Kristen Veal lifts the lid on Canberra Capitals' 'bundle of joy' Jade Melbourne lighting up the WNBL

Because nothing seemed to bother this rising star who had made her way into Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence.

Maybe that's why the Canberra Capitals rookie has since emerged as the WNBL's breakout sensation leading into a clash with the Bendigo Spirit at Townsville Stadium on Saturday night.

"She's just a bundle of joy," Capitals assistant and Centre of Excellence coach Veal said.

"She's got a really positive outlook on life and that helps her get through any adversity. She really endears herself to other people.

MORE SPORT

"People want positive people around them, passionate people, and she oozes it in spades. People are naturally drawn to that.

"She's a quality kid to be around, she's got that country kid in her. If you ever meet her parents, they're just salt of the earth, positive, sweet and open people. It clearly runs in her family."

The 18-year-old nailed a match-winning three pointer against Perth on Thursday little more than a week after finishing her year 12 exams.

Yet her cool head under pressure came as little surprise to Capitals coach Paul Goriss, who has labelled the freakishly talented youngster "a smiling assassin".

"She wants the big moment and she doesn't shy away from it. I don't coach her. I just let her play," Goriss said.

And Melbourne's lengthening highlight reel suggests this kid can play and match it with the very best in the league whether she is playing at the two spot or at point guard.

Veal says Melbourne thrives as an energetic, open-minded, natural kind of leader, but ask her if the teen sensation's rise comes as a surprise and she says both "yes and no".

"No from the perspective of her fearlessness, passion, work ethic and adaptability. From that perspective, no, not at all," WNBL life member Veal said.

"From the perspective of being able to jump straight into a women's program, it's hard for any kid. That's why not many do it these days and a lot go to college.

"It was really prevalent back in the late nineties and early noughties, but now there is such a big athletic gap between teenage kids and pro women.

"But she plays with fearlessness and passion. That makes up for any physical immaturity at this point.

"I can't say a bad word about her in terms of coachability, investment and dedication to her own development and the development of those around her."

WNBL

Round three: Saturday, November 28 - Bendigo Spirit v Canberra Capitals at Townsville Stadium, 7.30pm.