Have A Go Olympic Challenge 2024

HAVE A GO AT OLYMPIC SPORTS

FIND YOUR SPORT
Background image

Goorjian needs Mee to beat the Kiwis

 

Goorjian needs Mee to beat the Kiwis

Author image
AOC
Goorjian needs Mee to beat the Kiwis

Coach Brian Goorjian is relying on a 36-year-old rookie point guard to ensure the Australian men's basketball team qualifies for the Beijing Olympic Games.

The Boomers face New Zealand in a crucial three-game series next month, with the victor guaranteed a place in the 2008 Olympics.

Coach Brian Goorjian is relying on a 36-year-old rookie point guard to ensure the Australian men's basketball team qualifies for the Beijing Olympic Games.

The Boomers face New Zealand in a crucial three-game series next month, with the victor guaranteed a place in the 2008 Olympics.

The loser's only other avenue to Beijing will be an extremely difficult tournament in Europe just prior to next year's Games.

With point guards CJ Bruton and Stephen Black out of contention to face New Zealand, Goorjian has turned to Darnell Mee to guide the team's fortunes.

American-born Mee, a former NBA player and a 10-year veteran in the NBL with Canberra, Adelaide, Cairns and Wollongong, became a naturalised Australian in December last year.

Currently competing in his first Boomers camp on the Gold Coast, Mee will be a certain selection in Goorjian's team for the Oceania series against the Kiwis, barring injury.

"The wildcard for us in this is Darnell Mee," Goorjian said today.

"With CJ and Black and all the point guards not here, that position is an issue we have in this country.

"Luke Kendall and Adam Gibson are in a back-up situation and doing a good job and getting better.

"Darnell, we're just trying to pace him and hopefully he's peaking and ready to give us something in the (New Zealand) games."

An 18-man squad is currently on the Gold Coast, which will be trimmed to 12 for a trip to Europe and the series with the Kiwis.

Goorjian said the likes of David Andersen and Brad Newley have stood out, while Perth Wildcat Damien Ryan has been a pleasant surprise.

NBA hopeful Luke Schenscher joined the camp today after his recent stint playing five games with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the American NBA Summer League.

The Australian coach is being extremely careful with Mee, who picked up a slight ankle knock and sat out today's training session.

But players such as Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal and Bruton have previously shown that guards can play well into their 30s in the international game.

Australia lost on points count-back to the Kiwis last year after a 2-2 series result, struggling with an inexperienced back-court including Kendall and college product Aaron Bruce.

"Darnell is a very, very smart player," Goorjian said. "He could start and come in and out, or he could come off the bench.

"Whichever way we decide to use him, he can be a settling factor, get the ball to the right people and help the young guys develop.

"That's a piece we didn't have the last time we played New Zealand.

"I'm hoping if we nurse him through and get that physical side under his belt, I think he's still young enough that if we do qualify he can help us at the Olympics."

AAP

Top Stories