Glasgow Rocks coach Sterling Davis has challenged Mike Copeland to become a BBL All Star after agreeing a new one-year deal with the American forward.
Copeland spent four years at the University of North Carolina, of the Atlantic Coast Conference, but his career there was hampered with injuries preventing him from really breaking into the rotation.
Despite these setbacks, the rookie posted an average of 13.1 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game in his debut BBL campaign. But Davis wants even more out of him second time around.
“We are very excited about getting Mike back,” he said. “He established himself as not only a very good player but also a fan favourite here at the rocks. He is a very approachable guy that everyone instantly took a liking to. It’s always good to have guys around who can show recognition to the fans just as they do week after week for us on the court.”
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Showing posts with label Mike Copeland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Copeland. Show all posts
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Copeland still basking in Final Four experience
Exactly 52 weekends ago, Mike Copeland looked up, inhaled and took in the din from 72,456 fans inside Detroit’s Ford Field watching him throw a basketball into the air in an act of pure ecstasy. Another 16 million Americans were tuned in on TV to see his North Carolina team win the NCAA college championship, the culmination of a month-long frenzy that captivates a nation, its President included.
Forget the images of university sport, British-style, ignored and unappreciated. ‘The Tourney’, an end-of-season scrap among the best 65 teams, builds its drama with every round until only the toughest quartet remain. The Final Four, which begins tonight in Indianapolis, is the second only to the Super Bowl in Uncle Sam’s sporting stakes. And to be at its epicentre is an experience that Copeland will not forget.
“It’s like a football game here,” explains the Glasgow Rocks forward. “Everywhere you went, at the hotel, outside, there were people waiting for you. It was crazy. It was hard to stay focused because there is so much hype around North Carolina. They have fans everywhere. But it was a lot, a lot, of fun.”
As the local boy made good, in his final game before turning professional, victory was the ultimate. “It was the best way to go out after working so hard for four years, all the blood, sweat and tears on the court every day. You’re hurt. You’re banged up. It was all worth it.”
This time around, the Tar Heels were left out of March Madness. Their young, struggling team was sent into the wilderness of the NIT, where they were beaten in the final by Dayton on Thursday. “Tough year,” says Copeland who regularly talks to his former coaches.
From his current staging post, he will be rooting for ABD: Anyone But Duke, NC’s traditional rivals. West Virginia may have a shot, he says. So too Baylor. But “… I think Michigan State will do it,” he predicts. Yet the contrast between then and now could not be wider. On Saturday night, the Rocks visit the BBL’s basement side London Capital, who often struggle to draw a three-figure crowd.
It must, you wonder, be hard to find the same motivation? “It was hard at first,” he admits. “It’s like being in high school where sometimes we played in front of 200. But you have to pump yourself up.
“You see, I could pick out a player from every team in our (college) conference who would like to be in my position. They just want to play basketball but they didn’t get jobs. I know I have a team and I’m a big part. The season’s had its ups and downs. But I’m getting to play.”
Having fulfilled one dream, there are others still to chase. Someone in Indy will stand where Copeland stood and end up having a ball.
ESPN America, 11pm
Forget the images of university sport, British-style, ignored and unappreciated. ‘The Tourney’, an end-of-season scrap among the best 65 teams, builds its drama with every round until only the toughest quartet remain. The Final Four, which begins tonight in Indianapolis, is the second only to the Super Bowl in Uncle Sam’s sporting stakes. And to be at its epicentre is an experience that Copeland will not forget.
“It’s like a football game here,” explains the Glasgow Rocks forward. “Everywhere you went, at the hotel, outside, there were people waiting for you. It was crazy. It was hard to stay focused because there is so much hype around North Carolina. They have fans everywhere. But it was a lot, a lot, of fun.”
As the local boy made good, in his final game before turning professional, victory was the ultimate. “It was the best way to go out after working so hard for four years, all the blood, sweat and tears on the court every day. You’re hurt. You’re banged up. It was all worth it.”
This time around, the Tar Heels were left out of March Madness. Their young, struggling team was sent into the wilderness of the NIT, where they were beaten in the final by Dayton on Thursday. “Tough year,” says Copeland who regularly talks to his former coaches.
From his current staging post, he will be rooting for ABD: Anyone But Duke, NC’s traditional rivals. West Virginia may have a shot, he says. So too Baylor. But “… I think Michigan State will do it,” he predicts. Yet the contrast between then and now could not be wider. On Saturday night, the Rocks visit the BBL’s basement side London Capital, who often struggle to draw a three-figure crowd.
It must, you wonder, be hard to find the same motivation? “It was hard at first,” he admits. “It’s like being in high school where sometimes we played in front of 200. But you have to pump yourself up.
“You see, I could pick out a player from every team in our (college) conference who would like to be in my position. They just want to play basketball but they didn’t get jobs. I know I have a team and I’m a big part. The season’s had its ups and downs. But I’m getting to play.”
Having fulfilled one dream, there are others still to chase. Someone in Indy will stand where Copeland stood and end up having a ball.
ESPN America, 11pm
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Copeland vows to regain Rocks favour
Glasgow Rocks rookie Mike Copeland has vowed to put his bust-up with coach Sterling Davis behind him and prove he deserves to have his starting place back.
The American has been relegated to the bench since a verbal spat with Davis two weeks ago during the Rocks damaging defeat to leaders Sheffield.
However Copeland, who is out of contract in the summer, is looking to show he still has a place in the Kelvin Hall outfit's future plans when they host Milton Keynes Lions on Sunday. And with captain Rob Yanders out for at least 2 weeks with a 'strained pectoral muscle', the rookie plans to step up..
“I have to challenge myself to go out every game and be focused and help the team every game,” he declared. “Because we are a good team. Right now we have to keep pushing. That's a big motivator for me and everyone else in practice every day. If we keep trying to improve, then there are still things we can accomplish."
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The American has been relegated to the bench since a verbal spat with Davis two weeks ago during the Rocks damaging defeat to leaders Sheffield.
However Copeland, who is out of contract in the summer, is looking to show he still has a place in the Kelvin Hall outfit's future plans when they host Milton Keynes Lions on Sunday. And with captain Rob Yanders out for at least 2 weeks with a 'strained pectoral muscle', the rookie plans to step up..
“I have to challenge myself to go out every game and be focused and help the team every game,” he declared. “Because we are a good team. Right now we have to keep pushing. That's a big motivator for me and everyone else in practice every day. If we keep trying to improve, then there are still things we can accomplish."
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