Player Spotlight: Sam Ashby

Sam Ashby is one of GB Basketball’s premier young talents. A lights-out three-point shooter and tenacious rebounder for her position, she has quickly established herself as an essential piece in Great Britain's team rotation.

Her ability is undeniable. But it's her hard-nosed, relentless attitude that has seen Ashby rise to the top of the sport. This character is rooted in her unusual path, in which she developed her winning mentality.

“Basketball actually wasn’t even a sport that I chose to play,” Ashby told GB Basketball.

“I used to live in Singapore, and then one of my parents’ friends rocked up at my house and said, ‘You’re coming to training today’. I went and picked it up really fast and fell in love with it from the first day.

“Ever since I’ve been playing basketball. We moved to Australia, and I tried out for one of the higher teams there and got in. Once I started representing my state back home, I realised college was a realistic opportunity.

Sam played three years at Newman College in Perth, Australia, where she won three Associated and Catholic Colleges titles. Ashby was honoured with the Association’s Most Valuable Player award in 2017, following up this achievement by leading Newman to the Marist Grand Final in Sydney. She left Newman as the programme’s record free throw shooter, second in all-time scoring, and third in made three-pointers. A true bucket-getter.

From there, Ashby made the transition to American college ball, joining the University of the Pacific Tigers in 2019.

Ashby floating up a layup for the Tigers

Over her four-year stint in California, she developed into an elite long-ball specialist, forcing her way to a starting spot and earning multiple NCAA West Coast Conference All-Academic Honourable Mentions.

“College was definitely where I learned that hard work beats all.

“In my freshman year, I barely played, but I definitely put in the most hours out of any of my teammates, and I think that converted through becoming a starter in my sophomore year and then playing a key role from there.”

Ashby arrived back in the UK in 2023 when she signed for the Leicester Riders. With the lessons of college under her and an attitude of toughness that underpinned her game, she hit the SLB by storm.

In her rookie season, she was named to the 2024 British Team of the Year, averaging the second-most points per game on the team with 13.6 and leading her side with 1.8 steals per game.

Ashby moved to the Oaklands Wolves for her second season in the SLB, and, unsurprisingly, more success followed. She had another standout year, averaging 15 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and two steals per game in the regular season.

Sam capped off a statistical masterclass of a campaign, winning the Finals MVP in Oaklands’s SLB Cup Final triumph.

SLB Cup Finals MVP

When discussing her early achievements, Ashby highlighted how the physicality of college ball prepared her for life in the pros.

“College basketball is a little bit rougher compared to what the British league allows, and I think it’s a bit more structured, whereas I’d say the UK league is more free flowing.

On winning the finals MVP, Ashby said, “It was an out-of-body experience because that was something I didn't even aspire to get this season.

“I was desperate to win the finals, but I didn’t come into the team thinking that I was going to win MVP.

“Being able to develop such a key role in the team was such a personal achievement for me, especially considering the amazing team that we have, with each individual player being as good as they all are.

“I really had to make sure I reflected on that moment because it just didn’t feel real.”

Ashby first represented GB in 2023 when she returned to the country, and is now an indispensable member of the squad. Her shooting and ability to force turnovers played a key role in GB's efforts at EuroBasket 2025 this summer.

Ashby fires for three against Sweden at EuroBasket 2025

Reflecting on how her international career began, Ashby said, “When I was first called up, it was a shock that it happened so soon.

“Coming into the [Leicester] Riders, it was my goal to be recognised by GB and get called up, but I ended up getting called up before the season even started. That was really nice to show early on that they recognised me as a player in the league.

“In the first game, I was so nervous. There was a pretty decent crowd, and I didn’t know the team super well. I just felt I had to prove myself and show that I deserved to be there.

“I’ve been trying to focus on the things I can control. In basketball, there are a lot of things you will never be able to control and will never go your way, but being able to focus on the small things you can control is what is actually going to be what gets the team to the top moment.”

Ashby played a significant role at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 this summer, scoring 11.3 points, grabbing 3.7 rebounds, and dishing out two assists to her teammates in her 19.7 minutes per game.

Although GB were ultimately unable to secure victory in any of their three group games against Spain, Sweden, and Germany, the young team made enormous strides, and the future of GB Women looks bright with rising talents like Ashby growing in confidence and experience.