In what has been a relatively quiet off season so far, the GMHBA Ballarat Miners are excited to announce that James Hunter has agreed to join the club in May when his current playing contract with Grupo Inec Zamora Basketball Team in Spain finishes.
Hunter who was born in Nowra on the south east coast of New South Wales, played College basketball for both Washington State and University of South Dakota. Hunter finished his College degree in 2015 and joined the Manawatu Jets in the New Zealand National Basketball League.
Whilst playing with the Jets Hunter averaged 21 minutes per game as well 10 points and 6 rebounds per game. Hunter then went over to Spain and is in the starting 5 for his team whilst averaging 11 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Miners Head Coach Eric Hayes is pleased to have Hunter on board from the moment he returns to Australia. “He has great size and moves well for a tall guy”. Hunter who stands at 208cm will provide valuable height next to already signed Chris Smith.
When signing on with the Miners, Hunter said “I am delighted to be able to play for Ballarat”. Hunter will be a late addition to the team, with his commitments in Spain not finishing until May, but Coach Hayes has said “He is agile around the basket and has the ability to rebound and block shots which will be good for us when he arrives”.
Hunter is the latest signing for the Miners who have previously secured Import Roy Booker, Guamanian Earnest Ross, current Cairns Taipans Development player Ash Constable and 2015 Miners Chris Smith and Dyson King-Hawea.
Booker and Ross are expected to be in Ballarat in the next fortnight where they will join Smith and King-Hawea at training. Constable will return to Ballarat when his commitments with Cairns have finished, which is expected to be mid to late February.
Miners Elite Teams Committee have been busy talking to many player across Australia and the world to ensure they get not only the right player to fit into the team balance but also players who will fit into our Ballarat community.
Elite Teams Administrator Melissa Thomas said “We are hoping to announce that we have filled our final import position in the next week. We are just making all the necessary checks to ensure we recruit the right player on and off the court”.
For more information on James Hunter signing or any other signings for the Ballarat Rush or GMHBA Ballarat Miners please contact Basketball Ballarat Elite Teams Administrator Melissa Thomas via 5330 7604 or Melissa.Thomas@ballaratbasketball.com