Miner’s recruit taken in WNBA draft

RECENT Ballarat Miners women recruit, Jade Melbourne, has been picked at thirty-third in April’s WNBA draft.

Taken by Seattle Storm, the 178-centimetre guard will stay in the NBL1 South for the foreseeable future after arriving in Ballarat last week following time with the Canberra Capitals and the national team.

A statement released by the Miners organisation said that discussions between Melbourne and the Storm meant she would remain in Australia for the time being for further development.

“Ballarat is the best place for me right now, the basketball facilities, the gym, and the personnel are exactly what I need to take my game further and that is why I chose to come to Ballarat,” Melbourne said.

The Seattle Storms’ current roster also includes fellow Aussies and Opals teammates Ezi Magbegor and Stephanie Talbot, and the club was the home of Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson, who won two championships in the Emerald City.

Meanwhile, the Miners women got their first hit out of the NBL1 South season last Saturday night going down to the Geelong Supercats at Selkirk Stadium by a 69 to 81 margin.

The Miners won the first and third periods, but it wasn’t enough to offset the damage inflicted by the Supercats overall.

Melbourne pulled major time on court, registering just shy of 40 minutes playing time while dropping 13 points and pulling down six rebounds.

Other big performers for the Miners included Zitina Aokuso who had 20 points and eight rebounds and Kristy Rinaldi who had 14 points and grabbed 11 in the paint.

The Miners men also dropped their first game of the season at Selkirk, going down by two points to Geelong, 96 to 98.

Both teams will return to action at home this Saturday, 30 April with games against Eltham Wildcats.