Next stop: 'Swain Train' arrives at Nunawading

• Fresh from LA Sparks training camp, Sydney Flames star Shaneice Swain signs with NBL1 South's Nunawading Spectres
• Swain's impressive career includes a 40-point WNBL game
• She will debut during Heritage Round against Frankston Blues

Shaneice Swain, one of Australia's most promising women's basketball players, has signed with the NBL1 South's Nunawading Spectres for the remainder of the 2025 season.

The Spectres are mid-table at 6-5 through their first 11 games.

Watch Shaniece Swain's first game with the Spectres LIVE and FREE.

Los Angeles Sparks Training Camp Experience

Swain's participation in the Los Angeles Sparks training camp in early May provided her with valuable exposure to WNBA-level competition and coaching. While she has returned to Australia after being waived and she joins the Nunawading Spectres, this experience will undoubtedly contribute to her continued development and impact as a player.

What Swain Brings to Nunawading

Swain's arrival gives the Nunawading Spectres an immediate scoring boost. Her proven ability to create offence both for herself and teammates makes her a valuable addition to any roster. With career averages that showcase her scoring ability across multiple competitions, Swain provides the Spectres with a reliable offensive threat.

Her three-point shooting offers floor spacing that can benefit the entire team, while her ability to attack the basket creates opportunities for both scoring and playmaking. Coach Flynn's excitement about adding her to the roster stems from this multifaceted offensive skill set.

Beyond her scoring ability, Swain has established herself as a disruptive defensive presence. Her ranking among the WNBL leaders in steals during her time with the Canberra Capitals highlights her ability to create turnovers and transition opportunities.

For the Spectres, this defensive capability adds another dimension to her value.

Upcoming Debut and Season Outlook

Swain will make her debut for the Nunawading Spectres during this weekend's Heritage Round against the Frankston Blues on Saturday night. This annual celebration of basketball history provides a fitting backdrop for the next chapter in her basketball journey.

Fans unable to attend in person can watch the game live via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App, providing an opportunity to see Swain's first appearance with her new team.

From WNBA Draft Pick to NBL1 South Star

Swain's basketball career path represents the growing pathway between Australian domestic leagues and the world's premier women's basketball competition. After being selected as the 14th overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, Swain has continued to develop her skills across multiple Australian leagues.

The signing marks another significant step in her career, with Nunawading Spectres head coach Paul Flynn expressing enthusiasm about adding a player of her calibre to the roster.

"Shaneice is an incredible talent, and still very much at the start of her career," Flynn said.

"What she's capable of doing on a basketball court is special, and we're appreciative that she sees our team and our program here at Nunawading as an opportunity to continue to develop and propel her career further forward."

Early Career and WNBL Development

Swain's basketball path has included several stops at key Australian basketball programs. Her professional career began with the University of Canberra Capitals. During the 2023 season with the Capitals, she started 13 games and posted impressive averages of 14.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

Her shooting efficiency showcased her scoring ability, with a 40.9 per cent field goal percentage, 36.2 per cent from three-point range, and 63 per cent from the free-throw line. These performances earned her recognition as "Captain on the Rise" at a Capitals awards ceremony in 2023.

By March 2023, Swain had accumulated 261 points, 37 assists, and 35 steals for the Capitals. Her defensive prowess also forming part of her game, as she ranked fourth in the WNBL for steals per game and was among the top 15 players for three-pointers made during the 2022-23 season.

NBL1 Experience

Prior to her WNBA draft selection, Swain gained valuable experience in the NBL1 North competition, representing both the Cairns Dolphins and the Mackay Meteorettes. These experiences in Queensland's premier basketball competition helped establish her reputation as a rising talent in Australian basketball.

Following her time in Canberra, Swain continued her NBL1 journey with Geelong United in the NBL1 South league during the 2024 season. Under coach Jamie Petty, she flourished, with Petty highlighting her multifaceted skills in "passing, scoring, and on-ball defence."

Her statistics with Geelong United were outstanding, averaging 23 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. This well-rounded production demonstrated her ability to impact games in multiple ways, a quality that has made her attractive to teams at various levels of competition.

Sydney Flames Breakthrough

In 2024, Swain joined the Sydney Flames in the WNBL, where she experienced a true breakthrough at the national level. Her explosive campaign included one of the most remarkable individual performances in WNBL history, when she scored 40 points against the Townsville Fire.

This scoring outburst against one of the WNBL's perennial contenders served notice of Swain's potential to dominate at the highest levels of Australian basketball. Her ability to create her own shot and score efficiently against elite competition highlighted why WNBA scouts had identified her as a prospect worthy of a second-round draft selection.

Historic WNBA Draft Selection

Swain's selection as the 14th overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft represented a significant milestone both for her personally and for Australian basketball. As the only Australian chosen in the 2023 draft, she carried the banner for the country's growing presence in international women's basketball.

Experience and Leadership

Despite still being early in her career, Swain brings valuable experience from multiple competitive environments. Her time in the WNBL, NBL1 competitions in different regions, and exposure to WNBA training have given her perspectives that can benefit her teammates.

As someone who has been recognised for leadership potential during her time with the Canberra Capitals, Swain offers more than just on-court production. Her journey through various levels of competition provides a model for younger players looking to advance their careers.

NBL1 as a Development League

The NBL1 competitions across Australia have established themselves as valuable development grounds for players at various stages of their careers. For established stars like Swain, these leagues offer opportunities to maintain fitness, develop specific skills, and contribute to basketball communities during WNBL or WNBA off-seasons.

For younger players, seeing someone with Swain's credentials competing in the NBL1 South provides inspiration and a tangible example of the basketball pathway. This visibility helps strengthen the connection between grassroots basketball and professional opportunities.