Aussie Shaneice Swain set to play a role in LA Sparks resurgence
- Simone Wearne
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
It may be WNBA Draft day, with all eyes on the newest of draftees about to join elite company in women’s basketball. However, for the Aussies paying attention, we’ve got some pretty exciting prospects who have already inked deals to be part of the WNBA this coming season.
Australian Guard Shaneice Swain is one of those. She will join the LA Sparks roster for the 2025 season, and her journey into the league has been a little different to most.
Originally drafted by the organisation back in 2023 during the second round (14th overall pick), Swain made the decision to stay in Australia to develop herself both on and off the court in a bid to best prepare for a shot at the big time.
The Swain train is ready to take off in 2025
Coming off a stellar season for the Sydney Flames in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), Swain, or the ‘Swain Train’ as she has been nicknamed in Australia, is ready to make an impact.
She had a career high 40-point game against the Townsville Fire where she shot seven from three point range, and went 16-25 from the field. Overall she was second in 3 pointers and third for scoring during the 2024/25 WNBL season.
It’s clear to Swaine, and to the Sparks that she has put herself in a great position to have an impact at the highest level.
The Crumbs podcast were lucky enough to catch-up with Shaneice Swaine, fellow Aussie Anneli Maley plus new Head Coach Lynne Roberts and GM Raegan Pebley when the Sparks recently introduced the two Aussies via virtual press conference.
It’s always been about the bigger picture
“I’m better prepared,” Swaine suggested when asked about waiting to play in the league after being drafted back in 2023. “Knowing the WNBA was the bigger picture for me has always pushed me. I went through an injury after I was initially drafted, came back from that, and then needed to play another role when I returned.
Going through all of that really helped me up my game and prepare.
LA is a long way from Cairns. But I’ve been living away from home since I was about 15, I’ve had time to get used to that. I’ve been super excited about this opportunity since the day I got drafted.
My WNBL teammates, both Aussies and imports have really helped me learn to be myself. Along with that, I’ve always been eager to take on challenges. Taking things as they come and just working hard will be important for me.”
So why Swaine, and why now?
Swain's addition will be an important step in the team's efforts to rebuild and move into a new era of success. 2024 was the worst season in franchise history for the Sparks, from a wins perspective.
The team went 8-32. It wasn’t just the lack of W’s though. Nothing seemed to go right in LA. For a storied organisation, things went from bad to worse as the season progressed.
Highly touted number 2 draft pick Cameron Brink tore her ACL in June, other injuries and health concerns plagued the team, and in the end, a career season by prized 2023 recruit Dearica Hamby couldn’t save the Sparks as they plummeted to 6th in the Western Conference.
November 2024 saw the appointment of new head coach Lynne Roberts, an accomplished NCAA Head Coach with more than two decades of experience. It was a breath of fresh air, a new perspective.
Since then a strategy has been in place to put the pieces back together for the Sparks.
“Everybody in this league can play, everyone is good,” said Roberts when introducing Swain and fellow Aussie Anneli via virtual press conference. “To win championships, to sustain your ability to do that, it has to be a people first approach.
We don’t want players in our organisation that aren’t team first. This team, our success and failures, that’s all the players. I see that in Shaneice and Anneli, it’s a we over me approach.
I’ve coached a lot of Aussies, they just work hard. They work their tails off.
Shaneice has a maturity now, the timing is right. It’s been an incredible journey for her to get to this point.”
Intentional movements were important as the Sparks look to future success
Former WNBA player and Sparks GM Reagan Pebley was quick to laud how important Shaneice’s roster spot was as LA look for improvement in all areas in 2025.
When asked if there was strategy in selecting Swaine and fellow Aussie Maley, she had this to say.
“Top to bottom, we’ve tried to make sure we are bringing the right people into the organisation. People that have the capacity to do the work. Prioritising relationships, knowing how to be a great teammate, good people.
We’ve been intentional in bringing people into the organisation that are the right people to take this organisation forward.”
What’s next for Swaine and the Sparks
Swain will be joining a revamped Sparks team that includes superstar recruit and 2 x WNBA Championship winner Kelsey Plum, 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player candidate Dearica Hamby, and recent high draft picks from 2024 Cameron Brink (#2) and Rickea Jackson (#4).
Fans can expect Swaine to make a difference in the line-up, with her scoring ability, and her creativity on the court. Her passing, according to coach Roberts, is ‘elite’.
Look for her to play a role in and around a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers as the Sparks set their sights on a resurgence back into the WNBA playoffs.
Watch the full press conference introducing Shaneice Swain and Anneli Maley here -
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