Ellis living the dream and likes Eagles chances

Featured image: Jason Hill / @Pinnacle_Images

Abbey Ellis is an Asia Cup gold medallist, a WNBL championship winner and fresh off a home Australian Opals experience, she sees no reason the Diamond Valley Eagles can't go all the way in the NBL1 South using the pain from the 2025 exit to spur them on.

Ellis might still be just 25 years of age and in all likelihood having yet to reach her basketball prime, but she's crammed a lot into her basketball life already and especially the last two years since she graduated from Purdue University have been remarkable.

The crafty point guard joined Diamond Valley in 2024 following her time at college to play under Deanne Butler thinking it would give her the best chance to chase her basketball dreams.

Ellis is now in her third season with the Eagles and is playing a crucial part in them now preparing to make another playoff run but it's what she's doing beyond the NBL1 South that means she's always pinching herself with how things are going.

Since returning from Purdue she was the WNBL Breakout Player of the Year on a Townsville team that made the Grand Final, won gold with the Opals at the Asia Cup, and then was a key part of the Fire's WNBL26 championship.

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She is now having a brilliant season with Diamond Valley with 23.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists while also fresh off playing with the Opals again last week in their two home games against China.

Reflecting quickly while making sure she stays living in the moment, Ellis couldn’t be happier with how her career is tracking.

"It’s been a big crazy past two years, many surprises and learning experiences that have benefited me as a player," Ellis said.

"Coming into NBL1 two years ago, I had a goal to use the league to showcase my talent to obtain WNBL interest and hopefully a contract. Diamond Valley and Dee Butler were more than happy to have me come in halfway through a season and be myself as a player.

"This led me to a new looking Townsville team under the amazing coach Shannon Seebohm. After a big rookie season and a championship run, I was ready to come back south and learn from one of Australia's best PGs in Steph Reid.

"Her experience and talent allowed me to learn in a training environment and gameplay. A surprise call up to the Asia Cup team in China was very exciting, I was sad to leave my NBL1 team but everyone was stoked for this opportunity.

"It was great playing back with old Townsville teammates and other talented players across the league and eventually bring home the first ever Asia Cup gold."

Fresh off a home Opals experience

While Ellis enjoyed that experience to win gold with the Opals at the Asia Cup last year, getting to pull on the green and gold uniform at home in Melbourne last week was a whole different experience for her again.

To then throw in coming up against some opponents almost two-feet taller than her too and it's an experience all over she won't soon forget.

"It was very special to play on home soil in front of family and friends in Melbourne," Ellis said.

"This Opals group were super close, selfless and eager to win and make a statement that the Opals talent is deep and tough. After many coffee walks and content, all players were super locked in and were ready to play their role in this squad.

"As a younger PG soaked up as much knowledge and experience from other guards in the group, as well as experienced coaches and one of Australia’s best PGs ever in Kristy Harrower.

"Also playing against a 7’3 player was pretty cool, yet something none of us have experienced before so we had a lot of focus on how to attack and defend the tall Chinese defence which was something new and fun."

WNBL championship with Townsville

Ellis has now played two WNBL seasons with the Townsville Fire and never finished in anything less than making the Grand Final and she's become a key member of that back court led by Courtney Woods.

While Ellis enjoyed that rookie season and to be named Breakout Player of the Year, there was a feeling of unfinished business for her and the rest of the team by losing the Grand Final to the Bendigo Spirt.

So they got back to the decider again in 2026 and weren’t going to let the chance slip ending up securing the championship by beating the Perth Lynx in a remarkable 108-105 Game 2 triumph out west in overtime.

It's an experience Ellis will never forget and made all the sweeter because of the pain 12 months earlier.

"Being part of a WNBL was a very special and rewarding moment for myself and this Townsville team," Ellis said.

"We knew how much talent we had coming into this season (especially after losing last season championship) so we were ready to work and had our eyes on one thing.

"Everyone works so hard in our team every day, so it was great we got rewarded for all of those extra hours and trainings.

"Being led by Courtney Woods and Alicia Froling was really special, our captains stood up and were able to guide our young team to victory while balling out!"

Asia Cup triumph last year

Success sure has been following Ellis since she returned home to start her professional career and that included her playing a key role for the Australian team in their Asia Cup triumph in China last year.

To be part of the start of a new era in a lot of ways for her was something she'll always cherish.

"Asia Cup was one of the best highlights of my basketball career," Ellis said.

"To win the first ever was a huge moment for the Australian Opals and represented a new era of deep women’s basketball talent in our country. The team were focused on winning and knew we had all the talent to do so.

"Players locked into their role and did whatever they could to contribute to the team on and off the court. I soaked up as much experiences as i could, especially playing against many different countries."

Added motivation this NBL1 South season

As much as Ellis joined Diamond Valley back in 2024 because she felt it would be the best destination for her to continue to grow her game, she also wanted to help the Eagles build up to some team success.

That was a team that won just two games back in 2022 before taking a big leap in 2023 winning 11 games to just miss finals and after a slow start in 2024, once Ellis was on board they won five of the last seven matches.

Diamond Valley then finished seventh in 2025 but made it all the way to the preliminary final before losing to the still undefeated Geelong United and now their growth has continued in 2026.

With one game to go at home this Saturday night against the Dandenong Rangers, the Eagles are sitting in third place having won five straight.

Ellis is excited for what lies ahead over the next month – or five weeks should they reach the National Finals in Adelaide too.

"The South is super competitive this year and there is talent spread amongst every team; no game is a safe game this season!" Ellis said.

"After losing the prelim myself and other teammates were hungry to make a run this year. With Dee, returning players and new additions, we were able to cultivate a tight group of girls that bond on and off the court.

"I believe this, as well as the ability to shot make will take us even further this year."

Faith shown to run the team

Ellis continues to be thankful to coach Dee Butler for the faith she has in her to run the team at Diamond Valley as she keeps on thriving knowing that she made the right move to join the club back in 2024.

Her numbers across the board have gone through the roof now up to 23.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists along with 1.9 steals while shooting 46 per cent from the field and 36 per cent from the outside on the back of 184 attempts across 19 matches.

The bond she has with Butler is what's making her enjoy her time with Diamond Valley so much – not to mention teammates like Alex Sharp, Erin Riley, Isis Beh, Shannon Dufficy and Tayha Watkins.

"Myself and Dee have a strong relationship being with each other for three years and so she has the belief in me and my offensive abilities to play make for this team," Ellis said.

"We have a selfless team who love to move the ball which allows me to shoot threes and attack gaps in defence.

"We have shot making ability across all positions which allows me to set up many plays, targeting certain players, and put my teammates in best position to score.

"Dee is a past PG herself and I’m always learning from her, she has allowed me to make mistakes, learn and develop not only my basketball skills but my IQ and leadership on the court."

Sharing the journey with playing partner

Away from basketball and Ellis and long-term partner Ryley Haywood are sharing all the ups and downs of chasing professional basketball careers together which she is thankful for.

There are the obvious hurdles of often having plenty of distance between like this past WNBL/NBL season where Ellis was in Townsville and Haywood was at the Tasmania JackJumpers where he was able to make his NBL debut as an injury replacement player.

But right now at this time of year is when the pair truly embrace their time together playing both at the Diamond Valley Eagles.

"It’s super special to have someone with you every step of the way and can relate on a deeper level," Ellis said.

"It’s great having someone to debrief with after games and being able to be understood on from a basketball point of view. I was super excited for Ryley in his debut for Tassie JackJumpers and he has worked very hard for that opportunity.

"Obviously bittersweet being long distance and missing out on his debut and my WNBL championship however, we both are very understanding and genuinely happy for each other's success.

"Having both of us at Diamond Valley has been great after a while apart, and watching him play so well and live is very fun! It’s also very nice to have someone I can push around in workouts."