Happy Heat homecoming for Chris Cedar

Proud local product and three-time QBL/NBL1 North champion Chris Cedar is set for a homecoming to the Townsville Heat this season.

The former Townsville Crocodiles and Heat guard has enjoyed a decorated 16-year state league career and will return to play for his hometown Heat for the first time since 2013.

Cedar’s older brother and fellow former Crocs star Michael played a key role for the Heat last year and this season Chris will add further to the Cedar family’s incredible basketball legacy in Townsville.

“Mick has told me what the group is like, and he said it’s a great culture so hopefully I can add my leadership and experience to what they’ve already got up there,” he said.

“I’m excited and in past seasons I always circled the away games in Townsville on the calendar so it’s going to be different running out there in blue again.

“I’m sure there will be a lot of familiar faces there and I’m excited to come back home and get stuck into training with my new teammates.”

A state league champion in 2014 (Rockhampton), 2015 (Mackay) and 2021 (Mackay), Cedar is excited to link with a Heat line-up that includes local talents Richard Peachey and Ethan Betts as well as American sharpshooter Grant Teichmann and athletic Illawarra Hawks forward Kuany Kuany.

“With some of the pieces they already have I’ll be able to get out there and play a bit more of that point guard role that I haven’t really played the last couple of years,” Cedar said.

“At times I can push Bettsy off the ball and he can play a bit freer. My job really is to just try and make things easier for him and all my teammates and show them different bits and pieces I’ve picked up across my career.”

Townsville head coach John O’Farrell was more than happy to have Cedar back in the fold for the Heat this season and is exited for the leadership and playmaking the 36-year-old will bring.

“He’s happy to play wherever he’s needed and he really suits our game style because he can get to the hoop, stretch the floor by shooting from outside and really help us move the ball to the right places,” O’Farrell said.

“We want to have five contributors on the court at all times and Chris can really help fill in some gaps for us.

“He’s also now the state under-20s coach and has been the assistant there for the last couple of years so he can be that extra voice on the bench that helps his teammates stay ready. Then on the court you know he can huddle people up, remind them what we’re trying to do and help lead that attack for us.”  

Cedar will join his new teammates at pre-season this week, with further player announcements for the Heat and Flames expected in the coming weeks.

The A. Gabrielli Constructions Townsville Flames and Aligned Townsville Heat will tip- off their NBL1 North campaigns on Saturday, May 3, when they host fierce rivals the Cairns Dolphins and Marlins at Carmichael Ford Stadium.