Swain’s strong journey continues with WNBA selection
AFTER producing telling performances on Australian shores to begin her basketball journey, Shaneice Swain has reached the pinnacle, being selected in the second round of the WNBA Draft earlier today.
At 19 years of age, Swain has enjoyed a rapid rise to stardom thanks to some excellent play in Australian leagues over the past few years.
She was selected with the 14th overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks, a team with a strong history of winning. Swain will add more talent to the team’s guard position and will look to see some playing time as early as possible.
Swain has been suiting up for the UC Capitals in the WNBL in Australia recently, and just enjoyed a strong individual campaign at that level. Although the Capitals could not get many runs on the board, it allowed Swain to shine.
She posted numbers of 14.5 points and two assists per game for the Capitals, and her strong campaign at WNBL level would have almost certainly played a big role in her selection in the best league in the world.
Swain has also been competing in the NBL1 North Women’s in 2023, having joined the Cairns Dolphins. Although she has managed just one game for the season, the 19-year-old was still a standout. Against the Flames, Swain delivered an impressive statline of 27 points (57 per cent from the field), four rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
Swain has been touted as a future Opal, and looks set to play an important role in the future of Australian Women’s Basketball. Spending time around some of the world’s best will help further her development.
Although she may not join the team’s playing group straight away, Swain has still caught the eye of the Sparks scouting staff. A similar scenario played out in the NBL, with Luke Travers allowed to remain in Australia to continue to develop his game after being selected in the NBA Draft with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Swain joins an elite group of Australian basketball players to be selected at either NBA or WNBA level, and is a perfect example of the upwards trajectory surrounding the game in the land down under. Swain has emerged as one of the best young prospects in Australian basketball, and a selection at the top level has justified those claims, shooting her to stardom and taking her journey to the next level.
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