Moe basketball player Austin Shelley is making strides in his journey as a professional athlete. He is currently training with the Cairns Taipans as a training player for the 2024/25 NBL season.
Shelley traveled to Queensland a few months ago to participate in the Taipans’ trial camp. This opportunity came after his NBL1 season with the Mt Gambier Pioneers. The trial camp featured many players competing for development and roster spots.
Following the trial, Shelley received an invitation for a week of preseason training with the Taipans. Head coach Adam Forde later contacted him to discuss a longer commitment in Cairns.
“I received feedback from the trial, and the head coach called me. He mentioned that they were impressed but did not need my position at the time. He then asked if I would be interested in coming for a week of preseason,” Shelley said.
During that week, Shelley trained twice a day for four days, proving his dedication and skill.
“Forde asked if I wanted to move up. He said they would help me out as much as they could, which was great,” Shelley added.
As a training player, Shelley participates in all aspects of the team except for game play. He benefits from professional training resources and rehabilitation facilities, and he also joins film sessions with the team. During home games, he has a prime spot behind the bench, allowing him to observe team strategies and improve his skills.
This opportunity brings Shelley closer to his dream. He expressed, “Coming up here helps me prepare for next year with Cairns and allows me to train against higher-level players, which helps me improve naturally.”
For Shelley, making this decision was easy, considering his journey in basketball. After a successful junior career, he played college basketball at West Texas A&M and spent time with the Knox Raiders in the NBL1. He then played two seasons with the Pioneers and returned to his roots with the Moe Meteors in the CBL, where he won a title and MVP award in 2023.
Shelley’s passion for basketball runs in his family. His parents, Carolyn and Phil Shelley, are respected figures in the local basketball community. Austin is not the only talented player in the family; his brother Luke played at Kentucky Wesleyan, and his sister Jaz had a successful college career at Nebraska University before being drafted into the WNBA.
Reflecting on his family’s influence, Shelley said, “I grew up around basketball. My mum was still playing when I was young, so I was always around it. Watching Jaz succeed in the U.S. motivated me. Seeing her achievements inspires me to reach for my own goals.”
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