Basketball Australia guard and Storm 2022 draft pick to report to 2023 training camp
The Seattle Storm announced today point guard Jade Melbourne, Seattle’s third-round pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, has signed with the Storm and will be reporting for the 2023 season. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Jade is an exciting young talent with unlimited potential,” said Storm Head Coach Noelle Quinn. “She is an excellent passer and shot creator with defensive tenacity. We are thrilled about her future and can’t wait to see her in Seattle.”
Melbourne, who turns 21 in August, is one of the top young talents in Australia, playing 27 games for her country including six with the Opals as a 19-year-old, helping the team to a bronze medal at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup. Later that year, she helped the Australia U19 team earn silver at the FIBA U19 World Cup, averaging 12.6 points, 3.4 assists and 12.6 points per game in seven games.
“I was so honored when I was drafted by Seattle last year,” said Melbourne. “To be selected by such an awesome franchise with a very successful history was a dream come true. I’m thrilled to officially join the team and can’t wait to get over there, meet everyone and get the opportunity to represent the Storm.”
Melbourne has started all 17 games this season with the Canberra Capitals of the WNBL, averaging 13.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game in her third season playing professionally. On Saturday, she recorded just the third triple-double in the WNBL in the past 10 years with 19 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds in a tough 78-72 loss to Adelaide—accounting for 51 of the team’s 72 points. It was her third-straight game scoring 19+ points and marked her fourth points-assists double-double. Last summer, Melbourne averaged 20.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.2 steals in 19 games with the Ballarat Miners of NBL1.
Season tickets, Storm Mini Plans, and Group Experiences are available for the 2023 season. For more information, visit http://stormbasketball.com, or call 206-217-WNBA (9622).
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