Heat has new star with all the plays

THE Townsville Heat have bolstered their playing ranks for the upcoming QBL season with the signing of star import Justin Baker.

Baker has been plying his trade with Tarvas in Estonia, leading in the league in scoring at 19.3 points a game and third in rebounding with an average of 8.7.

The former Gladstone and Logan import was heavily recruited by several QBL clubs for 2017, but Baker believed the Heat were genuine title contenders this season which swayed his decision.

“It’s great to join a club that annually competes for a spot in the quarterfinals,” Baker said.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of continuing that successful history and challenging the league’s best for a grand final.

“I’m happy about joining Townsville and hope to bring in my experience from playing in Europe and in the QBL, having great years with Gladstone and Logan.”

Heat head coach Rodney Anderson felt recruiting Baker was a perfect fit for the team this season and his skillset will complement the roster perfectly.

“Justin is a player who we are very familiar with from his time in the QBL with Gladstone and Logan,” Anderson said.

“He has a multifaceted skill set and he is going to make us a very difficult team to defend this year with his ability both to post up and stretch the floor at the four spot.

“With the roster we have put together, Justin will be a key piece for us both offensively and defensively with his ability to create mismatches on both ends of the floor.

“He is joining us on the back of his best professional season yet in Estonia and I’m very confident his addition is exactly what we need at that spot.”

Baker will join the Heat for pre- season training from next Monday to gear up for the first round of the 2017 season in Cairns on April 28, with the Flames also getting their season started in the far north.