Joyce moves to Ballarat with five years in the National Basketball League behind him, having played under the guidance of his father, Brendan, at Wollongong and the Gold Coast.

The 22-year-old is not new to Ballarat. He spent his first years of primary school in the city when his father was coaching the Miners.

Brendan Joyce led the Miners for three years from 1993.

He had an outstanding record with them - taking the Miners to conference semi-finals in 1993 and 1994, and then in 1995 to a conference final and national title.

This laid the foundation for what has been a great coaching career in the NBL.

Daniel Joyce, speaking from the Gold Coast yesterday, told The Courierthat he could not remember a lot about Ballarat from those early years, but he was excited about renewing family ties with the

city and its basketball community.

Joyce said he had been impressed in a fleeting visit to Ballarat by the professionalism of the Miners.

"It's like an NBL club."

"I love the stadium (the Minerdome) and can't wait to play there," he said.

New Miners coach Guy Molloy said Joyce would take on the role of point guard - filling a void left by the retirement of Brett Goodgame and Ryan Stevens.

Molloy, who was an assistant with South Dragons, said he had been impressed by what he had seen of Joyce in the NBL.

"I've found him to be a very talented young player. He's had a promising start to his career," he said.

Joyce will move to Ballarat in January, when he will also finalise plans to continue business studies at the University of Ballarat.

"Being able to continue my studies is a big thing," he said.