Maia Wilson spent nine seasons at the Stars. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Mystics have added 52-test cap Silver Fern Maia Wilson to their shooting end, after nine seasons with cross-town rivals the Stars.
They have also given Sophia Lafaiali'i her first full ANZ Premiership contract. The 20-year-old impressed when she stepped into goal shoot when Australian import shooter Donnell Wallam was injured for a handful of games this year.
And Mystics stalwart Filda Vui, who was recently added to the Silver Ferns squad, has re-signed. Vui scored the most two-point shots of any shooter in the 2025 season and is an integral cog in the Mystics line-up.
Fringe Australian Diamonds shooter Wallam was lured back to the Australian league after just one season in the ANZ Premiership.
The Mystics would have been keen to hold on to Lafaiali'i, who showed so much poise in the handful of games she played in 2025.
But Wilson adds experience, having spent several seasons as captain of the Stars, and can cover both shooting positions.
Wilson made herself unavailable for the recent Silver Ferns squad selection.
In a social media post, the franchise said Wilson brought "immense value on and off the court with her leadership, knowledge, and presence in the shooting circle."
Meanwhile, the Stars shooting end will look completely different next year, with no Wilson, the retirement of Monica Falkner, and Australian import Charlie Bell won't be returning.
Last week, the Stars announced that Silver Ferns shooter Amelia Walmsley was heading to the franchise after four seasons with the Pulse.
The Stars may well be targeting up-and-coming shooter Martina Salmon to join Walmsley in the circle. The Tactix have announced Salmon is leaving the franchise after just one season.
Steel re-signings
Georgia Heffernan Photo: Aaron Gillions/Photosport
The Southern Steel have re-signed shooter Georgia Heffernan for the 2026 ANZ Premiership.
Heffernan has been part of the Steel for many seasons and was recently promoted to the Silver Ferns squad.
The Steel have also locked in young defender Khanye'-Lii Munro-Nonoa for 2026. Munro-Nonoa, who was recently named vice-captain of the New Zealand under-21 team, grabbed the opportunity with both hands when she stepped in as an injury replacement at the Steel early this season.
The Steel have also held onto Silver Ferns squad members Kimiora Poi and Carys Stythe and could end up having the least amount of roster changes of any of the teams going into the 2026 season.
That's in stark contrast to the Pulse, who have lost five players, and the Tactix, who have lost a whopping seven, mostly to rival clubs here and overseas.
The Steel have not come out completely unscathed by the recent change in eligibility rules, which has seen eight players sign up to the Australian league.
They will dearly miss midcourter Kate Heffernan, who will play for the Adelaide Thunderbirds next year, but holding onto Poi gives them a strong backbone in the midcourt.
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