NBL26: Ben Ayre opens up on his journey through professional basketball

It’s why the 29-year-old could soon emerge as a fan favourite in his first NBL season under coach Scott Roth.

The new JackJumpers guard took a little longer than most to reach the professional level but he wouldn’t change it for the world.

The now 29-year-old made his NBL debut when he was 24, debuting for Adelaide 36ers during the 2019-20 season.

He played just two games for the 36ers before trying his luck in the Lithuanian Basketball League, eventually returning to Australia where he signed with the Cairns Taipans.

Ayre spent three seasons in northern Queensland before moving to the South East Melbourne Phoenix where he played the last two seasons.

He’s the self-described energiser bunny of every team he’s played on.

“I’m living my dream, I am so happy to be here, even when we played 10am in Sydney, flying, closed scrimmage and there are no fans but I’m just so juiced and happy to be there,” Ayre said.

“I think for the most part of my whole career, wherever I’ve been, I’ve always felt lucky in every situation I’ve been in, I’ve always felt lucky to be there.

“Almost impostor syndrome in a way but then once you’ve worked through that part and you’re like okay I am actually supposed to be here, then it’s just about putting your head down and working and then normally I relate and connect guys.

“Especially in Tassie, I love being around the guys, it sounds silly but I feel like we don’t hear it enough, maybe in this league, it’s good for young kids to hear it but this is seriously my dream.

“Why would I not be happy? Why would I not like to be bubbly? There is no reason for me to be sitting down on the bench mad.

“I love seeing the other guys happy, making my teammates happy, so I just try and use my energy and that excitement that I have to bring it out in a positive way and then try and pass that energy onto the other guys.

“Especially if they are a bit down or whatever’s going on, not everyone’s always going to be up and about, so I would say that mischief, or whatever the word you want to call it, is just my way of showing my excitement of just being a basketball player.”

Ayre’s new teammates can’t get enough of the attitude he brings.

Josh Bannan who joined from the Brisbane Bullets said it has to be “him or no one” when asked which player was always up to the most mischief.

“Every day at training, just running around, talking smack, he loves it, but that’s why we all love Ben too,” Bannan said.

“I think that’s something that we’re looking forward to playing against other teams, he’s going to bring what he brings and he does a great job of it and the group’s going to rally behind him.”

New JackJumpers point guard Tyger Campbell agreed.

“He’s always full of energy, he brings it every single day to practice,“ Campbell said.

“When we’re having off days and we’re kicking it, he’s always lively, I really love and appreciate what he brings to the team for real.”

Growing up in Melbourne, Ayre was never part of any elite programs at state or national level, but refused to give up on his dream.

His message to aspiring basketballers is to keep chasing theirs.

“The biggest advice I’d give my younger self and to other kids that I try to pass on now is nothing’s gonna happen quickly,” Ayre said.

“Especially if you are not in these elite programs, you’re gonna have to wait for those kids to kind of pass by and other kids’ motivations and passion for basketball to eventually die, well not die off.

“But some guys can’t carry all the way through but for a good block of age 15 to 25, if you’re not worrying about how quickly or what team I’m in or whatever it is.

“You just put in 10 years of hard work, that sounds like a crazy long time but I first played when I was 24 and I had that dream of playing since I was 14, that’s when I started realising this was what I wanted to do.”

Away from basketball, Ayre is trying to defeat his old man at 10-pin bowling when he has time off or staying connected to his family.

“I’ve been really working on my 10-pin bowling game recently, my dad plays and he’s always been really good his whole life, I’m sick of losing to him,” Ayre said.

“So I got to try and work on my game, I’ve been going to the lanes by myself while I was in Tassie, it’s been a bit of a pastime.

“But also now that I am away from my family, I do try and stay in contact with them as much as I can and just get my mind off of basketball.

“I’ve got three older siblings and two of them have kids, so as an uncle I try and stay in contact with the kids as much as I can, Facetime and all that sort of stuff.”

Originally published as NBL26: Ben Ayre opens up on his journey through professional basketball