Nebraska Cornhuskers star signs with team across the pond

Former Nebraska Cornhuskers basketball star Jaz Shelley signs with Australia's Ballarat Miners after WNBA cut, returning close to her hometown.

Former Nebraska Cornhuskers star Jaz Shelley during media day at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
Former Nebraska Cornhuskers star Jaz Shelley during media day at Footprint Center in Phoenix. | Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY

Former Nebraska Cornhuskers basketball star Jaz Shelley is on the move again. The former Huskers tried her hand with the WNBA after being drafted by Phoenix in the third round. However, it turns out she couldn’t make the opening day roster and was cut.

Of course, she was only cut after Phoenix used her and her popularity with Nebraska Cornhuskers fans to make it look like she had made the team. They put Shelley front and center of a social media post and then had the Huskers’ social media team interact with them.

Even Nebraska head coach Amy Williams got in on the act, celebrating the fact that Shelley looked like she’d officially made the WNBA roster. One day later, the professional basketball team cut her loose.

Nebraska Cornhuskers star is moving across the pond to continue her basketball career

Now the  former Nebraska women’s basketball player has signed with an Australian team for the rest of the 2024 season. Shelley signed with the Ballarat Miners Women of the Mitsubishi NBL1 South. 

Not long after the signing was announced, Shelley issued her own statement and made it clear that she’s quite fired up about her new chance.

“I’m so excited to be back playing basketball in Australia again and even more thrilled to be able to come and play for the Ballarat Miners. I couldn’t think of a better coaching staff and group of girls to start this new journey with!”

Of course, Shelley signing means she’s going to be returning close to home. The former Husker originally hails from Moe, Australia and she’ll now be back in her home country where her family will more easily be able to watch her play in person.

Before taking her game to the pro level, Jaz Shelley spent three seasons with the Nebraska Cornhuskers after starting her career with the Oregon Ducks. In 35 games with the Huskers, she averaged 13.4 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game for the 2023-24 season.

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