28
Feb
Player Profile
Aussies in the WNBA: Shaniece Swain
Shaneice Swain of the Flames warms up before the round 15 WNBL match between UC Capitals v Sydney Flames at AIS Arena on February 9, 2025 in Canberra. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Australian Shaneice Swain makes history as rising star guard with WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks
- First Australian player drafted in the 2023 WNBA Draft (14th overall pick)
- NBL1 South Youth Player of the Year (2024)
- Silver medallist with Australia at the 2019 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup
Shaneice Swain is a dynamic guard whose elite defensive skills and three-point shooting has made her one of Australia's most promising basketball exports.
Name: Shaneice Swain
Age: 21
Team(s): Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), Sydney Flames (WNBL)
Position: Guard
Size: 175 cm
Playing Style
Shaneice Swain has quickly developed a reputation as a versatile guard who excels on both ends of the court. Her game combines exceptional on-ball defence with efficient scoring ability, making her a dual threat that coaches value highly. What sets Swain apart is her instinctive feel for creating steals, consistently ranking among the WNBL's best in this category. Her defensive anticipation allows her to disrupt passing lanes and generate transition opportunities.
On offence, Swain has steadily improved her outside shooting, demonstrating a reliable three-point stroke that keeps defenders honest. Her solid 36.2% three-point shooting percentage during the 2023 WNBL season showcases this development. Swain's coach at Geelong United, Jamie Petty, specifically highlighted her "passing, scoring, and on-ball defence" as standout elements of her game, confirming her well-rounded skill set that translates well to the professional level.
Career
Shaneice Swain's basketball journey began in North Queensland, where she honed her skills playing against her brothers and father in their backyard. Her formal career started with the Cairns Dolphins and Mackay Meteorettes in Australia's NBL1 North league, where she began to showcase the talents that would eventually catch the attention of WNBA scouts.
Swain's WNBL career began with the University of Canberra Capitals from 2021 to 2022, where she quickly established herself as a rising star. The 2023 season proved to be her breakout campaign, with Swain starting 13 games and posting impressive averages of 14.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. Her stellar performance earned her recognition as "Captain on the Rise" at a Capitals awards ceremony, highlighting her emergence as one of the league's most promising young talents.
The 2023 WNBA Draft marked a historic moment for Swain and Australian basketball, as she became the only Australian selected that year when the Los Angeles Sparks chose her with the 14th overall pick in the second round. Unfortunately, an injury sidelined her for most of the 2023 season, delaying her WNBA debut. After not playing in the WNBA in 2024, Swain signed with the Los Angeles Sparks on February 5, 2025, setting the stage for her long-awaited debut.
While preparing for her WNBA opportunity, Swain continued to develop her game in Australia, joining the Sydney Flames for the 2024 WNBL season. She also transferred to Geelong United of the NBL1 South league for the 2024 season, where she captured the NBL1 South Youth Player of the Year award, confirming her status as one of Australia's most talented young players.
Five Fast Facts
- Swain is First Nations of Goreng Goreng, Yupanguthi, and Gangalidda descent, proudly representing her cultural heritage.
- She began playing basketball at just five years old, often staying out late playing with her brothers and father in her backyard.
- Swain attended Cairns State High School, where she developed her basketball skills before entering professional leagues.
- During the 2022-23 WNBL season, she ranked fourth in the league for steals per game and was in the top 15 for three-pointers.
- She captured a silver medal with Australia at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup, demonstrating her international-level talent from a young age.
Career Highlights Timeline
2019: Won silver medal with Australia at the FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Thailand.
2021: Began professional career with the University of Canberra Capitals in the WNBL.
2022: Played for the Mackay Meteorettes in the NBL1 North league.
2023: Selected 14th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA Draft, becoming the only Australian drafted that year.
2023: Received "Captain on the Rise" recognition at Capitals awards ceremony after posting 261 points, 37 assists, and 35 steals.
2024: Joined the Sydney Flames in the WNBL and captured the NBL1 South Youth Player of the Year award with Geelong United.
2025: Signed with the Los Angeles Sparks in February, setting up her official WNBA debut.
At just 21 years old, Shaneice Swain represents the bright future of Australian women's basketball on the international stage. Her journey from playing in her Cairns backyard to signing with the Los Angeles Sparks showcases both her exceptional talent and determined work ethic. As one of Australia's most promising basketball exports, Swain's combination of defensive prowess, scoring ability, and basketball IQ gives her all the tools needed to succeed at the WNBA level.
As Swain prepares to make her mark in the world's premier women's basketball league, she carries with her the hopes of a nation and the legacy of Australian basketball pioneers who came before her. Her story isn't just about individual achievement but represents the continued growth and global respect for Australian basketball talent. With her prime years still ahead, Shaneice Swain's basketball journey is only just beginning, and basketball fans worldwide should be excited to watch it unfold.
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