Worcester Wolves have named Paul James as their new head coach - replacing the departed Chuck Evans at the helm of the crisis club. And the ex-Guildford boss will now be faced with the challenge of re-building a squad with at least five players axed in the wrangle that surrounded his predecessor's exit.
One of the most successful coaches in the British Basketball League, James made his league debut for his hometown club Leicester weeks after his 17th birthday and after a successful spell with them, he went on to play for nine years with the Bracknell/Thames Valley Tigers and while at both these clubs throughout the 1990s and the early 2000s he won numerous BBL Championships, BBL Trophies and runners-up medals.
In summer 2005, the Guildford Heat were formed and James was appointed head coach. In just four years he led the franchise to two trophies but was jettisoned last summer amid cost-cutting.
Wolves chairman Roger Clarke said. "PJ is out of the very top drawer of British coaches and with him joining the Wolves it shows to our loyal fans, and all other interested parties, that we are over the unfortunate incidents of the last few days. I am really happy at the speed in which we were able to tie up the details with Paul and by inviting one of the best coaches in the UK to work with the Wolves it shows our intentions very clearly.
"The fight back has begun in earnest and we aim not just to free wheel and complete the remainder of this season but also to try hard and really achieve something."
James' first competitive game in charge is in January.
"Having spoken with Roger Clarke it was an easy decision to make," he said. "There is a passion and tradition for basketball at all levels in Worcester and there is, in addition, ambition as well. We want the team to be challenging for BBL honours season after season and we hope to get better and better over the next few years. The potential here is huge and I sincerely hope to bring success to the club before too long. I can assure fans that the hard work of recruiting a team has started and I hope to start announcing players soon."
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Monday, 7 December 2009
Friday, 4 December 2009
Yanders set for GB call-up
Great Britain coach Chris Finch has revealed that he is ready to hand Glasgow Rocks captain Rob Yanders a dream opportunity to play in the 2012 Olympic Games.
The Milwaukee-born point guard is set to receive his UK passport in the New Year, rendering him eligible to play for GB.
With each international team allowed to field one naturalised star, Yanders will be given the chance to compete with former Sheffield team-mate Nate Reinking for the vacancy. And with Finch looking to address one of his side’s weak spots, the Rocks playmaker is firmly on his radar.
“Nate is our naturalised guy and he’s done a great job for us,” said Finch, who is now at the helm of NBA D-League outfit Rio Grande Vipers. “But Nate’s not able to play forever. We understand that. We certainly have a need in the backcourt as well to try and keep strengthening our side. And we’ll welcome anybody with Rob’s talent into the team so we can assess him our own environment.”
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The Milwaukee-born point guard is set to receive his UK passport in the New Year, rendering him eligible to play for GB.
With each international team allowed to field one naturalised star, Yanders will be given the chance to compete with former Sheffield team-mate Nate Reinking for the vacancy. And with Finch looking to address one of his side’s weak spots, the Rocks playmaker is firmly on his radar.
“Nate is our naturalised guy and he’s done a great job for us,” said Finch, who is now at the helm of NBA D-League outfit Rio Grande Vipers. “But Nate’s not able to play forever. We understand that. We certainly have a need in the backcourt as well to try and keep strengthening our side. And we’ll welcome anybody with Rob’s talent into the team so we can assess him our own environment.”
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Rush to leave Everton
Under-performing Everton Tigers have ditched guard Steven Rush after exercising an opt-out clause in the American’s contract.
Rush, who arrived late due to visa issues, joined from German Pro-B side Franken Hexer in the summer.
However the Tigers lack of size has led to an indifferent start to the campaign – with Tigers head coach Tony Garbelotto admitting Rush "wasn't a good fit" in his under-sized backcourt
He added: "Steven was an excellent player and we are sad to see him go. Although our results have been disappointing there have been some very positive results in the past few weeks.
“Taking this into account I think we had to take a longer term view to our season and we are now talking to a couple of players who will bring something to the squad going forward. “
Everton hope to have GB forward Flo Larkai back in action for next week's clash with Milton Keynes.
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Rush, who arrived late due to visa issues, joined from German Pro-B side Franken Hexer in the summer.
However the Tigers lack of size has led to an indifferent start to the campaign – with Tigers head coach Tony Garbelotto admitting Rush "wasn't a good fit" in his under-sized backcourt
He added: "Steven was an excellent player and we are sad to see him go. Although our results have been disappointing there have been some very positive results in the past few weeks.
“Taking this into account I think we had to take a longer term view to our season and we are now talking to a couple of players who will bring something to the squad going forward. “
Everton hope to have GB forward Flo Larkai back in action for next week's clash with Milton Keynes.
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Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Stand-in Worcester Wolves coach backs fixture move
Caretaker Worcester Wolves coach Guy Evans has backed the BBL’s decision to allow the club to postpone a number of fixtures while the hunt for a new boss – and replacement players – continues.
The troubled side have received a fine after pulling out of their next five scheduled games in the wake of the crisis that saw Chuck Evans depart amid allegations that he made racist comments. The 'other' Evans took over last Sunday as a squad made up primarily of Worcester’s EBL Division 4 side suffered a battering at Glasgow Rocks, despite a spirited showing.
The league has come under fire from critics who argue that the Wolves should have to carry on fielding a weakened team. However, Evans insists it would do his youthful line-up no good.
“We had to fulfil the fixture,” he said. “The club made the decision to send mostly second-team players. I don’t think it would have a positive impact on the players if it were repeated. A one-off game, we take something from it but it would be detrimental to do it again.
“I was really proud of what they did. Under the circumstances, I don’t think they could have done any better. I just hope the players recognise the positives from that game and don’t look at the scoreboard as the end all. We’re a Division 4 team who went up against an experienced BBL team on its own court. I think we represented the club well.”
Under BBL and England Basketball rules, players from a club's second-tier side can 'play up' in the senior side for a number of games per season without losing their right to represent the developmental team.
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The troubled side have received a fine after pulling out of their next five scheduled games in the wake of the crisis that saw Chuck Evans depart amid allegations that he made racist comments. The 'other' Evans took over last Sunday as a squad made up primarily of Worcester’s EBL Division 4 side suffered a battering at Glasgow Rocks, despite a spirited showing.
The league has come under fire from critics who argue that the Wolves should have to carry on fielding a weakened team. However, Evans insists it would do his youthful line-up no good.
“We had to fulfil the fixture,” he said. “The club made the decision to send mostly second-team players. I don’t think it would have a positive impact on the players if it were repeated. A one-off game, we take something from it but it would be detrimental to do it again.
“I was really proud of what they did. Under the circumstances, I don’t think they could have done any better. I just hope the players recognise the positives from that game and don’t look at the scoreboard as the end all. We’re a Division 4 team who went up against an experienced BBL team on its own court. I think we represented the club well.”
Under BBL and England Basketball rules, players from a club's second-tier side can 'play up' in the senior side for a number of games per season without losing their right to represent the developmental team.
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Lasker makes Plymouth return
Plymouth Raiders have re-signed American guard Drew Lasker for the remainder of the season, filling the void left by injured Eric Flato.
The move means that Raiders’ top scorer for the last four years is back in place with the team. In 2008-09, Lasker averaged 17 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2 assists and nearly 2 steals per game. He will be registered in time to play this Saturday against Everton.
“I’m really pleased to have him back in the Raiders fold,” said Raiders’ head coach Gary Stronach. “He’s a proven BBL player and will slot right back into our system. He’s been working out hard since the end of last season, and is eager to get back into game shape again.”
“We’ve been in contact a number of times since Drew left at the end of last season, and when he heard that Eric was seriously injured, he spoke to me about coming back again. It means that our guard rotation from last year is back in place.”
The move means that Raiders’ top scorer for the last four years is back in place with the team. In 2008-09, Lasker averaged 17 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2 assists and nearly 2 steals per game. He will be registered in time to play this Saturday against Everton.
“I’m really pleased to have him back in the Raiders fold,” said Raiders’ head coach Gary Stronach. “He’s a proven BBL player and will slot right back into our system. He’s been working out hard since the end of last season, and is eager to get back into game shape again.”
“We’ve been in contact a number of times since Drew left at the end of last season, and when he heard that Eric was seriously injured, he spoke to me about coming back again. It means that our guard rotation from last year is back in place.”
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Worcester granted fixture break
The BBL has, as Britball forecast, allowed Worcester Wolves to postpone their next five fixtures - levying a fine against the crisis-hit club.
Their away fixture against Guildford this Saturday will now be replaced by a BBL Championship clash between the Heat and the Sheffield Sharks, with the Wolves’ next fixture away to the Sharks on the January 3 2010.
In a statement, the league said: "The club reported that following last weekend’s games, during a post match analysis session, Coach Charles Evans had allegedly used inappropriate remarks when addressing the players. Mr Evans was immediately suspended by the club and, following a review of the matter through the club’s Disciplinary Procedures, was given a formal warning. Subsequently, Mr Evans has resigned from his post.
"Six of the Wolves players are also currently the subject of ongoing disciplinary action by the Club due to a material breach of their playing contracts.In light of the above the Wolves club are not currently in a position to fulfill their next 5 fixtures and, in accordance with BBL Rules, have been fined."
The new dates for the postponed games will be finalised in the coming days.
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Their away fixture against Guildford this Saturday will now be replaced by a BBL Championship clash between the Heat and the Sheffield Sharks, with the Wolves’ next fixture away to the Sharks on the January 3 2010.
In a statement, the league said: "The club reported that following last weekend’s games, during a post match analysis session, Coach Charles Evans had allegedly used inappropriate remarks when addressing the players. Mr Evans was immediately suspended by the club and, following a review of the matter through the club’s Disciplinary Procedures, was given a formal warning. Subsequently, Mr Evans has resigned from his post.
"Six of the Wolves players are also currently the subject of ongoing disciplinary action by the Club due to a material breach of their playing contracts.In light of the above the Wolves club are not currently in a position to fulfill their next 5 fixtures and, in accordance with BBL Rules, have been fined."
The new dates for the postponed games will be finalised in the coming days.
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Evans breaks silence on Wolves racism row
Chuck Evans has confirmed that he resigned as coach of Worcester Wolves after making comments to members of his team that were deemed racist.
The American quit the club last week when a group of his players threatened to strike rather than work under him following an incident that, it was claimed, took place in a team meeting.
Multiple sources told Britball that the tirade was directed primarily against the Wolves trio of Lithuanians – Vidmantas Uzkuraitis, Evaldas Zabas and Nerijus Karlikanova - who are among the five whose contracts have now been terminated. Evans, whose wife is white, has now returned to the USA but insists his words were mis-interpreted.
“If you look at the make-up of our team, it is very European in terms of colour,” he told the Worcester News. “I am colour blind. I recruit guys who can play basketball. On one occasion I used words that imply I am a racist, which is not true. I was wrong for my comments and regret the incident ever happened.”
The sacked quintet are understood to be considering legal action against the Wolves. But their actions have been backed by reserve guard, Roy Owen - one of the few players who remain under contract following the internal combustion.
“I came to Worcester to play basketball so I thought the best thing was to stay out of it,” he said. “I didn’t have any expectations of anything. A lot of guys decided to stick together as a team and to stick to doing what they thought was right. It’s not for anyone to agree or disagree with that. But I wish the guys were still here playing with us.”
Worcester chairman, Roger Clarke, has pledged to stack the roster with fresh talent – and a new coach – within “2-3 weeks”. And Owen insists the off-court issues need to be left behind.
“It’s been a strange situation,” he added.” I didn’t expect this to happen. Hopefully we can move forward now and build another team."
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The American quit the club last week when a group of his players threatened to strike rather than work under him following an incident that, it was claimed, took place in a team meeting.
Multiple sources told Britball that the tirade was directed primarily against the Wolves trio of Lithuanians – Vidmantas Uzkuraitis, Evaldas Zabas and Nerijus Karlikanova - who are among the five whose contracts have now been terminated. Evans, whose wife is white, has now returned to the USA but insists his words were mis-interpreted.
“If you look at the make-up of our team, it is very European in terms of colour,” he told the Worcester News. “I am colour blind. I recruit guys who can play basketball. On one occasion I used words that imply I am a racist, which is not true. I was wrong for my comments and regret the incident ever happened.”
The sacked quintet are understood to be considering legal action against the Wolves. But their actions have been backed by reserve guard, Roy Owen - one of the few players who remain under contract following the internal combustion.
“I came to Worcester to play basketball so I thought the best thing was to stay out of it,” he said. “I didn’t have any expectations of anything. A lot of guys decided to stick together as a team and to stick to doing what they thought was right. It’s not for anyone to agree or disagree with that. But I wish the guys were still here playing with us.”
Worcester chairman, Roger Clarke, has pledged to stack the roster with fresh talent – and a new coach – within “2-3 weeks”. And Owen insists the off-court issues need to be left behind.
“It’s been a strange situation,” he added.” I didn’t expect this to happen. Hopefully we can move forward now and build another team."
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