28
Oct
4 min read
Aussies in the WNBA: Jade Melbourne
Jade Melbourne of the UC Capitals poses for a photo during the WNBL 24/25 Season Launch in Foot Locker's newly reimagined concept store at Melbourne Central on October 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
Jade Melbourne plays for the Washington Mystics in the WNBA
- First Australian to be drafted by the Seattle Storm in WNBA history
- Youngest player on a WNBA roster for the 2023 season
- Bronze medal winner with Australia at the 2021 FIBA Women's Asia Cup
Jade Melbourne is a rising star in Australian women's basketball, making waves both in Australia's WNBL and the WNBA with her dynamic guard play and leadership potential.
Key Details
Name: Jade Melbourne
Age: 22
Team(s): Washington Mystics (WNBA), UC Capitals (WNBL)
Position: Guard
Size: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight: 65.8 kg (145 lb)
Playing Style
Jade Melbourne embodies the modern guard archetype, blending speed, agility, and basketball IQ to impact the game on both ends of the court. Her quickness allows her to penetrate defences and create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Melbourne's court vision is exceptional for her age, often finding passing lanes that other guards don't see.
Defensively, Melbourne's lateral quickness and anticipation make her a disruptive force on the perimeter. She has a knows how to get into passing lanes to generate steals, which often lead to fast-break opportunities. Her relentless energy and competitive spirit make her a constant threat, even when her shot isn't falling.
Career
Melbourne's professional career began in 2021 with the UC Capitals in the WNBL, where she quickly established herself as one of the league's most promising young talents. Her performances in Australia's top domestic league caught the attention of WNBA scouts, leading to her selection by the Seattle Storm in the third round of the 2022 WNBA Draft.
In a strategic move, Melbourne and the Storm agreed that she would remain in Australia for the 2022 season to continue her development in the WNBL. This decision allowed her to refine her skills and gain more experience as a primary ball-handler before making the leap to the WNBA.
Melbourne's WNBA debut came in 2023 with the Seattle Storm, where she made history as the youngest player in the league that season. Her rookie campaign was marked by flashes of brilliance, showcasing her potential to become a key player in the world's premier women's basketball league.
Internationally, Melbourne has already made her mark with the Australian Opals. Her participation in the 2021 FIBA Women's Asia Cup, where Australia secured a bronze medal, was a significant milestone in her young career. This experience at the senior international level has undoubtedly contributed to her rapid development and maturity on the court.
Melbourne was the starting point guard for the Australian Opals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. She was pivotal in the Opals securing bronze.
In a surprising move, Melbourne was traded to the Washington Mystics in May 2024, signalling the start of a new chapter in her WNBA journey. This trade demonstrates the high value placed on Melbourne's potential, with the Mystics likely viewing her as a cornerstone for their future backcourt.
Five Fast Facts
- Melbourne was the first Australian ever drafted by the Seattle Storm.
- She made her professional debut in the WNBL at just 18 years old.
- Melbourne was the youngest player in the WNBA during the 2023 season.
- She won a bronze medal with the Australian Opals at the 2021 FIBA Women's Asia Cup.
- Melbourne was traded to the Washington Mystics in 2024, just her second year in the WNBA.
Career Highlights Timeline
2021: Debuts for UC Capitals in WNBL
2021: Wins bronze medal with Australian Opals at FIBA Women's Asia Cup
2022: Drafted 33rd overall by Seattle Storm in WNBA Draft
2023: Makes WNBA debut with Seattle Storm as league's youngest player
2024: Traded to Washington Mystics
2024: Wins Olympic bronze medal with Australian Opals in Paris
Jade Melbourne's rapid ascent in professional basketball is a testament to her exceptional talent and work ethic. From her early success in the WNBL to becoming the youngest player in the WNBA and representing Australia on the international stage, Melbourne has consistently proven herself as a player to watch.
As she continues to develop her game with the Washington Mystics and the UC Capitals, Melbourne stands poised to become one of the faces of Australian basketball. Her journey from East Melbourne to the world stage is not just a personal triumph but an inspiration for young basketball players across Australia and beyond. With her best years still ahead of her, Jade Melbourne's future in basketball looks exceptionally bright.
