SBL All-Stars to tour Indonesia
Basketball WA hosted a male and female All-Star team from the Deteski Basketball League (DBL) Indonesia in 2008 and 2009 with this trip marking the first Indonesia trip for Basketball WA.
The State Basketball League has appointed three time SBL Championship coach and current Wildcats assistant coach Andy Stewart to lead the team.
Stewart has coached in the SBL for eleven seasons and in addition to his three Championships, has six Grand Final appearances next to his name and was a member of the coaching staff for the Wildcats 2010 NBL Championship.
Two Perth Wildcats (NBL) Squad members join Stewart on this tour, exciting point guard Joel Wagner (Perth Redbacks) and athletic young forward Jarrod Balcombe (East Perth Eagles).
Wagner has topped the SBL in assists for the last three seasons and is in his second year as a Wildcats development player. Balcombe has just returned from US college and is in his first year as an NBL development player.
Captaining the All-Stars will be two time SBL Championship player and current league leading rebounder Jarrad Prue (Lakeside).
The starting point guard for the team is three times SBL Championship player Ryan Sofoulis who led the SBL in steals for 2010.
A welcome addition to the team is Cockburn Cougars US Import Ty Harrelson. Ty has spent the last 6 years in Europe plying his guard skills in the tough European Pro Leagues.
Harrelson will be relieved in the back court by veteran guard and three time SBL Championship player Steven Butler and team mate Chris Sofoulis.
Rounding out the team is Lordan Franich from the Goldfields Giants, Perth Redbacks Centre Michael Vigar and 6’ 9” rookie, forward Simon Lokan.
Basketball WA’s CEO Rick Smith will also be accompanying the group along with team staff, Jessica Van Schie (Assistant Coach), Laurie Farrow (Trainer) and Heidi McNeill (Manager).
The two international games come just five weeks after the conclusion of the 2010 SBL season, and two weeks prior to the 2010/11 NBL season commencing.
The tour is perfect timing for the group to be well prepared for the ‘Invitational’s’, against Indonesia NBL Teams CLS Knights Surabaya and Bimasakti Nikko Steel Malang.
| SBL All-Star Team | ||||
| Name | Position | Height | D.O.B | Club |
| Chris Sofoulis | Guard | 180 | 10/02/1988 | Lakeside |
| Ryan Sofoulis | Guard | 186 | 06/03/1986 | Lakeside |
| Jarrad Prue | Centre | 198 | 11/02/1982 | Lakeside |
| Steve Butler | Guard | 180 | 21/11/1983 | Lakeside |
| Simon Lokan | Forward | 205 | 30/10/1990 | Lakeside |
| Ty Harrelson | Guard | 193 | 22/09/1980 | Cockburn |
| Michael Vigor | Centre | 206 | 17/09/1990 | Perth |
| Lordan Franich | Forward | 201 | 29/07/1985 | Goldfields |
| Joel Wagner | Guard | 182 | 19/12/1987 | Perth |
| Jarrod Balcombe | Guard/Forward | 198 | 20/07/1990 | East Perth |
Head Coach: Andy Stewart
Assistant Coach: Jess Vanschie
Trainer: Laurrie Farrow
Manager: Heidi McNeil
Photo by Grant Lauterbach
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