Writing and photographs by Dean Andrews
American import point guard Jordin Canada excelled in her first Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season playing for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers during the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season to win the Suzy Batkovic Medal for being the league’s Most Valuable Player. Canada became the second import in league history to win the Suzy Batkovic Medal, joining Canadian guard Kia Nurse who achieved the feat playing for the University of Canberra Capitals in 2019/20. At the 2023/24 WNBL Awards held at Rydges Melbourne on Sunday night 25 February Canada was also a convincing winner of the league’s Golden Hands Award and was selected in the All-WNBL First team.
Jordin Canada making a lay up for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers on 21 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
168 centimetre tall Canada set a high standard right from the start of her first WNBL season, being named the league’s Player of the Week for Round 1 and was named in the Team of the Week in each of the first three rounds. During the 2023/24 regular season Canada led the WNBL for steals per game, ranked second in assists and was extremely consistent for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers, having at least four assists in every game. 28 year old Canada recorded four double-doubles, scoring at least 10 points and having at least 10 assists in this quartet of games. In 18 games for the Boomers Canada averaged 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 3.1 steals and 34.3 minutes per game. The Boomers had 12 wins and nine losses during the regular season to finish third on the ladder.
Jordin Canada shooting a jump shot for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers in semi final game 1 on 28 February 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
After winning the 2023/24 Suzy Batkovic Medal Canada commented “My teammates and the Boomers organisation have welcomed me with open arms and the fans have been amazing for me. It’s a very competitive league and has been great for me to expand my game in different ways. I want to thank my teammates, I appreciate them so much and thank them for all they have done for me. To the coaches Chris Lucas and Kristi Harrower who have put me in a great position to be me and play my game.”
Below Jordin Canada’s basketball career before joining the Boomers is summarised and her exceptional 2023/24 WNBL season with Melbourne is comprehensively covered.
Basketball career from juniors up until the 2023 WNBA season with Los Angeles Sparks
Jordin Canada was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and attended Windward High School in LA. In June 2011 Canada was a member of the Unites States of America team that won the gold medal at the 2011 FIBA Americas Under 16 Championship for Women. Canada ranked third for USA in assists and played all five games at the tournament. On the USA under 16 team Canada was teammates with centre Mercedes Russell, the duo would go on to be teammates on two WNBA Championship winning teams with Seattle in 2018 and 2020 and play on opposition teams in the 2023/24 WNBL season in Australia.
Canada received All-State selection in all four seasons playing for Windward from 2011 to 2014. “In 2013, Canada earned Southern Section 4AA Player of the Year honors and was also named the Los Angeles Times All-Area MVP.”1 In the 2014 McDonald’s All-American Game Canada scored 10 points and set a new McDonald’s game record with seven assists in the West’s 80-78 victory.
Interacting with children from Ronald McDonald House made a significant impression on Canada. In August 2023 Canada told USA Today “I just got really impacted by those kids. I’ve been really intentional about partnering with them and you know, doing some of the events that they have or just volunteering. Honestly, they inspired me… just their positivity and their point of view. You know, always trying to stay positive, always smiling, even through adversity. All of that put it into perspective for me that I’m very blessed and fortunate to do what I do and be in the position that I’m in. I just want to be able to give back as much as possible. Just always having a positive mindset, a positive attitude to life and not taking anything for granted.”2
After high school Canada remained in Los Angeles and played college basketball for University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Canada started 30 of her 34 games for UCLA Bruins in 2014/15 and averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game to be named the 2015 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
At the 2015 World University games held in Seoul, South Korea in July Jordin was a member of the USA team that defeated Canada 82-63 in the final to win the gold medal. Jordin started all six games at the tournament for USA and is one of four members of the USA’s gold medal winning team that have played in Australia’s WNBL as imports along with Russell, Courtney M. Williams and Sydney Wiese.
In her last three seasons at UCLA from 2015/16 to 2017/18 Canada was voted team captain by her teammates. At the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) women’s Tournament Canada was a member of the UCLA Bruins team that made it to the Sweet Sixteen in 2016 and 2017 and the Elite Eight in 2018. Canada’s brilliant defense was recognised when she won the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2017 and 2018. During four seasons with the UCLA Bruins from 2014/15 to 2017/18 Canada played 137 games including 131 as a starter and averaged 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.5 steals and 33.1 minutes per game. Canada finished her college career at UCLA “as the Pac-12 Conference and UCLA all-time assists leader, dishing out 831 dimes in her career. She set the program’s single-season record for assists with 248 in her senior season (2017-18) and averaged 7.1 assists per game in 2017-18, seventh-best in the NCAA.”3 Canada “Graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology.”4
At 22 years of age Canada was selected in the 2018 WNBA Draft by Seattle Storm with the fifth pick overall. Seattle Storm President and General Manager Alisha Valavanis commented “Jordin is a dynamic playmaker that will fit well in Coach Dan Hughes’ system. In addition to her offensive skill set, her defensive tenacity is invaluable. This is an incredible opportunity for a rookie point guard to learn from Sue Bird. We are excited to welcome Jordin to Seattle!”5
Seattle Storm’s full strength starting line-up in 2018 was Bird, Jewell Loyd, Alysha Clark, Breanna Stewart and Natasha Howard. Three players that earned All-WNBL selection playing in Australia in 2023/24 played off the bench for Seattle in 2018 – Canada, centre Mercedes Russell and guard Sami Whitcomb. Seattle had 26 wins and eight losses during the 2018 regular season to record the best record in the WNBA. Seattle received a bye to the semi finals where they defeated Phoenix Mercury three games to two with the home side winning all five games of the series. Seattle Storm won the 2018 WNBA championship, defeating Washington Mystics three games to nil in the WNBA Finals. Canada was one of seven players that played all eight games for Seattle in the 2018 playoffs.
At senior level Canada represented the United States of America at FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019 held during late September in Puerto Rico. Canada played seven games for USA at the tournament and averaged 7.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 23.7 minutes per game. Jordin ranked second overall at the tournament for assists per game and led USA for minutes played per game.
Two of Seattle Storm’s starters from their 2018 WNBA Championship winning team missed the entire 2019 season, Bird with a knee injury and Stewart due to an Achilles injury. After having two starts from 33 games for Seattle during the 2018 regular season Canada thrived in an expanded role as Seattle’s starting point guard in 2019 to lead the WNBA with 2.3 steals per game and was selected in the WNBA All-Defensive First Team. Canada was one of five players to have at least 21 starts for Seattle in 2019 along with Loyd, Clark, Howard and Russell. Canada averaged 9.8 points, 5.2 assists (ranked 6th in the WNBA) and 28.8 minutes per game. In the 2019 WNBA Most Improved Player Award Canada finished equal third with Seattle Storm teammate Russell, Phoenix Mercury point guard Leilani Mitchell won the award with Odyssey Sims finishing second. Seattle had 18 games and 16 losses during the 2019 regular season and finished sixth in the WNBA. In a second round elimination game Seattle lost to Los Angeles Sparks 69-92.
Due to COVID-19 the entire 2020 WNBA season was played in a hub at IMG Academy in Florida and fans were unable to attend games. The regular season was shorter than usual with each club playing 22 regular season games. Stewart and Bird returned from injury for the 2020 WNBA season and were joined by Loyd, Clark and Howard as starters when Seattle were at full strength, which was the same starting line-up as the Storm’s 2018 WNBA Championship winning season. Seattle finished second at the end of the 2020 regular season with 18 wins and four losses, the same record as the first placed Las Vegas Aces. Bird started all 11 regular season games that she played and in the games that Bird missed due to a knee injury Canada was Seattle’s starting point guard. Playing 24.2 minutes per game in the 2020 regular season Canada averaged 7.9 points, 5.5 assists (ranked 3rd in the WNBA) and 1.5 steals (equal 13th) per game. Seattle won their semi final series against Connecticut Sun three games to two and defeated Las Vegas three games to nil in the WNBA Finals to win the 2020 WNBA Championship. Canada was one of eight players that played all eight playoff games for Seattle in 2020. Other players that played off the bench alongside Canada in Seattle’s 2020 Championship winning team included Russell, Whitcomb and Australian power forward/centre Ezi Magbegor.
The 2021 WNBA season returned to its usual structure to be comprised of home games and road games rather than being in one location like the 2020 hub season. Five players started at least 24 games for Seattle in 2021- Bird, Loyd, Katie Lou Samuelson, Stewart and Russell. Nine players averaged at least 15.0 minutes per game for Seattle with the five starters being joined in this category by Canada, Australian guard/forward and 2020 Suzy Batkovic Medal winner Steph Talbot, Candice Dupree and Magbegor. An in-season tournament – the Commissioner’s Cup was held for the first time in the 2021 WNBA season. Seattle won the inaugural Commissioner’s Cup defeating Connecticut Sun 79-57 in the Final. Canada started in three of her 29 regular season games for Seattle in 2021 and averaged 5.8 points, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 18.7 minutes per game. Seattle had 21 wins and 11 losses during the 2021 regular season to finish fourth. In a single game in the second round of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs Seattle lost in overtime to Phoenix Mercury 80-85. Canada played four consecutive seasons and a total of 112 regular season games including 45 as a starter with Seattle from 2018 to 2021.
Canada joined the Los Angeles Sparks for the 2022 WNBA season, returning to her hometown. On the move from Seattle Storm to Los Angeles Sparks Canada commented in August 2023 “This was kind of a pivotal moment in my career if I wanted to continue to stay and be a backup or if I wanted to go elsewhere. I just bet on myself. I think that was the biggest thing, knowing the type of player that I can be and the player I am, I had to take a chance on myself so I could find an opportunity to showcase that.”6 In her first season for Los Angeles Sparks in 2022 Canada started 25 of her 32 regular season games and averaged 9.2 points, 5.5 assists (8th), 1.4 steals (16th) and 27.0 minutes per game.
During a Mini Hoops: Jordin Canada / Jordan Brand video published on 29 June 2023 Nya Lorraine asked Canada “Now you playing for the home town team (Los Angeles Sparks), how does that feel?” Canada responded “I love it, I love being in LA, I love being back home. It is like a dream come true, I remember as a little kid I went to the Sparks games and I remember being a little girl and going wow, I want to get there one day, I want to play for the Sparks. My dream really became a reality and just playing in the Staples Center, not everybody gets to say that.”
Lorraine asked “Do you have a go to move or a signature move?” Canada responded “Signature move, it is either my hesitation or it is the in and out cross and get to the hoop or in and out cross, shoot it, get the little mid-range, yeah those are my go-to’s.”
In the final questions section of the Mini Hoops: Jordin Canada / Jordan Brand video Lorraine asked “You achieved your dream of making it to the league. What other dreams have you yet to fulfill?” Canada responded “I want to be able to put an album. I think I need to tap into my singing side. I am very reserved and laid-back but I do think it would be really dope if put out an EP or an album so that is probably the next dream of mine that I want to fulfill.”
During the 2023 WNBA season Canada started all 38 regular season games that she played for the LA Sparks to lead the club for starts. Other players to have at least 19 starts were Nneka Ogwumike (36 starts), Azura Stevens (29), Layshia Clarendon (24), Karlie Samuelson (23) and Dearica Hamby (19). Canada thrived as the LA Sparks starting point guard and took her game to another stratosphere to average 13.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists (6th) and 2.3 steals (1st) per game to set career-highs in the first three categories. Canada finished second in the WNBA’s 2023 Most Improved Player Award behind Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally with Australian Alanna Smith finishing third for her performances as a forward with Chicago Sky. Canada was selected in the WNBA All-Defensive First Team for the second time in her career.
In August 2023 Los Angeles Sparks Head Coach Curt Miller commented on Canada “We’ve asked a lot of her and a lot of it has fallen onto her and she accepted it. I feel like she’s just had an outstanding year for us. [From] A 6-foot-2 wing all the way back to the point guard position – she takes the challenge on each and every night to guard the best offensive weapon on the perimeter. It’s been a luxury to be able to tap into.”7
In the first six seasons of her WNBA career from 2018 to 2023 Canada played a total of 182 regular season games including 108 as a starter and averaged 8.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
During the WNBA off-season Canada has played three seasons in Europe, playing for Polish club Wisla Can-Pack Krakow in 2018/19, for Hatay BB in Turkey in 2020/21 and Hungarian club Uni Gyor in 2021/22. In the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons Canada averaged more than 11.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Canada remained in the USA in 2022/23 and played in Athletes Unlimited, earning selection in the leagues’ 2023 All-Defensive Team. The Athletes cause program that Canada played for in the 2023 Athletes Unlimited season was Ronald McDonald House of Los Angeles.
Suzy Batkovic Medal winning season in the WNBL with Deakin Melbourne Boomers in 2023/24
For 2023/24 Canada signed to play for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers in Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL). The two previous American import guards that the club had recruited, Tiffany Mitchell and Lindsay Allen both earnt All-WNBL selection playing for the Boomers. Allen (All-WNBL selection in 2018/19 and 2021/22) and Mitchell (2022/23) were teammates on the Boomers 2021/22 WNBL Championship winning team. Given Canada’s skill set and proven WNBA form it was considered likely that Canada could maintain this high All-WNBL standard and be a contender for the Suzy Batkovic Medal awarded to the league’s Most Valuable Player. Throughout the 2023/24 WNBL season Canada has suited up in the number 0 singlet for the Boomers. Eight teams compete in the WNBL with each team playing 21 regular season games comprised of playing three games against each of the other seven teams in the league.
One of Canada’s teammates on the Seattle Storm 2020 WNBA Championship winning team Ezi Magbegor played four consecutive seasons for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers from 2018/19 to 2021/22. Magbegor earned All-WNBL selection in 2020 and 2021/22 and was a starter on the Boomers Championship winning team in the latter season.
Jordin Canada signing a photograph for a Melbourne Boomers fan after the game against Bendigo Spirit on 30 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville, Ezi Magbegor is to Canada’s right.
When the Melbourne Boomers signed Canada the expectation was that she would be playing in the Boomers backcourt with Kristy Wallace who earnt selection in the All-WNBL first team in her first season with the Boomers in 2022/23. Due to a knee injury Wallace missed most of the regular season, made her return in Round 14 and played the club’s last two games of the regular season.
When the 2023/24 WNBL regular season commenced on 1 November 2023 only 35 of the 82 players on a main roster of a WNBL team were suiting up for the same team they played for in 2022/23. The Deakin Melbourne Boomers had the highest player turnover in the WNBL during the off-season with only two players from their 2022/23 main roster – power forward/centre Penina Davidson and guard Wallace suiting up for the club again in 2023/24.
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On the eve of the 2023/24 season commencing Milestones and Misses published a Comprehensive guide to player movement and main rosters for the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season. The comprehensive guide provides details on the player movement and main rosters from a league wide perspective and then looks at these two aspects for each of the eight WNBL clubs. The club section includes player profiles on every player on a main roster as at 30 October 2023. A profile on each club’s Head Coach is also included. A link to this comprehensive guide is below:
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In the WNBL off-season two Melbourne Boomers players, 2022/23 Suzy Batkovic Medal winner Cayla George and Australian Opals captain Tess Madgen both joined rival WNBL club Sydney Flames. Three of Melbourne’s off-season recruits moved cross-town after playing for Southside Flyers in 2022/23 – Sara Blicavs, Monique Conti and Aimie Rocci, this trio were also teammates on the Flyers 2020 WNBL Championship winning team. Leilani Mitchell and Lou Brown moved in the opposite direction, joining Southside after playing for Melbourne in 2022/23.
Melbourne’s most used starting five in 2023/24 has been Canada and Monique Conti in the backcourt along with Sara Blicavs, Keely Froling and import Naz Hillmon in the front court. Nine players have averaged more than 10.0 minutes per game for Melbourne in 2023/24 with these five players joined in this category by New Zealand duo Tera Reed and Penina Davidson along with Australian guards Aimie Rocci and Wallace. In 2023/24 Chris Lucas is in his second season as Head Coach of the Boomers and 16th season overall as a Head Coach in the WNBL. Four time Olympic medal winner with the Australian Opals (2000, 2004, 2008 & 2012) Kristi Harrower is in her second season as an Assistant Coach of the Boomers. In November the Boomers players selected Froling and Wallace as co-captains.
A Melbourne Boomers team huddle amongst Round 1 starters, Jordin Canada, Sara Blicavs, Keely Froling, Naz Hillmon and Tera Reed during the game against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 4 November 2023
In the season opener of the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season the Melbourne Boomers had a trio of debutants, American imports Canada and Hillmon along with Tall Ferns representative Reed in their starting lineup for the road game against Adelaide on Wednesday 1 November at Adelaide Arena. Playing a team-high 36 minutes and 55 seconds in the Boomers 68-60 victory against Adelaide Canada scored six points, took two rebounds, had eight assists and two steals to set equal game-highs in the latter two categories.
Jordin Canada playing for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 4 November 2023 and being guarded by Dallas Loughridge
The second game of the Boomers Round 1 road double was against cross-town rivals Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 4 November. Canada’s skills and high basketball IQ were on full display against Southside. One minute and two seconds into the second quarter Southside led Melbourne by three points 19-16. Led by a Canada masterclass the Boomers dominated the remainder of the second quarter to go on a 24-7 run to lead by 14 points, 40-26 at half-time. During this time Canada provided four assists, for Froling, a Davidson lay up, a Blicavs three-pointer and a Reed three-pointer. Canada made an impact on the scoreboard herself, making a floating jump shot, a pull up jump shot, a driving lay-up, and a jump shot four seconds before half time to score eight points for the second quarter, matching Southside’s tally for the term. At half-time Canada had scored 12 points, taken six rebounds and made six assists to be on track for a triple double. In the end Canada fell two rebounds short of achieving a rare WNBL triple-double, finishing the game with 15 points, eight rebounds, a game-high 10 assists and an equal game-high two steals to play a critical role in the Boomers defeating Southside 77-70 in game 1 of the Michele Timms Cup. On Monday 6 November the WNBL announced that Canada was the WNBL Player of the Round for Round 1. Across Melbourne’s two Round 1 victories Canada averaged 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game.
Jordin Canada passing to Melbourne Boomers teammate Keely Froling during the game against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 4 November 2023
In a Round 2 road game against the Sydney Flames on 12 November Canada scored a game-high 20 points, took four rebounds, made a game-high and season-high 13 assists and a game-high three steals. Canada shot the ball proficiently to make eight of 11 field goals at an accuracy of 72.7% in the Boomers 95-80 victory at Qudos Bank Arena.
At three quarter time Melbourne trailed Bendigo Spirit 50-62 in their Round 3 home game at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 19 November. In the first 65 seconds of the fourth quarter Canada provided an assist for a Froling three-pointer and made a three-pointer of her own to reduce Bendigo’s lead to six points. With a minute left in the fourth quarter Melbourne trailed Bendigo 73-74. Canada made a lay up with 46 seconds to play and made a free throw with 13 seconds left to give Melbourne a 76-74 lead which was the final score. In a superb final quarter Canada scored 10 points comprised of a three-pointer, two jump shots, a lay up and a free throw, took two rebounds and made four assists. Playing the full 40 minutes Canada finished Melbourne’s two point victory with a team-high and season-high 26 points, a team-high eight rebounds and an equal game-high seven assists to earn selection in the WNBL’s Team of the Week for the third consecutive round. Canada shot proficiently to make 10 of 19 field goal attempts at 52.6% and made two of four three-pointers at 50%.
During the post-game press conference after Melbourne’s victory against Bendigo Chris Lucas was asked “Jordin Canada, tell me about her, wow, she lit up didn’t she?” Lucas responded “Yeah, she’s special. She’s a special athlete, special person, her IQ is as good as any point guard I have ever coached to be quite honest. She is one step ahead, she wants to pull the play board out of my hand. I think she makes people around her better and we are loving having her in the group but we need to be able to get her a rest as well otherwise she is going to burn out.”
In a home game against the UC Capitals on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium the Melbourne Boomers trailed by three points 71-74 with 55 seconds to play in the fourth quarter. On the next possession Canada made a three-pointer with 42 seconds left to tie the scores.
Jordin Canada making a three-pointer for Melbourne Boomers against the UC Capitals with 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
After the scores were tied at 76 points apiece at the end of regulation the Boomers outscored the Capitals 11-5 to record an 87-81 victory. Against the UC Capitals Canada scored 16 points, took five rebounds, made a game-high nine assists and an equal team-high two steals. For the first time since 2009/10 when they were known as Bulleen the Boomers won their first five games of the season.
Jordin Canada playing for the Melbourne Boomers against the UC Capitals on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium and being defended by Jade Melbourne
The Boomers split their next two games both against Perth Lynx, losing at home and winning on the road. In the latter game Canada was two rebounds short of a triple double, scoring 10 points, took eight rebounds, made a game-high 12 assists and made a game-high four steals in the 93-62 victory at on 7 December at Bendat Basketball Centre.
Whilst on offense Canada had a head clash with UC Capitals point guard Jade Melbourne midway through the second quarter of the Boomers road game on Friday 15 December at Southern Cross Stadium. Blood was gashing from Canada’s forehead and Melbourne had a chipped tooth. Canada had her head bandaged up and took no further part in the game. Due to concussion protocols Canada missed three games. The Boomers missed the presence of Canada, lost the game she was injured in and lost all three games she missed with concussion which highlighted how critical she was to the Boomers structure and performance.
Whilst out with concussion Jordin Canada with her Melbourne Boomers teammates during the game against Sydney Flames on 20 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
On 24 February Abbie from HerWay asked Canada “That period that you were concussed and unable to play for a bit, how did you get through that time?” Canada replied “A lot of rest, just making sure I am recovering as much as I can to get back on the court and doing what I needed to do and also cheering my teammates on while I was out, just to be there for them as much as I could.”
Jordin Canada shooting a jump shot Melbourne Boomers against Bendigo Spirit on 30 December 2023 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
Canada made her return in the Boomers home game against Bendigo on 30 December. At home in a Round 10 game against the Southside Flyers Canada scored a game-high 18 points, took seven rebounds, made a team-high five assists and had a game-high six steals in a 67-61 victory on 3 January. In Melbourne’s second game of Round 10 Canada scored 12 points, took four rebounds, made a game-high seven assists and an equal game-high two steals in a 62-55 road victory against Sydney Flames at Qudos Bank Arena. Canada was named in the WNBL’s Team of the Round for Round 10, her fourth TOTW selection of the season.
Jordin Canada about to make a lay up for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers on 3 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
Melbourne Boomers team after their victory against Southside Flyers on 3 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
Against reigning WNBL champions Townsville Fire in a home game on 13 January Canada scored 17 points, took three rebounds and made 10 assists in the Boomers 94-58 victory. Canada shot the ball adeptly to make seven of 11 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 63.6%. and was even more damaging from long range, making two of three-pointers at 66.7%.
Jordin Canada making a lay up for Melbourne Boomers against Townsville Fire on 13 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
At home game against the Southside Flyers on 21 January Canada scored a game-high 21 points, took three rebounds and made a game-high eight assists in an 82-84 loss. Canada shot the ball proficiently to make eight of 13 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 61.5% and three of five three-pointers at 60%.
Jordin Canada playing for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers on 21 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
In an article published on the WNBL website on 13 February Canada commented on her first WNBL season with the Boomers “I knew coming in it would be a very competitive league. Every game in a way comes down to the wire with so many good players. It feels really good to be here and play here. I love the crowd atmosphere, especially at the Boom Box home games. There are no ego problems. Everyone shares the ball and tries to get everyone involved. We’re the kind of team I love to play for.”8
Jordin Canada driving to the basket for Melbourne Boomers against Perth Lynx on 24 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
Between the penultimate round (Round 14) and the final round (Round 15) of the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season the nominees for the league’s 2023/24 Awards night were announced. Canada featured prominently, being nominated for the Suzy Batkovic Medal awarded to the league’s MVP, the Fan MVP and the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award. Joining Canada in the five nominees for the Suzy Batkovic Medal were fellow guards Jade Melbourne (UC Capitals), Lauren Nicholson (Sydney Flames), Isobel Borlase (Adelaide Lightning) and Sami Whitcomb (Townsville Fire).
The voting for the Suzy Batkovic Medal involves a two step process. The Awards page on the WNBL’s website states “At the end of each regular season game, both coaches and the lead referee conduct a 3-2-1 vote. WNBL will compile a list of the top ten (10) players that received game MVP votes throughout the regular season. The WNBL Awards Committee will vote on this list and the player with the most votes be awarded the Suzy Batkovic Medal. If players are tied on votes from the WNBL Awards Committee, then the total votes received from coaches/referees during the season will be used to determine the overall MVP of the competition.”9
The five nominees for the Fan MVP award were Canada, Nicholson and Melbourne along with Australia’s greatest ever basketball player Lauren Jackson (Southside Flyers) and Canada’s Melbourne Boomers teammate Monique Conti. The five nominees for the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award were Canada, Nicholson, Steph Reid (Townsville Fire), Mercedes Russell (Southside Flyers) and Brianna Turner (Adelaide).
Jordin Canada taking a rebound for Melbourne Boomers against Townsville Fire on 10 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
At the end of the regular season the top four teams on the WNBL ladder from the eight teams in the league make the finals. The Melbourne Boomers entered the final round of the season fifth on the ladder with a record of 11 wins and nine losses, the same record as the third placed Bendigo Spirit and fourth placed Sydney Flames. Melbourne were lower on the ladder due to being ranked third on the head to head games between the trio of clubs. Melbourne had all bases covered in terms of outcomes from their Round 15 game against the UC Capitals, being it was possible to A) Win and make finals, B) Win and don’t make finals, C) Lose and don’t make finals, D) Lose and make finals. Regardless of the result against the Caps the Boomers had to wait for other results before they knew if they had made the finals.
In the Boomers final game of the regular season against the UC Capitals on the road at the National Convention Centre on Saturday 24 February Canada made four free throws from four attempts midway through the last quarter to extend the Boomers lead to 10 points 73-63. The UC Capitals went on an 11-0 run to lead 74-73 with one minute and 35 seconds to play in the fourth quarter. The scores remained level for more than a minute before Canada made two free throws in the final 10 seconds of the game and the Boomers won a thriller by one point, 75-74. Canada scored 22 points, took three rebounds, made an equal team-high four assists and a game-high six steals. It was the fifth time that Canada had scored at least 20 points in a game for the Boomers in 2023/24
Later on Saturday 24 February third placed Bendigo Spirit at home lost 74-93 to sixth placed Perth Lynx which ensured that the Melbourne Boomers would make the 2023/24 WNBL Finals. In the final game of the regular season reigning champions Townsville Fire defeated fourth placed Sydney Flames 78-90. Melbourne finished third on the ladder with 12 wins and nine losses, one win behind second placed Southside Flyers and two wins behind minor premiers Townsville. Three teams, Perth Lynx, Sydney Flames and Bendigo Spirit were tied on 11 wins and 10 losses for fourth to sixth. In the head to games between the three clubs Perth had four wins and two losses, Sydney three wins and three losses and Bendigo had two wins and four losses. This resulted in Perth securing the fourth and final play-off berth, Sydney finishing fifth and Bendigo finishing sixth.
For the Melbourne Boomers it was a case of anything could happen in 2023/24, they defeated each of the seven other WNBL teams at least once, on the flipside they also lost to each of the seven other WNBL teams at least once. This range of results highlights just how competitive the WNBL is.
During the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL regular season Canada played 18 of a possible 21 games for Melbourne and averaged 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 3.1 steals, 3.3 free throws made and 34.3 minutes per game. Canada led the WNBL for steals per game, ranked second in assists, fourth for minutes played, fifth for free throws made and ninth for points. Jordin’s 5.6 field goals made per game ranked eighth in the league overall and second for the Boomers behind Naz Hillmon (6.0) who ranked equal sixth overall.
Jordin Canada playing for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers on 21 January 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
The 2023/24 WNBL Awards were held at Rydges Melbourne on Sunday night 25 February. On the orange carpet at the WNBL Awards Shooting the Breeze recorded a live podcast co-hosted by Paul Camillos and Jacinta Govind. During an interview Jacinta asked Canada “You were one of the most exciting signings coming into this season, people were throwing their phones in excitement that you were coming so has it been everything that you expected?” Canada responded “It has been everything and more, I have really enjoyed my time here in Australia, my team has been very welcoming, greeted me with open arms so I am grateful to be a part of the Boomers organisation. Also just the competitiveness of every team that I have played against this season. Every game we have had a battle and that is the type of competition I am looking for and to be part of a league that day in and day out you are always going to get a game, it has been really great this season.”
STB co-host Camillos asked “You are coming up in finals against Southside. What is your biggest concern about Southside?” Canada responded “I don’t really have a concern but obviously they are very tall, they have got a lot of height and a lot of experience so that is probably the biggest thing. We have played against them three times this season so we are going to know a lot of their stuff and they are going to know a lot of our stuff. The city of Melbourne the two rival teams playing in playoffs I think it is going to be a great atmosphere for our fans so I am really excited about it.”
The WNBL gives three statistical awards, the Golden Hands Award, Leading Scorer and Leading Rebounder. The WNBL Awards page of the league’s website states:
- ”To be eligible for statistical awards, players must have played in at least 50% of the available games played each season.
- The awards will be given to the player with the highest average for the season.
- Golden Hands Award winner is determined by the following equation – (Total Assists + Total Steals – Total Turnovers) / Games Played = Golden Hands Award Rating”10
The equation for Canada’s Golden Hands Award Rating was:
137 assists + 55 steals – 62 turnovers / 18 games
130/18 = Golden Hands Award Rating of 7.22
Canada was a convincing winner of the WNBL’s 2023/24 Golden Hands Award and her GHA Rating of 7.22 was 46.7% higher than runner up Aari McDonald’s rating of 4.92. The top five in the WNBL’s 2023/24 Golden Hands Award Rating are listed below:
Place Player Team GHA Rating
1 Jordin Canada Melbourne Boomers 7.22
2 Aari McDonald Perth Lynx 4.92
3 Stephanie Reid Townsville Fire 4.52
4 Jade Melbourne UC Capitals 4.47
5 Sami Whitcomb Townsville Fire 4.45
The 2023/24 All-WNBL First Team was Canada, Melbourne, Nicholson, Borlase and Russell. Canada was one of two Melbourne Boomers players to earn All-WNBL selection, with Naz Hillmon selected in the second team along with Whitcomb, Perth Lynx duo Amy Atwell and Aari McDonald and Sydney Flames forward Didi Richards. Eight of the 10 players that were selected in a 2023/24 All-WNBL team have played in the WNBA, the two exceptions were Borlase and Nicholson. 19 year old guard Borlase is eligible for the 2024 WNBA Draft and is likely to be selected in the first two rounds.
McDonald won the WNBL’s Leading Scorer Award with 19.8 points per game. Adelaide power forward/centre Brianna Turner averaged 13.8 rebounds per game to win the league’s Leading Rebounder Award. The Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award was won by Nicholson who received the award for the second time in her career, having also won in 2018/19.
Canada won the WNBL’s 2023/24 Suzy Batkovic Medal with Nicholson in second place and the rest of the top five in order being Melbourne, Borlase and Whitcomb. Canada was the second consecutive Deakin Melbourne Boomers player to win the Suzy Batkovic Medal with power forward/centre Cayla George having won the award in 2022/23. Power forward/centre Batkovic won the WNBL’s MVP award a record six times and following her retirement at the conclusion of the 2018/19 season the award was renamed the Suzy Batkovic medal in 2019.
The Boomers have competed in the WNBL since 1984, being known as the Bulleen Boomers from the time they were founded until the end of the 2012/13 season. The club was rebranded to the Melbourne Boomers between the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons. Canada became the sixth Boomers player to win the WNBL’s MVP Award, joining Debbie Slimmon (1990 & 1992 MVP winner), Katrina Hibbert (2004/05 & 2005/06), Hollie Florance [nee Grima] (2006/07), Liz Cambage (2010/11) and Cayla George [nee Francis] (2022/23). To celebrate the Boomers 40th anniversary, during home games in the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season the club has been recognising individuals that have made significant contributions to the Boomers. Hollie Florance is one of three people being recognised at the Boomers home semi final against Southside on Saturday 2 March.
Canada became the first American and second import overall to win the WNBL’s Most Valuable Player Award. The first import to win the Suzy Batkovic Medal was Canadian guard Kia Nurse playing for the University of Canberra Capitals in 2019/20.
In her acceptance speech after winning the 2023/24 Suzy Batkovic Medal Canada said “First and foremost I want to thank god, without him I would not have this so all glory to him. Secondly I want to thank my teammates, literally without you guys I would not have this award so I appreciate you guys. Third I want to the Boomers organisation for allowing me to be here, for signing me. Thank you for putting me into a position to be one of the leaders on this team and allowing me to play freely. Thank you to the WNBL for giving me this award.”
On the orange carpet after Canada had received the Suzy Batkovic Medal Abbie from HerWay asked Jordin “What was it that made you want to come over and play in this league?” Canada responded “Yeah I’ve heard great things about this league of how competitive it was and how people that come here they just get better. One of my main focuses was just to compete play hard and you know have fun as well.”
In an article published by the Melbourne Boomers on 28 February club co-captain Froling commented on the Boomers import duo, saying “Jordin, she’s just a phenomenal point guard, passer, scorer, defender, she does it all and it’s been really great to play with her as a big. Naz, my big sister, I just love watching her footwork around the post, she’s just so talented. I’m just glad they’re on our team and I am excited to see where their careers go.”11
The four finalists for 2023/24, Townsville, Southside, Melbourne and Perth finished in the same order as last season, resulting in the same semi final match ups as 2022-23 with Southside playing Melbourne and Townsville playing Perth. Melbourne won each head to head series against their three fellow finalists two games to one. Due to redevelopment works at the State Basketball Centre the Southside Flyers usual home court, the show court is not available. All games in the semi final series between Melbourne and Southside are being played at the Boomers home court, Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville which for Boomers home games has the nickname of the Boom Box.
The Boomers have been maintained excellence and been incredibly consistent to make the finals in seven consecutive seasons from 2017/18 to 2023/24, this a club record for Melbourne and the current longest finals streak in the league. The Boomers have won the WNBL championship twice, 2010/11 and 2021/22.
For semi final game 1 on Wednesday 28 February at Parkville the Boomers starting line up was Canada, Conti, Aimie Rocci, Froling and Hillmon. Southside’s starting five was Maddison Rocci, Leilani Mitchell, Bec Cole, Lauren Jackson and Mercedes Russell. The starting line-ups included three players that finished in the top four of the WNBA’s 2019 WNBA Most Improved Player Award – Canada for the Boomers along with Mitchell and Russell for the Flyers.
Melbourne Boomers outscored Southside Flyers in three of the four quarters in semi final game 1 however a 26-14 third term by the Flyers resulted in the Boomers being defeated 86-90. Canada scored 15 points and made a game-high 11 assists against Southside to register her fifth points/assists double-double of the season. Jordin also made two steals and blocked two shots.
Jordin Canada shooting a jump shot for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers in semi final game 1 on 28 February 2024 at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
The remaining semi final schedule for Southside vs Melbourne is:
Game 2 Saturday 2 March 7.00pm AEDT at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville
Game 3 (if required) Wednesday 6 March 7.00pm AEDT at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville
Melbourne is the home team for game 2 and Southside is the home team for game 3 if it is required.
All games in the two semi final series and the Grand Final will be broadcast in Australia on ESPN, game one of each series will also be broadcast on 9Now. International viewers can watch the WNBL Finals via unbeaten.com or FIBA You Tube.
In the other semi final series fourth placed Perth Lynx on the road upset minor premiers Townsville Fire 88-87 on Thursday 29 February. The winners of the two semi final series will play each other in the Grand Final with the higher seeded team hosting game 1 and game 3 (if required) and the lower seed hosting game 2. The dates of the games for the 2023/24 WNBL Grand Final are Sunday 10 March, Wednesday 13 March and Saturday 16 March (if required).
Upcoming 2024 WNBA season with Atlanta Dream
On 1 February 2024 WNBA Club Atlanta Dream announced that they had acquired Canada in a trade. Atlanta Dream General Manager and Executive Vice President Dan Padover commented “Jordin is an elite playmaker in the prime of her career and a perfect addition to our team, Jordin adds a variety of WNBA experience and everywhere she has been she has found a way to make her team better.”12
After acquiring Canada Atlanta Dream Head Coach Tanisha Wright told dream.wnb.com “Canada’s defensive prowess is a trait I’ve admired from a distance since she entered the league. You simply can’t teach the level of skill she brings to her position. I’m excited to work with her and integrate her unique strengths into our system.”13
After joining Atlanta Dream and being able to continue playing with fellow Boomers import Hillmon Canada told WNBL Media “I’m very excited to get there and start this new journey of mine with my new teammates and Naz and make our way to a championship. We’ve got a beautiful friendship on and off the court and I’m really looking forward to continuing the chemistry with her in Atlanta.”14 Hillmon was selected by Atlanta Dream with pick 15 at the 2022 WNBA Draft. Across her first two WNBA seasons with Atlanta Dream in 2022 and 2023 Hillmon played 74 of a possible 76 regular season games. Other players on Atlanta Dream’s 2024 roster include Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Cheyenne Parker, Tina Charles, Aerial Powers and 2018/19 All-WNBL First Team member Nia Coffey.
Atlanta Dream’s first game of the 2024 WNBA season is on the road on Wednesday 15 May against the team Canada has spent the past two seasons with – the LA Sparks at Walter Pyramid. Atlanta’s first home game of the season is on Tuesday 21 May against Dallas Wings at Gateway Center Arena. During the 2024 WNBA season each of the 12 teams play 40 games comprised of 20 home games and 20 away games. Atlanta Dream’s final game of the 2024 regular season is against New York Liberty at Barclays Center on Thursday 19 September.
Epilogue
Growing up in Los Angeles, California Jordin Canada attended Los Angeles Sparks WNBA games and dreamed of one day playing for the Sparks. Canada had an outstanding junior career for Windward High School and represented the United States of America at under age level.
Playing four seasons of college basketball as a point guard for University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Canada excelled to become the Pac-12 Conference and UCLA all-time assists leader. In her last two seasons with the UCLA Bruins Canada won the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2017 and 2018.
Seattle Storm selected Canada with the fifth pick overall at the 2018 WNBA Draft. In four seasons with Seattle Canada was a member of two WNBA Championship winning teams, 2018 and 2020. In 2019 playing as Seattle’s starting point guard Canada led the WNBA with 2.3 steals per game and was selected on the WNBA All-Defensive First Team. For most of her four seasons with Seattle from 2018 to 2021 Canada played off the bench.
Canada wanted to see if she could establish herself as a starting point guard in the WNBA, bet on herself and left Seattle to join her home town team the Los Angeles Sparks. In two seasons with the LA Sparks in 2022 and 2023 Canada started 63 of her 70 regular season games and well and truly proved herself as a starting point guard. During her second season with the Sparks in 2023 Canada led the league in steals, ranked sixth for assists, was selected in the WNBA All-Defensive First Team for the second time in her career and finished second in the Most Improved Player Award.
During the 2023/24 WNBL season with the Deakin Melbourne Boomers guard Canada’s strengths included speed, reading of the play, quick hands, poise, high IQ, passing ability and leadership. Canada was exceptional for the Boomers to lead the league for steals, rank second for assists fourth for minutes played, fifth for free throws made and ninth for points. Jordin Canada created history by becoming the first American to win the Suzy Batkovic Medal, awarded to the league’s Most Valuable Player and was a convincing winner of the Golden Hands Award. Canada was phenomenal for the Boomers in 2023/24 both her own play and her ability to make her teammates better, playing a pivotal role in the club making the finals.
Article and photographs by Dean Andrews
Twitter – @DeanAndrews7777
References
1 https://uclabruins.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jordin-canada/5616
4 https://auprosports.com/basketball/athletes/jordin-canada/
8 https://wnbl.basketball/melbourne/news/jordin-canada-loves-the-best-fan-base-in-the-league/
9 https://wnbl.basketball/league/wnbl-awards/
10 https://wnbl.basketball/league/wnbl-awards/
11 https://wnbl.basketball/melbourne/news/keely-froling-on-her-first-boomers-season-and-finals/
12 https://dream.wnba.com/news/atlanta-dream-trade-for-guard-jordin-canada/
13 https://dream.wnba.com/news/atlanta-dream-trade-for-guard-jordin-canada/
14 https://wnbl.basketball/melbourne/news/jordin-canada-loves-the-best-fan-base-in-the-league/
Milestones and misses 