BASKETBALL

WNBL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

JADE Melbourne will be back in regional Victoria for the upcoming WNBL season after signing with the Bendigo Spirit.

While in the midst of her second stint with WNBA franchise Seattle Storm, the Traralgon star revealed last week that she would not be returning for the University of Canberra Capitals, and instead seek a new opportunity when back on home soil.

Just a day after that announcement, Bendigo flaunted the pending addition of Melbourne on the morning of Tuesday, June 30.

The 23-year-old and former Capitals captain said that being closer to home was an important factor in reaching her decision.

“I grew up there and it’s where my basketball journey started, so to now represent the Spirit and play in front of that community is really special,” she explained.

“The vision of the club really resonated with me – being part of a team that represents all of regional Victoria and connects with so many communities is something I’m incredibly proud to be joining.”

Melbourne’s relationship with reigning WNBL MVP (Most Valuable Player) Isobel Borlase was also integral.

Melbourne and Borlase were teammates and roommates at both the bronze medal-winning Paris Olympics in 2024 and the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup, in which they took home a silver medal.

Throughout the entire course of Melbourne’s professional career, she’s been associated with the Capitals.

In her sixth and final season, she was dealing with some injury setbacks as Canberra pushed for a finals berth, which again came up short.

The Capitals only made it to the postseason once in her tenure (2022), despite being one of the most successful WNBL clubs with nine championships, including back-to-back titles just before Melbourne’s arrival.

Melbourne is recognised as one of the premier guards out of Australia, and has consistently ranked at the top of the WNBL for points and assists during her time with Canberra.

She has earned two selections to the All-WNBL Second Team and one All-WNBL First Team nod.

This individual success has come during a damper period for the Capitals, where its garnered two wooden spoons and two near finals misses.

Bendigo puts Melbourne in a position to win now, having captured the 2025 WNBL championship and played in a semi-final last season.

The recent grand final team of the Spirit featured fellow Traralgon export Asha Nightingale on its roster as a development player.

After getting a WNBL ring, Nightingale has made the move over to the states, and will soon undertake her freshman year at Davidson College (most famous alumni being NBA superstar Stephen Curry) in November.

Traralgon-born Australian Opal, Jenna O’Hea also played for Bendigo during her 18-year career, as did Mirboo North’s Belinda Snell.

Melbourne will face the music of her former side in the opening round of the season, taking on the Capitals in Canberra on October 16.