From NZ to WA Joel Vaiangina is back for NBL1
The Joondalup Wolves are excited to announce the resigning of Joel Vaiangina for the 2021 NBL1 West season.
After Joel’s 2020 SBL season was cut short after having to fly back to New Zealand due to COVID, however Joel is returning for the NBL1 West season in 2021 and ready to make an impact in Australia. The 6’8” forward attended college in the United States and represented Panola College in their basketball team. Currently playing for the Franklin Bulls in the NZNBL, Joel is coming back from NZ to WA and we can’t express our excitement to have Joel back in green for 2021!
Joel spoke to the Joondalup Wolves about becoming a part of the NBL1 West and re-signing with the Wolves in 2021.
“Returning to WA was a no brainer for me, coming home due to COVID last year I already knew I wanted to get back and finish what we had started. Leaving NZ isn’t easy but NBL1 is an opportunity I just can’t miss out on; it provides exposure and another level of competition I can’t wait to face.”
Joondalup Wolves CEO and Men’s Head Coach Andrew Summerville shared his thoughts on Joel’s return for 2021 NBL1 West season.
“Getting Joel back was one of the first things we wanted to do this off-season. Joel signed to play SBL for us in 2020 but unfortunately when COVID hit we had to send him back home to NZ. It was disappointing as we felt Joel was going to have a breakout season in 2020. Before Joel left, I promised we would bring him back this season and he promised to come back. We stayed in touch and both kept our word and I’m glad, as he will play a very important role for us this year. At 6’8 with his athleticism and rebounding ability he will be a huge asset for us in the NBL1. I really hope playing in NBL1 will help get him on the radar of some NBL teams as he definitely has the potential to play at that level.”
“Joel fitted in really well at the Wolves last year, even coaching a WABL team before having to go home. We are really excited to have him back and I can’t wait to see him go head-to-head with Jackson Pickett in practice again.” Added Summerville.
Joel will be joining Lochlan Cummings, Seb Salinas and Reece Maxwell on the Wolves Men’s 2021 roster.
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