Shaneice Swain, the No. 14 pick of the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, is just 21 years old but has been making a name for herself in the basketball world. She has been shining as the star player for the WNBL’s Sydney Flames, where she is the league’s second-leading scorer and shooting over 40 percent from 3-point range.
In a conversation with Swish Appeal, Swain discussed what being Indigenous Australian means to her, the basketball youth system in Australia, how she was scouted by the Sparks, and her evolution from a natural scorer to a versatile player. Here are some highlights from the discussion:
On the significance of the WNBL’s Indigenous Round:
During the Indigenous Round, I wore a jersey that told a story and had custom-made shoes that represented my family. It was important for me to honor my great grandmothers and showcase my heritage to inspire kids in communities facing challenges. Coming from a small place like Cairns, I want to show them that they can achieve their dreams.
On her WNBA draft experience:
I found out about being drafted into the WNBA while on a plane back to Australia from the Nike Hoop Summit in Oregon. Although I couldn’t see my name being called out live, I met with the Sparks staff in LA during a layover. They welcomed me with t-shirts, filmed some content, and then I headed back to Australia.
Special thanks to Courtney Ward of Hoops Capital for organizing the interview.
