WNBL signings: Jaz Shelley snapped up by Geelong United

New WNBL franchise Geelong United has made a huge early splash, unveiling a former WNBL rookie of the year and WNBA draft pick as its foundation player.

Jaz Shelley has been signed by Geelong United. Picture: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

New WNBL franchise Geelong United has made a huge early splash, unveiling former WNBL rookie of the year and WNBA draft pick Jaz Shelley as its foundation player.

Shelley, 24, was one of the best Australians in US college basketball with Nebraska last season, her 16 points and 13 assists in the Big 10 Tournament final only stopped by a game-winning three-pointer in overtime from WNBA No.1 draft pick Caitlin Clark.

Shelley’s efforts with the Cornhuskers convinced Phoenix to select her with pick No.29 in this year’s WNBA draft. The scoring guard just missed out on a roster spot at the Mercury and, when she signalled her intent to return home, had no shortage of potential suitors with almost every WNBL club expressing interest.

When WNBL free agency eventually opens, new club Geelong United will look to kick things off with a bang, with heavy interest in 2024 WNBA No.29 draft pick and former WNBL Rookie of the Year Jaz Shelley.

— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) May 17, 2024

The familiarity of having played with Geelong in NBL1 and a desire to be close to family were decisive factors in the country Victorian’s commitment to the league’s newest club.

It was honestly a difficult decision to decide where I wanted to play WNBL,” Shelley said.

“Being away for so long, it was hard to decipher which club would be right.

Jaz Shelley in action against Caitlin Clark. Picture: Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

“Everything kept coming back to Geelong — knowing the people, knowing the organisation, knowing the area, was something that really excited me.

“But also being so close to my family, that was a huge part for me.

“It’s kind of a full circle feeling to be back at Geelong. I played here about five years ago just before I went to college, and now one of my first years back in Australia being able to play for Geelong in a WNBL season is pretty incredible.”

Shelley was one of the best Australians in college basketball last year. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Phoenix Mercury made Shelley pick No.29 in this year’s WNBA draft. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

In a twist, Shelley joins the remnants of the club she won ROY with back in 2019, with United’s WNBL birth made possible by the recent transfer of the Melbourne Boomers’ licence.

Coach Chris Lucas — who moved to Geelong with the Boomers’ licence — said Shelley was a player who would “fit the culture and values we are establishing as we put a team together for the future.”

After two years at Oregon, the deep-shooting assassin spent three seasons with Nebraska, leaving the school fourth all-time in three-point makes (244) and fifth in assists (565) and her efforts in leading the Cornhuskers to this year’s Big 10 championship game enhanced her draft stocks.

The 175cm guard has signed with NBL1 South club Ballarat for the rest of the season.

Originally published as WNBL signings: Jaz Shelley snapped up by Geelong United