BASKETBALL
WNBA
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
FULL circle moment.
Jade Melbourne has signed with the Seattle Storm for the upcoming WNBA season.
The Traralgon star was previously drafted to the Storm in 2022, and has spent the last two seasons with the Washington Mystics.
After featuring in just 29 games in her lone season in Seattle, Melbourne showed incremental improvement as a member of the Mystics with more responsibility.
She posted career highs across the board in the 2025 season – in minutes, rebounds, assists, and points – while also starting 12 games after previously never doing so.
Melbourne now returns to where it all started, with the chance to go to the next level, team-wise.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Jade back to Seattle,” Storm general manager Talisa Rhea said.
“She’s a young, dynamic playmaker with a high basketball IQ who can impact the game in multiple ways.
“Jade’s growth and experience in international competition continue to elevate her game, and we’re excited for the energy she’ll bring to our team this season.”
On the same day as the Melbourne announcement on Monday (April 13), the Storm also resigned fellow Australian Ezi Magbegor on a reported $2 million AUD supermax deal.
Magbegor and Melbourne are both bronze medallist players as a part of the Opals 2024 Olympic campaign, and will now prepare for the FIBA Women’s World Cup in September.
The 2026 WNBA season is set to begin on May 9, with Seattle taking on the Golden State Valkyries.
