Shelley, United ready to ‘shock’ doubters in inaugural season

THE honour of being named the inaugural signing of Geelong United’s WNBL side for the 2024-25 season is not lost on Jaz Shelley, and played a large part in her decision to make the move to Geelong.

Shelley spoke to the media ahead of United’s season opener against 2022-23 champions Townsville, saying the team, which will make history with its first game tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 30), is excited to get their season under way.

“It was certainly an opportunity that was too hard to turn down,” Shelley said.

“It actually came late in my recruiting progress, I actually thought I had made my mind up, but then I heard Geelong was going to have their first ever team, that was something that was going to be really hard to pass up.”

Shelley revealed she was seriously considering signing contracts with both Bendigo and Townsville, before Geelong United threw its hat in the ring.

“Being here and knowing the community and playing here before was something that was all too exciting for me,” she said.

Shelley returns to the WNBL for the first time in half a decade, after completing her NCAA collegiate career at Nebraska and most recently being drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2024 WNBA draft at pick 29.

She is also no stranger to Geelong, previously playing for Geelong’s NBL1 Women’s side in 2019, averaging 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game at the time.

She also returned to in-game action in Australia for the first time since leaving for college, signing with Ballarat mid-way through the 2024 NBL1 South season, where she averaged 12.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

Now 24, Shelley said he was excited to compete consistently in one of the world’s highest quality competitions.

“We’re really focusing on ourselves for the most part, and I think it’s pretty cool to be the underdogs.

“First time in the league, most people don’t really expect us to win much, but I think our team is really super confident in our ability, every individual brings something different to the team and I’m super-excited to go and shock some people.”

Tickets to Geelong United home games are available for purchase at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au/event/wnbl-