There is no question that the life of an athlete can be quite tricky. Especially, when they have to move from one location to another and adapt their entire family to the new environment as well. However, despite having played in Europe, Australia, and in USA’s New York and now Seattle, Samantha Whitcomb (Sami) has been acing it. Still, it is not just her. She has the support of her wife — Kate Malpass — who has been standing tall with Sami. Not just that, she too has been defying the odds since birth.

Now as Samantha Whitcomb, an American, represents Opals in the 2024 Olympics, here’s a little about the WNBA star’s wife and son who have eased the journey.

Kate Malpass’ destiny and basketball links

The now 35-year-old Kate Malpass was born in Perth, Australia. She belongs to the indigenous and proud tribe of Australians called Noongar. Malpass has been the positive energy in Samantha Whitcomb’s life since they met. However, long before that, she was the same for herself. As a child, the doctors told her that she would never have full strength in one of her arms. Proving them wrong, the young girl with the motivation behind her, played and excelled at multiple sports throughout her school career.

Continuing her ability to prove people wrong, she became part of the U16 National Championship. Then, she was merely 13 years old. As a 21-year-old, she led her local Willetton Tigers to a women’s SBL championship as a captain. As for the WNBL, the 2-year veteran was trying to bring the Perth Lynx to a win as well. Malpass became an up-and-coming star as one of the most improved players in Australia’s professional women’s basketball league. She averaged 14.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Talking about her improved skills, she told The West Australian’s Shaye Hope, “I worked really hard in the off-season with our strength and conditioning coach, so I was in the gym quite a bit lifting weights. I also did a lot of on-court sessions with some coaches in terms of skill work and shooting.”

Kate Malpass is now a former WNBL player and 5x State Basketball League champion. Still, she has a lot more to achieve outside the basketball world.

Looking at the off-court duties of Samantha Whitcomb’s wife

Outside of the lines as well, Malpass ensured that she had a career that did not limit her to the court. Living in Melbourne, she completed a degree in physiotherapy. She became the first Noongar aboriginal Australian to work with the Richmond Football Club. She was also active in the Role Models WA. Being the role model that she is, Malpass is also a mentor at the David Wirrpanda Foundation.

She told Hope, “I believe in using your elite athlete status in motivating young kids to realise that they can come out and do something with their lives. Especially with indigenous kids, plays a big role in giving them the confidence to make their own decisions in life, which is really important.”

Apart from these, she is also involved in helping young girls with her connections at the Deadly Sista Girlz Program. Although she no longer lives in Australia anymore, she must be actively included in motivating the young generation as she continues her life as a wife of a professional athlete and a mother to a young one.

The happily ever after of Samantha Whitcomb and her family

Interestingly, while Sami represents Australia in International waters, she is a born American. Born on July 20, 1988, to Jan and Sander Whitcomb in Ventura, California, Samantha Whitcomb was originally a soccer enthusiast. However, with her parents divorcing, the young girl wanted to connect with her father. Basketball was one of the best ways she found. Her father later became her YMCA coach and their bond strengthened over time.

Sami always wished to be a part of the WNBA family, but shattered when she went undrafted in 2010. Nevertheless, she chose to play in Switzerland, Germany, and ultimately Australia. In 2014, Malpass and Whitcomb’s paths crossed as teammates in the Lynx. They eventually got closer and fell in love. In 2017, Seattle Storm drafted the WNBL’s free agent with whom Sami still plays. Meanwhile, back in Australia, Whitcomb earned citizenship.

In 2020, the couple welcomed their firstborn son Nash. Talking about the road that led her here, Sami couldn’t help but get emotional. “We got engaged overseas. We got married overseas. Kate got pregnant here, but we did a lot of the planning overseas. There have been championships, we turned 30 overseas and we wanted to come back and have one big party to celebrate him,” Samantha Whitcomb told Craig O’Donoghue.

Now, Nash is four years old. Kate and Whitcomb welcomed their second son, Reef Augie Whitcomb, in 2023. Sami has found a home in the Seattle Storm. After grabbing an early practice session, she ensures some family time. By 3 in the evening, she is sitting with Malpass and her young son, eating lunch and talking about the day. Certainly, a fairytale ending for the two.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.