Jordin Canada loves “the best fan base in the league”
US import and WNBL MVP favourite Jordin Canada has had a whirlwind five months since arriving in Melbourne in October.
Coming off a great season in the WNBA and jumping straight into her first WNBL season, Canada has displayed her skills, strength and showstopping talents and become a fan favourite for both Deakin Melbourne Boomers and Australian basketball fans.
She came to Melbourne “really excited” to commence with the Boomers, having already been exposed to the “amazing talent from here” who she has played with and against in the WNBA.
“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.”
She was immediately “welcomed” with open arms by the Boomers team, supporters and club, particularly after scoring a mighty 26 points at the Boomers’ Home Opener game on the 19th of November.
“It feels really good to be here and play here. I love the crowd atmosphere, especially at the Boom Box home games.”
Canada, along with all but Penina Davidson and Kristy Wallace, was fresh to the team this season but found it “nice to play with a completely different team” who play with an “aggressive mindset”.
“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.”
The Boomers currently sit 3rd on the WNBL ladder and will hopefully enter into finals after their last two games but Canada insists that finals must be “treated like any other game”.
“I’m going to keep my routine, keeping prepping the way I have. I like to be focused and detailed.”
This will be Jordin’s first WNBL Finals experience, should the team progress, and knows for the team it is “win or go home” for the next two games against Adelaide and Canberra.
“You’ve got to play to the best of your ability every time and play every game like it’s the last game.”
She was “really honoured” to hear Lilly Rotunno call her a “crafty amazing guard” and notes the best thing is “giving back to [her] team” and being the “best teammate [she] can be”.
Canada has just locked in her plans for the rest of 2024, securing a trade deal with the Atlanta Dream that will be “a new challenge” for her alongside Boomers’ teammate Naz Hillmon.
“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.”
She had no qualms securing the deal with the help of her agent Jade-Li English who attended some Boomers’ games in January and is “very good at her job”, mixed with Naz Hillmon who was “definitely recruiting” Canada herself.
In October, Hillmon was a familiar face for Canada, having played against her in the WNBA but their relationship has evolved into a friendship and Canada relishes the time with “a great human being on and off the court”.
“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.”
From early days in the 2023/24 WNBL Season, Canada was picked out as an early favourite for the WNBL MVP award but is now also nominated for the WNBL Fan MVP which to her is “amazing” and she is “so appreciative of the love” from Boomers and WNBL fans.
“It is an accomplishment to come out here and play my first season and win the love of the fans.”
Catch Canada this Saturday, February 17 in a crucial matchup between the Deakin Melbourne Boomers and the Adelaide Lightning!
The game starts at 6:30pm and you can watch for free on 9Now!