While the Ballarat Miners sit on top of the NBL1 ladder, they will once again be without American combo-guard Marqueze Coleman ahead of their Saturday night game on the road against the Dandenong Rangers.
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Coleman has been struggling with a hamstring injury since the opening round. Coach Brendan Joyce says playing Coleman would not be worth the risk so early in the season.
"We probably could play him but it's not worth the risk given we've got a bye (next week)," he said.
Joyce is confident Coleman will be 100 per cent for their round four game against Knox Raiders.
NBL recruit and Miners combo-guard Kuany Kuany knows when Coleman is able to compete, he's going to bring aggressiveness at both ends of the court.
Kuany Kuany speaks about the importance of aggression on the court:
"He's another guy that's very aggressive, trying to always get steals on ball and a guy that's always there on defense and on offence."
Kuany believes being aggressive helps set the tone for the rest of his teammates.
"That's definitely a big part of my game both defensively and offensively," he said.
"Once I set that tone I'm just hoping the whole team can jump on board so we can be known as that team that is aggressive and we're not letting any teams get anything easy."
Another playing who had provided aggressiveness has been Deng Acouth. The 208 centimetre center held his own against the large front line of Bendigo which has provided him with confidence going forward.
Hear Deng Acouth speak about the importance of his defense for the Miners:
"It does a lot (for my confidence)," he said.
"Just knowing I can play against anybody, not backing down and giving it my all."
17-year-old Jeremiah McKenzie has been called up for the game against Dandenong following some stellar play for the Miners youth league team. Joyce said it's a very exciting to be giving a young player like McKenzie the opportunity to produce with the senior team.
"He's been playing really well, he can really shoot the ball - we're not afraid to throw the young guys out there."