Ballarat Miners most valuable player Jerry Evans jr might be unlikely to return for 2020.
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Efforts to re-sign the import have hit a road block due to uncertainty surrounding his current contract situation.
The Miners had hoped to keep Evans jr in a Miners uniform, following a stellar 2019 which saw him lead the team points.
But with the swingman playing in Israel, there is a possibility his contract could run into June - two months after the 2020 NBL1 competition is set to begin.
Hotondo Homes Miners head coach Brendan Joyce said the team's preference is to bring him back, however they are currently in a waiting game.
"We're waiting to see when his contract gets completed in Israel," he said.
"If it goes too far into June or July then we'll have to look for another player, but we would prefer to bring him back.
Joyce said if Evans jr's contract ran long, it was unlikely the team would bring him in midway through the season.
He confirmed the club had already signed one import, but was holding off on signing a second until the status of Evans Jr was confirmed.
"We'll probably have a better indication in a couple of weeks of when he is finishing," he said.
Evans jr averaged 19 points a game for the Miners to help lead the team to the top of the NBL1 standings.
His play saw him named in the NBL1 All-Star Five following the season, alongside NBL1 league-MVP DeMarcus Gatlin and current South-East Melbourne Phoenix big-man Dane Pineau.
His size, as well as his ability to shoot and handle the ball made him a versatile weapon for Joyce, who could play him at multiple positions.
