The Australian basketball community is mourning the death of former NBL player Jason Joynes aged 54. Joynes died on Wednesday, surrounded by his entire family, after battling a rare form of neuroendocrine tumours cancer. His diagnosis was made public just two weeks ago as the NBL and his former clubs rallied around the Joynes family with a fundraiser .
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “The NBL family extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of former player Jason Joynes, who passed away this week after battling cancer,” the NBL said after Joynes’s death. The Australian Basketball Players’ Association said it was “saddened” by the news. “Jason played a total of 104 games over seven seasons in the NBL and was a loving husband and father to his wife and three kids,” the ABPA said.
“Jason’s impact on basketball in Adelaide and the wider basketball community was significant and won’t be forgotten. “We extend our condolences to the Joynes family and everyone impacted by Jason’s passing.” Joynes is survived by wife Michelle and their children Eliza, Isaac and Scarlett.
Eliza followed in her father’s footsteps by venturing over to the United States for a stint as a college basketball player. The fundraiser to support the family has so far raised nearly $17,000. Joynes made his debut with the Westside Melbourne Saints in 1989 when he was just 19 and spent one more year with the team before making a move to the Newcastle Fa.