The surprise return of Australian Opals basketball star Sami Whitcomb has propelled Rockingham Flames to a first-up victory and sounded an ominous warning to the rest of the NBL1 West women’s competition.

Whitcomb scored 17 points in Thursday night’s easy win at home over South West Slammers after only formally signing a short-team deal with the Flames the day before.

Despite starting on the bench the one-time Opals captain spent more than half the game on court, gelling with new teammates includes star recruit Alex Sharp, who has crossed from Willetton Tigers.

Sharp, a two-time league MVP with Willetton coming off a breakout season in the WNBL playing for UC Capitals, led the Flames on Friday night with 21 points and 15 rebounds.

Another recruit Neseye Parker Williams, who followed former Joondalup Wolves coach Marcus Wong to the Flames this off-season, had 20 points and 13 rebounds in the 103-44 victory.

Veteran recruits Emma Gandini and Shani Amos also played significant minutes.

But it was the return of 35-year-old Whitcomb to the Flames in the lead-up to her return to the WNBA that has Perth’s basketball world talking.

She’s captained our national team and this week was named in the Opals extended squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics, alongside Sharp.

The veteran is a two-time WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm who has played through Europe and across Australia, including four seasons for the Flames from 2013 to 2016.

She led Rockingham to two titles, won two grand final MVPs and was named league MVP three times during that stretch.

Last year she suited up for two games with Willetton, dropping 31 and 35 points in a showcase of her enduring ability.

Whitcome is only in Perth for a few weeks – probably four games - before she returns to Seattle for the WBNA season, starting May.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for us to have Sami as part of our group as she prepares for her upcoming WNBA season,” Wong said this week.

“Her experience and leadership is second to none.

“Our entire group will benefit from having her around and learning from her. Not only is she an amazing basketball player but a great person too and only adds to the culture that we have been building.”

The Flames next play Mandurah Magic on Friday, April 5 in Mandurah.