For Phoenix Mercury guard and VIS Mentor Sami Whitcomb, leadership means more than a title. Before she became a WNBA champion or captain of the Australian National Team, she learned to become a leader in her own way.

After her college career at Washington, Whitcomb went undrafted and spent seven years overseas working toward her goal of making it to the WNBA. The unconventional route of her career shaped how she approaches her contributions on the court.

During a VIS Studio Live session on July 23 ahead of All-Star Weekend, Whitcomb discussed the many forms leadership can take.

Be a Leader No Matter Your Role

You don’t need to play big minutes or be the captain to command respect. Whitcomb’s work ethic allows her to lead by example.

“I've never been the best player usually,” Whitcomb said. “So for me, it was about how can I add value still, whether it's from the bench or on the court, just being a really, really hard worker [and] high-energy player.”

Even though she isn’t the most vocal leader, others admire how hard she works, she noted. By focusing on her energy and effort, she is still able to make an impact for her team—even when she is coming in off the bench.

When Whitcomb was in high school, she came off the bench as a freshman, but she focused on being the best teammate she could be.

“Ultimately it's not about us or you as an individual, it's about the group,” Whitcomb said.

“I've never been the best player usually. So for me, it was about how can I add value still, whether it's from the bench or on the court, just being a really, really hard worker [and] high-energy player.”

VIS Mentor Sami Whitcomb

Find Lessons in Everything

One of the most transformational moments of Whitcomb’s career came in a moment of disappointment when she was not selected for the Australian National Team to compete in the Tokyo Olympics.

Rather than wallow, she asked herself what lesson she could take from the experience and how she could use it to get better.

Whitcomb went back to the drawing board and went overseas, primarily to European leagues, to develop her skills as a point guard as well as a shooting guard. Despite facing learning curves, she worked hard to become a more versatile player which helped her make her WNBA debut in 2017 and become a starting point guard at the World Cup in 2022 and the Olympics in 2024.

Lead Through Compassion

For Whitcomb, the little things also make a big difference. She encourages others to show compassion for their teammates because you never know what someone is going through.

“It's just going up to somebody and asking them how they're doing that day, remembering that we're all humans before athletes, and we're all going through different things,” Whitcomb said.

Those conversations allow teammates to build real connections.

Learn Your Leadership Style

Whitcomb’s leadership style evolved through the years as she gained more experience and confidence. But while she learned to use her voice, her go-to is still leading by example.

One of her essential pieces of advice for young athletes is to remain authentic. You can be a strong leader without trying to be exactly like your favorite athlete. Be yourself first, and your leadership style will find you.