Austin Rapp on earning his first NBL contract

Rising Australian basketball star Austin Rapp is prepared to take a patient approach in his first NBL season. He gives us an insight into his expectations and rapid rise.

He’s now in the bright lights of the NBL but rising Australian basketball star Austin Rapp isn’t in a rush.

The 18-year-old signed with the South East Melbourne Phoenix as a development player for NBL24 in the first professional step of his young career.

But the next two months are set to be a balancing act for the 202cm prospect who will finish his VCE studies while knowing he could be called upon by the Phoenix at any stage.

And Phoenix coach Mike Kelly is having a big say on how Rapp will approach the start to his career.

Rapp said the pair first met an under-19 Australian training camp earlier this year and he was immediately drawn to the veteran mentor.

“He’s a great coach, great guy,” he said.

“He tells you exactly what he wants out of you, role wise, what he wants you to get out of training.

“He’s actually making sure I go to school. When I come into training, he’s saying ‘what are you doing here? You should be at school’.

“He’s very good for the Phoenix.”

Rapp was rewarded with a place on the Phoenix roster following a stunning NBL1 season with Knox.

The Raiders claimed the South conference title before going onto win the national championship despite taking just seven players to Western Australia.

Across the season, Rapp averaged 16 points and 9.33 rebounds a game.

“There’s not many teams that are willing to give 17-year-olds a chance to play all year,” he said.

“They put trust in me, they put faith in me to go out there and show what I could do and help the team win.

“I did the best I could.

“It was insane, especially to get it done on my 18th birthday, it’s something I’ll cherish forever.”

New South East Melbourne Phoenix development player Austin Rapp, in action for Knox Raiders. Picture: Ian Knight Photography

But with his focus now on the NBL season, which starts later this month, Rapp isn’t putting too many big expectations on himself.

“I’m not expecting to play big minutes or play at all but if there is an opportunity I’ll be ready,” he said.

“I’ll do what I can to help the team win. Honestly, I think the thing for me is coming into training every day and push guys like Alan Williams, Mitch Creek and help them get better as well.

“I know I’m very lucky opportunity to get these opportunities, I thank my parents for driving me to all of these places.

“I can’t wait until the season kicks off. It’s something any 18-year-old kid would dream of.

“I’ve just got to take the opportunity when it comes and do the best I can.”

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Rapp, who represented Vic Metro at the under-20 national championships, earlier this year credits the Dandenong and Knox junior programs for playing a big role in his development.

He played with Dandenong from under-12s through to bottom age 16s.

“I was a bit of a late bloomer, before Covid I was 6’1”, and on the other side of it I was 6’7 ”/6’8”,” he said.

“Covid did the world of good for me. It’s credit to both those programs for helping me build the base that I have and continuing to help me grow throughout the years.”

The Phoenix open their season on September 28 against rivals Melbourne United.

Rapp is priced at $58,500 in NBL SuperCoach.

Originally published as Austin Rapp on earning his first NBL contract