Heal to end NBL career at Gold Coast

Gold Coast Blaze have pulled off a coup by signing four-time Olympian Shane Heal to play for them in the 2008-09 NBL season.

Point guard Heal, 37, said he aimed to finish his glittering basketball career on the Gold Coast where he lives with his wife and three children.

"This is where I've been living for the last four years so it's exciting to be involved in the growth of this club," said Heal.

"I have three daughters who play basketball on the Gold Coast and I can see that the sport is really starting to take off here," said Heal.

"I'm looking forward to helping that continue."

Heal was axed as coach of the South Dragons midway through last season after earlier filling the player-coach role.

He said his long-term relationship with Blaze coach Brendan Joyce had played a major part in his decision to resume playing with Gold Coast franchise.

"Brendan and I go back 20 years and I have a great respect for his knowledge of the game as well as his personal traits as a coach and as a bloke," Heal said.

"It's a strong team that plays hard and they certainly looked like they stuck together in their first year."

Joyce said Heal's experience was "priceless" for the club heading into its second season in the NBL.

"Four Olympic Games, three world championships, an NBA and European career as well as his NBL career put him in an elite category and this is something our team can really benefit from," Joyce said.

"I've seen first-hand his hunger to succeed (at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games) and his ability to lead on the floor so he'll be a great asset for the Blaze."

Heal's recruitment leaves one spot to fill for the Blaze but club owner Owen Tomlinson said there was no rush to make the final signing.

"But at the same time we would like to have our squad settled sooner rather than later," Tomlinson added.

The Blaze play their first match of the 2008-09 season against the Cairns Taipans on September 19.