Ballarat Miners lose import Harris

Updated November 2 2012 - 5:29pm, first published September 1 2011 - 9:08am
Ivan Harris
Ivan Harris

BALLARAT Miners and exciting import Ivan Harris have parted ways.His decision to play with Miyasaki Shining Suns in Japan’s BJ National League has ruled out any possibility of a return for the 2012 South East Australian Basketball League season.BJ league ends in late April, which conflicts with Ballarat Holden Miners head coach Guy Molloy’s plans to have a full squad in training in mid-January.Molloy is determined to get a full pre-season into his entire roster – something late signings and arrivals have not allowed him to do in his two previous years in Ballarat.Getting this achieved will not be a straightforward task, given that the Miners’ other United States import Nick Aldridge is also unlikely to return for a second year.Aldridge has an option on a contract in Finland, but Molloy says the centre’s playing future might be in doubt owing to a bulging disc in his back.Molloy said Aldridge had also missed his young family while in Australia, so there was the likelihood an overseas contract might not interest him.Molloy said to expedite securing restricted players, his first thoughts were to consider quality Australian players outside the National Basketball League.Harris returned to the United States on Tuesday.He is having a 10-day vacation at his home in Ohio before travelling to Japan. Molloy described Harris as “a very handy scorer” – particularly in the first half of the season.Harris, who has also played in Finland, Uruguay and Argentina, led the SEABL in three-pointers.He played 26 games for the Miners, averaging 17 points and 3.9 rebounds a game.Harris had a season-high 29 points against Brisbane.The departure of Harris continues the Miners’ trend of not keeping high-scoring imports for more than a season.Rishawn Norwood was a stand-out player in 2009 and Drake Reed last year.

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