Lauren Saiki continues to fly under the radar for the Newcastle Eagles despite consistently proving to be a vital cog in their offensive scheme.

Newcastle currently sit third in the regular season standings after an impressive domestic campaign – winning 12 of their 17 games.

Star-duo Tierra Hodges and Jada Guinn are rightfully being tipped as two candidates to be in contention for the regular season MVP, as the pair have averaged 19.6 and 21.1 points per game, respectively.

However, there is one star who is proving that a player can have a spectacular year, even if the box score does not represent her dominance. That player is Lauren Saiki.

Offensive maestro

When we discuss dominant players, we refer to scoring numbers and efficiency from the floor, sometimes it is easy to forget that without an orchestra, a symphony does not sound the same. Basketball is no different.

Saiki has continually dictated offensive proceedings for the Eagles this year as she averages a phenomenal 7.1 assists a game – registering a season-high tally of 16 assists in the breathtaking 106-111 defeat to the Sheffield Hatters on Sunday.

This playmaking masterpiece was far from a fluke, as the 28-year-old has recorded 10+ assists on five occasions in the 2024/25 season.

Even when the UC Irvine graduate is not chalking up assists, she possesses the rare ability to dictate the tempo of the game. As Tyneside’s primary ball handler, Saiki can go coast to coast in an instant in transition but can also slow a game down when the opposition is building up momentum. This attribute has been vital as Newcastle have cemented their place in the SLBW post-season.

Far from a one-trick pony

Newcastle’s dynamic point guard does not just contribute during offensive possessions, she has exhibited high levels of work-rate when her team does not have possession of the ball – averaging 2.8 steals per game.

Tyneside’s number 10 is heavily relied on to force her opponents to attempt tough shots and apply mass pressure on defense, coercing the other team into turning the ball over. This is a crucial step in the franchise’s ability to be so effective in transition.

Lauren Saiki will not be in the MVP conversation come the end of the season, nevertheless, the Newcastle Eagles would not be in such a promising position heading into the post-season if they were not blessed with such a multi-talented point guard.