Joondalup secure signatures of Parker-Williams, Belcher and Pesava

The Joondalup Wolves have re-signed Chelsea Belcher and Neseya Parker-Williams while adding former Goldfields star Julian Pesava to their men's roster.

Belcher really does bleed green having been at Wolves all her basketball life.

She has been a constant in Joondalup's program and has done the hard yards to get to where she is in her basketball career.

Having served her time under a number of coaches and with many teammates along the journey, the last few years have really seen Belcher come in to her own.

She averaged just under 10 points per game in 2021 and will be looking to improve and have a break out year with a new coach and new team mates around her.

Wolves CEO Andrew Summerville said: "I am really happy to have Chelsea back with the Wolves for 2022.

"'Chels' has been an integral part of our club for many years and although she is already a fantastic player, is still yet to hit her peak in my opinion.

"She just keeps getting better and better.

"This year we will be looking for Chelsea to step up again and become a leader both on and off the court."

When asked about signing Belcher, new Head Coach Marcus Wong said: "It is great to bring back a long time Wolves junior and in the discussions I have had with Chelsea so far you can really see how passionate she is about the club and the culture of the program.

"She has an ability to score and impact the game in a variety of ways and I really like the aggression she brings.

"I am looking forward to working with Chelsea and helping her grow her game further."

Belcher had this to say about staying in Green: "I’m looking forward to playing another season for the Wolfpack in the 2022 NBL1 comp.

"There has been a lot of changes in the last few months with both player and coach departure, although the club has done a great job in recruiting a new coach with such high calibre, in Marcus Wong.

"I am excited to work with Marcus and another great bunch of girls next season and I’m also very excited to run out on court to ‘THE BIG BAD WOLF’!"

Parker-Williams joined the Wolves in 2020 and has been a crucial part of the success of the women’s program over the last two years.

From a West Coast Classic Championship in 2020 to a Grand Final appearance in 2021, Parker-Williams has become a fan favourite with her athleticism and ability to score and rebound the ball.

Parker-Williams averaged 10.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 2021 but her form really exploded in the lead up to the Grand Final with 17 points against the Perth Redbacks and 20 points against Warwick Senators respectively.

Wolves CEO Summerville said: "I am really happy to have Neseya back in Green for 2022.

"Not only is she a great basketball player she is also a great person.

"I got to know Neseya a little better this year as I had the privilege to work closely with her on our club’s plan for Indigenous Round.

"Neseya cares deeply about her culture and is passionate about being a positive role model for First Nations people.

"She inspires me and I am sure she will inspire many others at the Wolves this year both on and off the court."

Parker-Williams had this to say on why she decided to stay at the Wolves for her third season: "I am really looking forward to the 2022 season with the Wolves.

"Joondalup is such a great club with an awesome atmosphere.

"I can’t wait to get to work with the new coach Marcus as well as the girls both old and new.

"I can’t wait to again play in front of the best fans in the league in my opinion."

When asked about signing Neseya, new Head Coach Wong said: "I am really excited to be able to coach Neseya, she is a very talented athlete with great athleticism who can play across multiple positions.

"The game style will suit her strengths and she will continue to have a big impact on the league.

"I am looking forward to getting on the floor and working with her and helping her to achieve her goal of getting back into the WNBL."

Pesava is well known in the league having previously played for the Cockburn Cougars and Goldfield Giants.

In 2021, Julian led the Goldfield Giants in scoring with 18.8 points per game and was second in rebounding with 7.5 rebounds per game.

He shot the ball at 50 percent from the field and had a season high of 28 points.

Pesava has had two professional stints in Germany where he played for Twisters Rendsburg in 1st Regionalliga and then with the Geissen 46ers in the Pro B League.

He also played college basketball for Wayland Baptist University in the USA.

When asked about signing with the Wolves, Pesava said: "I am extremely excited to join the Wolfpack and the level of professionalism represented in Joondalup.

"David, the Wolfpack staff along with the team all share the same goals of winning and contending for a title and that’s what excites me so much about the opportunity playing for Wolves.

"I’m looking forward to meeting the team and beginning work on the 2021 NBL1 season."

New NBL1 Men’s Head Coach David Morrell had this to say about signing Pesava: "Julian is a terrific addition and a player that we are very excited to add for 2022.

"He is an incredibly hard worker, and serious about what he wants to accomplish as a teammate and as an individual.

"He does everything you’d want a player to do for winning basketball.

"He’s versatile, he can attack, he can shoot, he makes plays for others, he defends, and he rebounds.

"Julian has a chance to have a really special season and contribute to winning on gamedays as well as winning the day for each weekday training where we battle ourselves and build up a culture that obsesses over daily improvement and a mentality that iron sharpens iron.

"We are truly excited to welcome Julian into the Wolfpack and to get to work with him in preparation for the year to come." 

View the 2022 NBL1 roster tracker here.