Sydney favourite, more specifically Sutherland Shire favourite, BJ Carter has secured a two-year contract to play in the respected SEABL league with the Ballarat Miners.
As part of his two-year deal Carter will also work full-time in the Miners’ development program.
The contract has several get-out clauses which allow Carter to leave the club if he gains a NBL contract. He will also reassess his future after Amy’s maternity leave finishes in September.
Carter played with the Sydney Kings for seven years and was one of the faces of the heartache of the team when it collapsed, leaving players without payment.
“Victoria I feel is the sporting capital of Australia,” Carter said.
“On a personal note it will be good to get down there and play in that league, as it is probably the better league to get noticed in [by a NBL club].
“Hopefully, someone will see me.”
BJ was not short on people willing to give him references for the job down south.
He received glowing references both as a player and more importantly as a person from former Miners players Eric Cooks, Matt Campbell and Anthony Susnjara.
Former Miners Coach Brian Goorjian, Carter’s last NBL coach at Sydney, spoke highly of the qualities that Carter would bring to Ballarat.
“BJ Carter was part of the leadership group at the Sydney Kings and is a shining example of someone who, from a basketball perspective, came from nothing and made something of himself through an incredible work ethic and unbelievable perseverance. Last season, he was one of the best shooters in the NBL and people always related to him as being ‘the kid next door who made it”, Goorjian said.
“He was very well respected in the community, where he worked tirelessly with kids and was considered an ideal role model for the youth of today”.
“This is an excellent choice by Ballarat and I know that BJ will quickly become a real crowd favourite when people get a chance to see him play”. This is a great selection and I cannot speak highly enough of him and his wife Amy. They will be a perfect fit for Ballarat”.
As much as he is happy with the Miners position, no doubt he’ll be hoping to secure a call-up to a team in the new NBL next season prior to the completion of his two years in SEABL.
