THE Castec Rural Pioneers have announce another new signing for the 2023 NBL1 South season as the roster takes shape.
Former All-Australian Under 18 player Austin Shelley is the latest Pioneer, having played for West Texas University and Knox Raiders in the NBL1 South competition in 2022, enroute to becoming a Pioneer.
The 22-year-old Shelley is an exciting young player whose parents both played professional basketball, and his sister and older brother also played college basketball in the United States.
In the 2021-22 season, Shelley played 28 games for West Texas, with a game high of 15 points, four rebounds and four assists against Champions College.
During his 14 games with Knox in the 2022 season, he averaged 12.44 minutes court time per game, shooting at 44.73 per cent.
Pioneers head coach Richard Hill is excited Shelley has signed with the club and said he believed he has the potential to become a high-level player.
“Austin is a very important part of our plans as we rebuild our team,” he said.
“A knock down three-point shooter and a great perimeter defender, Austin will be a key impact player for us and I expect him to become a fan favourite very quickly.”
The Castec Rural Pioneers and OneFortyOne Pioneers are scheduled to play their first game in the 2023 NBL1 South season on the road on April 1 against the Sandringham Sabres.
Their first home game at the new Wulanda centre is expected to be on Friday, April 14, against Casey Cavaliers.
