MINES SET TO HEAT SCENE
JONATHON Mines flirted with being a Cairns Marlin but the chance to chase three straight QBL titles in Townsville was an opportunity to good to turn down.
The well-travelled combo-guard has signed on with the Townsville Heat for the 2019 QBL season and is set to replace Illawarra Hawk Jordair Jett in their back-court.
The 193cm guard held initial discussions with Marlins coach Jamie O’loughlin, who doubles as the Taipans assistant, but a conversation with Heat forward Justin Baker swayed his decision.
“My first contact was with Jamie O’loughlin, who is with the Cairns Taipans now, and on that decision, after speaking to Greg Vanderjagt about the role I would be playing, I decided on Townsville,” Mines said. “I spoke with Justin about the culture and the program in Townsville and he spoke highly of it.
“I tried to hold off making my decision but time was cutting short so I decided on Townsville. I really want to get that third championship that they are chasing.”
Mines has been a training player with the Brisbane Bullets through the 2018-19 season and says he hopes to use his QBL stint as a springboard into a full-time job in the NBL.
He featured in five games for the Southern Districts Spartans last season, averaging almost 14 points and six rebounds a game, as well as playing for the South West Metro Pirates in 2015.
The 27-year-old went to college at New Mexico Highlands.