Tess Heal misses rivalry loss after NBL1 signing

• ‍Aussie sharpshooter Tess Heal joins Kansas State Wildcats‍
• Tess Heal scores 17 points as K-State rolls Cincinnati‍
• Every Australian in NCAAW basketball in 2025-26

Melbourne senior guard Tess Heal was forced to miss Kansas State's rivalry clash against Kansas because she violated NCAA rules by signing with Keilor Thunder for the 2026 NBL1 South Conference season.

NCAA rules state it's a violation to sign a professional contract while playing in college despite athletes being paid millions via the NIL.

“We hope for a quick resolution,” Kansas State Jeff Mittie said.

"She made a mistake in regards to the timing of it — but there’s nothing else," Mittie said.

"We feel good that as soon as she gets through the reinstatement process, we’ll have her back.”

K-State lost 83-61 to the JayHawks.

The 11-10 Wildcats said the university was communicating with the NCAA and Heal's status was under review.

The NCAA was alerted to the signing via social but the posts have since been deleted.

Tess Heal — Season Analysis (Kansas State, 2025–26)

Heal’s senior season has settled into a clear shape: high-efficiency scoring within a defined role, with increasing trust in late-clock and late-game situations. Averaging 9.8 points on 50.4 percent shooting, she has become one of Kansas State’s most reliable finishers despite modest usage.

Offensive profile

Heal’s scoring has come in bursts tied to opportunity rather than volume. When her minutes and touches rise, the output follows quickly. Over her past six Big 12 games, she has posted scoring lines of 31, 25, 17, 16, 15, and 12, all while maintaining strong shot efficiency. Her 11-of-13 shooting night against Utah and 9-of-16 outing at Houston underline how clean her looks have been when she is involved early.

She is doing most of her damage:

• Attacking closeouts and secondary gaps
• Finishing through contact (frequent trips to the line; multiple 8+ FT games)
• Spot-up shooting in rhythm, particularly from the corners and slot

Her three-point volume remains low, but she is selective rather than hesitant. When left open, she has punished teams (multiple 2-for-2 and 3-for-6 nights), keeping defenders honest.

Role clarity and usage

Heal is not operating as a primary creator. Her 1.4 assists per game reflects a role focused on finishing possessions, not initiating offence. That said, she has shown passing feel when defences collapse, highlighted by a 4-assist, zero-turnover game against Houston and several low-mistake performances overall.

The early part of the season showed some fluctuation in minutes and production, including a stretch of low-impact games in November. Since conference play began, that volatility has largely disappeared. Her minutes are now consistently in the high-20s to high-30s, a strong indicator of coaching trust.

Defensive contribution

While not a high-profile defender, Heal has been active and disruptive. She averages 3.3 rebounds from the guard spot and has produced multiple 3–4 steal games, particularly in wins where Kansas State slowed tempo and protected leads. She competes on the ball and does not leak out early, which fits K-State’s defensive identity.

Trend line

The season arc matters here. Heal has:

• Increased scoring responsibility as competition level rose
• Maintained efficiency despite higher usage
• Become a late-game option, especially when games tighten

Her January performances, in particular, suggest she is playing her most confident basketball of the season.

Tess Heal’s senior year is defined by efficiency, trust, and role execution. She is not being asked to carry Kansas State’s offence, but when called upon, she has delivered points quickly and cleanly. Her recent stretch indicates a player who understands exactly where she fits, when to be aggressive, and how to impact winning without forcing the game.