Guard leaves Brisbane for Ballarat

A CAPITAL city basketballer is shifting to a regional centre for the 2024 NBL1 South Season.

Former Brisbane Capitals guard Nicholas Stoddart has signed on to play with the Ballarat Miners men for the year, and the comp beginning early-April.

“I’m super excited to be on board with Ballarat this season and can’t wait to get started with the group,” he said.

“The culture that [head coach Luke Brennan] is going to create with this team is something I am looking forward to being a part of and I am keen to get to work with the lads.”

Stoddart has mostly competed in Queensland throughout his playing career, and in NBL1 North he shot 20 points on average per game, with 3.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

“I’m very excited to welcome Nick to the Miners family,” Brennan said. “He is a high-level scorer and an underrated defender that will complement our local core really well.

“On top of his obvious basketball skill, he’s a great guy who wants the best for himself, his teammates and the entire Ballarat Miners community.”

Ballarat Miners Elite Teams Committee member, Matt Sheehan, said he expects Stoddart needs a new challenge as he makes the move to Victoria.

“Nick’s a genuine scorer and a hard nut on the defensive end which is what coach Luke Brennan is looking for,” he said.

“Nick comes wanting to further improve his basketball career with coach Luke Brennan at the helm and will slot in nicely with the current squad.”

Also confirmed as returning to the Miners this year are Jake Lloyd, Max Cody, Amos Brooks, and Tyler Rudolph.

The 2024 NBL1 South Season launches on Wednesday 3 April, with the Miners men and women playing the Bendigo Braves at home at Selkirk Stadium.