Chris Smith and Dyson King-Hawea have both committed for another year as the Miners attempt improve further in the South East Australian Basketball League.

According to Miners Elite Team Chair Nick Grylewicz, both Smith and King-Hawea, who are also housemates, are important pieces of the Miners’ puzzle.

“We have reviewed our 2015 season and have identified the areas in which we can improve, both on and off the court,” Grylewicz said.

“Dyson and Chris were players that we wanted to hold onto so it’s pleasing that they also wanted to stay.”

208-centimetre giant Smith, who came from the Mt Gambier Pioneers, will now play his fourth season with the Miners.

The talented centre featured in every Miners’ game in 2015 and averaged over five points and five rebounds per game.

Smith said he hopes to help the side take another step forward in 2016, after making the playoffs this year. 

“Ballarat has been very good to me, and I am pleased to re-sign for another year where we can hopefully go deeper into the finals,” he said.

Forward King-Hawea travelled over from New Zealand midway through the 2015 SEABL season to play for the Miners.

He made the decision to move over when cousin Everard Bartlett, who featured for the Miners in 2015, was selected for the New Zealand national side that fell short against Australia in August..

King-Hawea helped fill Bartlett’s place, playing 11 games in the second half of the season and averaging six points and five rebounds.

He revealed that an overwhelming amount of support has helped him make the transition to Ballarat.

“When I first came here in June, everyone was incredibly warm and welcoming and the boys are just great,” King-Hawea said.

According to Grylewicz, the Miners expect to announce more signings in the coming weeks, with their pre-season officially kicking off in January next year.