WNBL’s most sought after player: Rising Opals and WNBA star Jade Melbourne set to attract significant interest in free agency as CBA finalised

21-year-old Jade Melbourne put the basketball world on notice after a shooting masterclass in the WNBA this week. She’s now set to become the WNBL’s most sought after player as she heads to the open market after CBA finalised.

Rising Opals and WNBA star Jade Melbourne is set to become arguably the most sought after player in the WNBL free agency period.

Code Sports can reveal Melbourne has exercised the out clause in her Canberra Capitals contract, enabling the club’s co-captain to undertake in the free agency process and test her value on the open market.

The 21-year-old guard has the basketball world on notice after this week’s standout shooting performance for the Washington Mystics in the WNBA.

Melbourne dropped 21 points, including 8 of 12 from the field and 3 of 6 from three, in just 14 minutes of exhilarating hoops against the New York Liberty.

The stellar performance from the WNBA’s youngest player was dubbed “special” by Opals coach Sandy Brondello, who had a courtside seat to watch the shooting display as the rival coach of the Liberty.

Australian great Lauren Jackson also took to social media to praise Melbourne, with the pair in the mix to team up in green and gold at next month’s Paris Olympics.

Jade Melbourne of the Capitals in action during the WNBL match between UC Capitals and Melbourne Boomers at National Convention Centre back in February. Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images.

The gun guard is expected to receive significant interest from rival WNBL teams given her rise to stardom in the WNBA and for the national team.

Melbourne headlines a strong list of WNBL players on the open market as the league’s free agency period officially opened on Friday from 11am.

The free agency period had been delayed twice this off-season, but it finally received the green light after the WNBL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was finalised on Friday.

Jade Melbourne is expected to receive significant interest on the open market. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

The new 2024/25 CBA includes:

• Increase salary floor and cap to $479,102.79 and $532,331.11

• Increase minimum wage by 15 per cent to $23,000.00

• Mandatory sports physios for players before and after all trainings and games

• Increased monthly Private Health Insurance (PHI) provisions and increased daily per diem rates

• 100 per cent increase in Development Player payment to $4,000, capped at 2 max per team

• Increased ABPA program funding

In a statement, the ABPA also recognised WNBL players and their “resilience and patience” during the protracted negotiations while looking forward to working with the new ownership of the WNBL as this process is finalised by Basketball Australia.

Originally published as WNBL’s most sought after player: Rising Opals and WNBA star Jade Melbourne set to attract significant interest in free agency as CBA finalised