MACKAY, QUEENSLAND – Joel Khalu will continue to lead the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors from the sideline, Mackay Basketball announcing today the 41-year old will be back at the club on a one-year deal in 2023, his sixth season as Head Coach and eighth overall with the red and black.

“We’re excited that ‘JK’ is returning in 2023,” Mackay Basketball General Manager Sean Page said.

“As a club we know we’ve got one of the best coaches in the country leading our men’s NBL1 program.”

“He has a proven ability to develop and maximise playing talent, putting the Meteors in a position to compete at a high-level each time they step on the floor. We’re thrilled to have this continue in 2023.”

Across five seasons and 95 games guiding the Meteors, Khalu has amassed an overall record of 73 wins and 22 losses. He led the side to the QBL title in 2015 and the inaugural NBL1 North championship in 2021. Khalu is also a two-time Coach of the Year, receiving the award in 2015 & 2022.

In addition to his successes with the Meteors, Khalu also coached the Papua New Guinea men’s national team for six years from 2013 to 2019, which included victory in the 2017 FIBA Melanesia Cup and fourth place finishes at the 2015 & 2019 FIBA Pacific Games.

He led the Queensland under 20 men’s side to a national title this past April and currently serves as an assistant coach with the Australian Emus junior national team. Khalu also travelled to Tokyo last month for the NBA Japan Games as head coach of the Asia-Pacific Jr. NBA squad.

Khalu said he was pumped to be back with the Meteors for another NBL1 campaign.

“I’m proud to be the Head Coach of the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors and grateful to the association and the management committee for another opportunity to fulfill the role,” he said.

“Representing Mackay is something I’m extremely passionate about and it’s important for me to put a team on the floor that represents the values of the city, our sponsors and local basketball community.”

With the team falling short of its title aspirations in 2022, Khalu said he was determined to get the club back on top in 2023.

“2022 didn’t end the way we collectively wanted it to and that’s certainly still fresh in my mind as a motivating factor for next year.”

“We’ve started off-season training this week, which is the earliest time of year that we’ve ever gone, and our local players are focused, with a renewed purpose, which is great to see.”

“Recruiting is also starting to ramp up. Both NBL and overseas players are starting to make decisions on where they want to play in 2023, so I’m hoping to start putting pen to paper on guys over the next few weeks and start building our Meteors roster.”

The 2023 NBL1 North season will commence in late March with announcements of player signings rolling out in the coming months.