Maloney has been Heat captain since 2017 and his departure will leave a massive hole in the team's back court as they look to rebound from a disappointing Waratah League campaign this year.

The 25-year-old has been training with Big V outfit Wodonga, and expects to meet with Shepparton officials over the next couple of weeks.

"I won't be playing for Wagga this year," Maloney said.

"At the moment I'm training in Wodonga and considering playing down there and Shepparton are coming here to meet next week.

"There's a bit of money on the table from Wodonga. I was pretty certain on having a year off, save some money and buy a house and let the body recover a little bit for a year.

"They've been in constant contact so I'm sorting out what want to do and see how things go from there.

They're in a pretty good situation I want to be a part of with a good young core, nothing too different to here (Wagga)."

Maloney said he intends to return to the club he's represented since he was 15 at some point in the future.

"I'll eventually come back and play for Wagga again, that's the plan for now at least," he said.

Maloney will hold a basketball skill session open to all ages and abilities to help raise money for the family of former Wagga basketball identity Sam McPaul, who lost his life fighting bushfires.

The event will be held at Bolton Park Stadium on Sunday, January 19 at a cost of $30 per person.

"I just wanted to give back to Sam and his family. He did a lot for the basketball community and did whatever he could to help out," Maloney said.

For more information head to Basketball Wagga's Facebook page.

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