‘Miss you big fella’: Ex-NBL player Jason Joynes dead at 54

The Australian basketball community is in mourning after the death of a former NBL star and South Australian legend.

Tributes have flowed for former NBL star Jason Joynes after his death at the age of 54 earlier this week.

Joynes passed away on Wednesday with his family by his side after battling a rare form of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) cancer.

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The Cancer Council website states NETs are a rare type of cancer which impacts the network of glands and nerve cells that made hormones and release them into the bloodstream.

Joynes’ diagnosis was revealed just two weeks ago as the NBL and his former teams looked to raise $20,000 for the family.

Joynes played in the NBL for seven years, starting with his debut at the age of 19 for the now-defunct Westside Melbourne Saints in 1989 and 1990.

Joynes then made the switch to the Newcastle Falcons in 1991, playing three seasons for the club before finishing his time in the NBL with two seasons for the Geelong Supercats in 1994 and 1995.

Joynes also played 10 seasons for the Mount Gambier Pioneers in the SEABL (now NBL1) competition.

Joynes was a club legend for the Pioneers. Photo: Twitter

Jason Joynes stands over Perth's Andrew Vlahov in the NBL.

But his talents also saw him undertake a successful coaching career in South Australia, ushering in the next generation of players in several state teams.

He was assistant coach of the South Australian Metro under-16 girls national champions in 2014, assistant for the SA Metro Under-18 boys from 2016-2018 and head coach of the South Australian under-20 men’s team in 2018 and 2019.

He also served as vice president of the Woodville Warriors team from 2021 and coached junior teams from Woodville, North Adelaide and Forestville.

There was an outpouring of grief over Joynes’ death.

The NBL posted on social media: “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 Australian Basketball Players’ Association commented: “The ABPA is saddened to hear of the passing of former NBL Player Jason Joynes.

“Jason played a total of 104 games over 7 seasons in the NBL and was a loving husband and father to his wife and 3 kids. 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 when he was announced as North Adelaide women's Premier League coach. Picture – Supplied

The Mount Gambier Pioneers praised Joynes as a “club legend” as he was inducted as the club’s inaugural life member alongside Beth Serle.

The club said “His ten-year journey as a Pioneer led to winning the club’s first ever Conference and National Championship in 2003.”

He had held the club record for games played at 267 until 2022 and holds the club record for rebounds (2829) and is third in blocks.

The Woodville Warriors shared a photo of Joynes during his treatment to announce his death.

“It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Jason Joynes has sadly passed away yesterday afternoon the 18th of September with his beautiful family by his side, our love goes out to Michelle and the kids in this difficult time,” the statement on behalf of club president Steven Walker read.

“Jason’s impact on WDBC and the wider basketball community will never be forgotten, a beautiful husband, father, and friend. We will forever love you and those big hugs you would give, miss you big fella xx.”

ESPN basketball commentator and 7News Adelaide journalist John Casey also paid tribute.
“Deepest condolences to the family & many friends of Jason Joynes who passed away this week #RIP,” he wrote on X.

“Jason will be remembered fondly by #basketball fans in #SouthAustralia & beyond.”

Former Boomers coach and ex-teammate of Joynes at the Saints in the NBL Brendan Joyce tweeted: “Extremely sad news to hear this John. Great person & great teammate. Condolences & prayers to the family. Rip Jason.”

Joynes is survived by wife Michelle and their children Eliza, Isaac and Scarlett.

Eliza had her own success in basketball, playing in college in the US.

It’s been a brutal year for the Australian basketball community, who also lost both Corey “Homicide” Williams in May and South Australian legend Greg Olbrich in March.

Originally published as ‘Miss you big fella’: Ex-NBL player Jason Joynes dead at 54