Beyond the Game with WNBA Player Rebecca Allen

For Rebecca Allen, who goes by Bec, style has always felt like less of a statement and more about feeling comfortable in her own skin. The Australian guard has spent 11 seasons in the WNBA, including her first seven with the New York Liberty, establishing herself as the kind of player every team needs—a versatile defender, reliable three-point shooter and veteran who can consistently show up when the stakes are high. This season also marks a poignant and full-circle moment for the beloved star: Allen just announced that 2026 will be her last WNBA season, closing out her career with the franchise where it all began. Still, it’s how she shows up off the court that also caught our eye. We chatted with Allen, who was fresh out of a practice session at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, about the beauty, fashion and wellness rituals that power her day.

Keeping up appearances certainly isn’t a prerequisite to her athletic career. But for Allen, style and wellness—whether it’s prepping for an iconic tunnel walk at the Barclays Center on game day or doing her hair—is something she’s personally very passionate about. “I’m a believer in the ‘look good, feel good, play good’ mentality,” she says. “That [mindset] has been a part of my life since I was younger.” When it comes to zeroing in on pre- and post-game beauty and fashion rituals for herself, Allen is careful to never be too precious about it. “We travel so much, nothing is ever the same,” she explains. “I try to be as casual and relaxed about that stuff as possible. Still, there are so many cameras on us now. You do put a little bit of makeup on, mostly because it helps you feel ready. It’s a lot like having armor—you want to go out feeling confident.”

On the Wellness Staples That Power Her Day

While Allen isn’t all that into rituals, she does know herself, which has yielded a few daily routines that help set her up for success. “I’m becoming a napper as I’ve gotten older, sadly,” she laughs. “I never used to need one!” She’s also adamant that she reserves a full hour to quietly get ready on game day. “I don’t like feeling rushed,” she says. “That’s my big thing—I have to do it all at my own pace.”

There are also a couple of wellness staples she relies on. “After we do our shoot-around [practice], I love to go get a matcha,” Allen says. “There’s not too much caffeine in it, which I think is the reason I like it.” Bone broth is another thing she’s gotten really into over the last couple of years. “I found an Australian-based brand called Best of the Bone, and I get that shipped over here. It’s pure bone broth—no vegetables or anything else in it,” Allen explains. “I think gut health is so important. It helps with your skin, it helps with everything. So every morning, I stir it into a warm cup of water and chug it.”

It’s a core part of game night for the New York Liberty: the arrivals at Barclays Center, where members of the team show up ready to strut their stuff before changing into their uniforms and warming up on the court. Allen is an active and joyful participant. “I’m a proud Australian, and I love wearing Australian brands,” she says. “It’s been a really big thing for me to go in wearing as many brands that I can from my home.” (Ena Pelly is currently one of her faves.) As for her sartorial mindset? Allen prioritizes comfort above all else. “I try to make sure that what I’m wearing is really what I’d wear in normal life, too. That means there’s nothing that feels costume-y. The tunnel fits have actually helped me figure out my personal style. I get dressed up, I put a little bit more effort in, I lean into the Australian side of things. But the upshot is that I’m not thinking about, ‘OK, you gotta make that shot’ as I go into game night.”

On Her Favorite Way to Decompress

As the playoffs approach—but also anytime Allen steps out onto the court—the stakes are high. Her favorite way to take the edge off after the final buzzer is surprising: She rallies her friends and goes out. “I need something social,” she says. “It’s healthy for me because, otherwise, you start to ponder the game a lot and I think you can get quite tense. I really enjoy being able to gather my teammates or friends in the city and go out to dinner. It’s my moment to wind down.” Allen also notes the mental health benefits. “Games have their ups and downs, personally, but also collectively. So it’s actually nice to put it to the side for a second and disconnect, even temporarily, because it gives you a better perspective. If it’s basketball all the time, that’s not so good for me. Friendships matter, and I need to have my outlets. I think that’s key for everyone.”

It’s official: Allen is retiring from the WNBA this year. But that’s why it was all the more meaningful for her to return to the Liberty—and New York City—this year. “I was here for seven years prior, so it becomes like home,” she reflects. “I was so nostalgic coming back, even just being able to do the same sort of walk to go get a coffee.” Allen also loves the energy of the city. “It’s a melting pot of culture. You have literally everything—any cuisine you want to eat, so much fashion and, really, so much choice.” And to close out her career here? “It’s the right moment, and the ability to make it this full circle thing is going to help me have a level of peace. I think that’s something you’re always seeking when you close any chapter and feel ready for the next stage.”