Shaneice Swain – Grateful For These Opportunities

Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Shaneice Swain’s name had just been called at the WNBA Draft, number 14 overall to the LA Sparks - pretty surreal for a then 19-year-old from Cairns, North Queensland.

Shaneice was the only Australian drafted in the 2023 WNBA Draft and the buzz back home was electric. Everyone loves those stories and it helped that her game is an absolute joy to watch too.

She just finished showcasing this by capturing the attention of many you need to capture the attention of, at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon. Leading the scoring department with 19 points, it was clear what kind of talent Shaneice was after just 21 minutes of action with Team World.

Bound for the WNBA

Swain had all the buzz, people started to shift their attention to the WNBA and seeing the name S. Swain on a roster.

We will see that become a reality in a short period of time as she is now officially a member of the WNBA.

Shaneice admitted that she had a feeling that she was going to get drafted at number 12 or below, but forget the typical draft night set-up with family and friends gathered around a TV or better yet, being there in person, her whereabouts while getting drafted isn’t what you’d expect.

It’s not always bright lights and popcorn while getting drafted

On a plane home from the Nike Hoop Summit, weak Wi-Fi, not being connected for the majority of the flight, this will be interesting.

Signal found, better late than never as the flight was just about coming to an end but hello to the chaotic influx of notifications to Shaneice’s phone.

“It was very overwhelming.” (laughs)

Admitting to not knowing where to start, the first message she saw was from a family group chat and from there it was obvious what she had missed while being up in the air disconnected from the world.

Imagine gearing up for a massive milestone in your life, a dream being achieved and not even being able to live it in the moment. A strange yet almost wholesome way of achieving a goal of yours.

A really nice touch from the LA Sparks was actually surprising Shaneice in Los Angeles during a layover there and congratulating her in person. An important ‘first opinions matter’ type of moment, one that she said made her feel really good and one would assume really welcome.

Family, flowers and good vibes met her at the airport as she hit home back in Australia.

“Who’s one player, and one player only, that you are looking forward to competing with in the WNBA?” was a question that stumped Shaneice for a bit.

Deep in thought, her answer wouldn’t surprise anyone at all: “Diana Taurasi”.

A new chapter in Sydney

Things were looking pretty great from the outside for Shaneice. The WNBA was a real thing now, her life was about to change and to cap it off, she had one more exciting thing on the horizon which would come into effect earlier then the Sparks, that being a new team in the WNBL.

It’s become common for a young player to be drafted into the WNBA but to take a season or so to actually join the team, see Jade Melbourne and the Seattle Storm as an example of that.

Shaneice did the same, her Canberra Capitals stint was over and she had just signed a deal with the Sydney Flames to play this season in the WNBL. This mounted on top of the overall buzz from the WNBA situation.

“I was so excited for the season and starting with a new team. I was just so excited for it. To develop my game, take it to another level before looking to go over to LA.”

One thing stood in her way, those things we all hate called injuries.

A lingering knee injury caused Shaneice to sit out for the first 12 rounds of the 23/24 Cygnett WNBL season. The frustration had to be difficult to manage on her end but it even frustrated fans (myself included) as we were super eager to watch her play.

“I felt very isolated, just being by myself isolated.”

Being stuck at home by yourself while the team is on the road has to be a challenging situation as all you can do is clock watch and make as much progress as possible.

Shaneice explained that she’s very relaxed off the court so no new hobbies were found during her time rehabbing, just many chats with her two young nieces over the phone which spoke to what a family person she is.

Game one

The news was released, “Shaneice Swain to make Sydney Flames debut” and the excitement started to build. It may have taken to Round 13 but the time had come.

“In the lead up to it I was super excited, like so excited to play, counting down the days and then when it started getting a little closer… I was getting super nervous. Couldn’t sleep, thinking about everything that could happen in the game.”

Now I don’t know about you but when I watch Shaneice play one of the very first words that comes to mind is “confident” but that doesn’t stop the pre-game nerves.

“Before the game, I started feeling sick. I feel like that’s just how I’ve always been though. I was like that in Canberra.”

“You’ve played in the WNBL before, you’re stronger now, this isn’t new for you” were similar phrases Shaneice was saying in her mind to hype herself up.

“Once I got my first assist, my first bucket, I was rolling from there.”

It may be an awkward feeling coming back into the line-up with only a couple of games left in the regular season, but all Shaneice could say is that she’s grateful for the opportunity.

“I’m just grateful that I can play. Just being able to step out on court, some people don’t get that opportunity so I’m just super grateful for it.”

Under the radar talent

I love asking young stars this question.

Every player on the rise usually receives their own fair share of attention but I’m always curious who that next one will be. Who may potentially be where Shaneice Swain or Jade Melbourne are in a few years.

I asked Shaneice to give some love to someone potentially flying too far under the radar in the WNBL.

“I think Saffron Shiels. She’s pretty tough. She’s a big guard too. I like her game, she can handle the ball. If she really gets to play play, she’d be tough.”

For context, Izzy Borlase mentioned Saffron Shiels as well when I asked her this question so there’s one to jot down.

Next steps

As mentioned before, it’s an awkward thing to make your debut with a new side 13 rounds in, but I was curious on an individual level, what Shaneice was hoping to get out of the rest of the season.

“Even before I went into the season, I told myself I wanted to get better defensively. Just focus on defence and then I know my offence will come.”

Defence was emphasised by Shaneice which I quite enjoyed. Other notes were getting stronger and improving her decision making.

It took a while but her Sydney days are finally here. Let’s enjoy them as her next stop will be Los Angeles.

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Izzy Borlase - Right Here, Right Now

Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images

19 years old, establishing yourself as a quality WNBL player in your third season with the Adelaide Lightning, trying to focus on the present, do some sudoku’s in your down time and not look ahead to your name being on ESPN’s latest WNBA mock draft at #12.

The current status of Izzy Borlase.

Seeing the mock draft makes it all real.

The WNBA, moving overseas, the Opals, these are all massive things for a 19 year old.

People like myself don’t help Izzy stay in the moment, I’ll admit, but I had to ask the question about her future!

“I really try not to look ahead, I wouldn’t say I’m that good at it to be honest. I feel like as a young athlete it’s easy to potentially get carried away with what could be but yeah, it’s definitely something I’m working on cause you know, I’ve got a game tomorrow and things are getting talked about a couple months down the track.”

A WNBL game tomorrow, me asking about getting drafted into the WNBA today, you’re welcome Izzy.

It would honestly be very challenging staying in the present so I appreciate her talking about this openly.

“Sometimes it’s exciting when you start to think about it but sometimes you can go down a hole when you think about it too much and it’s like woah, I’m actually right here, right now.”

Izzy understood where I was coming from, I hope, as I was simply excited to chat with her about it and at the end of the day I’m just a basketball fan like many others. It’s intriguing, it’s exciting for many.

“I think it’s exciting. If I’m being completely honest I knew that I was eligible for the draft this year but when that mock draft came out I was like wow, I was quite shocked to be honest to see that my name was that high in the first round but you never know what can happen. So obviously I’m really excited but you know, there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge and we’ll just see how it plays out.”

“A lot of water to go under the bridge.” – Izzy is clearly prepared for the media attention about to come her way with these cliché lines at the ready.

(laughing) “Maybe don’t use that.”

Izzy’s rise to the present day

It has got to feel like it has happened quickly for Borlase. It wasn’t that long ago where she played just one game in her debut WNBL season back in 2021. Fast forward to 2022 where she averaged 13.5 PPG and right now at the start of 2024 she’s sitting at 15 PPG in her third year and is basically the face of the Adelaide Lightning with Steph Talbot sitting out due to injury.

Not many people, let alone at 19 years old, let alone Australians, have their name near the top end of WNBA Draft conversations so it must be a whirlwind right now for Borlase.

“I definitely didn’t plan it out to go this way. A lot has happened in the past 18 months since my first real full season. I’ve really enjoyed it and I’ve learned a lot.”

Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Keeping you grounded

You know why parents are so important? Regardless of how ‘big’ you get in the world, you will always be their kid and they will always bring you back down to earth.

“I get people like you, my coaches, everyone just like hyping you up and it’s really good and then you come home and my family just bring me back down to earth which is a good thing, it’s a nice balance.”

You actually need that. Those people that remind you where you came from, your family, your friends, the things that really matter and the things that will never stop motivating you.

We all make a big deal out of mock drafts, and rightly so at times, but often as fans we get caught in this basketball bubble. That being a bubble where we literally think ball is life and forget that not everyone knows about these things, including Mr and Mrs. Borlase.

“I literally showed Mum and Dad the mock draft… they were just like, oblivious to all that stuff.”

The signs of a leader

When talking about this WNBL season I thoroughly enjoyed Izzy almost immediately taking accountability for some close losses Adelaide have had and said she could have done more to help. It’s a little thing but it shows leadership qualities already. Ticking boxes.

I had to force out of her one thing and one thing only, that she wants to improve on while talking about helping her team.

“Creating my own shot in different ways. Whether that’s like, a pull-up game or floaters, because I think I’ve got an ok 3 point shot, getting to the ring really well but finding that middle ground.”

It always interests me how players answer that question.

The Green & Gold effect, representing Australia

Whenever basketball players talk about representing Australia their eyes typically light up. It’s such a big thing to almost every one of them and Borlase is no different.

After Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello told ESPN that “she's going to definitely be an Opal”, Izzy admitted that it is nice to hear those things and she spoke with Sandy after a game in Adelaide earlier this season.

“The thought of representing Australia at any sort of level is just so exciting. There’s only a small group of people that get to do it.”

A small ground indeed but a group I think Borlase will be part of very soon.

Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images

The worldwide rise of women’s basketball

Women’s basketball is on the rise full stop, and a big part of that is credited to the NCAAW and specifically their Tournament last season which many eyeballs tuned into. At the top of that conversation is Caitlin Clark whose name continues to climb to pretty insane levels.

As a fan and as a player it’s hard not to see Clark’s highlights on your feed and take in what she is doing for women’s basketball.

“Seeing what Caitlin Clark is doing in college is amazing. I’ve never seen someone shoot the ball like she does.”

If you are talking about young Aussie talent there’s a few names that will come to mind for most.

Yes very good, Izzy Borlase – check.

Sitting at #7 on the same ESPN WNBA mock draft, Nyadiew Puoch – check.

But the other name is Jade Melbourne who I am a big advocate for.

“Who isn’t a big Jade fan?” was Izzy’s response to me complimenting her. Fair point, I’m not sure who wouldn’t be a fan of hers.

Melbourne is also one that is currently bridging the WNBL to WNBA gap and paving the way for players like Borlase. She’s suiting up with the Canberra Capitals right now and will be heading back to Seattle post-season.

My point here was really to get some other names from Borlase, some Australian talent that may be flying under the radar, some dark horses if you will.

Maybe slightly bias but Izzy spoke very highly of best friend and teammate Tayla Brazel, as she did with Townsville’s Saffron Shiels - “She’s going to be very, very good once she gets a bit older.”

The other was Dallas Loughridge who has returned from an ACL injury this season with the Southside Flyers. Izzy pointed to one element of Dallas as a person that impressed her the most, hard work.

“Dallas works so hard. She’s probably one of the hardest workers that I’ve got to play with before.”

Every basketball fan, coach and scout is a sucker for hard work, so that was an enjoyable insight.

Finding a ‘side hustle’

I said it above but I’ll say it again, talk to any Australian athlete and they’ll tell you how special it is to represent Australia but any athlete in general will tell you how important it is to have that ‘side hustle’. That activity away from basketball that allows them to escape from the world of sport for a moment or two.

“I’m working on finding a hobby. That’s why I need to get good at reading.”

While it may not be there yet for Borlase, I could tell that she understood what an important role having things outside of basketball is for her.

Izzy sounds like a big beach person. Surfing, walking along the sand, catching up with friends, that sounds like her side hustle right now. A pretty great side hustle if you ask me.

“Catching up with friends away from basketball is super important to me at the moment because like you said it can be a lot sometimes.”

Another example of finding ourselves in the basketball bubble and the importance of finding people on the outside of it.

Izzy currently studies Human Movement at University with ambitions to move into Occupational Therapy later on, she also teaches swimming so while she may not have that one specific passion outside of basketball, she certainly has a few things on the go.

Borlase has a bright future on the court which I’m stoked to follow, but it’s sometimes missed what players are into off the court so I look forward to following the journey of both.

Good luck getting more into reading Izzy, I am also trying to do the same.

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A Killer On The Inside - Jordin Canada's Big Performance In Melbourne

The 2 x WNBA Champion Jordin Canada walked into a packed stadium in Melbourne and impressed many, including myself as I recap from a photography perspective.

Ahhh, the buzz surrounding the beginning of the regular season. Whether that’s an away opener or a home opener, there’s a big feeling in the air.

Being in Melbourne I’m always keeping tabs on what games in the WNBL and NBL are being played here and I knew I had to be there when I saw Southside Flyers vs Melbourne Boomers on the WNBL opening round schedule.

They are both Melbourne based teams so it would be rude not to call it a rivalry right?

The line to get in was out the door, it was a nice, warm enough Saturday night, the stage was set for a great night of basketball, surely. That’s exactly what it was.

I had my camera with me, I was ready to capture some moments from a hopefully close game. But amusing story…I found it amusing at least, or challenging might be a better word, which I’ll dive into real quick.

Just skip to the pretty photo’s if you like, I won’t be offended.

Running on 20% - a short story
I like to think I’m a pretty organised person, actually I am pretty organised, but every so often we all slip up. This weekend was my turn. Whenever I’m planning to do a shoot of any kind I always prep my batteries and SD cards to make sure I’m all good to go but my preparation failed me here.

After some work shoots in recent days I left the spare batteries and chargers in the office and I was already driving home when I realised. As I switched the camera on before game day it only had around 20-25% left of the battery. Not ideal.

Yes I could have simply gone to the office to collect everything I needed but I actually liked the challenge of this.

I have 20% battery only, to shoot an hour and a half basketball game. Fun.

I knew I had to be way more targeted in terms of when I pulled the camera out and what moments I sensed would make for some good shots. It was actually quite enjoyable, it reminded me of what people describe shooting on film like.

You only have a certain number of shots so use them wisely.

Anyway enough of that, Jordin Canada killed it and I managed to get some shots with a battery on 20%.

Attention grabbing

Often when I’m shooting a game my lens has a magnetic pull towards some players.

In amongst the chaos on the floor some players just stand out from the rest on any given night, Jordin Canada was the one tonight.

When I decided that I was going to watch this game live I was already keen to see Canada’s game properly in person and she did not disappoint.

Calculated

I found myself eager for Canada to put up more shots at times, you know, get her own, but she was so measured in terms of when it was her time to score and when it was time to play-make and create for others.

It felt like a perfect balance in this game as she knew when her team needed a bucket and her passing was elite at times, it was very fun to watch how she saw the floor.

There was one pass I recall where I was looking down my camera lens too far so I didn’t get the proper appreciation for how good the pass actually was. It was a semi-transition play where she stopped for a moment and whipped a pass perfectly to a cutting teammate for the layup, completely freezing the defense.

If I had zoomed out for a wider shot that would have been the perfect angle but that’s the joy of photography and videography, you aren’t always going to get it right but when you do, it’s a great feeling.

A new beginning

This photo made me think of where Jordin Canada was to where she was at this very moment.

Finishing your season with the Los Angeles Sparks in the bright lights of the WNBA to finding yourself centre stage in South East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

I always find these things really cool. Players experiencing new places, new cultures, new stadiums from the opportunities that basketball can provide them.

What this means for them, their families, the relationships they can build and the people they meet - it’s a pretty special thing.

An eye opening performance

Watching Canada play for the first time live really put her talent into perspective.

Her resume so to speak, tells us who she is but it’s different seeing it for yourself. Jordin has a smoothness to her game. Some players look like they’re exerting a lot of effort out there and some effectively glide around the court making things happen, you can guess which category I think she falls under.

Unphased but engaged

Canada’s demeanour was something that caught my eye.

Think Damian Lillard.

A killer on the inside but rarely do you see a ton of emotion. I really like this mindset.

Goodnight, Melbourne

This was an amusing moment to me.

Technically an away game for Canada’s Melbourne Boomers, she fouled out and the crowd were humming about the play and as it was only a minute or so left, Jordin knew she’d be walking out of that stadium with the win plus her 15 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists so to me, she couldn’t help but smile.

I’m glad I caught it on camera.

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Hey thanks for reading that, I hope you enjoyed this photo journal concept. This was something that I’ve thought about a lot lately. I love telling stories through my photography so I thought it was a good idea to expand on the story and elaborate on the moments that I captured. Feedback of course welcome.