Career-best year for Melbourne in WNBA 2025

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Australian Opals point guard Jade Melbourne's second basketball season in Washington was her best of her three-year WNBA career.

The 23-year-old averaged a career-high 23.4 minutes per game off the bench for the 16-28 Mystics, eliminated early from the playoff race in 2025.

She averaged career highs in points (5.9), rebounds (1.9) and assists (2.9) but her efficiency dipped slightly from career averages — particularly in 3PT% and FT% — the step forward in assists (+45% from career) is a strong sign for the Opals and her development as a floor general.

Despite Melbourne's increase in productivity the Mystics struggled. Their offense averaged about 77.4 points per game, putting them toward the lower third of the league in scoring while on the defensive side of the ball gave almost 82 PPG. That negative net rating put them on the back foot for most of the campaign.

The Mystics lost as many as six games by five points or less.

Melbourne started 2025 buoyed by the opportunity to play alongside junior teammate Georgia Amoore but the sixth pick in the WNBA Draft torn her ACL in training camp and missed the entire season.

Melbourne returns to the WNBL and the UC Capitals in 2025-26, joined by former Phoenix Mercury forward Kadi Sissoko, Australian Opals Asia Cup gold medallist Zitina Aokuso, WNBA draftee Nyadiew Puoch and two-time WNBL champion Sara Blicavs.

🏀 Jade Melbourne — 2025 Season

• Name: Jade Melbourne
• Team: Washington Mystics
• League: WNBA
• Season (Year): 2nd WNBA Season (2025)
• Position / Jersey #: Guard / #5
• Height / Weight: 5’10” / 145 lbs (178cm / 65kg)
• Age / DOB: 23 (Aug 18, 2002)
• Nationality: Australian (Melbourne, VIC)

Season Snapshot

• Games Played: 43
• Games Started: —
• Minutes Per Game: 23.4
• Key Role: Rotation guard, secondary playmaker

Regular Season Stats (Per Game Averages — 2025)

GMS: 43 I PTS: 5.9 I REB: 1.9 I AST: 2.9 I STL: 0.6 I BLK: 0.2 I FG%: 40.0 I 3P%: 27.4 I FT%: 67.1 I Turnovers: 1.7

Career Stats (Per Game Averages)

GMS: 109 I PTS: 4.9 I REB: 1.6 I AST: 2.0 I STL: — I BLK: — I FG%: 41.1 I 3P%: 28.7 I FT%: 70.9 I Turnovers: —

Washington Mystics Performance — 2025

• Record (W-L): 16–28
• Win %: .364
• League Standing: 10th of 12
• Conference Standing: 5th in East
• Home: 10–12
• Away: 6–16
• Conference Record: 8–12
• Points For (PPG): 77.1
• Opp PPG: 81.6
• Point Differential: –4.5
• Final 10: 0–10
• Streak: Lost 10 to end season
• Playoffs: Eliminated

Player Contribution to Team Context

• Provided energy and ball distribution in a struggling Mystics side.
• Averaged nearly 3 assists per game, the best among the young guard rotation.
• Struggled with turnovers (1.7 per game), reflecting increased playmaking responsibility.
• Stepped up offensively at times, including several double-digit scoring outings.

Highlights

• Season Highs:
  • Points: 15 (June 6 @ New York; May 19 @ Connecticut)
  • Rebounds: 7 (May 22 @ Golden State)
  • Assists: 7 (May 22 @ Golden State)
• Milestone: Passed 100 career WNBA games in 2025.
• Signature Game: May 22 @ Golden State — 8 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST on 3-5 FG in narrow 76-74 loss.

Performance Trends

• Hot Stretch: May–June — multiple strong playmaking games (7 assists vs GS, 15 points vs CON).
• Cold Stretch: End of season — scoring efficiency dipped as Mystics lost 10 straight.
• Consistency: Reliable playmaker with steady minutes (23.4 MPG), but shooting remained streaky.

Impact & Role

• Offensive Role: Secondary ball-handler, transition push guard, floor connector.
• Defensive Role: Active on-ball defender, though size limited matchups.
• Team Impact: Provided valuable minutes on a rebuilding Mystics squad but couldn’t offset offensive inefficiency.

Outlook

• Future Role: Continues to project as a rotation playmaker with upside. Needs to improve perimeter shooting (27.4% from 3) and decision-making to solidify a long-term WNBA role.