The star Canberra Capitals import has taken the league by storm in her first season in Australia, and few would have expected anything less from a member of the WNBA's 2021 All-Defensive first team.

Sykes ousted Steph Talbot, Kalani Purcell, Jackie Young and Steph Reid, topping the vote count with 30 and polling in first place on eight occasions.

"Honestly, I really can't put into words what this means to me," Sykes posted on social media. "My first year in the WNBL ... I set goals for myself ... one of them, becoming DPOY of this league. I've become a better player, but an even better individual."

Sykes and Capitals teammate Kelsey Griffin are among eight nominees for the Suzy Batkovic Medal, which will be awarded to the league's most valuable player on Friday.

Rising Capitals star Jade Melbourne is nominated for the sixth woman of the year award, which will be announced on Tuesday.

Capitals players are stuck in isolation following a COVID-19 outbreak within the squad, which has thrown their semi-final series against Perth into disarray after one game.

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