Fisher becomes a Full Time Perth Wildcat

GMHBA Ballarat Miner Anthony Fisher has signed with the NBL’s reigning champion Perth Wildcats as a full-time development player.

“It’s been a great year with the Miners and now to be heading over to Perth for a full season is very exciting,” said Fisher.

The signing comes after several training stints with Perth over the last year which saw him earn court time in one Wildcats game.

“Since working with them last year they’ve kept in contact with me and I’ve been following a strength and conditioning program which they set for me,” said Fisher.

Miners President Nick Grylewicz said the club was thrilled for Fisher as one of the club’s core charters is to provide a platform for players to achieve their goals of playing at the highest level.

“To be headhunted by the team that most recently won Australia’s highest level championship shows how talented and well regarded Anthony is,” said Grylewicz.

“We have seen Anthony grow and develop his game through our junior development programs to become an outstanding leader of the club and one of the most exciting young players in the nation.”

Miners head coach David Flint noted the 20-year-old’s successful path to the Wildcats.

“Anthony has had a tremendous career to date not only with the Miners, but also throughout his younger days coming through the Country Victorian NITCP and State program including various National Championships,” said Flint.

“In 2014, Fish has been instrumental in leading the Miners back into the SEABL Finals for the first time since 2006. We all wish him the very best as he embarks on a successful NBL career.”

Fisher’s decorated junior basketball career started in Ballarat’s domestic competitions and saw him rise through the ranks of the Ballarat Representative Program before being joining the senior Miners in 2011 at just 17 years of age.

Now 20, Fisher has represented Australia at the Under 19 FIBA World Championships, the Under 18 FIBA Oceania Championships and the Albert Schweitzer Tournament, and represented Victoria at the Under 18 and Under 20 National Championships.

Fisher was the 2011 Victorian Country Athlete of the Year and has been touted as a candidate for the South East Australian Basketball League’s Youth Player of the Year award.

“Since junior basketball I’ve wanted to play professionally and Ballarat has helped me every step of the way,” said Fisher.

“It shows that hard work does start to pay off if you keep committed, dedicated and passionate.”

Fisher will appear in the Miners’ last home game for the 2014 season at 8pm this Saturday night against Canberra at the MARS® MINERDOME. Wildcats preseason training begins on Monday and Fisher will return to Ballarat in in time for SEABL finals.