PARIS (France) - Australia’s fearless playmaker, Jade Melbourne, has been named the Paris 2024 Rising Star after stepping up for the Opals and making the point guard spot her own.
The 21-year-old had a bumpy start, like the rest of her team, after their initial shock loss to Nigeria. However, showing incredible character and composure, Melbourne bounced back to deliver a terrific Olympic debut.
She was particularly impressive in the Quarter-Finals clash against Serbia, where she emerged as one of the game-winners with a stellar performance, recording 18 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.
The rising star continued to prove herself as a key piece of the Opals' lineup, helping the team secure the Bronze Medal while averaging 27.7 minutes per game in the Final Phase. Melbourne also recorded 7 assists in the final clash against Belgium—a personal best in Paris and the highest on her team in the Bronze Medal Game.
Throughout the tournament, the guard averaged 7.0 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
FIBA