Family and friends gather to pay their last respects to former NBL player, coach Jason Joynes

Beloved Former NBL player and Adelaide coach Jason Joynes has been honoured by family and friends in a heartwarming funeral service.

Former NBL player Jason Joynes, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this month, with his wife Michelle Joynes and their three children, Eliza, Isaac and Scarlett Joynes. Picture: Supplied by family

Family and friends have gathered to pay their last respects to former Adelaide NBL player and coach Jason Joynes, who died after a short battle with cancer, earlier this month.

Mourners gathered from 2.30pm on Monday September, 30, at the Tony Monte Funeral Chapel in Port Adelaide.

He died on September 18, aged 54.

The service began with a video montage of Joynes in his playing days while memorabilia including jerseys and shoes were displayed along a wall.

Joynes’ son Issac gave a tribute on behalf of the family, describing his father as a devoted family man, who was looking forward to becoming a grandfather.

“If you were to ask him about his greatest achievement in life, he would never say anything about basketball accomplishments. He would always say it was his family,” Issac said.

“My dad put us kids before anything else. Our safety and happiness and future were his number one priority always.

“He always pushed us to focus on our education, always checking in on what we should be doing (and) he wanted to see us graduate from university.

“If I do get kids one day, they will be getting an earful about their grandpa, who was a seven foot tall professional player.”

Joynes'’s uncle Patrick held back tears as he gave his tribute, describing him as an “incredible person who achieved so much in his life”.

Former NBL player Jason Joynes, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this month, with his wife Michelle Joynes and their three children, Eliza, Isaac and Scarlett Joynes. Picture: Supplied by family

Former NBL player Jason Joynes, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this month, coaching his daughter Scarlett’s basketball team. Picture: Supplied by family

Patrick said Joynes’ personality was strikingly similar to his mothers’- both described as “outgoing, caring, and absolutely hated a chat” – and their 5-year-age gap saw them build a close friendship.

“We played together, had sleepovers together, hunted for crabs at Marino beach together, attended the Christmas Pageant, and went to the magic cave together

“Jason found his calling in basketball. He took to it and flourished. I admired him for leaving the campus of home to travel to the other side of the world to take up a scholarship in the US alone.

“An all-round champ, genuinely a nice guy, with a heart as big as his frame. He loved his family, and they were his greatest achievement.”

Joynes is survived by his wife Michelle Joynes, his children Eliza, Isaac and Scarlett Joynes, his parents Eric and Robyn Joynes and his sister Sheraleen Cox and her family.

Jason’s NBL career began with the Westside Melbourne Saints in 1989, making his professional debut at 19 before moving to the Newcastle Falcons and finally the Geelong Supercats.

He played 10 seasons with Mount Gambier Pioneers, where he won a championship and was awarded a life membership.

Originally published as Family and friends gather to pay their last respects to former NBL player, coach Jason Joynes