SEATTLE – Every year, Jade Melbourne and her two younger sisters awaited their highly anticipated Christmas presents from their grandmother. At five years old, Melbourne was gifted the best present yet; a basketball hoop.

She didn’t simply take a liking to the gift. She became obsessed.

What began as dribbling around and shooting hoops in the backyard turned into appearances in one basketball league after another, constantly growing her game.

“All that I wanted to do was play ‘real basketball,’ ” Melbourne said. “I started from there and progressed upwards.”

The rookie started off playing in the Knox City Cougars Basketball Club where her love for the game blossomed. Most recently, she led the charge for the WNBL’s Canberra Capitals, starting in all 17 games of the 2022-23 season. The Aussie averaged 13 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.

Melbourne, who was selected in the third round of the 2022 WNBA Draft by Seattle, opted to stay in Australia one more season before trying her hand in the WNBA this year. Since making the squad out of training camp, Melbourne has averaged 3.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game—her assists per game ranking eighth among fellow rookies in the league.

“The transition’s been really good, I’m still learning every day,” Melbourne said. “I’ve got great teammates, coaches around me that have supported me through that transition. It’s a lot of learning on your own as well.”

Support from fellow Aussies

For Melbourne, the transition isn’t simply adjusting to the speed of a top-notch league. Melbourne had to adapt to all that accompanies living 8,000 plus miles away from home.

Luckily, Seattle’s no stranger to players native to the land down under. Melbourne was welcomed by fellow Aussies, Ezi Magbegor and Sami Whitcomb.

The two have taken Melbourne under their wings, showing her the ropes in Seattle.

“I always loved Sami’s game particularly as a guard,” Melbourne said. “She’s been amazing in helping me out. Having someone like her who I’ve known and had a relationship with prior to coming here was so helpful and comforting for me. For Ezi, I can bounce anything off her. It was only three years ago that she was figuring out how to get a U.S. phone number and set up a bank account, so she’s been super helpful with all the questions that I have.”

Youngest player in the WNBA

The sky’s the limit for Melbourne, the youngest player in the league this season. She continues to make strides in her rookie year, learning from stellar teammates and greats across the league.

“It is pretty cool to be here essentially before those kids can graduate from college,” Melbourne said. “It’s really helped my development fast rack. I’m playing against the best players every day and learning from elite coaches. Everyone has guided me in the right direction and it’s only going to do wonders for the years to come.”

“She’s taken this journey very positively and her growth mindset has been amazing,” Head coach Noelle Quinn said. “She’s obviously gotten into some games and given us some big minutes and she’s able to watch and learn in a major way. She’s going to continue to make strides in her work and her play in games but for a 20-year-old stepping into a role of point guard on a young team, I think she’s done an amazing job.”

Support System

Melbourne’s family will visit in the middle of August for her 21^st birthday. The rookie is eager to show her family how it’s done in Seattle.

“I definitely wouldn’t be here without my mom and dad,” Melbourne said. “Looking back at it, the sacrifices even my sisters had to make, and without the support from them, I wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in. I’m excited to show them Seattle and for them to see me living out my dreams.”

What’s next?

With the second half of the season shaping out, the rookie is prepared to take on whatever comes her way.

“I just want to be a consistent and reliable player in the league,” Melbourne said. “As I am young, that consistency can waiver here and there because I am still adapting and getting used to things. My goal is that when my name’s called, the coaches know that I’m going to bring my full potential to the court.”

Shooting hoops on her four-foot basket in the backyard turned into draining buckets on a ten-foot-tall hoop in front of thousands of fans.

“I still have to pinch myself a little bit and remember that I’m here and not courtside at a game anymore,” Melbourne said.