OneFortyOne Pioneers Welcome Kelsey Rees for 2026 Season

The OneFortyOne Pioneers are pleased to welcome Adelaide product Kelsey Rees to the club for the 2026 NBL1 South season, adding size, experience, and high-level pedigree to the women’s program.

Standing at 196cm, Rees is a versatile post presence who developed through South Australia’s basketball pathway, playing with Forestville before joining the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence between 2018 and 2019. Her progression through the national system laid the foundation for an impressive collegiate career in the United States.

Rees spent five seasons in the NCAA, beginning at the University of Utah before transferring to Oregon State University, where she continued to develop against elite Division I competition.

During her time with Oregon State, Rees played a key role in a program that reached the NCAA Elite Eight, while steadily increasing her production and impact. In her final collegiate season, she averaged 12.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, showcasing her ability to score efficiently in the paint, rebound at a high level, and anchor the interior at both ends of the floor.

On the international stage, Rees has represented Australia at multiple junior national team levels, including U16, U17, and U19, highlighted by gold medals at the Asian U16 Championships and FIBA Oceania U17 Championships, and a silver medal at the FIBA U19 World Cup.

Her junior resume also includes All-Tournament and All-Star honours, reflecting her standing as one of Australia’s leading frontcourt prospects during her youth career.

Rees is currently competing in the WNBL with the Bendigo Spirit, where she has continued to develop at the highest level of Australian women’s basketball. During the current WNBL season, she is averaging 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, while also contributing defensively with blocks and steals, and showing efficiency around the basket.

Her minutes and responsibility have increased in recent weeks and has provideded valuable experience against national competition as she prepares for the NBL1 South season.

The addition of Rees provides Mount Gambier with a strong inside presence, combined with Division 1 college basketball exposure and national-level experience abroad and now as a professional.

Matt Sutton shared his thoughts on Rees’ signing and the qualities she brings to the OneFortyOne Pioneers program.

“Having Kelsey commit to our program is really exciting, she is developing rapidly in a fantastic WNBL program in Bendigo and we look forward to what she will bring at NBL1 level.” he said

“Her interior presence will be important as will her ability to shoot will also help stretch the floor. She’s a great person that will be quickly embraced by our great community.” he added.

Rees spoke about her excitement to join Mount Gambier and return to South Australian basketball.

“I am excited to join the Mt Gambier Pioneers for the upcoming nbl1 season. I am looking forward to helping contribute to the teams success on and off the court and meeting the community.” she said.

The OneFortyOne Pioneers will begin preparations for the 2026 NBL1 South season soon, with few players announcements, expect more to go and some pre-season details will be annnounced soon.