Miners Men Sign Bungei

The Ballarat Miners Men are excited to announce the signing of Preston Bungei for the 2022 Coles Express NBL1 South Season.

Bungei is a Naturalised Australian who plays for the Kenyan National Team and comes to the Miners having played at Sandringham in the 2021 NBL1 season where he averaged 19.66 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.33 assists per game.

Upon signing with the Miners Bungei said “Ballarat has a rich tradition of winning and community support. With the pandemic and only a limited number of fans at the games the past two years, I am excited to have the opportunity to play in front of the Miners fans”.

Miners Men’s Head Coach Luke Sunderland said “Preston will add great versatility on the court and great leadership and maturity off it. Everyone that has dealt with Preston speaks highly of him and I’m looking forward to him having a full season in the NBL1 South.”

Sunderland added, “Preston has experience at many levels all over the world and will greatly help our new group at both ends of the floor."

Bungei has previously spent his time in Europe playing saying “I'm hoping to bring some of the experience and knowledge that I've gained while playing overseas. I'm also wanting to bring my defense to the team, as I take pride in guarding the other team's best player and making it as tough as I can for them.”

Basketball Ballarat’s Senior Elite Teams Matthew Sheehan said “We are pleased to add Preston to our club, he comes highly recommended after an impressive shortened 2021 NBL1 South season with Sandringham”

Sheehan added, “Preston has gained plenty of experience playing overseas in Croatia and most recently in Denmark so he will bring leadership and experience to help guide our young team forward this season”. 

Bungei joins fellow signings of Jordan Lingard, Zac Dunmore, Will Hynes, and Nic Pozoglou with more signings to come.

The Ballarat Miners will tip off the 2022 Coles Express NBL1 South season at Selkirk Stadium on Saturday, April 23 against regional rivals Geelong Supercats.