NBL1 stalwart Kelly Wilson to notch up 400 WNBL games

When you look back at the achievements of Australian women's basketball players, there's not many who would come close to Kelly Wilson's trophy cabinet. 

The Bendigo Braves NBL1 star is a four-time WNBL champion, a former WNBL Rookie of the Year and the current WNBL games record holder. 

She will take her resume to the next level on Wednesday night against the Sydney Uni Flames when she reaches a feat no WNBL player has ever achieved in the league's 42-year history- playing her 400th WNBL game for the University of Canberra Capitals. 

Speaking to the media, Wilson was as humble as ever in her approach to the big milestone. 

"I didn't consider playing 400 games at all," she said, reflecting on her 19-year career.

"I just wanted to be back out there playing (after giving birth to her son, Teddy)." 

Out of all of the awards and trophies she has collected over the years, Wilson said it was the friendships that made her most proud when looking back on her 399 games in the league.

"Those are the memories that I take away," she said. 

"I don't remember a lot of the games but I remember the lifelong friendships that I've made and the connections that I've made, whether that'd be supporters or the coaching staff of the teams I've been at. 

"Even just the people that have sent me well wishes via text or phone calls this week, it's just phenomenal the people that I've come across in my time playing."

Not only is she a hard worker on the court, but she carries that same work ethic into the classroom off it. 

As a school teacher in Bendigo, Wilson says she enjoys teaching the next generation of basketball players in the region. 

Once she leaves the classroom though it's not tools down, as she carries across those teaching qualities to the basketball court- qualities that any WNBL fan can see when watching her play. 

With the 37-year-old in the twilight of her career, she admits coaching may be the way that she stays involved in the game once she calls time as a player.

Her time as a player started way back in 2002, when she graduated from the AIS.

Wilson then moved to the Sydney Uni Flames to play for coach Karen Dalton (who also held the WNBL record for most games played).

Following her time with the AIS and the Sydney Uni Flames, she would have multiple stints with Townsville, Bendigo, and the UC Capitals, winning the ultimate prize with each of these teams.

Not content with WNBL success, Wilson has also enjoyed success with the Opals, winning gold medals at the 2013 and 2015 Oceania championships.

One player that's been there through it all has been long-time WNBL teammate, friend and Launceston Tornadoes star Kelsey Griffin, who coulnd't speak highly enough of Wilson's achievement. 

"Every game that Kelly plays, she's breaking a record, she's breaking her own record," Griffin said.

"It's like Steph Curry... he's cemented himself as the greatest shooter in the league and you could arguably say the same thing about Kelly.

"She's become one of the best, if not the best player in the league because she's been able to put herself in a position to be working for 19 years playing in the elite league and being such an important part for so many teams.

"I think any coach would be crazy to not want to have her leading their side.

"I think there's been a lot of players who maybe have had more accolades and more individual recognition and made a lot more money but they haven't played for 19 years or played as many games- they haven't put in 400 games." 

The NBL1 has played a big part in Wilson's career, with this 400-game record excluding her time spent in the league. 

Perhaps the most remarkable moment during her time as an NBL1 player came in July last year, when she returned to the Bendigo Braves for the first time since giving birth to her son, Teddy. 

While she undoubtedly would've been content with just getting through the game against the Albury Wodonga Bandits, she finished it with nine points, nine assists and nine rebounds, all while leading her side to a 31-point win.

The 37-year-old would then go on to average 15.5 points, 8.5 assists and 8.5 rebounds on 45.45 percent from the field from four games, following a successful NBL1 stint in 2019 and multiple SEABL games as a star player.

Wilson thanked one special person for being there every step of the way in her 19-year career.

"It'd be remiss of me not to mention my husband and say how fortunate I am that I have an extremely supportive husband that's willing to move around the country with me and now add a little boy into the mix," she said.

"That's something that I'm super grateful for, the fact that I have a supportive family." 

Wilson will take the court for game number 400 against the Sydney Uni Flames in front of her home fans at 6pm AEDT on Wednesday, with the game to be broadcast on Kayo Sports.