Hankins-Cole sacked

S&K Electrical Geraldton Buccaneers have sacked import Quincy Hankins-Cole.

Coach Mark Heron said he was released because of a lack of “professionalism” and work ethic off the court.

Heron and management made the decision on Monday, and told Hankins-Cole on Tuesday afternoon.

It’s believed Hankins-Cole wasn’t doing his individual gym and training sessions.

Heron said the club had been working with Quincy in a number of areas, mainly to do with his work ethic off the court, and they came to the decision to release him.

“We had put some things in place that he had to follow, and they weren’t exactly adhered to,” he said.

“What he produced game day was great.

“But to be a full-time employee with the Buccs there were other areas he needed to contributed, and we came to a decision to release him.”

The 203cm forward was a standout for the Buccs, averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds from his 14 matches for the Buccs.

The news has shocked fans, as he quickly became a fan favourite at home, mercurial in offence.

Heron said the club is searching for a replacement for Hankins-Cole and said the decision has made the club’s quest to win a championship even stronger.

“Every decision we make is around making us a better side and winning that championship, it wasn’t easy,” he said.

“Coaching staff are excited about what the future holds.

“We know exactly what’s ahead of us and what we have to do.”

Hankins-Cole said he was shocked by the club’s decision.

He said he wasn’t sure if he’ll stay in WA in the short-term, and said he hasn’t been contacted by any other SBL clubs at this stage.

“It was their decision,” he said.

“I don’t feel like I deserve to be going home, I felt like I was playing part of the team.

“I didn’t think things were (this) bad.”

Hankins-Cole is the second import the Buccs have released in three seasons for professionalism issues.

Buccs General Manager Andrew Horstman quashed speculation about Hankins-Cole’s release, and said it was simply due to not meeting the conditions of his contract.

“It’s unfortunate, he’s a great talent but we had no other option than to terminate his contract,” he said.

“It was purely a lack of professionalism and as a club we strive to be professional, for whatever reason he failed to meet that level that we expect from a payed player.

“We had worked with Q weekly but he couldn’t meet the conditions and we had to release him.”

Senior players were consulted on the move, and captain Mat Wundenberg said the boys are just purely focussed on ending the championship drought.

“The boys are hungry to win that championship,” he said.

“Hankins-Cole hasn’t done anything to bring the club in disrepute, we just feel need to one uniform direction going forward.

“You need to make tough decisions, and credit to Hors and Heron for making that.”

Heron said Hankins-Cole is a talented player with his best basketball ahead of him, and wished him the best for the future.