Andrew Bogut will feature on the sidelines for Australia in
FIBA Oceania Championship – NBA News
NBA star Andrew Bogut will be at the sidelines for Australia in the upcoming FIBA Oceania Championship. Australia are looking to qualify for the Olympics but will be without the services of star centre Andrew Bogut due to insurance
issues. His coach though said that the player will act as assistant coach of the Boomers.
Australia Men’s basketball coach Brett Brown joked that Bogut is set to become the wealthiest assistant coach in the international circuit when asked about the player’s availability for the qualifiers,
"He'll be my richest assistant coach," laughed Brown, before continuing, "He's fantastic about wanting to play but with injury and insurance issues with the NBA lockout he'll play his role from the bench next to me.”
"He and David Anderson (recovering from knee surgery) won't be able to play but they'll be there in spirit and we'll have their support."
Bogut is the biggest name associated with Australian basketball as the player features in the NBA. Bogut is the starting centre at the Milwaukee Bucks where he is viewed as a vital component of the team. Andrew has undoubted talent
but has been unable to showcase his complete array due to niggling injuries. His contribution has been limited over the past many years as the 7-footer failed to feature in the complete 82 games since his rookie year.
The same injuries are the reason for his non-participation with the Australian team. With NBA in lockout mode because the players and owners cannot agree on a new CBA, a lot of things have become complicated. As part of the lockout,
the players are barred from using the facilities or services rendered by the NBA franchises.
This means that Bogut does not have injury cover in the form of insurance currently. Given his history of injuries it has been decided that the player will not risk aggravating them while on duty with the Aussies and will sit this
one out.
Brown tried to look at the situation as a positive, stating that now was a great opportunity for many of Australian basketball’s young stars to come forward and establish themselves in the national team. Brown went on to stay that
the new crop was full of talent, with players already plying their trade in the U.S.A or in Europe.
Brown encouraged the Aussie supporters to come and witness the new boys in action, hinting that they will be pleasantly surprised,
"I think they'll be proud of what the country is producing, I think they'll be surprised at the level of talent of the players coming back from playing in highly competitive leagues in Europe.”
Tags: