Sami Whitcomb is an American-Australian professional basketball player currently representing Team Australia at the women's basketball event in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The veteran guard has been a catalyst for the Opals, who have advanced to the semifinals as they seek their first medal in the Olympic tournament since their third-place finish in the London Olympics.
Born in Ventura, California, in 1988, Whitcomb started playing at the age of 12 as a means to be closer to her dad after her parents divorced early on. Despite spending less time together, she credits much of her perseverance to her early experiences playing basketball with her father while growing up in Ventura.
Sami Whitcomb played college basketball at the University of Washington before being undrafted by the WNBA in 2010. She then moved on to play in several European leagues.
However, Sami's European team failed in 2013, leaving her in limbo until she received an opportunity from Western Australia to play for the Rockingham Flames in the State Basketball League.
Since then, Whitcomb's basketball career has blossomed, which put her on the trajectory for the Paris Olympics. She became a naturalized Australian citizen in February 2018 and debuted for the Australian team later in the same year.
The Power Couple of Basketball
Sami Whitcomb also found a wife in her long-time partner, former West Australian basketball player Kate Malpass. Sami married Kate in the US in 2017 and later had their marriage recognized in Australia when same-sex marriage laws changed.
The couple has two sons together, three-year-old Nash and seven-month-old Reef.
A Journey of Perseverance and Triumph
Sami Whitcomb's basketball career took off when she headed to play in Australia after her short stint in Europe. She had a dominating run with the Rockingham Flames in the State Basketball League, which landed her an import spot with the Perth Lynx of the WNBL in 2015. Sami was selected for the WNBL All-Star team for the next three years as she quickly established herself as a star in the league.
After being overlooked in the 2010 draft, Whitcomb's performance in the WNBL garnered the attention of the WNBA. She was signed by the Seattle Storm in 2017. She clinched her first WNBA title with the Storm in the following season.
The experienced guard won her second WNBA championship with the Storm in 2020, and she thereafter joined the New York Liberty, where she was coached by Opals head coach Sandy Brondello. She returned to the Storm in 2023 and is currently playing with them in the 2024 WNBA season.
Sami Whitcomb has also won two medals with Australia at the FIBA World Cup: silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022. She looks forward to add an Olympic medal to her list of awards at the ongoing Paris Olympics.
Dominating the Court in Paris
Sami Whitcomb has put up terrific performances for the Australian team as they will face Team USA on Friday for their semifinal matchup of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ahead of the upcoming matchup, Whitcomb has averaged 14.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.8 steals in Australia's four Olympic games while shooting 50.0% from the field, including 30.8% from deep.
A Supportive Partner and a Growing Family
There is no question that the life of an athlete can be quite tricky. Especially, when they have to move from one location to another and adapt their entire family to the new environment as well. However, despite having played in Europe, Australia, and in USA’s New York and now Seattle, Samantha Whitcomb (Sami) has been acing it. Still, it is not just her. She has the support of her wife — Kate Malpass — who has been standing tall with Sami. Not just that, she too has been defying the odds since birth.
Now as Samantha Whitcomb, an American, represents Opals in the 2024 Olympics, here’s a little about the WNBA star’s wife and son who have eased the journey.
The now 35-year-old Kate Malpass was born in Perth, Australia. She belongs to the indigenous and proud tribe of Australians called Noongar. Malpass has been the positive energy in Samantha Whitcomb’s life since they met. However, long before that, she was the same for herself. As a child, the doctors told her that she would never have full strength in one of her arms. Proving them wrong, the young girl with the motivation behind her, played and excelled at multiple sports throughout her school career.
Continuing her ability to prove people wrong, she became part of the U16 National Championship. Then, she was merely 13 years old. As a 21-year-old, she led her local Willetton Tigers to a women’s SBL championship as a captain. As for the WNBL, the 2-year veteran was trying to bring the Perth Lynx to a win as well. Malpass became an up-and-coming star as one of the most improved players in Australia’s professional women’s basketball league. She averaged 14.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Kate Malpass is now a former WNBL player and 5x State Basketball League champion. Still, she has a lot more to achieve outside the basketball world.
Outside of the lines as well, Malpass ensured that she had a career that did not limit her to the court. Living in Melbourne, she completed a degree in physiotherapy. She became the first Noongar aboriginal Australian to work with the Richmond Football Club. She was also active in the Role Models WA. Being the role model that she is, Malpass is also a mentor at the David Wirrpanda Foundation.
Although she no longer lives in Australia anymore, she must be actively included in motivating the young generation as she continues her life as a wife of a professional athlete and a mother to a young one.
A Family Built on Shared Dreams
Interestingly, while Sami represents Australia in International waters, she is a born American. Born on July 20, 1988, to Jan and Sander Whitcomb in Ventura, California, Samantha Whitcomb was originally a soccer enthusiast. However, with her parents divorcing, the young girl wanted to connect with her father. Basketball was one of the best ways she found. Her father later became her YMCA coach and their bond strengthened over time.
Sami always wished to be a part of the WNBA family, but shattered when she went undrafted in 2010. Nevertheless, she chose to play in Switzerland, Germany, and ultimately Australia. In 2014, Malpass and Whitcomb’s paths crossed as teammates in the Lynx. They eventually got closer and fell in love. In 2017, Seattle Storm drafted the WNBL’s free agent with whom Sami still plays. Meanwhile, back in Australia, Whitcomb earned citizenship.
In 2020, the couple welcomed their firstborn son Nash. Talking about the road that led her here, Sami couldn’t help but get emotional. “We got engaged overseas. We got married overseas. Kate got pregnant here, but we did a lot of the planning overseas. There have been championships, we turned 30 overseas and we wanted to come back and have one big party to celebrate him,” Samantha Whitcomb told Craig O’Donoghue.
Now, Nash is four years old. Kate and Whitcomb welcomed their second son, Reef Augie Whitcomb, in 2023. Sami has found a home in the Seattle Storm. After grabbing an early practice session, she ensures some family time. By 3 in the evening, she is sitting with Malpass and her young son, eating lunch and talking about the day. Certainly, a fairytale ending for the two.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Sami Whitcomb's story is one of resilience, determination, and the unwavering support of a loving family. Her journey from undrafted rookie to Olympic hopeful is a testament to her hard work and dedication. And with Kate by her side, Sami is ready to take on the world, both on and off the court. Their love story, filled with shared dreams and unwavering support, is a true inspiration for couples everywhere.
