The Bendigo Braves have signed their first players for the 2022 Coles Express NBL1 South season.
Kelly Wilson and Jake Lloyd have put pen to paper.
Wilson returns to the Braves after another successful WNBL season at Canberra, and a mini NBL1 stint with Bendigo last season after the birth of her first child.
"Kelly has not only been one of the best, most storied, and winningest point guards in the history of Australian basketball, but her name has been synonymous with Bendigo basketball and the success we’ve had at the elite level here," Braves Women coach Mark Alabakov said.
"She’s thoughtful, a joy to work with, and is first-class on and off the court."
Wilson only played a handful of NBL1 games in last year’s interrupted season after taking maternity leave.
But the point guard slipped seamlessly back into the role she has been playing for years, averaging 15.5 points and 8.5 assists per game.
She had another stellar WNBL season in 2021-22, averaging 6.6 points and 5.5 assists per game, as well as becoming the first player to reach the 400-game milestone.
"Her leadership, basketball IQ, and embodiment of winning habits will be a massive asset to our team and will enhance the quality of everything we do," Alabakov said.
Lloyd has been a feature of the Braves Men team for a number of years and has been impressive the past three seasons.
Bendigo Men's Coach Stephen Black said at 193 centimetres, versatility will make Lloyd a key asset in the new-look team.
"Jake is a long, athletic player who can do a lot of different things on the court that will complement the way we want to play," Black said.
"He has shown himself to be a natural leader over the pre-season and will have a great opportunity to showcase his talents this year."
Lloyd averaged almost five points a game in the COVID-interrupted 2021 season.
He spent seven months with the Illawarra Hawks during the 2017-18 NBL season as a development list player.
View the 2022 NBL1 roster tracker here
Feature image taken by Ian Knight Photography
