UC Capitals add three time champion Kelly Wilson

June 22, 2018 | UC Capitals news

Kelly Wilson will chase her fourth WNBL title in UC Capitals colours after signing with the club for the 2018/19 season.

The veteran guard joins the University of Canberra Capitals after two seasons with the Townsville Fire, including winning the 2017/18 WNBL championship in her 350th WNBL game.

The 33-year-old also won back-to-back championships with the Bendigo Spirit (2012/13, 2013/14) alongside Kelsey Griffin.

She said the opportunity to reconnect with Griffin and link with Leilani Mitchell and Marianna Tolo convinced her to make the move south.

“I’ve heard great things about Gorrie (head coach Paul Goriss) and when you list the team he has put together for this season, it’s a pretty exciting prospect,” she said. “When you get to a certain age people start asking about retirement, but while I’m still enjoying the game and playing well, I’ll keep going,” she said.

Wilson is also a school teacher and has spent the last 10 years teaching at Bendigo South East College, where she is part of the Athlete Development Program.

“The school is extremely understanding of my sporting commitments, and I’m so grateful to them for the opportunity to combine both passions of mine – teaching and basketball.”

She will relocate to Canberra when preseason starts in September.

Head coach Paul Goriss said: “Kelly is a selfless player and is in great form playing for the Bendigo Braves in SEABL where she is averaging 15.9 points per game and leads the competition for assists with 10.7 per game.”

“She is a fierce competitor, a great passer and works hard on the court. She won two WNBL championships alongside Kelsey and we are hoping that this imposing combination can lift us to the top of the table this season.

“She can swing between the point and shooting guard positions, so we love the versatility she can bring alongside Mitchell and Maddi Rocci.”