Flames bolster backcourt with Cann signing
The Sydney Flames are excited to announce they’ve signed guard Mikhaela Cann to a one-year deal.
Cann, currently playing for Logan in the NBL1 North competition, is the eighth player signed to Guy Molloy’s squad for WNBL26, joining Lauren Nicholson, Shaneice Swain, Grace Berger, Emma Clarke, Agnes Emma-Nnopu, Carla Pitman and the newly signed Keely Froling.
“Honestly, up until I went and played in New Zealand last year, I honestly didn’t think playing back in the WNBL was a viable possibility for me,” said Cann, who is averaging 11.83 points, 9.13 assists and 5.63 rebounds per game with the Thunder this season.
“Playing in that competition proved to myself that I could still play at a high level – not to mention my kids loved it.
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“As a competitor, you always want to be playing at the highest level possible and challenging yourself, and I intend to make the most of this chance with the Flames.
“It [basketball] has been a great environment for them to grow up in, and I’m extremely grateful that Sydney has given me and my family the opportunity to continue living out that dream.
“I can’t wait to get down to Sydney and start working with Guy and all the team.”
From Sunnybank, Cann (nee Donnelly) grew up playing hoops in Queensland, including attending John Paul College.
During this time, she represented Queensland South on numerous occasions, leading to her being selected in the Australian under 16s team, which competed at the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championships in Brisbane.
Following this, Cann attended the Australian Institute of Sport for two years, before returning to her home state and signing a two-year contract with WNBL franchise the Logan Thunder.
This was followed by the birth of her first child, Adisyn in 2017 and two years with the Townsville Fire (whom she won the WNBL18 championship), before she took time away from the game for the birth of her second and third children, Harlo and Dallas.
Since then, Cann has played with the Thunder the past seven NBL1 seasons, as well as with the Mainland Pouākai during the 2024 Tauihi campaign.
As such, the 31-year-old is confident she can be an asset to Molloy’s side in WNBL26.
“What resonated with me and Sydney was the club’s desire to bring in the right cultural fits and build on what they established over the past few seasons under Guy,” said Cann, who also represented Australia at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010.
“I believe my leadership style, both on and off the court, aligns with that, and I feel that can have a positive impact on the team.
“As well as that, Guy knows the way I approach the game as a floor general, by trying to create advantages for my teammates, putting them in the best position to succeed on offence.
“Then on defence, I’ll be getting after it up the floor, bringing energy and being as much of a tone-setter as I can.”
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That sentiment is echoed by coach Molloy, who believes Cann’s skillset will be valuable to his Hoops Capital outfit.
“Mikhaela is a really important signing for us for multiple reasons, most notably, helping take our culture to another level,” said Molloy, who has always admired Cann’s approach to the game.
“To have a player like Mikhaela that exemplifies being a great teammate, while being pass-first and willing to work hard every time she steps on the court, is really exciting for our club.
“Her assist numbers in the NBL1 North are off the charts, and I know she’s going to make everyone around her better.
“Everyone you speak to loves playing with her, and I know all the Flames fans are going to do the same.”
Stay up to date with all the Hoops Capital club’s off-season news here.