Diamond Valley Basketball is excited to announce that Joel Spear has signed with the Eagles for the SEABL 2018 season.

Joel played with the Albury-Wodonga Bandits last year in the SEABL competition after being a development player in the NBL for the Adelaide 36ers. Joel’s family name is highly regarded within the Adelaide 36ers franchise. Joel’s father David Spear is a legend of the club playing 140 NBL games between 1983 – 89.

Joel had a distinguished NCAA collegiate career with the University of Southern Oregon Raiders in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). In his 4 years of college basketball, he averaged 13.3 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game and 5.7 points per game. Joel was named in the All-American National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes Division 2 Second Team, as well as the NAIA All-Conference First Team.

“I coached against Joel in 2012 when he was a member of the South Australian U20 Men’s team, who we met in the National Junior Championships Grand Final. I have been impressed with his play and development since.  Joel is a high quality point guard with an outstanding basketball IQ.  He will lead our backcourt, with a treasured “pass-first shoot second” mentality that all will enjoy playing with in 2018, but don’t be fooled either, Joel can also score!”  Grant Wallace said.

Joel is currently playing in Norway with the Nidaros Jets and will arrive at Diamond Valley once the season is complete. In his first season for the club he is currently averaging 16.2 points per game, 5.3 assists per game, 2.7 steals a game and 4.8 rebounds per game.

Diamond Valley’s CEO Ross Wignell commented, I am looking forward to Joel joining us. Joel will be given major responsibilities to the running of our team which I am confident he will do well in. Bringing our team together and being successful in 2018 will see Joel play a major role, one in which we will help him with as we focus on further improving his basketball game.