Heal legacy continues; Shyla signs with Geelong
Opals superstar Shyla Heal will follow in her father’s footsteps and sign with Geelong for the 2025/26 WNBL season.
Daughter of Boomers great Shane Heal, Shyla has blossomed into one of Australia’s best guards, rivalling her father’s legendary resume already at only 23-years-old.
Developing into one of the country’s best shooters, floor generals and playmakers, Heal joins Geelong as one of the premier free agents this offseason.
Heal made her professional debut at 14-years-old with the then South East Queensland Stars. As a teenager, she won multiple World Cup medals in both the 2018 U17 World Cup in Belarus (bronze) and in the 2019 U19 World Cup in Thailand (silver). This success led her to a starring role with Townsville during the 2020 Hub season, named to the All-WNBL Second Team at only 19-years-old.
Her early success led to the WNBA, where she was drafted eighth overall by the Chicago Sky. She played in four games before being traded and eventually waived.
She went on to sign with the Sydney Flames, acting as their go-to offensive threat for one and a half seasons. During the 2022/23 season, Heal changed teams mid-season, returning to Townsville and being a crucial piece off the bench in their 2023 title. She carried that success into the 2023 Asia Cup in Sydney, where she won bronze for the Opals.
Since that Championship season, Heal has played for multiple overseas clubs in Poland, Israel, France and most recently in Turkey.
Last season with the Turkish Tarsus Belediyesi Mersin side, she averaged 17.6 points, 4.1 assists and 39.2 percent from the arc – finishing the season top five in scoring.
Fresh off a training-camp contract with the Phoenix Mercury, Heal said she cannot wait to get started with the second-year franchise.
“I’m really excited to be a part of the club. I feel like I’ve got an opportunity to help women’s basketball to take a step forward and keep growing in Geelong and the outer regions,” she said.
“I had meetings with (head coach) Chris (Lucas) and the ownership and they really sold me on the club’s vision. Chris is a very experienced coach and I’m excited to play for him.
“What also drew me to Geelong was the girls I will be playing with. I went to the AIS with a few of the girls already on the team, Jaz (Shelley), Gemma (Potter), Ellissa (Brett) and Taylor (Mole), so that was a positive for me because I know we will have a great culture with great people around and also have a chance to seriously compete.”
With Lucas adding his sixth player to the 2025/25 roster, he explained what Heal can add to this dynamic core.
“I just feel like she’s gone to another level, and is still a very determined young athlete that wants to get better,” he said.
“We’ve got a true point guard now, someone that can carry the team. I think her and
Jaz Shelley are going to be a terrific combo in the backcourt. To have somebody purely run the point guard and be an extension of me on the floor is something I’m really looking forward to.”
Heal continues her hot form in NBL1 East for the Bankstown Bruins, where she is averaging 21.3 points in three games.
Heal joins Shelley, Potter, Brett, Mole and Alex Sharp on the 2025/26 roster.
Stay up-to-date with all the latest signings via the WNBL Roster Tracker here.