An ex-Hawkeye discovering her rhythm abroad For former Iowa women’s basketball standout Lucy Olsen, 2025 has been an incredible year that has taken her from Carver-Hawkeye Arena to the WNBA and now halfway around the globe. Olsen has quietly put together a strong and encouraging season in Australia, demonstrating once again why she’s built for the professional game, even though most of the attention has been focused on other storylines.
Olsen had a memorable final season as a college student. She soon established herself as the driving force behind Iowa under first-year head coach Jan Jensen. Olsen led the Hawkeyes in scoring at 17.9 points per game, dishing out 5.1 assists, and grabbing 3.6 rebounds every night. She was leading a team through a new era, setting the tone, and taking charge in crucial situations in addition to simply filling the stat sheet.
She was given the opportunity to advance because of her body of work. The Washington Mystics selected Olsen with the No. 23 overall pick in the third round of the 2025 WNBA Draft, capping years of development and consistency. However, the move to the professional game presented difficulties, just like for many rookies. Minutes were never guaranteed, the pace was quicker, and the margin for error was smaller.
Olsen had to exercise patience in the beginning. At first, her involvement with the Mystics was restricted, and opportunities were infrequent. However, she made the most of them when they did. As the season went on, Olsen established himself as a reliable off-bench contributor by displaying poise, basketball acumen, and a readiness to go above and beyond for the team. She averaged 4.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game by the end of her rookie season—modest stats on paper, but significant ones for a rookie gaining the highest level of trust.
Olsen decided to continue building after the WNBA season ended rather than slow down. She traveled to Australia during the offseason to play for the Women’s National Basketball League’s Townsville Fire. Staying in shape wasn’t the only reason for the move. It was about getting useful reps, honing her skills, and demonstrating that she could be a significant player in a professional setting with regular playing time.
The choice has been successful. Olsen has been a consistent and effective presence in the Fire’s first ten games, averaging 10.7 points, 3.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per contest. She has made contributions on both ends of the court, disrupting opponents and creating opportunities with her effort and instincts. In addition, Townsville has performed well as a team and is currently near the top of the standings as the season progresses.
Townsville has a history of success. One of the WNBL’s most prosperous teams, the Fire were founded in 2000 and have won four league titles in 2015, 2016, 2018, and most recently, 2023. Although entering such a setting can be challenging, it’s also the ideal setting for a player like Olsen to develop. She’s not just blending in; she’s contributing to the early success of a proven company.
Olsen’s experience transcends the numbers. Playing abroad presents daily challenges, such as embracing life away from home and acclimating to a new style of play. When she returns to the United States, this kind of development can have a big impact even though it doesn’t always appear in box scores. As she considers the next stage of her career, that development might be very important.
A number of players, including Georgia Amoore, who missed the previous season due to an ACL injury sustained during training camp, are anticipated to return to the Washington Mystics for the upcoming campaign. A healthier roster will only increase competition for playing time, which could result in Olsen’s role being diminished.
Nevertheless, her WNBL performance is bolstering her argument. Olsen is demonstrating that she can adapt, contribute, and lead wherever she plays by succeeding in Australia. She’s demonstrating that she belongs in discussions about professional basketball, whether it’s with Washington or another chance in the future. Lucy Olsen’s journey in 2025 has been anything but typical, taking her from Iowa City to Washington and now Townsville. Her steady ascent down under is another significant chapter in a career that is far from over, even though it may be taking place in silence.
