AHEAD of a momentous occasion in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), Geelong United star Jazmin Shelley says the team is ready to go for its inaugural season ahead of the opener next week.

Formerly known as the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL, the team moved down the coast over the off-season, merging with Melbourne United while also helping spread Australia’s female basketball competition further around the country.

Shelley was one of many players recruited over the off-season and spoke to Rookie Me Central at the WNBL season launch this week.

“Its really exciting,” she said. “I think being from a regional area in Victoria growing up, its special for me. I think it is cool that Geelong has such an amazing community, so everyone is going to back us and I am really excited.”

Despite a hectic offseason, Shelley is excited about how the team is shaping ahead of Wednesday night’s season opener against the Townsville Fire at the Geelong Arena.

“I think we are looking good,” she said. “We have only had a couple of full practices given a few people are coming in through injury, but we are looking good. I feel like we are really all starting to work well together. It is a short preseason so it might take us a couple of games to get settled, but we are really excited.”

Coming off one of the most even seasons in WNBL history, this fixture is set to deliver something similar, and a spot in the finals has never been harder to lock down. However, Shelley said her side is prepared for tough battles all season long and will be attacking the challenge head on.

“Someone just asked me who is going to win the championship and to be honest I have absolutely no idea,” she said. “These teams are unreal, and you can’t take anyone lightly.”

The move to a different city means United are stepping into unfamiliar territory, and Shelley was hesitant to put any expectations on the team in its first season, but she was happy with the mindset heading into the fixture.

“We have not spoken too much about goals, we’re just game to game at the moment,” she said. “But I think our team is confident in our abilities and we’ll believe we can win any game that is in front of us.”

Shelley enjoyed an exciting few months, getting to live out her childhood dream of reaching the WNBA when she was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in the third round of the 2024 WNBA Draft earlier this year, and was thrilled with the experience.

“It was really special,” she said. “It was definitely a goal of mine to hear my name call and to finally do that was amazing. My experience at camp was great, I got to learn off some really special players . I am very grateful for it all and I learnt a lot from that experience.”

With United having a fresh mix off new and experienced players, there are several players to keep an eye on, such as Shelley herself. However, the 24-year-old flagged one of her teammates as a potential surprise packet for season 2024/25.

“I think Gemma Potter is one to watch,” Shelley said. “I think she’s feeling much more confident after coming back from injury, she’s just kind of found her way. I think she might surprise a few people with a newfound sense of confidence in her body.”

Geelong United and the Townsville Fire will kick off the season on Wednesday night to open a new chapter for the WNBL.