ANON12
Years ago
GAZE TO COACH AUSTRALIAN TEAM
Basketball Australia is pleased to announce that Andrew Gaze will lead a team of All-Stars on a tour of China.
Luckily for the Chinese, he'll be in a suit and tie.
The iconic Victorian is the new head coach of the ABA All-Stars, a representative team comprised of players from the second-tier Australian Basketball Association.
The ABA All-Star team will play six games on their 11 day tour against teams from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), China's equivalent of our NBL, who are in final preparations for their domestic season.
"It'll be a good experience and hopefully we'll have some fun," Gaze said.
"I don't have high expectations given the limited preparation time we've got, but we want to be competitive against what is some pretty decent opposition.
"They are on the eve of their CBA season and they're looking for a decent workout, so it's important for us to provide a level of competition that will assist in their preparation."
Gaze did not count out a long term goal of coaching the Australia Post Boomers.
"I'm not interested in the short term but I've enjoyed my coaching experiences at the junior level.
"Right now I'm doing a lot of other things.
"These types of programs, where you can give ABA level players some exposure to international competition, are important as part of the bigger picture to develop basketball in Australia.
"There is a deficiency in the structure of basketball between junior basketball and the NBL and this tour will provide players a chance to reveal their potential."
The 2007 ABA All-Stars:
Lester STRONG Warrnambool Seahawks
Daniel GEORGE Hobart Chargers
Michael FALCONER Sandringham Sabres
Jason REARDON Geelong Supercats
Chris HOGAN Bendigo Braves
Sedale THREAT Melbourne Tigers
Ash CANNON Dandenong Rangers
Gerard LEONARD Brisbane Capitals
Kyle ARMOUR AIS
David GRUBER Frankston Blues
Andrew GAZE Head Coach
Matthew FERRIS Assistant Coach
COULD THIS BE A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME. IF IT IS I HOPE THAT A TEAM OF THIS TYPE COULD AT LEAST HAVE 1-2 SA PLAYERS INSTEAD OF BEING DOMINATED BY VICTORIANS. SURELY BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED PLAYERS FROM ALL ABA STATES. BUT THEN AGAIN A GAZE IS COACHING AND THEY HAVE DIFFICULTY SEEING BEYOND THE VICTORIAN BORDER.
