Austin Bradtke Biography

Melbourne has won the race for highly sought-after ruck prodigy Austin Bradtke.

The 17-year-old former junior basketball star will sign for the Demons as a Category B rookie in November after meeting with a number of other Victorian clubs in recent months.

The son of former basketball champion Mark and former dual tennis Grand Slam champion Nicole, Austin passed on lucrative US basketball scholarships to turn his hand to football.

"It is a tough decision for a 17-year-old to make, but he took his time and weighed up all the options," father Mark said.

"He understands that it will take time to develop his body and game, but believes that the coaches and players at Melbourne will be a massive asset for him."

Seventeen-year-old Austin Bradtke, the son of Australian sporting icons Mark and Nicole Bradtke, will decide by the end of May which club he will join as a Category B rookie.

Standing 205cm, Bradtke has resisted the temptation to play football since quitting in his junior days with East Sandringham to focus on basketball.

He last year won the under-18 National Championship with Vic Metro and has played for Melbourne Tigers.

Tipping the scales at 88kg, Bradtke turns 18 in May and is seen as a project player with standout agility.