The NBL1 East Defensive Player of the Year, Opals star and WNBL Champion Lauren Nicholson has re-signed with the Sutherland Sharks for the 2023 NBL1 season. 

Last season she led the Sharks to the inaugural NBL1 Est Grand Final, where they fell short to Lauren Jackson’s Albury-Wodonga Bandits.

 For the season Nicholson averaged 25 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.6 steals and was awarded the NBL1 East Defensive Player of the Year award and was a member of the NBL1 East All-Star Five. 

Nicholson has been outstanding with the Townsville Fire in the WNBL, she started the season with a 35 piece on the UC Capitals and has been integral to the Fire’s 5-2 record so far this season. 

Sharks Association Manager Adrian Dark said it is a major signing to bring back Nicholson for next season.

 “This is a huge signing for our club, Lauren is a Sharks junior and a world-class athlete and she bleeds the black and blue,” he said.

“We are so excited to have her back and I know she is going to set the NBL1 East on fire.”