Rhys Vague

Vague grew up in Perth, Western Australia, in the suburb of Kardinya.{{cite web|last=O'Donoghue|first=Craig|url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/the-west-australian/20180420/282106342236143|title=WA product Vague signs two-year deal with Cats|work=The West Australian|date=20 April 2018|accessdate=20 April 2018|quote=Vague grew up in Kardinya and spent four seasons with the Wildcats as a development player.}} He played his first game of basketball at the age of seven, starting at the Spearwood Hawks Junior Basketball Club before joining the Cockburn Cougars junior program.{{cite web|last=Nico|first=Jessica|url=https://www.communitynews.com.au/cockburn-gazette/sport/hard-work-pays-off-for-perth-wildcat-rhys-vague/|title=Hard work pays off for young Perth Wildcat Rhys Vague|work=CommunityNews.com.au|publisher=Cockburn Gazette|date=2 January 2019|accessdate=3 January 2019}} He is also a product of the rich basketball program at Willetton Senior High School.{{cite web|last=Pike|first=Chris|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/vague-living-dream-repaying-cats-faith|title=Vague Living Dream, Repaying 'Cats Faith|work=NBL.com.au|date=9 November 2018|access-date=24 April 2023|quote=Vague is yet another product of the rich basketball program at Willetton Senior High School and is another example of showing that there are more options to becoming a basketball professional even if you don't get into the college system.}}{{cite web|last=O'Donoghue|first=Craig|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/nine-thoughts-on-the-perth-wildcats-ninth-nbl-title-ng-b881139133z|title=Nine thoughts on the Perth Wildcats ninth NBL title|work=TheWest.com.au|date=18 March 2019|accessdate=18 March 2019|quote=Rhys Vague grew up in Kardinya and went to Willetton High School.}}

In 2013, Vague debuted for the Cockburn Cougars in the State Basketball League (SBL) at the age of 17.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/36800-rhys-vague-earns-full-roster-position|title=Rhys Vague earns full roster position|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=19 April 2018|accessdate=20 April 2018}} He appeared in two games in his first season.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?client=1-5011-83382-255297-16448441&sID=&action=PSTATS&pID=202993437|title=Player statistics for Rhys Vague – SBL 2013|work=SportsTG.com|accessdate=20 April 2018}} He continued on with the Cougars in 2014 and averaged 3.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16 games.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?client=1-5011-83382-299006-20469276&sID=&action=PSTATS&pID=202993437|title=Player statistics for Rhys Vague – SBL 2014|work=SportsTG.com|accessdate=20 April 2018}} He also had a three-game stint with the BA Centre of Excellence in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) midway through the year.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=198179729&client=1-3363-36751-478980-16890846|title=Player statistics for Rhys Vague – SEABL|work=SportsTG.com|accessdate=20 April 2018}}{{cite web|last=Uluc|first=Olgun|url=https://pickandroll.com.au/p/australian-u19-mens-squad-training-camp-roster|title=Australian U19 Men's Squad | Training Camp Roster|work=pickandroll.com.au|date=1 October 2014|accessdate=28 March 2024}}

In 2014, Vague began training with the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL) during pre-season before earning selection as a development player for the 2014–15 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/fremantle-gazette/20141028/281921656313558|title=From Cougar to Wildcat in premiere performance|work=Fremantle Gazette|date=28 October 2014|accessdate=20 April 2018|quote=He began training with the Wildcats during the pre-season before earning selection as an official team development player.}} He made his debut for the Wildcats on 24 October 2014, receiving 45 seconds of action deep into the game against the Sydney Kings, a match the Wildcats won 84–63. Vague was active for three more games but did not appear in any further action.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=198939024&client=0-189-12314-327335-19755590|title=Player statistics for Rhys Vague – NBL|work=SportsTG.com|accessdate=20 April 2018}}

Following the NBL season, Vague joined the East Perth Eagles for the 2015 SBL season.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=33760055|title=SBL season preview – East Perth Eagles|work=SportsTG.com|date=9 March 2015|accessdate=20 April 2018}} In 22 games, he averaged 18.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=202993437&client=1-5011-83386-357507-23096622|title=Player statistics for Rhys Vague – SBL 2015|work=SportsTG.com|accessdate=20 April 2018}} He was subsequently named the SBL's Most Improved Player.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=35898037|title=2015 Award Winners|work=SportsTG.com|date=7 September 2015|accessdate=20 April 2018}}

Vague appeared in six games for the Wildcats during the 2015–16 NBL season and was a member of their championship-winning squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/pages/championship-teams|title=Championship Teams|work=Wildcats.com.au|access-date=24 April 2023}} He subsequently re-joined the Eagles for the 2016 SBL season{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41862134|title=Men's SBL Season Preview – East Perth Eagles|work=SportsTG.com|date=17 March 2016|accessdate=20 April 2018}} and averaged 19.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 26 games.{{cite web|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=202993437&client=1-5011-83383-444191-23096637&ocompID=444186|title=Player statistics for Rhys Vague – SBL 2016|work=SportsTG.com|accessdate=9 July 2020}}

Vague received no game time in the 2016–17 NBL season but earned back-to-back championships with the Wildcats. He subsequently joined the Stirling Senators for the 2017 SBL season{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-5011-0-0-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=53504062|title=Senators look to make noise despite tough preparation|work=SportsTG.com|date=16 March 2017|accessdate=20 April 2018}} and averaged 18.0 points, 8.29 rebounds and 3.18 assists in 28 games.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=202993437&client=1-5011-83383-444191-23096637|title=Player statistics for Rhys Vague – SBL 2017|work=SportsTG.com|accessdate=20 April 2018}}

With the Wildcats in 2017–18, Vague appeared in 13 games and averaged 1.5 points. He subsequently joined the Dandenong Rangers in the 2018 SEABL season{{cite web|url=http://seabl.com.au/2018-season-preview-dandenong-rangers/|title=2018 SEASON PREVIEW: DANDENONG RANGERS|work=SEABL.com.au|date=23 March 2018|accessdate=20 April 2018}} and averaged 15.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 19 games.

File:Rhys Vague 2018 3.jpg

On 19 April 2018, Vague signed a two-year deal with the Wildcats, earning elevation to the team's full-time roster after four years as a development player. On 17 January 2019, on his 23rd birthday, Vague made his first career start and had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists in 25 minutes in a 97–84 loss to the Adelaide 36ers.{{cite web|url=https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/NBL/898768/bs.html|title=36ers vs Wildcats|work=FIBALiveStats.com|date=17 January 2019|accessdate=18 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/vague-learns-from-first-start|title=Vague learns from first start|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=18 January 2019|accessdate=18 January 2019}} In March 2019, he was a member of the Wildcats' championship-winning team.{{cite web|last=O'Donoghue|first=Craig|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/nine-thoughts-on-the-perth-wildcats-ninth-nbl-title-ng-b881139133z|title=Nine thoughts on the Perth Wildcats ninth NBL title|work=TheWest.com.au|date=18 March 2019|accessdate=18 March 2019}}

Vague joined the Nelson Giants for the 2019 New Zealand NBL season{{cite web|author=NZhoops|url=https://twitter.com/NZ_hoops/status/1102683356775370752|title=The Nelson Giants have signed Perth...|work=Twitter|date=5 March 2019|accessdate=5 March 2019}} and averaged 16.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 18 games.{{cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Rhys-Vague/Summary/83034|title=Rhys Vague|work=RealGM.com|accessdate=9 July 2020}}

With the Wildcats in 2019–20, Vague won his fourth NBL championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/perth-wildcats-back-to-back-nbl-champions|title=Perth Wildcats Back-to-Back NBL Champions|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=19 March 2020|accessdate=19 March 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/perth-wildcats-crowned-nbl20-champions|title=Perth Wildcats Crowned NBL20 Champions|work=NBL.com.au|date=19 March 2020|accessdate=19 March 2020}}

In July 2020, Vague signed with the Kagawa Five Arrows of the Japanese B.League for the 2020–21 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/wildcats-farewell-rhys-vague | title=Wildcats farewell Rhys Vague | work=Wildcats.com.au | date=9 July 2020 | accessdate=9 July 2020}}{{cite web | url=https://nbl.com.au/news/rhys-vague-signs-in-japan | title=Rhys Vague Signs in Japan | work=NBL.com.au | date=9 July 2020 | accessdate=9 July 2020}} In 50 games, he averaged 10.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.{{cite web | url=https://www.australiabasket.com/New-Zealand/news/685175/Rhys-Vague-(ex-Kagawa-FA)-is-a-newcomer-at-Hawks | title=Rhys Vague (ex Kagawa FA) is a newcomer at Hawks | work=australiabasket.com | date=21 May 2021 | accessdate=21 May 2021}} He subsequently joined the Hawke's Bay Hawks for the 2021 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web | url=https://www.facebook.com/NZBayHawks/posts/4450503368333901 | title=The Taylor Hawks are excited to add this quality athlete to their Roster... | work=facebook.com/NZBayHawks | date=21 May 2021 | accessdate=21 May 2021}}

On 18 June 2021, Vague re-signed with the Five Arrows for the 2021–22 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.fivearrows.jp/news/detail/id=15018 | title=2021-22シーズン 選手契約（継続）のお知らせ | work=fivearrows.jp | date=18 June 2021 | accessdate=4 September 2021 | language=Japanese}} He averaged 12.8 points per game.{{cite web | url=https://www.fivearrows.jp/news/detail/id=15747 | title=2022-23シーズン 選手契約締結（継続）のお知らせ | work=fivearrows.jp | date=8 June 2022 | accessdate=13 October 2022 | language=Japanese}}

On 8 June 2022, Vague re-signed with the Five Arrows for the 2022–23 season.

On 24 April 2023, Vague signed a two-year deal with the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the NBL.{{cite web|url=https://www.semphoenix.com.au/news/rhys-vague-joins-phoenix-for-two-years|title=Rhys Vague Joins Phoenix for Two Years|work=semphoenix.com.au|date=24 April 2023|access-date=24 April 2023}}{{cite web|last=Hersz|first=Tom|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/home-is-where-the-heartland-is|title=Home Is Where the Heartland Is|work=NBL.com.au|date=26 April 2023|access-date=26 April 2023}} On 28 March 2024, he was released by the Phoenix.{{cite web|url=https://www.semphoenix.com.au/news/phoenix-announce-further-roster-changes|title=Phoenix Announce Further Roster Changes|work=semphoenix.com.au|date=28 March 2024|access-date=28 March 2024}}

Vague joined the Cockburn Cougars for the 2024 NBL1 West season.{{cite web|url=https://cougarfamily.com/four-time-nbl-champion-returning-home-to-cougars/|title=Four-time NBL champion returning home to Cougars|work=cougarfamily.com|date=14 December 2023|access-date=14 December 2023}}{{cite web|last=Pike|first=Chris|url=https://authory.com/ChrisPike/Winning-with-Cougars-all-Vague-is-focused-on-af7a674ab3ffb418aa585beec5746c03f|title=Winning with Cougars all Vague is focused on|work=authory.com|date=10 April 2024|access-date=1 May 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501160322/https://authory.com/ChrisPike/Winning-with-Cougars-all-Vague-is-focused-on-af7a674ab3ffb418aa585beec5746c03f|archive-date=1 May 2024}}

On 9 July 2024, Vague signed with Tokyo United, returning to the B.League for a second stint.{{cite web |title=リース・ヴァーグ選手 新規契約締結のお知らせ |url=https://tubc.tokyo/team/4941/ |work=tubc.tokyo |access-date=30 September 2024 |date=9 July 2024 |language=Japanese}}

In December 2013, Vague won a silver medal with Australia at the FIBA Oceania Pacific Championships in New Zealand.{{cite web|url=http://basketball.net.au/australian-teams-for-fiba-oceania-pacific-championships/|title=AUSTRALIAN TEAMS FOR FIBA OCEANIA PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS|work=Basketball.net.au|date=10 October 2013|accessdate=20 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://basketballwa.asn.au/blog/2013/12/05/wa-juniors-win-medals-at-pacific-championships/|title=WA JUNIORS WIN MEDALS AT PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS|work=BasketballWA.asn.au|date=5 December 2013|accessdate=20 April 2018}}

In December 2014, Vague won a gold medal with the Australian Emus at the FIBA Oceania Under 19 Championships in Fiji.{{cite web|url=http://basketball.net.au/airbnb-australian-emus-team-named/|title=AIRBNB AUSTRALIAN EMUS TEAM NAMED|work=Basketball.net.au|date=24 October 2014|accessdate=20 April 2018}}{{cite web|last=Uluc|first=Olgun|url=https://pickandroll.com.au/fiba-oceania-u19-championships-recap-look-2015-fiba-u19-world-championship/|title=FIBA Oceania U19 Championships – Recap + A look at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship|work=pickandroll.com.au|date=7 December 2014|accessdate=20 April 2018}} In April 2015, he was named in a 16-man Australian Emus squad in the lead up to the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Championships in Greece,{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-5011-0-0-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=34170343|title=Rhys Vague selected to U/19 Australian Squad|work=SportsTG.com|date=9 April 2015|accessdate=20 April 2018}} but ultimately missed out on the final squad.

In June 2017, Vague was named in the 12-man Emerging Boomers squad for the 2017 Summer Universiade in Taiwan. The team consisted of players under the age of 25 who were completing university studies.{{cite web|url=http://basketball.net.au/emerging-boomers-team-named-for-2017-world-university-games/|title=EMERGING BOOMERS TEAM NAMED FOR 2017 WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES|work=Basketball.net.au|date=20 June 2017|accessdate=20 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://seabl.com.au/seabl-well-represented-in-emerging-boomers-team/|title=SEABL WELL REPRESENTED IN EMERGING BOOMERS TEAM|work=SEABL.com.au|date=21 June 2017|accessdate=20 April 2018}}

In February 2022, Vague was named in a 17-man Australian Boomers squad ahead of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Japan.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/emerging-nbl-players-named-in-boomers-squad|title=Emerging NBL Players Named in Boomers Squad|work=NBL.com.au|date=2 February 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202100527/https://nbl.com.au/news/emerging-nbl-players-named-in-boomers-squad|archive-date=2 February 2022}} He re-joined the team for proceeding qualifying windows in August 2022{{cite web|url=https://australia.basketball/boomers-team-announced-for-fourth-window-of-fiba-world-cup-qualifiers/|title=Boomers Team Announced for Fourth Window of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.|work=australia.basketball|date=11 August 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826054731/https://australia.basketball/boomers-team-announced-for-fourth-window-of-fiba-world-cup-qualifiers/|archive-date=26 August 2022}} and February 2023.{{cite web|url=https://australia.basketball/boomers-ready-to-hit-the-burbs/|title=Boomers ready to hit the burbs|work=australia.basketball|date=22 February 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414074712/https://australia.basketball/boomers-ready-to-hit-the-burbs/|archive-date=14 April 2023}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.fivearrows.jp/team/players/detail/id=14456?PlayerID=33027 Kagawa Five Arrows profile]
• [https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/118252/sid/7558/tid/239/tid2//_/2014_FIBA_Oceania_U18_Championship_for_Men/index.html FIBA profile]
• [http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=198179729&client=1-3363-36751-478980-16890846 SEABL stats]
• [https://thewest.com.au/sport/nbl/promoted-perth-wildcat-rhys-vague-sets-sights-on-bumper-pre-season-ng-b88913649z "Promoted Perth Wildcat Rhys Vague sets sights on bumper pre-season"] at thewest.com.au
• [http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/vague-the-catalyst-in-breakout-performance "Vague the catalyst in breakout performance"] at wildcats.com.au

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Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in Japan

Category:Australian men's basketball players

Category:Basketball players from Perth, Western Australia

Category:Forwards (basketball)

Category:Hawke's Bay Hawks players

Category:Kagawa Five Arrows players

Category:Nelson Giants players

Category:Perth Wildcats players

Category:South East Melbourne Phoenix players

Category:Sportsmen from Western Australia

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Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen