AFTER earning her chance as a in the 2023 WNBA Draft, Los Angeles Sparks talent Shaneice Swain has opted to sign with the Sydney Flames in the upcoming WNBL24 season. The former Canberra Capitals guard averaged 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 steals last season, shooting at a 40.2 per cent clip from the field.

The teenager – who turns 20 in October – crossed from the nation’s capital to the Harbour City on a three-year deal with the third being a mutual option.

“I’m super excited to join a club like the Flames,” Swain said.

“Whenever I was around the club last season, the vibes just seemed great and something that clicked with me, not to mention all the staff were all nice and really welcoming. 

“It was a club that ticked a lot of boxes for me, so I wanted to be a part of that. 

“So when the opportunity to join a club, that has an environment which promotes the growth of both women’s and men’s basketball, presented itself, I jumped at it.”

The Indigenous backcourt shooter is originally from Cairns and impressed coming through the North Queensland pathways. After donning the green and gold for the Under 19s at the World Championships – where Australia won the silver medal – she was also selected to represent the World Team at the annual Hoops Summit in Portland, Oregon.

Swain said she is looking forward to playing alongside idol Cayla George at the Flames, which was another reason to opt to go to the club.

“I’m confident I can bring athleticism to our group, while also getting up and in on defence and being a slasher on offence,” she said.

“Being disruptive on defence is an aspect I pride myself on and feel suits the system that we want to play.“

Swain is the sixth player to sign for the Flames ahead of the WNBL24 season, with George, Lauren Nicholson and Tess Madgen a top-end Opals trio, while Emma Clarke and Kiera Rowe round out the current team list.

Flames president Victoria Denholm said she was excited for the season ahead, particularly with what Swain could offer to the team.

“Shaneice is one of Australia’s most exciting new talents and we’re excited to see her game thrive in Sydney,” she said.

“We have confidence in our program continuing to develop her game and help her make a highly competitive WNBA roster next season speaks volumes to what we’re building in Sydney.”

Denholm said the list was strong enough to compete for a championship in the upcoming season, but the franchise wanted to build long-term success, two objectives which Swain’s signing meets.

WNBL preseason starts on September 11, with the first round of the upcoming season tipping off on November 1, and will run through until February 25, 2024. The best of three grand final series will take place from March 10-16.