Perfect Storm brewing for Jade and Australian Opals

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Sometimes you've just got to go back to the future to find the perfect situation.

That's exactly what rising superstar Jade Melbourne has done, returning to the Seattle Storm, where her WNBA career began, to put together a career year in her fourth season in the league.

While the Storm might be sitting at the bottom of the ladder, Melbourne has reached new heights this season and has begun to make her mark on the league with Seattle, after showing glimpses of what she could do at the highest level over the past three seasons.

The Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence graduate is averaging 9.5 points per game, a major increase from 5.9 last season, as well as 3.8 assists and 2.1 rebounds in just under 25 minutes per game - just a slight increase in the court time she averaged with the Washington Mystics in 2025.

Melbourne, selected 33rd in the 2022 WNBA Draft, is primed to shine for the Australian Opals at the upcoming FIBA World Cup in Germany - especially with coach Sandy Brondello needing her to step up following the loss of skipper Sami Whitcomb.

"When you look at what Jade has been able to accomplish over this past year, both over in the WNBA with the Seattle Storm and globally on the international stage, it’s incredibly impressive but completely unsurprising to anyone who has watched her development," Bendigo Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama, who will coach Melbourne this WNBL season, told basketball.com.au.

"What I believe has allowed her to have a career year is a combination of her work ethic, maturity, exceptional pace, and an ability to play with no fear.

"Jade has always had a rare, infectious energy and an uncanny ability to get her feet into the paint, but this year I’ve seen her game slow down in the best way possible. Her decision-making out of pick-and-roll has reached a new level, and her perimeter shot continues to improve, to a point where defences have to give it some respect.

"Combine that tactical growth with her natural grit and someone who will fearlessly throw her body on the line for a loose ball, attack a shifting defence, and she becomes incredibly difficult to contain.

"You can absolutely see that playing alongside some elite vets like (Stephanie) Dolson, young exciting talent in (Dominique) Malonga, having a clear role with continued playing opportunity has given her a confidence and a sense of belonging, and you can see that confidence radiating in every single possession."

Melbourne burst onto the Australian basketball scene in 2020 with the UC Capitals and immediately became a fan favourite for her infectious energy and personality.

Fast forward six years, and it seems like the country Victoria product is a veteran in professional basketball, so much so that you forget she's still only 24 years old.

"The biggest thing people lose sight of with Jade is that she's fewer than three months older than this year's No.1 draft pick Azzi Fudd," Melbourne's agent, Sammy Wloszczowski from SIG Sports, told basketball.com.au.

"She took on the challenge of jumping into the W at a time when she was the youngest player in the league - we view her game through the lens of this being her second contract and taking a massive leap forward, which she has, but imagine if we assessed her season against this year's rookie class?

"We should be very excited about where Jade is at and where she's going. Couple that with her outrageous work ethic, and being one of the most coachable players in the game, and there truly isn't a ceiling to her game."

It's a sentiment Kereama, who can't wait to see Melbourne partner with fellow Opals and WNBA guard Isobel Borlase at the Spirit, also agreed with.

"As for her potential, people - even me - forget that she is still only 24 years old despite already having an Olympic bronze medal and multiple years of professional experience under her belt," he said.

"Her ceiling in the WNBL/WNBA and internationally is limitless because her hunger to improve matches her work rate. She isn't content with just being a great young player; she wants to be one of the absolute best.

"Having her come back home to Victoria to join our program at Bendigo is incredibly exciting because we get a front-row seat to that next phase of her evolution. If she continues to refine her midrange game, master defensive coverages, and use her voice as an elite leader, she won't just be an impact player in the league; she has the upside to be an absolute superstar in any league."

One of the biggest factors in her rapid rise this year can be tracked back to free agency, where she chose to return to Seattle and play under new coach Sonia Raman.

"Her decision to return to Seattle wasn't an easy one, especially in the condensed free agency prior to the draft, but she had a positive experience there initially and believed in Coach Raman's vision for her and the team," Wloszczowski said.

"Obviously at this point, the opportunity to be on court regularly was going to be a factor and a right she's earned, as were the developmental and growth opportunities."

Melbourne and the Opals start their FIBA World Cup campaign on September 4 against Puerto Rico in Berlin.