Australian teenager Shaneice Swain has been drafted into the American WNBA by the Los Angeles Sparks, picked up with the 14th pick by the three-time champions.
Swain — a 19-year-old Indigenous point guard with the Canberra Capitals in the WNBL — was the second pick of the second round and described as a “phenom” by the Sparks.
The Cairns product has been tagged as a future national team player and averaged 14.5 points and two assists for the Capitals in the 2022-23 WNBL season.
Recognising her potential, the Sparks took her with their second pick in the draft, although ESPN analyst Charlie Creme suggested she likely would not be coming onto the playing roster immediately.
Regardless, her arrival elicited a response from LA Lakers’ NBA great Magic Johnson and has the Sparks ready to add some antipodean flavour to the menu at their home court.
Other Australians in the WNBA include Anneli Maley and Alanna Smith (Chicago Sky), Bec Allen (Connecticut Sun), Kristy Wallace (Indiana Fever), Cayla George (Las Vegas Aces), and Ezi Magbegor, Sami Whitcomb and Jade Melbourne (Seattle Storm).
Opals coach Sandy Brondello is also the head coach of the New York Liberty.
Loading