Miners find replacement in Gak

SYDNEY-born big man Deng Gak is the latest signing for the Ballarat Miners.

The six-foot-11 forward has four years of college basketball playing for the University of Miami and joins the club as a replacement player for Shaquille Morris, who has left the team due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

“This is a great opportunity for me,” Gak said. “My friend Deng Acuoth has played for the Miners and said they are a great club to play for and I’m looking forward to hitting the court.”

Miners Men’s head coach Luke Sunderland said Gak should “slot straight in” to the team, however it’s unclear when he will play his first game.

“His first training demonstrated his feel for the game and his high IQ was clearly evident,” Sunderland said.

“We look forward to being able to help Deng further progress in his promising career”.

It was an up-and-down weekend for the Miners men’s squad for round two of the NBL1 South season at Selkirk Stadium, with an impressive win against Eltham Wildcats on Saturday followed by a close loss against Sandringham Sabres on Sunday.

Reigning NBL1 West MVP Nic Pozoglou showed his stuff with 18 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in the 99-78 win against Eltham, while a second-half comeback was fought off by Sandringham, who won 89-84.

Meanwhile, the Miners women banked two wins on the weekend, with star Jade Melbourne filling up the stats sheet and leading the team to a 78-67 win over Eltham with 20 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds and seven steals.

The team backed up the performance against Sandringham, winning 80-65 off Isabella Brancatisano’s game-high 25 points.

Melbourne and Zitina Aokuso both recorded double-doubles with points and rebounds.

The Miners head to Bendigo Stadium to face the Braves on Saturday.