Jayda Clark is ready for the next level after signing with the Canberra Capitals

Emerging 17 year old Jayda Clark had to decide between USA college basketball or staying in Australia. Ultimately, she couldn't pass up an opportunity with the Capitals.

Credit: FIBA

When the time came for 17 year old Jayda Clark to make the decision between playing college basketball in the USA or turning pro and staying in Australia to play in the WNBL, it wasn’t as easy choice to make.

Having represented Australia on the world stage multiple times, including playing a key role at the 2022 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup and hitting the game-winning free throws in the 2022 FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup Final against Japan, Clark’s commitment to either a college or WNBL team was going to make a program very happy.

In the end, Clark eventually came to the decision to stay in Australia and sign with the Canberra Capitals – a team renowned with developing young talent – after attending an Australian Opals training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in early April.

As someone who’d dreamt of playing for the Opals, and having grown up watching the WNBL, Clark embraced every second of being surrounded by the best players in the country, players she’d watched dominate for many years.

“It wasn't until I got the opportunity to do a bit of the Opals camp when they came [to the AIS], I think that was kind of the point where I made my decision on wanting to stay,” she said. “College was definitely still a great option for me, but I just think the style of play here suits me a lot more.”

Being immersed in the Opals culture was an experience that Clark won’t soon forget.

“I loved the Opals camp and the vibe, so I definitely thought staying here was probably the better option. Honestly, I never would’ve thought I’d have that opportunity at a really young age.

“We were kind of just filling in, but honestly, it was so amazing and the culture they have there is just really, really cool. To be a part of it was one of the greatest experiences I've had here. The style of play, the physicality, the intensity, I really enjoyed it all.

“Growing up, I always watched the WNBL and honestly, college was probably going to be my option, but now to think that I'm going to be playing against some of the best in Australia, I'm super excited for it.”

Whilst Clark is excited to play in the WNBL, Canberra fans should be thrilled at the thought of securing one of Australia’s up and coming stars. Standing at six feet (183cm), Clark has tremendous size at the guard position and has the versatility within her game to be able to guard multiple positions and match up against small forwards.

Having averaged 11 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game at the U17 World Cup last year, Clark showcased her offensive skills as well as her fight and determination on the other end of the court. As she continues to develop her game, she could very well become a matchup nightmare for opposing guards.

Clark is currently a focal point for the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in NBL1 East, where her teams sits third on the ladder with an impressive 10-2 record. She’s been doing it all for the CoE, averaging 14 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, while shooting a healthy 50% from the field.

Just a couple of days ago, Clark was named in the Australian U19 Gems squad for the 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup in Spain, tipping off on 15 May. It’s yet another opportunity for Clark to showcase her game on the world stage.

At just 15 years of age, Clark moved from Western Australia to take up a scholarship at the CoE in Canberra, and while that might sound like a daunting move for some, she was ready to make the most of the opportunity she had earned.

“I grew up very independent, so I was kind of like ‘see you later’,” she said with a laugh. “I was excited for the move and honestly, I was just ready. I wanted to be somewhere I knew I could develop my game more because I really loved the sport. When I got the call up, I was like, ‘yes, I'm so excited’.

“I love it here. The trainings are great and I love the gym work. When I came here, I was just so happy, it's super cool here and my game has definitely changed a lot since coming here as well as my mindset. I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without coming here.”

The CoE has helped refine Clark’s game, but it all began back in Western Australia with the Warwick Senators in Under 12s, through to the NBL1 West in 2021.

“[The Basketball WA pathway] was very important,” she said. “I had some really good support networks around me there and the NBL1 opportunity I had at a young age in WA to help showcase my skill was valuable. The state teams had a huge role in getting me to where I am today too and I’m definitely grateful for them.”

Canberra’s track record of developing promising young guns into great players is what drew Clark to signing with the Capitals. When you look at the development of Jade Melbourne and Shaneice Swain last season, they took their respective games to the next level.

Image credit: FIBA

That fact and the opportunity to reunite with coach Kristen Veal, who previously coached Clark at the CoE, were major factors.

“That was a big reason as to why I chose them and I've had Kristen Veal coach me before for a year, so that was a huge reason too and I'm so excited to keep developing my game because I'm still young,” she said.

“[Veal] is definitely one of the best coaches I've had. She's very easy to get along with, I love the way she coaches the game and I love the person she is. She's helped me a lot over the past year and I’m grateful to be able to play for her again.

“I've watched [Canberra] play quite a bit and I love that they just look very free and they play together really well. That's kind of what I was looking for in a team and I really want that team culture, so that was another big reason.”