Antonio focuses on strong finish for Eagles

Image credit: Mark Filpo (@codexdesignstudio)

Jonah Antonio is fresh off playing for Australia at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup, is still awaiting the next stop of his professional career, but right now his sole focus is on helping East Perth Eagles to NBL1 West playoffs.

Antonio returned last week after playing with the Australian Gangurrus at the 3x3 World Cup in Mongolia as he continues to rack up the memorable moments in his basketball career.

He is on the back of his first three NBL seasons as well at the Cairns Taipans while it's still up in the air where his next professional stop will be.

However, that's largely out of his hands and all Antonio can do is stay ready and willing, and let his agent do his work to find him his next best destination.

In the meantime, Antonio has thrown himself fully back into his first NBL1 West season with the Eagles and was back playing last Saturday night in Kalgoorlie against the Goldfields Giants, and is just focused on helping the Eagles back to finals in 2025.

"I'm super focused on finishing as high as possible on the ladder," Antonio said.

"Obviously missing four games for World Cup wasn’t ideal but we have a good stretch left and I feel confident in our group."

While Antonio is still awaiting his next professional stop, it doesn’t mean he can't continue to experience new things and he embraced being part of the Gangurrus team at the recent 3x3 World Cup in Mongolia.

He played alongside former Taipans teammates Josh Davey, Dillon Stith and Alex Higgins-Titsha with Adam Forde also the coach.

While he doesn’t see 3x3 being something he especially focuses on moving forward, he did enjoy the experience even if a little disappointed to not return home with a medal.

"Yeah it’s always a privilege and honour to wear the green and gold at any level so it’s something I’ll never forget. And hope to do it again someday.

"It’s good in a sense that you’re exposed to the 3x3 side of basketball a lot of those guys do it year round and make good money from it. But I’m solely focused on 5x5. The bonus was spending time with good people like my teammates, woman’s team, coaches and staff.

"It was a great experience I think 3x3 is growing and not knowing anything about it heading into this offseason it’s been eye opening. The competition level is high and it’s much different to 5x5.

"When you come up against guys who are playing 3x3 year round you can’t afford to have an off game in a tournament setting. Mongolia wasn’t on my bucket list but it was cool to visit somewhere I’d probably never visit.

"The experience as a whole was okay I think we underachieved not bringing a medal back so that leaves bit of a sour taste."

There is still a chance Antonio remains in the NBL for the upcoming season whether it Cairns or a new club and he is open to any opportunities that might open up.

"No real updates as of now just being patient until the right opportunity comes up and letting my agent Sammy Wloszczowski do his thing," Antonio said.

"I’ll be playing professionally just a matter of where. What I’m hoping for is a situation where I’m a player and my strengths are used within a system."

Coming off that three-year contract at the Taipans on the back of starting his professional career in the Czech Republic after finishing up in college at Wake Forest, Antonio does admit it's not easy being in limbo right now.

What Antonio knows is that there's not much he can do now except continue to focus on trying to help the Eagles to NBL1 West finals and trust his agent to find him a situation to thrive.

"Yeah it’s tough but it’s that nature of the business. Some days are better than others mentally but you just have to stay locked in and continue to work," Antonio said.

"I couldn’t tell you to be honest where that might be, that’s something again my agent will guide me through.

"I’ve been to Europe my first year out of college but I’m open to anything as long as it’s the right situation."

Looking back on the past three NBL seasons at the Snakes and the best way to sum it up was that it was a rollercoaster ride for Antonio.

That's both because of the team performances where they got within one game of a Championship Series in NBL23 but struggled the other two seasons while his minutes would greatly fluctuate along the way too.

That made it a challenge, but overall Antonio loved everything about being part of the Cairns community the past three years.

"Yeah it’s definitely been up and down in terms of my performance, but off the court it’s been great," Antonio said.

"I've had amazing teammates, coaches and front office members that have made my time there special.

"I’ve also had support from community and especially the Olholms. I know I’m a better player than what I’ve been able to produce offensively and haven’t been happy with my production."

When Antonio joined the Taipans ahead of that NBL23 season he might have largely been seen as a shooter and scorer, but he has continually worked on improving his game.

He is now significantly better with ball in hand and creating off the dribble or even running a team's offence, his defence has grown tremendously and that's been a constant focus to make sure he has plenty more to offer than just being able to shoot.

"Every off-season I work very hard to improve my body and game. Fordey is a great defensive coach and he has helped me improve a lot in that area," Antonio said.

"Our assistants over the years Gruggen, Lopez and Williams have helped me get better and have spent countless hours in the gym rebounding for me and taking me through drills so credit to them.

"We have been a good defensive team my time in Cairns. I think last season I took a jump on the defensive end and got assigned tough matches like PJC, Cotton, Harvey. It’s something I want to continue to build on moving forward."