Indigenous teenager Shaneice Swain has booked her ticket to professional basketball in the United States after being taken with the 14th-overall pick in the WNBA draft on Tuesday.
Swain was the only Australian drafted on Monday evening, American time.
The 19-year-old Yupangathi and Gangalidda/Gooreng Gooreng woman starred for the World Team at the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland, Oregon at the weekend, a crucial scouting opportunity ahead of the draft.
Basketball draft writer Mark Schindler tweeted "every scout I talked to in Portland this week "'Shaneice Swain is the best prospect on the World team, hands down'".
Back at home, Swain enjoyed 14.5 points, 3 rebounds and two assists on average per game with the University of Canberra Capitals in the 2022-23 WNBL season.
On return to the NBL1 with the Cairns Dolphins on March 26, she scored 27 points against reigning champions the Townsville Flames before heading to the US.
She'll soon arrive at three-time WNBA Champions the Los Angeles Sparks who described their new recruit as a "phenom".
Welcome to the Sparks! ⚡️
19-year-old phenom @SwainShaneice is selected in Round 2.#LetsGoSparks #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/PhM5zgskqt
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) April 11, 2023
LA Lakers icon Magic Johnson also welcomed the young star to southern California.
Welcome to the @LASparks Shaneice Swain!!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 11, 2023
Touted as a future player in Australia's national side, her career with the Sparks will give Swain exposure to the highest level on the court, and time playing in front of current Opals coach Sandy Brondello, head coach of WNBA side New York Liberty.
It's expected that Swain will have plenty of work ahead to carve out a spot in her new side's starting lineup.
The WNBA season begins on May 19.
