Bendigo 6’5″ collegiate star

Collegiate basketball star Kelsey Rees has signed with the defending Champion Bendigo Spirit for the next two seasons. 

The 6’5” South Australian centre will make her return to home soil after five seasons in the NCAA with Utah, then Oregon State.

In her time in the United States, Rees led Utah to their first NCAA tournament in over a decade (2021-2022), thanks to her dominating performances on the court. 

For the Oregon State Beavers, Rees continued to command the court for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, averaging 13.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in her final campaign.

Her standout performances saw her named in the All-WCC (West Coast Conference) First Team, Academic All-American and awarded All-WCC tournament team honours while she finished second in the conference in rebounding. Over her five-year college career, Rees made four NCAA tournaments, reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 2023 and Elite Eight in 2024.

Rees’ is confident her impressive defensive skill set will make an immediate impact in the current Champions’ offence strategy. 

“I’m really looking forward to joining the Spirit for the 2025/26 season,” Rees said.

“I had an incredible college career in the US and was lucky to learn from some amazing teammates and coaches. Now, I’m really excited to be coming home to Australia to play the game I love.

“Joining a Championship-winning team with some of the best bigs in the League is an amazing opportunity, and I can’t wait to keep learning, contribute however I can, and connect with the Bendigo fans.”

Rees joins Isobel Borlase, Kelsey Griffin, Olivia Pollerd and Casey Samuels on the Spirit’s roster for the upcoming WNBL26 season. Follow all the latest WNBL moves via the Roster Tracker here.