Geraldton Buccaneers announce new 2025 signings and return of core players along with coach Dayle Joseph

As the new NBL1 West season fast approaches, the Geraldton Buccaneers are finalising their 2025 signings, securing returning players and have picked up a new import promising to excite fans. That import is 30-year-old American guard Akeem Springs out of the University of Minnesota. The 193cm (6’4”) guard played last season for the Kokomo Bobkats where he averaged 17 points and five rebounds per game. Basketball has taken Springs around the world playing across three continents including Asia, Africa and North America. Buccs coach Dayle Joseph said Springs would bring versatility to the court and a great deal of experience. “Akeem a bit of an all-rounder, a six foot four guard that I think can play a bit pretty much one through four on the floor for us,” he said. “It is his first time playing in Australia but he has played almost everywhere in the world so with that comes a great deal of experience.” The Buccs also resigned Joseph for 2025, marking his ninth year with the club. After pulling up short last season, losing a home preliminary final, Joseph said 2025 was a year of redemption for the squad. “Really excited to get back into it,” he said. “I feel like we have some unfinished business to sort out in 2025. “Finishing where we did last year was disappointing, but it provides us with the drive to go one better in 2025 and push deep into the post season.” To kick start the season, the Buccs have welcomed back three core players from 2024 who are hungry for more in 2025. The first resigning was 200cm (6’7”) forward Joshua Keyes who had a profound impact during his debut season for the Buccs in 2024. Keyes averaged a click under 15 points, four assists, eight rebounds and one block per game last season. Other returning players for the new season are Buccs’ centre Liam Hunt and guard Nik DeSantis. Geraldton Buccaneers general manager Andrew Horseman said the club set out to resign the core group from last year to bolster not only leadership within the four walls of the organisation but the community too. “For us, it was really around trying to retain the core group of last year’s team,” he said. “Not only due to their talent on the floor but their leadership off the court too. “Along with this, these core players have been great with the community and for us that’s equally as important as performances on the court.” Hunt averaged 14 points and nine rebounds per game at centre last season. He has continued to show his worth season after season and will be important in the leadership group in 2025. DeSantis lit it up 2024 averaging just under 20 points, four assists and five rebounds per game. It was DeSantis’ debut season with the Buccs and he will be looking to go one step further as the new season looms. The Buccaneers have one more new signing to confirm. A 183cm (6’ 0”) guard is set to be confirmed in the coming days, adding to the already strong squad that is forming for 2025. Joseph said the club was awaiting confirmation regarding the newest signing but were excited by the prospect of his inclusion into the team. “We are just waiting on the final touches of the contract, but we are all super excited to see what he brings,” he said. “We should have it all signed and ready to go out in the coming days.” The Buccs tip-off season 2025 on April 5 against Joondalup Wolves at Joondalup Arena. Their first home game at Activewest Stadium is in round two, April 12, against Perth Redbacks. To see the 2025 NBL1 West fixtures visit https://nbl1.com.au/fixtures/west