Sam’s Back

Sam Short will be returning to the Ballarat Miners in 2019 for a fourth full season following his second season with National Basketball League team Melbourne United.

Short began playing basketball with Exies Acmy Basketball Club before progressing through the Junior Elite Pathway offered by Basketball Ballarat before being picked up by Basketball Victoria Country and Australian Development Programs.

In 2018 Short was integral member of the Miners averaging 33 minutes, 11.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

New Miners Head Coach Brendan Joyce said “It’s great to have our best Ballarat player back with the Miners next season, I remember years ago identifying Sam for Basketball Victoria as a potential star.”

Joyce continued “Sam is doing great work with Melbourne United and we will be assisting him with his development across 2019 so he can make the jump to a rostered NBL position by making him an important and integral player with major responsibilities in our team”.

Miners Senior Elite Teams Committee Chair Matt Sheehan said “It’s fantastic news that Sam has committed again to playing for the Miners next season.  Being a Ballarat local and playing at the highest level of basketball with Melbourne United in the NBL, Sam was one of the key players we wanted to sign and we are extremely happy.”

Short like many of Ballarat Miners and Rush players plays a key role in our community off the court. In 2019 Short will increase this role as a Basketball Ballarat Ambassador working primarily in Ballarat West at Phoenix College across basketball and non-basketball roles.

Sheehan added “Another important aspect is Sam is a superb role model to our younger generation of boys and girls and shows a pathway can be taken to the elite levels of basketball through our programs in place.”

Short said “I’m excited to be returning to the Miners in 2019, I have worked with Brendan in the past and to have the chance to link back up with him will be great.” Short added “It’s not just about the basketball in Ballarat, I really enjoy the ambassador role and working with students and giving back to the community that has done so much for me.”

While Short hasn’t had many game opportunities with Melbourne United this season he commented “I’ve been training and working hard, getting better and better and prepareing myself for when an opportunity comes us and I hope to be able to transfer that work when I’m back in Ballarat on the playing floor”.

Short will return to Ballarat at the end of the Melbourne United NBL season expected to be February or March.