Phoenix DP 'Inspired' by Veteran Teammates

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

South East Melbourne's Austin Rapp is looking to take his game to a new level, ahead of his first season as a professional basketballer.

Photo: Ian Knight Photography.

Inspiration is the name of the game for new South East Melbourne development player Austin Rapp, who is set to begin his journey into professional basketball in NBL24, at the age of just 17.

The young forward trained with the side last season despite his tender age and will continue to build his game around established stars like Alan Williams and Mitch Creek.

“Last year was unreal,” Rapp told South East Melbourne Media. “Simon Mitchell and those guys let me come in and train with Mitch Creek, ‘Big Sauce’ (Williams), Zhou Qi, I was 16 at the time, it was unreal.

“Mitch Creek is a guy I’ve been looking up to, he’s a mentor for me … Rhys Vague is someone who plays similarly to how I do so it’s someone I can look up to, and (Gorjok) Gak, all the new guys are inspirations.

“Obviously being only 17 years of age, not many people get this opportunity.”

Rapp doesn’t have to look too far to see the path he hopes to tread.

After two seasons as a development player, Owen Foxwell has made the step up to the Phoenix's main roster for NBL24.

Given the young guard is still yet to turn 20, Rapp will be hoping to directly repeat Foxwell’s meteoric rise himself.

He's also playing a key role off the bench for Knox in NBL1 South, and is competing with NBL23 bigs Deng Acuoth and and Mason Peatling.

“It shows a lot to Mike Kelly and the guys who’ve looked at me to pull the trigger on someone who’s 17 years old,” Rapp continued.

“[It] means they have faith in me.

“It’s pretty exciting, especially being from the Heartland itself, to be with the Phoenix. It’s something I’ll cherish forever.”

South East Melbourne will open the NBL season against local rivals Melbourne United on Thursday, September 28.