Dan Vlahov.
Camera IconDan Vlahov. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

SBL: Joondalup Wolves’ Vlahov to debut

Mark DonaldsonJoondalup Times

THE Joondalup Wolves will debut a high schooler with a famous WA basketball name when the side faces East Perth in the State Basketball League on Saturday night.

At 16, Dan Vlahov will be one of the Wolves’ youngest debutants in recent seasons after impressing coaching staff who invited him to train with the senior squad at the end of last year.

The shooting guard is a relative of Perth Wildcats great Andrew Vlahov and knows him well, but is not part of his immediate family.

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Joondalup coach Ben Ettridge said the St Stephen’s School student, who has been with the Wanneroo Basketball Association since childhood, had made the most of his opportunities in pre-season training and practice.

“As a lightning quick, sharp-shooting point guard, we gave him the appropriate time and opportunity to focus on his under-18 WA state commitments this year,” he said.

“His Division 1 performances under coach Doug Gates have been terrific and has culminated in his promotion to the senior squad.”

Wolves chief executive Cameron Britt said Vlahov’s achievement to “break into this star-studded Wolves line-up at 16 years speaks volumes for both his ability and his attitude”.

Joondalup plays two games this weekend, the other being an away clash against 11th-placed Perry Lakes on Friday night.

The Wolves had a surprise loss to South West 97-94 last Saturday but finished the weekend with a 98-93 win over Kalamunda.

In the women’s competition, the Lady Wolfpack was under pressure to win two from two and delivered, rising from seventh to sixth on the table.

Joondalup defeated the Slammers 66-57 and Kalamunda 78-52.