Borner to be a Miner: Boomers legend back to lead Ballarat

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Four-time Olympian, Australian Boomers legend, former NBL MVP Ray Borner is returning to the Ballarat Miners as head coach of the club's NBL1 South men's team.

The Miners announced Borner as their new leader following the departure of South East Melbourne Phoenix assistant coach Luke Brennan.

Borner, a Ballarat basketball icon, returns to the Miners with a decorated history in the game on the international scene, in the NBL and also in the state league - mainly for the team he is now coaching.

He represented the Boomers at four straight Olympic Games, starting in Los Angeles in 1984, as well as four FIBA World Championships, was inducted into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame in 2006 and was awarded to Order of Australia Medal in 2009.

After attending Lousiana State University for one season in 1981-1982, the now 63-year-old had a professional career in Australia spanning 16 years for the Coburg Giants, Illawarra Hawks, North Melbourne Giants, Geelong Supercats and Canberra Cannons.

He won an NBL title in 1989, was the league MVP in 1985 and is a member of the NBL Hall of Fame. The best player from the annual pre-season Blitz tournament is also awarded the Ray Borner Medal.

“I’m excited to be back coaching the Ballarat Miners, a club that holds special meaning for me after leading the team to its last conference championship in 2001," Borner said in the club's media release.

"My focus is on building a strong, sustainable program that gives local Ballarat players the opportunity to compete and develop at a high level.

"This is a great opportunity to bring new ideas and fresh energy to the program. I’m grateful for the trust shown in me and look forward to working closely with our local assistant coaches to move the Miners forward.”

Borner signing on with the Miners is the second change amongst the club for the 2026 NBL1 South season with former Opals coach and NBL champion Brendan Joyce replacing current Bendigo Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama as the Ballarat women's coach.

He also joins more Australian basketball legends coaching in the NBL1 South with former Opals skipper Tess Madgen coaching Ballarat's local rival in the Bendigo Braves women this season.