Flames young gun Shaneice Swain reveals what got her through ‘very challenging’ time in her career

Young Sydney Flame Shaneice Swain relocated to Sydney and then quickly got struck down with injury. Now she reveals what kept her going through a ‘very challenging’ period of her career.

Sidelined for all but the final three games of her first WNBL season in Sydney, Flames young gun Shaneice Swain has revealed what got her through a “very challenging” time in her early career.

Many would suggest a binge-worthy true crime series or learning something new to keep entertained and the brain ticking, but Swain, 21, turned to video games each night to keep her mind away from the court, sane and connected with loved ones while rehabbing the stress factor in her foot.

“I actually played Fortnite with my sister and cousins, just a couple of hours during the night, not too long, nothing too crazy,” Swain told Code Sports.

Shaneice Swain is showing signs of a breakout year in the WNBL after missing most of last season. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“But it was a great way for me to stay connected with them at home because when the team went out on the road, that’s when it would hit me the most.

“So it was so hard to sit and watch but I had good support and I feel I kept my head held high.”

Rehabbing the foot and keeping among the Flames playing group during the day and Fortnite at night became the daily routine for Swain, who found out about the long- term injury the first week into the pre-season and shortly after relocating to Sydney from Canberra.

And as she wasn’t the only Flame battling injury, she had the likes of the now retired Tess Madgen to turn to when learning how to physically and mentally overcome an injury, and trying not to let it become an isolated experience.

Swain learnt a lot from the now retired Tess Madgen while they both battled injury. Picture: ANDY CHEUNG / AFP

“I was trying to mirror what Tess Madgen was doing, just seeing how she would go about being on the sideline, being out of the team, her conditioning and her recovery processes,” Swain said.

“Even though it was a different injury, it was nice to see how she would go about getting back into training, as someone that has more years on me.

“She would also be in my ear which was really nice to have.

“I really just watched and learned from her.”

Now in her fourth WNBL season, the guard is already showing signs of a breakout year. Rewarded with a spot on the Flames starting five, she’s notched up 15 and 16 point showings respectively across the opening two games of the season and says she’s taking notes from the likes of senior teammate Cayla George.

“It just feels so good to be back going into training, preparing really well and to finish it off with a win,” Swain said after the Flames’ opening victory.

WNBA ON THE 2025 VISION BOARD

Selected with pick 14 by the LA Sparks at the 2023 WNBA draft, Swain elected to locally develop her game and then as injury hit was forced to stay on home shores.

A decision she said she has the full support of, from Flames coach, Guy Molloy.

“Guy has been so helpful, last season I obviously didn’t go over, I wasn’t ready but he and Jenni Screen backed my decision.”

The Sparks still hold Swain’s WNBA draft rights and without getting ahead of herself, it’s something she has on her 2025 vision board.

“I’m going to head over (to the USA) after the season but I haven’t looked too much into it, I’m honestly just really focused on getting this season right.

“I’ve now stepped into a point guard role, so I’ll be really focused on that and I’m excited to learn more this year, learn what I need to learn from Guy (Molloy), Cayla (George) and our vets on our team.”

The Flames head to Bendigo to take on the Spirit to launch round three tonight, tip off at 7:00pm AEDT.