Viliami Foketi, Skye Rees and Kye Medhurst are heading back to Mackay for the 2022 Coles Express NBL1 North season.
Foketi, 25, has signed a one-year deal to remain at the club for the 2022 NBL1 North season.
The athletic wing returns to the Sugar City following a solid 2021 campaign, where he averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and one steal per game, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
Foketi built a tenacious reputation on the defensive end, where he was often tasked with guarding the opposition’s best player, regardless of position.
For his efforts, Foketi was named the Meteors Best Defensive Player in 2021.
The fan favourite also took home the Mackay Pride Sponsors Award.
The NBL1 North Grand Final series provided the stage where the Tongan international really made his mark.
He dropped 18 points in game one, before delivering 20 points in the game two decider, while defending the Cairns Marlins main scoring weapons.
Mackay Meteors NBL1 North Head Coach Joel Khalu was thrilled about Foketi’s return.
"'Vili' is one of those guys that every coach wants to have on their team," Khalu said.
"He’s outstanding defensively and really enjoys the challenge of guarding the other side’s best player, night after night.
"But it’s not just that (defensive) end.
"Vili is dynamic offensively, shoots the ball well and can also create off the bounce or in the post. He’s also an underrated rebounder too.
"Best of all, Vili is a great person and teammate and that’s why it was critical that we brought him back."
When reflecting on last year’s NBL1 North season, Foketi used the word "hectic".
"In the true sense of the word and not how it’s used colloquially," he said.
"A season mired by uncertainty due to COVID, a new playing group learning how to play with each other, we had to adapt quite a lot.
"However, we stayed the course, worked hard and was extremely fortunate to make the grand final and win it all."
There was no doubting Foketi’s goals leading into 2022.
"As a group, we naturally want to defend our title and go for a NBL1 National Championship, especially given we didn’t have that opportunity last season due to COVID," he said.
"Personally, I think last season’s grand final series showed that I can perform at a high level.
"This season I’ll be looking to replicate that standard on a more consistent basis."
Coach Khalu said there could also be bigger things on the horizon for Foketi.
"We all know what Vili brings defensively, but our off-season chats have been focused on him continuing his offensive development, because that’s what will help him make the jump to the next level," Khalu said.
"He has aspirations of playing in the NBL and he’s already an elite level defender, probably better than many of the wings who are currently in the league.
"If he can grow his offensive skillset and become a more consistent scorer, there’s no doubting that he could play in the NBL one day soon."
Foketi joins fellow Mackay championship players Kye Medhurst and Brad Rasmussen on the Meteors' roster so far, which has also been boosted by the return of Sam Haughton.
With Cayla George departing the club, Rees is set to play a bigger role this season for the Meteorettes alongside recruit Shaneice Swain.
View the 2022 NBL1 roster tracker here.
Feature image taken by Kieron Place Art & Photography
