlast Liberty Despite WNBA Record Setting 73-Point Second Half, 107-101 |work=wnba.com |date=July 13, 2022 |accessdate=August 23, 2022}}</ref> Playing in a backup role, she averaged 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 35.1% from 3-point range.<ref name="storm23" />
On February 3, 2023, Whitcomb signed a two-year deal with the Seattle Storm, returning to the franchise for a second stint.<ref name="storm23" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://storm.wnba.com/news/sami-whitcomb-returns-seattle/ |title=Sami Whitcomb returns to Seattle |work=wnba.com |date=February 3, 2023 |accessdate=February 4, 2023}}</ref> On August 18, she had 23 points and five 3-pointers in a 78–70 loss to the Minnesota Lynx.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/lynx-storm-44a1daa25818d6306ed6e02617decf95 |title=Lynx hold off the Storm 78-70 behind Napheesa Collier's double-double |work=apnews.com |date=August 18, 2023 |accessdate=October 13, 2023}}</ref> In 40 games during the 2023 WNBA season, she averaged 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.<ref name=wnba-profile>{{cite web |url=https://stats.wnba.com/player/1628244/ |title=Sami Whitcomb |work=wnba.com |accessdate=October 31, 2024}}</ref>
Whitcomb re-joined the Storm for the 2024 WNBA season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/seattlestorm/videos/1408052863929905/ |title=Sami's home! |work=facebook.com/seattlestorm |date=April 23, 2024 |accessdate=April 24, 2024}}</ref> In 40 games, she averaged 5.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.<ref name="wnba-profile" />
On February 2, 2025, Whitcomb signed with the Phoenix Mercury.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PHOENIX MERCURY SIGN TWO-TIME WNBA CHAMPION SAMI WHITCOMB |url=https://mercury.wnba.com/news/phoenix-mercury-sign-two-time-wnba-champion-sami-whitcomb |access-date=February 4, 2025 |website=mercury.wnba.com |date=February 2, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> On July 7, 2025, scored 29 of her career-high 36 points in the first half of the Mercury's 102–72 win over the Dallas Wings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mercury 102-72 Wings (Jul 7, 2025) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap?gameId=401736231 |access-date=8 July 2025 |work=ESPN |date=7 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Whitcomb appeared in 43 games (20 starts) during the 2025 WNBA season, averaging 9.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. She made a team-high 86 three-pointers, which tied for seventh most in the league while becoming just the second Mercury player after Diana Taurasi to reach 80 in a season. She finished the season tied with Kara Lawson for the most threes off the bench (306) in WNBA history.<ref name=mercury26>{{cite news |title=PHOENIX MERCURY RE-SIGN SAMI WHITCOMB |url=https://mercury.wnba.com/news/phoenix-mercury-re-sign-sami-whitcomb |access-date=13 April 2026 |work=mercury.wnba.com |date=12 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
On April 12, 2026, Whitcomb re-signed with the Mercury on a two-year deal<ref name="mercury26" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Veenstra |first1=David |title=Sami Whitcomb re-signs with Phoenix Mercury |url=https://arizonasports.com/wnba/phoenix-mercury/sami-whitcomb-signs/3617668/ |access-date=13 April 2026 |work=Arizona Sports |date=12 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref> worth almost $2 million.<ref name=family-memories>{{cite news |last1=O'Donoghue |first1=Craig |title=Perth Lynx superstar Sami Whitcomb excited to build family memories with wife Kate and sons Nash and Reef |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/nbl/perth-lynx-superstar-sami-whitcomb-excited-to-build-family-memories-with-wife-kate-and-sons-nash-and-reef-c-22288426 |access-date=16 May 2026 |work=The West Australian |date=15 May 2026 |language=en |url-access=subscription}}</ref> On May 6, she was ruled out for at least four to six weeks due to requiring an arthroscopy to remove a loose body in her left knee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Henderson |first1=Cydney |title=Sami Whitcomb injury update: Mercury guard out to start season with knee injury |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2026/05/06/sami-whitcomb-injury-update-mercury-guard-knee-procedure/89965123007/ |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=usatoday.com |date=6 May 2026}}</ref>
===Europe=== Whitcomb considered signing in Switzerland for the 2010–11 season but the perceived lack of strong competition to prepare her to break into the WNBA ultimately led her to initially end her playing career.<ref name="wherearethey" />
In June 2011, Whitcomb launched her pro basketball career by signing with ChemCats Chemnitz of the Damen-Basketball-Bundesliga (DBBL) in Germany.<ref>{{cite web |last=Potkey |first=Rhiannon |url=http://www.vcstar.com/sports/whitcomb-to-launch-pro-basketball-career-in |title=Whitcomb to launch pro basketball career in Germany |work=VCStar.com |date=June 21, 2011 |accessdate=July 27, 2015}}{{dead link|date=December 2021}}</ref> In 22 games during the 2011–12 season, she averaged 11.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game.<ref name=Eurobasket>{{cite web |url=https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Samantha-Whitcomb/120835?Women=1 |title=Samantha Whitcomb |work=Eurobasket |access-date=May 16, 2026 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Whitcomb returned to Germany for the 2012–13 season, signing with the Wolfenbüttel Wildcats of the DBBL in July 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last=Potkey |first=Rhiannon |url=http://www.vcstar.com/sports/anger-makes-punting-history-on-eisens-show |title=Potkey: Anger makes punting history on Eisen's show |work=VCStar.com |date=July 24, 2012 |accessdate=July 27, 2015}}{{dead link|date=December 2021}}</ref> Wolfenbüttel made the finals in 2012–13 but went bankrupt and couldn't play out the season.<ref name=story>{{cite web |last=Ward |first=Roy |url=http://www.theage.com.au/sport/basketball/from-the-wa-state-basketball-league-to-the-wnba--the-sami-whitcomb-story-20170208-gu8a4g.html |title=From the WA State Basketball League to the WNBA – the Sami Whitcomb story |work=TheAge.com.au |date=February 9, 2017 |accessdate=February 9, 2017}}</ref> In 20 games, she averaged 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game.<ref name="Eurobasket" />
In the fall of 2013,<ref>{{cite web |last=Potkey |first=Rhiannon |url=https://archive.vcstar.com/news/basketball-takes-whitcomb-around-the-world-ep-512321237-351508791.html/ |title=Basketball takes Whitcomb around the world |work=vcstar.com |date=January 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110100255/https://archive.vcstar.com/news/basketball-takes-whitcomb-around-the-world-ep-512321237-351508791.html/ |archivedate=January 10, 2022 |quote=After spending the fall playing in Slovakia, Whitcomb is back in Australia preparing for the upcoming season.}}</ref> Whitcomb played in Slovakia for ŠKBD Rücon Spišská Nová Ves.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kacēns |first=Jānis |url=http://lovewomensbasketball.com/2013/05/31/spisska-nova-ves-signs-samantha-whitcomb/ |title=Spisska Nova Ves signs Samantha Whitcomb |work=LoveWomensBasketball.com |date=May 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811013321/http://lovewomensbasketball.com/2013/05/31/spisska-nova-ves-signs-samantha-whitcomb/ |archivedate=August 11, 2013}}</ref> She averaged 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.9 steals in 15 MEL games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.melbasket.eu/player-stats/?seasonId=2&playerId=168 |title=Player: Whitcomb Samantha |work=melbasket.eu |accessdate=July 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401044219/https://melbasket.eu/player-stats/?seasonId=2&playerId=168 |archivedate=April 1, 2014}}</ref>
Whitcomb was set to return to Germany to play for TSV 1880 Wasserburg in the 2014–15 season,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://planet-photo.dbbl.de/de/news/details/sami-whitcomb-kommt-nach-wasserburg-9734/ |title=Sami Whitcomb kommt nach Wasserburg |work=DBBL.de |date=July 31, 2014 |accessdate=July 27, 2015 |language=German}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> but later asked for the termination of her contract citing the need for a break from playing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://planet-photo.dbbl.de/de/news/details/shey-peddy-ersetzt-sami-whitcomb-9804 |title=Shey Peddy ersetzt Sami Whitcomb |work=DBBL.de |date=September 4, 2014 |accessdate=October 29, 2017 |language=German}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
For the 2018–19 season, Whitcomb played for French team Basket Lattes.<ref name=living-dream>{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Craig |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/im-living-my-dream-sami-whitcomb-not-ready-to-slow-down-ng-b881225796z |title='I'm living my dream': Sami Whitcomb not ready to slow down |work=The West Australian |date=June 10, 2019 |accessdate=June 16, 2019}}</ref> In December 2018, she scored a season-high 40 points, which included 10 three-pointers.<ref name="living-dream" /> The team finished runners-up in both the French Basketball League and European Cup.<ref name="living-dream" />
Whitcomb returned to Basket Lattes for the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Arsenis |first=Damian |url=https://pickandroll.com.au/aussies-in-europe-2019-20/ |title=Aussies in Europe: 2019/20 |work=pickandroll.com.au |date=September 18, 2019 |accessdate=January 4, 2020}}</ref> She scored a season-high 30 points.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.basketlfb.com/content/whitcomb |title=WHITCOMB Samantha |work=basketlfb.com |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105150633/http://www.basketlfb.com/content/whitcomb |archivedate=November 5, 2019}}</ref> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was cut short.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ludtka |first=Michelle |url=https://www.q13fox.com/sports/seattle-storm-player-recounts-covid-19-journey-through-france-and-australia |title=Seattle Storm player recounts COVID-19 journey through France and Australia |work=q13fox.com |date=May 2, 2020 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702134231/https://www.q13fox.com/sports/seattle-storm-player-recounts-covid-19-journey-through-france-and-australia |archivedate=July 2, 2020}}</ref>
In March 2021, Whitcomb played in Turkey for Galatasaray of the Women's Basketball Super League. She appeared in six Super League games and two EuroLeague games.<ref name="Eurobasket" />
Whitcomb initially signed with French team ESB Villeneuve-d'Ascq for the 2021–22 season,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.esbvalm.fr/article/sami-whitcomb-signe-a-lesbva-lm |title=SAMI WHITCOMB SIGNE À L'ESBVA-LM ! |work=esbvalm.fr |date=May 27, 2021 |accessdate=October 1, 2021 |language=French}}</ref> but changes in family circumstance saw her return to Perth instead.<ref name="lynx21" /><ref name=hype>{{cite web |last=Hustwaite |first=Megan |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-02/sami-whitcomb-back-in-wnbl-with-perth-lynx/100734434 |title=Australian Opals star Sami Whitcomb is back in the WNBL and ready to help Perth Lynx live up to the hype |work=abc.net.au |date=January 2, 2022 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102034228/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-02/sami-whitcomb-back-in-wnbl-with-perth-lynx/100734434 |archivedate=January 2, 2022 |quote=Whitcomb played in France and was due to return there again this season, but Kate, a teacher, landed a new job in Perth so having the family together in Australia became top priority.}}</ref>
On May 31, 2025, Whitcomb signed with Beşiktaş JK of the Turkish Super League for the 2025–26 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Samantha Whitcomb Beşiktaş BOA'da |url=https://bjk.com.tr/tr/haber/91756/samantha-whitcomb-besiktas-boada.html |access-date=5 June 2025 |work=bjk.com.tr |date=31 May 2025 |language=Turkish}}</ref>
===Australia=== ====SBL / NBL1 West==== Whitcomb debuted in Australia in 2013 with the Rockingham Flames of the State Basketball League (SBL).<ref name="story" /><ref name=stats>{{cite web |url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=196283851&client=1-5011-83377-357506-23096604 |title=Player statistics for Samantha Whitcomb |work=SportsTG.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220043510/http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=196283851&client=1-5011-83377-357506-23096604 |archivedate=December 20, 2016}}</ref> She played four seasons for the Flames, winning SBL championships in 2014 and 2015 and earning grand final MVP both years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Whitcomb named 2014 Grand Final MVP |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=31262162 |access-date=27 May 2026 |work=SBL.asn.au |date=30 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/rockingham-flames-triumph-in-womens-sbl-ng-ya-376790 |title=Rockingham Flames triumph in women's SBL |work=The West Australian |date=August 31, 2014 |accessdate=October 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Pike |first=Chris |url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-5011-0-0-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=35795898 |title=Inspired Whitcomb leads Flames to back-to-back women's SBL titles |work=FoxSportsPulse.com |date=August 28, 2015 |accessdate=August 28, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924050453/http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-5011-0-0-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=35795898 |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pike |first1=Chris |title=Whitcomb's brilliance, Flames pressure just enough for back-to-back titles |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=35858946 |access-date=27 May 2026 |work=SBL.asn.au |date=3 September 2015}}</ref> She was named SBL Most Valuable Player in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and earned SBL All-Star Five honors all four years between 2013 and 2016.<ref name="story" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-5011-0-0-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=25460002 |title=2013 WSBL All Star Five |work=FoxSportsPulse.com |date=September 9, 2013 |accessdate=July 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://basketballwa.asn.au/blog/2014/09/09/2014-basketball-wa-award-winners/ |title=2014 BASKETBALL WA AWARD WINNERS |work=BasketballWA.asn.au |date=9 September 2014 |accessdate=20 August 2018 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011135517/https://basketballwa.asn.au/blog/2014/09/09/2014-basketball-wa-award-winners/ |archivedate=11 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-5011-0-0-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=35898037 |title=2015 Award Winners |work=FoxSportsPulse.com |date=September 7, 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222095811/http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-5011-0-0-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=35898037 |archivedate=December 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/WABasketball/posts/1198767746833487 |title=WSBL Allstar 5 & Defensive 5 2016 |work=Facebook.com |date=September 17, 2016 |accessdate=October 29, 2017}}</ref>
After becoming an established WNBA player, Whitcomb began having consistent short stints in the SBL / NBL1 West prior to WNBA seasons in 2018 (Willetton Tigers, 4 games);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sbl.asn.au/2018/04/03/whitcomb-potw-3-peat/ |title=WHITCOMB POTW 3-PEAT |work=SBL.asn.au |date=April 3, 2018 |accessdate=April 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Samantha Whitcomb - Player Statistics SBL |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=204548076&client=0-5011-83380-480446-26151749 |website=GameDay |access-date=18 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> 2023 (Willetton Tigers, 2 games);<ref>{{cite news |title=Sami Whitcomb signs with Willetton |url=https://www.nbl1.com.au/news/sami-whitcomb-signs-with-willetton |access-date=16 May 2026 |work=nbl1.com.au |date=4 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nbl1.com.au/player/11d51644-70a7-11ed-82bd-31f2e03f0ad7/f2905762-cea5-11ed-b500-fbbd1f0ba912/samantha-whitcomb/west |title=Samantha Whitcomb |work=nbl1.com.au |accessdate=April 25, 2023 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230425150648/https://nbl1.com.au/player/11d51644-70a7-11ed-82bd-31f2e03f0ad7/f2905762-cea5-11ed-b500-fbbd1f0ba912/samantha-whitcomb/west |archivedate=April 25, 2023}}</ref> 2024 (Rockingham Flames, 5 games);<ref>{{cite news |title=Whitcomb returns to Australian home |url=https://www.nbl1.com.au/news/whitcomb-returns-to-australian-home |access-date=16 May 2026 |work=nbl1.com.au |date=28 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Samantha Whitcomb |url=https://nbl1.com.au/player-listing/samantha-whitcomb |website=nbl1.com.au |access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref> 2025 (Perry Lakes Hawks, 2 games);<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pike |first1=Chris |title=How Women's NBL1 West is shaping up |url=https://authory.com/ChrisPike/How-Womens-NBL1-West-is-shaping-up-a7cca6eb9238642b0ae7a6c07c2cce4ce |access-date=29 March 2025 |work=authory.com |date=27 March 2025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250329091900/https://authory.com/ChrisPike/How-Womens-NBL1-West-is-shaping-up-a7cca6eb9238642b0ae7a6c07c2cce4ce |archive-date=29 March 2025 |quote=WNBL MVP Sami Whitcomb will also have a short stint before she heads off for her WNBA season at the Phoenix Mercury with Perry Lakes...}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sami Whitcomb's impact on Perry Lakes |url=https://www.nbl1.com.au/news/sami-whitcombs-impact-on-perry-lakes |access-date=16 May 2026 |work=nbl1.com.au |date=10 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Samantha Whitcomb |url=https://www.nbl1.com.au/player-listing/samantha-whitcomb-f2905762-cea5-11ed-b500-fbbd1f0ba912 |website=nbl1.com.au |access-date=16 May 2026}}</ref> and 2026 (Rockingham Flames, 2 games).<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Donoghue |first1=Craig |title=Sami Whitcomb: Superstar signs with Perth Lynx on two-year contract in bombshell WNBL return |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/sami-whitcomb-superstar-signs-with-perth-lynx-on-two-year-contract-in-bombshell-wnbl-return-c-22282196 |access-date=16 May 2026 |work=The West Australian |date=14 May 2026 |language=en |quote=Whitcomb's wife and children have primarily remained based in Perth while she plays around the world. But such is the pull of home, she even played two games for Rockingham in NBL1 West during April. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260516044954/https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/sami-whitcomb-superstar-signs-with-perth-lynx-on-two-year-contract-in-bombshell-wnbl-return-c-22282196 |archive-date=16 May 2026}}</ref>
====WNBL==== In May 2015, Whitcomb signed with the Perth Lynx for the 2015–16 WNBL season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/perth-lynx-sign-american-guard-sami-whitcomb |title=PERTH LYNX SIGN AMERICAN GUARD SAMI WHITCOMB |work=PerthLynx.com |date=May 14, 2015 |accessdate=July 27, 2015}}</ref> She earned eight Team of the Week recognitions,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wnbl.com.au/round-18-team-of-the-week/ |title=Round 18 Team of the Week |work=WNBL.com.au |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224110312/http://wnbl.com.au/round-18-team-of-the-week/ |archivedate=February 24, 2016}}</ref> was named Player of the Week for Round 3,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-named-wnbl-player-of-the-week |title=SAMI WHITCOMB NAMED WNBL PLAYER OF THE WEEK |work=PerthLynx.com |date=October 27, 2015 |accessdate=October 27, 2015}}</ref> and helped the Lynx reach their first WNBL Grand Final since 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/lynx-smash-fire-qualify-for-grand-final |title=LYNX SMASH FIRE, QUALIFY FOR GRAND FINAL |work=PerthLynx.com |date=February 28, 2016 |accessdate=February 29, 2016}}</ref> In the grand final series, the Lynx were defeated 2–0 by the Townsville Fire despite Whitcomb's 20 points in game one and 15 points in game two.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-13/townsville-fire-wnbl-grand-final-series-perth-lynx/7242698 |title=Townsville Fire beats Perth Lynx in WNBL grand final series opener |work=ABC.net.au |date=March 12, 2016 |accessdate=October 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-18/townsville-fire-win-second-straight-wnbl-title/7260114 |title=Townsville Fire beat Perth Lynx in Game II of WNBL Grand Final series for second-straight title |work=ABC.net.au |date=March 18, 2016 |accessdate=October 29, 2017}}</ref> For the season, Whitcomb earned WNBL All-Star Five honors<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-wnbl-all-star-five |title=SAMI WHITCOMB – WNBL ALL-STAR FIVE |work=PerthLynx.com |date=March 16, 2016 |accessdate=March 17, 2016}}</ref> and finished third in league MVP voting.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wnbl.com.au/201516-wnbl-most-valuable-player/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320232722/http://wnbl.com.au/201516-wnbl-most-valuable-player/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 20, 2016 |title=2015/16 WNBL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER |work=WNBL.com.au |date=March 17, 2016 |accessdate=March 17, 2016}}</ref> She appeared in all 27 games for the Lynx in 2015–16, averaging 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game. She was subsequently named Lynx Club MVP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-named-perth-lynx-mvp |title=SAMI WHITCOMB NAMED PERTH LYNX MVP |work=PerthLynx.com |date=March 26, 2016 |access-date=January 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407191504/http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-named-perth-lynx-mvp |archive-date=April 7, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Whitcomb re-joined the Lynx for the 2016–17 season and earned Player of the Week honors for Round 3,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-named-wnbl-player-of-the-week-2 |title=SAMI WHITCOMB NAMED WNBL PLAYER OF THE WEEK |work=PerthLynx.com |date=October 24, 2016 |accessdate=October 24, 2016}}</ref> Player of the Month honors for October,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-named-wnbl-player-of-the-month |title=SAMI WHITCOMB NAMED WNBL PLAYER OF THE MONTH |work=PerthLynx.com |date=November 8, 2016 |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |archive-date=November 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108195055/http://perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-named-wnbl-player-of-the-month |url-status=dead}}</ref> and had 13 Team of the Week recognitions.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/blog/news/round-17-team-of-the-week-2/ |title=ROUND 17 TEAM OF THE WEEK |work=WNBL.com.au |date=February 6, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221130044/http://wnbl.com.au/round-17-team-of-the-week-2/ |archive-date=February 21, 2017 |author1=Sod}}</ref> Her 23.6 points and 2.8 steals per game were first in the WNBL for the regular season, while her 91 three-pointers set a WNBL single-season record. Her 567 total points was also the second best mark ever set in the WNBL regular season after Penny Taylor's 570 points in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/PerthLynx/status/833951995685842944 |title=Sami Whitcomb put together an incredible... |work=twitter.com/PerthLynx |date=February 21, 2017 |accessdate=February 21, 2017}}</ref> On March 3, 2017, Whitcomb scored 41 points in a 91–71 game two semi-final victory over the Dandenong Rangers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Proud Lynx deny Dandenong, force series decider |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/proud-lynx-deny-dandenong-force-series-decider/ |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=Perth Lynx |date=3 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Whitcomb keeps Lynx's WNBL season alive |url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/basketball/national-basketball-league/whitcomb-keeps-lynx-s-wnbl-season-alive-20170303-p5gn4v.html |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=Nine |date=3 March 2017 |language=en}}</ref> She made seven of her 12 three-point shots, as she notched her highest WNBL score.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flames secure first WNBL grand final spot |url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/basketball/national-basketball-league/whitcomb-keeps-lynx-s-wnbl-season-alive-20170304-p5gn4w.html |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=Nine |date=3 March 2017 |language=en}}</ref> It was the most points scored in a semi-final in WNBL history<ref name="clubmvp17" /> and set a Perth Lynx individual points scoring record.<ref>{{cite news |title=As nice as Bryce: Each WA club's game scoring record-holder |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/as-nice-as-bryce-each-wa-clubs-game-scoring-record-holder-c-16944321 |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=The West Australian |date=2 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The Lynx went on to lose game three of the series.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dandenong clinch WNBL grand final berth |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/dandenong-clinch-wnbl-grand-final-berth/1yzuffpyt |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=SBS News |date=5 March 2017 |language=en}}</ref> She was named to the WNBL All-Star Five,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-named-to-wnbl-all-star-five |title=SAMI WHITCOMB NAMED TO WNBL ALL-STAR FIVE |work=PerthLynx.com |date=March 8, 2017 |accessdate=March 9, 2017}}{{dead link|date=November 2024}}</ref> finished second in league MVP voting behind Suzy Batkovic,<ref>{{cite news |title=WNBL scoring record not enough for Whitcomb to win MVP |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/wnbl-scoring-record-not-enough-for-sami-whitcomb-to-win-the-leagues-mvp-award-ng-b88412031z |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=The West Australian |date=10 March 2017 |language=en}}</ref> and earned Lynx Club MVP honors for the second consecutive season.<ref name=clubmvp17>{{cite news |title=Sami Whitcomb takes out Lynx MVP |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/sami-whitcomb-takes-lynx-mvp/ |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=Perth Lynx |date=23 March 2017}}</ref> She tallied 652 points and 105 three-pointers throughout her 27 games, the highest single season points and three-pointers total in the WNBL's 36-year history. She finished the season with averages of 24.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.6 steals per game, while shooting 41 per cent from beyond the arc.<ref name="clubmvp17" /><ref name=recommits17>{{cite news |title=Sami Whitcomb recommits to Perth Lynx |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/sami-whitcomb-recommits-perth-lynx/ |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=Perth Lynx |date=6 April 2017}}</ref>
thumb|Whitcomb with the Lynx in January 2018 In April 2017, Whitcomb re-signed with the Lynx for the 2017–18 WNBL season.<ref name="recommits17" /> She was named co-captain of the team alongside Toni Farnworth.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wildcats, Lynx chase twin titles |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/perth-wildcats-and-perth-lynx-chase-twin-titles-after-strengthening-squads-ng-b88611626z |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=The West Australian |date=29 September 2017 |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908154109/https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/perth-wildcats-and-perth-lynx-chase-twin-titles-after-strengthening-squads-ng-b88611626z |archive-date=8 September 2018}}</ref> She helped the Lynx record their first 10-game win streak since 1993,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/second-half-heroics-help-lynx-make-history |title=SECOND-HALF HEROICS HELP LYNX MAKE HISTORY |work=PerthLynx.com |date=December 7, 2017 |accessdate=December 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/thursday-preview-perth-lynx-vs-dandenong-rangers |title=THURSDAY PREVIEW – PERTH LYNX VS DANDENONG RANGERS |work=PerthLynx.com |date=December 6, 2017 |accessdate=December 8, 2017}}</ref> with the streak finally ending after 14 straight wins culminating in claiming the minor premiership with a first-place finish and a 15–6 record.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/clinical-lynx-clinch-first-place |title=CLINICAL LYNX CLINCH FIRST PLACE |work=PerthLynx.com |date=December 23, 2017 |accessdate=December 24, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Craig |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/perth-lynx-call-for-wnbl-change-after-semifinal-heartbreak-against-the-melbourne-boomers-ng-b88707025z |title=Perth Lynx call for WNBL change after semifinal heartbreak against the Melbourne Boomers |work=The West Australian |date=January 6, 2018 |accessdate=January 6, 2018}}</ref> For the season, she earned one Player of the Week award,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/clutch-shooting-earns-whitcomb-player-of-the-week |title=CLUTCH SHOOTING EARNS WHITCOMB PLAYER OF THE WEEK |work=PerthLynx.com |date=December 11, 2017 |accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> five Team of the Week selections,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/high-scoring-duo-again-named-to-team-of-the-week |title=HIGH-SCORING DUO AGAIN NAMED TO TEAM OF THE WEEK |work=PerthLynx.com |date=December 19, 2017 |accessdate=December 19, 2017}}</ref> and All-Star Five honors for the third consecutive season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-courtney-williams-named-to-wnbl-all-star-five |title=SAMI WHITCOMB, COURTNEY WILLIAMS NAMED TO WNBL ALL-STAR FIVE |work=PerthLynx.com |date=January 15, 2018 |accessdate=January 15, 2018}}</ref> She appeared in all 23 games for the Lynx in 2017–18, averaging 17.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals per game. She parted ways with the Lynx following the season.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Craig |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/europe-bound-sami-whitcomb-quits-perth-lynx-ng-b88852148z |title=Europe-bound Sami Whitcomb quits Perth Lynx |work=The West Australian |date=May 30, 2018 |accessdate=May 30, 2018}}</ref>
Whitcomb parted ways with the Lynx in May 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/perth-lynx-update-sami-whitcomb |title=PERTH LYNX UPDATE: SAMI WHITCOMB |work=PerthLynx.com |date=May 30, 2018 |accessdate=May 30, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530150945/http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/perth-lynx-update-sami-whitcomb |archive-date=May 30, 2018}}</ref>
Whitcomb made a return to the Lynx in June 2020, initially signing for the 2020–21 home-and-away season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/seattle-star-sami-whitcomb-back-to-light-up-the-wnbl/ |title=SEATTLE STAR SAMI WHITCOMB BACK TO LIGHT UP THE WNBL |work=wnbl.basketball/perth |date=June 17, 2020 |accessdate=June 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Cocking |first=Tony |url=https://pickandroll.com.au/sami-whitcombs-looking-forward-to-her-homecoming-with-the-perth-lynx/ |title=Sami Whitcomb's looking forward to her homecoming with the Perth Lynx |work=pickandroll.com.au |date=July 7, 2020 |accessdate=July 7, 2020}}</ref> However, on November 4, 2020, she opted out of joining the Lynx for the WNBL Hub season in Queensland in order to be alongside her wife in Perth for the birth of their first child.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Craig |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/sami-whitcomb-to-miss-wnbl-season-for-perth-lynx-amid-arrival-of-first-child-ng-b881712678z |title=Sami Whitcomb to miss WNBL season for Perth Lynx amid arrival of first child |work=The West Australian |date=November 4, 2020 |accessdate=November 4, 2020}}</ref>
On December 25, 2021, Whitcomb re-signed with the Lynx for the 2021–22 WNBL season.<ref name="lynx21" /> On January 29, 2022, she scored a season-high 23 points in a 90–82 win over the Bendigo Spirit.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/lynx-make-it-four-straight-with-win-over-spirit/ |title=LYNX MAKE IT FOUR STRAIGHT WITH WIN OVER SPIRIT |work=wnbl.basketball/perth |date=January 29, 2022 |accessdate=January 29, 2022}}</ref> On March 16, she tied her season high with 23 points in an 84–72 win over the Sydney Uni Flames.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/hot-starting-finishing-lynx-overcome-flames/ |title=HOT STARTING, FINISHING LYNX OVERCOME FLAMES |work=wnbl.basketball/perth |date=March 16, 2022 |accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref> The Lynx finished the regular season in second place with an 11–5 record.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/lynx-turn-attention-to-wnbl-semi-finals/ |title=LYNX TURN ATTENTION TO WNBL SEMI FINALS |work=wnbl.basketball/perth |date=March 20, 2022 |accessdate=March 24, 2022}}</ref> In game one of the semi-finals against the University of Canberra Capitals, Whitcomb scored a game-high 20 points with 11 rebounds in a 91–77 win.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/lynx-prevail-to-move-to-within-one-win-of-grand-final/ |title=LYNX PREVAIL TO MOVE TO WITHIN ONE WIN OF GRAND FINAL |work=wnbl.basketball/perth |date=March 24, 2022 |accessdate=March 24, 2022}}</ref> The Lynx reached the grand final, where they lost the series 2–1 to the Melbourne Boomers despite winning game one in Melbourne.<ref name=game-three>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/lynx-give-it-all-but-boomers-win-wnbl-championship/ |title=LYNX GIVE IT ALL BUT BOOMERS WIN WNBL CHAMPIONSHIP |work=wnbl.basketball/perth |date=April 9, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411025422/https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/lynx-give-it-all-but-boomers-win-wnbl-championship/ |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref> In game three, Whitcomb scored all 14 of her points in the first half.<ref name="game-three" /> For the season, she averaged 14 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.<ref name=lynx22>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/whitcomb-ready-for-the-next-challenge/ |title=WHITCOMB READY FOR THE NEXT CHALLENGE |work=wnbl.basketball/perth |date=June 11, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611040046/https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/whitcomb-ready-for-the-next-challenge/ |archive-date=June 11, 2022 |access-date=June 11, 2022}}</ref>
On June 11, 2022, Whitcomb re-signed with the Lynx for the 2022–23 WNBL season.<ref name="lynx22" /> In the season opener on November 2, she scored 30 points in a 104–88 loss to the Melbourne Boomers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/whitcomb-fires-for-lynx-but-boomers-prevail/ |title=WHITCOMB FIRES FOR LYNX BUT BOOMERS PREVAIL |work=wnbl.basketball/perth |date=November 2, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102141408/https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/whitcomb-fires-for-lynx-but-boomers-prevail/ |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022}}</ref> On January 13, 2023, she scored 33 points in a 94–86 win over the Southside Flyers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/lynx-end-home-stand-with-terrific-win-over-flyers/ |title=LYNX END HOME STAND WITH TERRIFIC WIN OVER FLYERS |work=wnbl.basketball/perth |date=January 13, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113161708/https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/lynx-end-home-stand-with-terrific-win-over-flyers/ |archive-date=January 13, 2023}}</ref> The Lynx reached the semi-finals where they lost 2–0 to the Townsville Fire despite Whitcomb's game-high 26 points in game two.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/lynx-go-down-fighting-at-home-to-townsville/ |title=LYNX GO DOWN FIGHTING AT HOME TO TOWNSVILLE |work=wnbl.basketball/perth |date=March 12, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312131402/https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/lynx-go-down-fighting-at-home-to-townsville/ |archive-date=March 12, 2023}}</ref> She was named in the All-WNBL First Team.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/blog/news/16577/ |title=CAYLA GEORGE NAMED MVP AT WNBL AWARDS NIGHT |work=wnbl.basketball |date=March 5, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305144800/https://wnbl.basketball/blog/news/16577/ |archive-date=March 5, 2023}}</ref> In 21 games, she averaged 18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/stats/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F34180%2Fperson%2F131055 |title=Sami Whitcomb |work=wnbl.basketball |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323133117/https://wnbl.basketball/stats/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F34180%2Fperson%2F131055 |archive-date=March 23, 2023}}</ref>
On June 27, 2023, Whitcomb signed with the Townsville Fire for the 2023–24 WNBL season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://wnbl.basketball/townsville/news/fire-sign-superstar-sami-whitcomb/ |title=FIRE SIGN SUPERSTAR SAMI WHITCOMB |work=wnbl.basketball/townsville |date=June 27, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013035554/https://wnbl.basketball/townsville/news/fire-sign-superstar-sami-whitcomb/ |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |access-date=October 13, 2023}}</ref> On December 29, 2023, she scored a season-high 26 points while playing all 45 minutes of the Fire's overtime loss to the Sydney Flames.<ref>{{cite web |last=Woods |first=Patrick |url=https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/how-townsville-fire-star-sami-whitcomb-stepped-up-to-sink-former-club/news-story/8ebc9437e828e29e533019b593b1001d |title=How Townsville Fire star Sami Whitcomb stepped up to sink former club |work=Townsville Bulletin |date=1 January 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240101084326/https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/how-townsville-fire-star-sami-whitcomb-stepped-up-to-sink-former-club/news-story/8ebc9437e828e29e533019b593b1001d?amp&nk=d1834e4dc571072f33f1a50472ccf4bf-1704098648 |archive-date=1 January 2024 |quote=Whitcomb's 26 points tied the season-high she put up on Friday against Sydney in a heartbreaking overtime loss where she remained on court for the entire 45-minute duration.}}</ref> Two days later, she had another 26-point effort with six 3-pointers and five assists in an 87–64 win over the Lynx.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Craig |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/sami-whitcomb-dominates-for-townsville-fire-as-perth-lynx-lose-wnbl-top-of-the-table-clash-c-13074249 |title=Sami Whitcomb dominates for Townsville Fire as Perth Lynx lose WNBL top of the table clash |work=The West Australian |date=31 December 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240101020140/https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/sami-whitcomb-dominates-for-townsville-fire-as-perth-lynx-lose-wnbl-top-of-the-table-clash-c-13074249 |archive-date=1 January 2024}}</ref> She was named to the All-WNBL Second Team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/WNBL/status/1761689762333905235 |title=WNBL 2023/24 Second All-Star Team |work=twitter.com/WNBL |date=February 25, 2024 |access-date=February 25, 2024}}</ref>
On September 14, 2024, Whitcomb signed with the Bendigo Spirit for the 2024–25 WNBL season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sami Whitcomb Joins Bendigo Spirit for 2024 WNBL Season - Bendigo Spirit |url=https://wnbl.basketball/bendigo/news/sami-whitcomb-joins-bendigo-spirit-for-2024-wnbl-season/ |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=Bendigo Spirit |date=14 September 2024}}</ref> She averaged 26.7 points over the first four games, helping the Spirit start the season 4–0.<ref>{{cite news |title=Whitcomb continues winning start to WNBL season |url=https://central.rookieme.com/basketball/whitcomb-continues-winning-start-to-wnbl-season/ |access-date=16 November 2024 |work=Basketball Rookie Me Central |date=14 November 2024}}</ref> On December 5, she recorded the first triple-double of her WNBL career with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a 72–66 win over the Perth Lynx, helping the Spirit remain undefeated to start the season.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Craig |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/sami-whitcomb-stars-for-bendigo-spirit-with-triple-double-as-they-remain-undefeated-with-win-over-perth-lynx-c-16989322 |title=Sami Whitcomb stars for Bendigo Spirit with triple-double as they remain undefeated with win over Perth Lynx |work=The West Australian |date=5 December 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241205141331/https://thewest.com.au/sport/sami-whitcomb-stars-for-bendigo-spirit-with-triple-double-as-they-remain-undefeated-with-win-over-perth-lynx-c-16989322 |archive-date=5 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lynx vs Spirit |url=https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/wnbl/2516010/bs.html |website=fibalivestats.com |access-date=5 December 2024 |date=5 December 2024}}</ref> On December 14, she scored 35 points in an 86–80 win over the Townsville Fire to extend the winning streak to nine in a row.<ref>{{cite news |title=Spirit on the verge of something special, as streak extends to 9-0 - Bendigo Spirit |url=https://wnbl.basketball/bendigo/news/spirit-on-the-verge-of-something-special-as-streak-extends-to-9-0/ |access-date=15 January 2025 |work=Bendigo Spirit |date=14 December 2024}}</ref> She helped the Spirit finish the regular season in first place with an 18–3 record, leading the league in scoring (440 points) and averaged 21 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5 assists per game. She was subsequently named WNBL Most Valuable Player and All-WNBL First Team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Whitcomb headlines Spirit success at WNBL Awards Night - Bendigo Spirit |url=https://wnbl.basketball/bendigo/news/whitcomb-headlines-spirit-success-at-wnbl-awards-night/ |access-date=17 February 2025 |work=Bendigo Spirit |date=17 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sami Whitcomb crowned as WNBL's Most Valuable Player |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/former-perth-lynx-captain-sami-whitcomb-named-wnbl-mvp-in-her-first-season-for-bendigo-spirit-c-17753262 |access-date=17 February 2025 |work=The West Australian |date=17 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A Night of Celebration: WNBL's 2024/25 Award Winners Revealed |url=https://wnbl.basketball/blog/news/a-night-of-celebration-wnbls-2024-25-award-winners-revealed/ |access-date=18 February 2025 |work=WNBL |date=18 February 2025}}</ref> She helped the Spirit reach the WNBL Grand Final with 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a game two victory over the Sydney Flames in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Spirit lock in WNBL Grand Final berth - Bendigo Spirit |url=https://wnbl.basketball/bendigo/news/spirit-lock-in-wnbl-grand-final-berth/ |access-date=28 February 2025 |work=Bendigo Spirit |date=28 February 2025}}</ref> In game one of the grand final series against the Fire, Whitcomb had 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists in a 70–60 win.<ref>{{cite news |title=Burton brilliance leads Spirit to 10-point Game 1 win {{!}} Basketball.com.au |url=https://www.basketball.com.au/news/bendigo-spirit-fight-back-to-beat-townsville-fire-70-60-in-game-1-of-the-2025-wnbl-grand-final-series |access-date=5 March 2025 |work=www.basketball.com.au |date=5 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> In game two, she scored 26 points in a 63–55 victory, helping the Spirit win the WNBL championship. She was subsequently named the grand final MVP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Champions! Whitcomb's Spirit sweep Townsville to break WNBL title drought {{!}} Basketball.com.au |url=https://www.basketball.com.au/news/sami-whitcomb-scores-26-points-as-the-bendigo-spirit-beat-the-townsville-fire-63-55-to-win-2025-wnbl-championship |access-date=9 March 2025 |work=www.basketball.com.au |date=9 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Spirit claim third WNBL title with grand final victory over Fire |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-09/spirit-claim-third-wnbl-title-with-grand-final-victory-over-fire/105029994 |access-date=9 March 2025 |work=ABC News |date=9 March 2025 |language=en-AU}}</ref> She parted ways with the Spirit following the season after receiving an offer to play in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thank you, Sami Whitcomb |url=https://wnbl.com.au/bendigo/news/thank-you-sami-whitcomb/ |access-date=24 May 2025 |work=Bendigo Spirit |date=23 May 2025 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
On May 14, 2026, Whitcomb signed a two-year deal with the Perth Lynx, returning to the team for a third stint.<ref>{{cite news |title=Superstar Sami Whitcomb commits to Lynx for WNBL27 |url=https://perthlynx.wnbl.com.au/news/superstar-sami-whitcomb-commits-to-lynx-for-wnbl27 |access-date=14 May 2026 |work=perthlynx.wnbl.com.au |date=14 May 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
==National team career== thumb|Whitcomb with the Opals in March 2026 In May 2017, Whitcomb applied for Australian citizenship. She qualified after meeting the criteria of living in Australia for at least four years and being a permanent resident for at least 12 months. But the process had stalled by June because of the challenges associated with applying from overseas.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Craig |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/sami-whitcombs-wnba-fame-could-be-pain-for-australian-opals-ng-b88496254z |title=Sami Whitcomb's WNBA fame could be pain for Australian Opals |work=The West Australian |date=June 3, 2017 |accessdate=October 29, 2017}}</ref> In December 2017, she was added to the Australian Opals squad ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, with her Australian citizenship application approval imminent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-added-to-australian-opals-squad |title=SAMI WHITCOMB ADDED TO AUSTRALIAN OPALS SQUAD |work=PerthLynx.com |date=December 21, 2017 |accessdate=December 21, 2017}}</ref> On February 1, 2018, Whitcomb was naturalized at a ceremony in Perth before flying to Italy the next day for the Opals' training camp.<ref name="citizenship" /> She ultimately missed out on making the final squad.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lacy |first=Bridget |url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/the-west-australian/20180308/282080572345252 |title=Lynx star and three Wildcats in Games sides |work=The West Australian |date=March 8, 2018 |accessdate=March 8, 2018}}</ref>
In September 2018, Whitcomb debuted with the Opals at the FIBA World Cup after she replaced the injured Leilani Mitchell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/sami-whitcomb-to-make-opals-debut |title=SAMI WHITCOMB TO MAKE OPALS DEBUT |work=PerthLynx.com |date=September 10, 2018 |accessdate=September 10, 2018}}</ref> She won a World Cup silver medal.<ref name="living-dream" /> In June 2019, she was selected to the Opals' Asia Cup training squad.<ref name="living-dream" />
In September and October 2021, Whitcomb captained the Opals at the FIBA Asia Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://australia.basketball/blog/2021/10/01/fiba-asia-cup-opals-semi-final-bound/ |title=FIBA ASIA CUP: OPALS SEMI-FINAL BOUND |work=australia.basketball |date=October 1, 2021 |accessdate=October 1, 2021 |quote=Continuing a string of impressive performances, Captain Sami Whitcomb led the youthful Opals to the victory... |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001125448/https://australia.basketball/blog/2021/10/01/fiba-asia-cup-opals-semi-final-bound/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/womensasiacup/2021/news/which-three-opals-players-have-the-best-chance-of-a-fiba-women-s-basketball-world-cup-spot |title=Which three Opals players have the best chance of a FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup spot? |work=fiba.basketball |date=October 1, 2021 |accessdate=October 1, 2021}}</ref> She helped the Opals reach the bronze medal match, where they defeated South Korea 88–58 behind Whitcomb's 15 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/womensasiacup/2021/game/0310/Australia-Korea#tab=overview |title=Australia vs Korea |work=fiba.basketball |date=October 3, 2021 |accessdate=October 3, 2021}}</ref>
In February 2022, Whitcomb captained the Opals at the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Serbia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://australia.basketball/opals-name-captain-ahead-of-qualifying-tournament/ |title=Opals name Captain ahead of Qualifying Tournament. |work=australia.basketball |date=February 10, 2022 |accessdate=February 10, 2022 |archive-date=February 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210074512/https://australia.basketball/opals-name-captain-ahead-of-qualifying-tournament/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> She was named in the All-Star Five for the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/womensbasketballworldcup/2022/qt/serbia/news/anderson-awarded-tissot-mvp-honor-for-belgrade-group-a |title=Anderson awarded TISSOT MVP honor for Belgrade Group A |work=fiba.basketball |date=February 13, 2022 |accessdate=February 16, 2022}}</ref>
In July 2024, Whitcomb was named in the Opals' final squad for the Paris Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.australia.basketball/news/4052425/australian-teams-for-paris-2024-olympics-announced |title=Australian teams for Paris 2024 Olympics announced |work=Basketball Australia |date=July 6, 2024 |access-date=July 7, 2024}}</ref> She earned a bronze medal in the competition.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wearne |first1=Simone |title=Sami Whitcomb reflects on Opals Olympics bronze a year on {{!}} Basketball.com.au |url=https://www.basketball.com.au/news/phoenix-mercury-wnba-star-sami-whitcomb-shares-her-story-on-the-crumbs-podcast |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=www.basketball.com.au |date=4 August 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
In March 2026, Whitcomb played for the Opals at the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Turkey, earning tournament MVP and All-Star Five honors.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026-qualifying-tournament-istanbul-turkiye/news/whitcomb-takes-tissot-mvp-honor-in-istanbul | title = Whitcomb takes TISSOT MVP honor in Istanbul | date = March 17, 2026 | access-date = March 30, 2026 | website = fiba.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026-qualifying-tournament-istanbul-turkiye/news/wwcqt-2026-all-star-five-istanbul | title = Here is your All-Star Five in Istanbul| date = March 17, 2026 | access-date = March 30, 2026 |website = fiba.com}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{WNBA player statistics legend}} {| class="wikitable" |- |style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|† |Denotes seasons in which Whitcomb won a WNBA championship |} ===WNBA=== ====Regular season==== ''Stats current as of end of 2025 season'' {{WNBA player statistics start|caption=WNBA regular season statistics<ref>{{cite web |title=Sami Whitcomb WNBA Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/w/whitcsa01w.html |website=Basketball Reference}}</ref>}} |- | style='text-align:left;'|2017 | style='text-align:left;'|Seattle | 33 || 0 || 12.2 || .361 || .333 || .810 || 1.7 || 1.0 || 0.7 || 0.0 || 0.9 || 4.5 |- |style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| 2018<sup>†</sup> | style='text-align:left;'|Seattle | 31 || 0 || 8.5 || .349 || .362 || '''1.000''' || 0.9 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.1 || '''0.5''' || 2.9 |- | style='text-align:left;'|2019 | style='text-align:left;'|Seattle | 33 || 13 || 20.4 || .366 || .342 || '''1.000''' || 1.7 || 2.4 || '''1.1''' || 0.1 || 1.6 || 7.2 |- |style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| 2020<sup>†</sup> | style="text-align:left;"| Seattle | 22 || 0 || 16.5 || .443 || .381 || '''1.000''' || 2.3 || 2.0 || 0.7 || 0.1 || 1.0 || 8.1 |- | style='text-align:left;'|2021 | style='text-align:left;'|New York | 30 || '''28''' || '''28.1''' || '''.473''' || '''.425''' || .818 || '''5.0''' || 2.7 || 1.0 || 0.3 || 2.1 || '''11.7''' |- | style='text-align:left;'|2022 | style='text-align:left;'|New York | 35 || 6 || 21.3 || .366 || .351 || .870 || 2.4 || 2.3 || 0.7 || 0.1 || 1.4 || 6.5 |- | style='text-align:left;'|2023 | style='text-align:left;'|Seattle | 40 || 19 || 24.5 || .400 || .385 || .830 || 2.9 || '''2.9''' || 0.9 || '''0.4''' || 2.0 || 9.7 |- | style='text-align:left;'|{{wnbay|2024}} | style='text-align:left;'|Seattle | 40 || 3 || 15.3 || .346 || .292 || .818 || 1.9 || 1.6 || 0.8 || 0.2 || 1.0 || 5.0 |- | style='text-align:left;'|2025 | style='text-align:left;'|Phoenix | '''43''' || 20 || 23.9 || .385 || .361 || .852 || 2.6 || 2.5 || 0.8 || 0.2 || 1.6 || 9.1 |- class="sortbottom" | style='text-align:left;'| '''Career''' | style='text-align:left;'| 9 years, 3 teams | 307 || 89 || 19.3 || .393 || .361 || .863 || 2.4 || 2.0 || 0.8 || 0.2 || 1.4 || 7.2 {{s-end}}
====Playoffs==== {{WNBA player statistics start|caption=WNBA playoff statistics}} |- | style='text-align:left;'|2017 | style='text-align:left;'|Seattle | 1 || 0 || 11.0 || .143 || .167 || — || 2.0 || 1.0 || '''1.0''' || 0.0 || '''0.0''' || 3.0 |- |style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| 2018<sup>†</sup> | style='text-align:left;'|Seattle | 6 || 0 || 12.5 || '''.464''' || '''.500''' || '''.750''' || 1.2 || 1.2 || 0.7 || '''0.2''' || 0.5 || '''6.2''' |- | style='text-align:left;'|2019 | style='text-align:left;'|Seattle | 2 || 0 || 12.5 || .375 || '''.500''' || — || 0.5 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 4.5 |- |style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| 2020<sup>†</sup> | style="text-align:left;"| Seattle | 3 || 0 || 10.7 || .333 || .273 || — || 1.3 || 1.7 || '''1.0''' || 0.0 || 0.3 || 5.0 |- | style='text-align:left;'|2021 | style='text-align:left;'|New York | 1 || '''1''' || '''34.0''' || .250 || .333 || — || '''5.0''' || '''3.0''' || 0.0 || 0.0 || '''0.0''' || 3.0 |- | style='text-align:left;'|2022 | style='text-align:left;'|New York | 3 || 0 || 14.7 || .364 || .429 || — || 0.3 || 2.0 || '''1.0''' || 0.0 || '''0.0''' || 3.7 |- | style='text-align:left;'|2024 | style='text-align:left;'|Seattle |1||0||2.0||.000||—||—||0.0||0.0||0.0||0.0||1.0||0.0 |- | style='text-align:left;'|2025 | style='text-align:left;'|Phoenix | '''11''' || 0 || 23.0 || .288 || .241 || .667 || 1.9 || 2.5 || 1.2 || '''0.2''' || 1.1 || 5.9 |- class="sortbottom" | style='text-align:left;'| '''Career''' | style='text-align:left;'| 8 years, 3 teams | 28 || 1 || 17.0 || .325 || .311 || .692 || 1.5 || 1.8 || 0.9 || 0.1 || 0.6 || 5.1 |}
===College=== {{WNBA player statistics start|caption=NCAA statistics<ref>{{cite web |title=Sami Whitcomb College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/sami-whitcomb-1.html |work=Sports Reference}}</ref>}} |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07 | style="text-align:left;"| Washington | 21 || 4 || 13.7 || .377 || .278 || .810 || 1.6 || 0.8 || 0.8 || 0.0 || '''0.8''' || 4.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08 | style="text-align:left;"| Washington | 31 || 30 || 27.9 || .375 || .335 || .676 || 4.1 || 2.4 || 2.0 || 0.1 || 2.5 || 11.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09 | style="text-align:left;"| Washington | 30 || 29 || 29.7 || .368 || .329 || .772 || 3.9 || 1.2 || '''2.3''' || '''0.3''' || 2.8 || 12.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10 | style="text-align:left;"| Washington | '''31''' || '''31''' || '''31.7''' || '''.397''' || '''.359''' || '''.858''' || '''5.6''' || '''2.5''' || 1.5 || 0.2 || 2.8 ||'''13.0''' |- | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|'''Career''' | 113 || 94 || 26.8 || .380 || .333 || .786 || 4.0 || 1.8 || 1.7 || 0.2 || 2.3 || 10.6 {{S-end}}
==Personal life== Whitcomb is the daughter of Jan and Sander, and has an older brother, Jason. Her great uncle, Roy Schmidt, played in the NFL with the Falcons, Packers and Redskins in the 1960s and 1970s.<ref name="bio" />
Whitcomb is married to former Willetton Tigers SBL player, Kate Malpass.<ref>{{cite news |title=Q A with Kate Malpass - Willetton Basketball Association Inc. |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-1056-0-0-0&sID=54226&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=5235186 |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=GameDay |date=26 March 2008 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kate Malpass Retiring - Willetton Basketball Association Inc. |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-1056-0-401456-0&sID=333849&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=63184871 |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=GameDay |date=11 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Malpass is a physiotherapist and physical education teacher.<ref>{{cite news |title=Storm's Sami Whitcomb finds balance between motherhood and basketball: 'It's all worth it' |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/storms-sami-whitcomb-finds-balance-between-motherhood-and-basketball-its-all-worth-it/ |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |date=14 May 2023}}</ref> The couple married in the U.S. in 2017 and then had their marriage recognised in Australia when same-sex marriage laws changed.<ref name=citizenship>{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Craig |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/citizenship-arrives-before-sami-whitcomb-departs-ng-b88723961z |title=Citizenship arrives before Sami Whitcomb departs |work=The West Australian |date=February 1, 2018 |accessdate=February 1, 2018}}</ref> They had their first child in November 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Craig |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/wnbl-ryan-petrik-adamant-resting-katie-ebzery-was-the-right-call-after-captain-dominates-bendigo-ng-b881725581z |title=WNBL: Ryan Petrik adamant resting Katie Ebzery was the right call after captain dominates Bendigo |work=The West Australian |date=November 18, 2020 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20210116022132/https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/wnbl-ryan-petrik-adamant-resting-katie-ebzery-was-the-right-call-after-captain-dominates-bendigo-ng-b881725581z |archivedate=January 16, 2021 |quote=Meanwhile, ex-Lynx star Sami Whitcomb has celebrated the birth of her son after opting out of her contract to remain with her pregnant wife Kate in Perth. |access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Craig |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/wa-basketball-star-sami-whitcombs-baby-joy-alongside-wife-kate-malpass-as-son-nash-is-born-ng-b881730107z |title=WA basketball star Sami Whitcomb's baby joy alongside wife Kate Malpass as son Nash is born |work=The West Australian |date=November 24, 2020 |accessdate=November 26, 2020 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The couple have two children as of May 2026.<ref name="family-memories" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{Basketball stats}} * {{FIBA|new_id=191935}} * {{Australian Olympic Committee|samantha-whitcomb}} * {{Olympics.com}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092912/http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208063862 Washington Huskies bio] *[https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=204548076&client=0-5011-83377-357506-23096604 SBL stats] *[http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/basketball/whit-hot-perth-lynx-star-sami-whitcomb-chases-wnba-dream-amid-stellar-wnbl-season/news-story/a5594f901f354cb1c4684a88de3d8552 "Perth Lynx star Sami Whitcomb chases WNBA dream amid stellar WNBL season"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204063639/http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/basketball/whit-hot-perth-lynx-star-sami-whitcomb-chases-wnba-dream-amid-stellar-wnbl-season/news-story/a5594f901f354cb1c4684a88de3d8552 |date=December 4, 2016 }} at perthnow.com.au *[http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/former-uw-standout-sami-whitcomb-seeks-to-make-storm-roster/ "Former UW standout Sami Whitcomb seeks to make Storm roster"] at seattletimes.com *[http://www.wnba.com/news/unlikely-path-wnba-sami-whitcomb-lands-perfect-spot-seattle-storm/ "After Unlikely Path to WNBA, Sami Whitcomb Lands in Perfect Spot With Seattle Storm"] at wnba.com
{{Phoenix Mercury current roster}} {{Perth Lynx current roster}} {{navboxes|list= {{WNBL MVPs}} {{WNBL Grand Final MVPs}} {{Seattle Storm 2018 WNBA Champions}} {{Seattle Storm 2020 WNBA champions}} {{Australia Squad 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup}} {{Australia Women Basketball Squad 2024 Summer Olympics}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitcomb, Sami}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:American emigrants to Australia Category:American expatriate basketball people in Australia Category:American expatriate basketball people in France Category:American expatriate basketball people in Germany Category:American expatriate basketball people in Slovakia Category:American expatriate basketball people in Turkey Category:American lesbian sportswomen Category:American women's basketball players Category:Australian lesbian sportswomen Category:Australian women's basketball players Category:Basketball players at the 2024 Summer Olympics Category:Basketball players from Ventura County, California Category:Bendigo Spirit players Category:Galatasaray S.K. (women's basketball) players Category:LGBTQ basketball players Category:LGBTQ people from California Category:Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics Category:Naturalised basketball players Category:Naturalised citizens of Australia Category:New York Liberty players Category:Olympic basketball players for Australia Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Australia Category:Olympic medalists in basketball Category:Phoenix Mercury players Category:Sportspeople from Ventura, California Category:Perth Lynx players Category:Seattle Storm players Category:Shooting guards Category:Townsville Fire players Category:Washington Huskies women's basketball players Category:Undrafted WNBA players Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people Category:21st-century American sportswomen Category:21st-century Australian sportswomen