Rollers depart for key Paralympic warm-up event
Basketball Australia is pleased to announce the 11-player men's wheelchair basketball team to compete in the upcoming four-nation invitational tournament in Osnabruk, Germany.
World number one Canada, the third ranked Australians, fourth ranked Germany and fifth ranked Great Britain will compete in the demanding four day competition between 29 May and 1 June.
In a blow for the Rollers, captain Brad Ness and shooting guard Shaun Norris were unavailable for selection as they are in the midst of their finals series with Italian club side Taranto however key forward Justin Eveson will take his place fresh of leading powerful Turkish club Galatasary to the European Champions title.
Click here for a full media guide to the event.
Two-time Paralympian Adrian King will also miss the tour after recently undergoing shoulder surgery and will be replaced by his Brisbane team mate Jace Clare.
Teams will play each other once with the top two placed teams competing in a final and the third a fourth placed teams playing off in a consolation final.
The Australian based Rollers, including four-time Paralympian Troy Sachs, will be fresh off the opening round of the domestic league which was completed over the weekend.
The Rollers will depart Australia today (Monday, May 26) and play practice matches against German club side RSC and the German national team on May 28 and 29 respectively.
The demanding tournament schedule begins with their opening game against fierce rivals Canada at 12:45pm (local time) on Friday, May 30 before facing Great Britain, now coached by former Rollers mentor Murray Treseder, at 6:45pm that evening.
Their third and final pool match is against the host nation on Saturday, May 31 at 11am (local time) before the semi-finals that night ahead of the finals on Sunday, June 1.
Four-Nation invitational team:
Name/club
Bill LATHAM/Wentworthville Wheelkings/CD Once Andalucia (Spain)
Brendan DOWLER/West Sydney Razorbacks
Brett STIBNERS/Wollongong Rollerhawks/CD Fundosa (Spain)
Dylan ALCOTT/Dandenong Rangers
Grant MIZENS/West Sydney Razorbacks
Jace CLARE/Brisbane Spinning Bullets
Justin EVESON/Perth Wheelcats/Galatasary (Turkey)
Michael HARTNETT/Perth Wheelcats
Tige SIMMONS/Brisbane Spinning Bullets
Tristan KNOWLES/Wollongong Rollerhawks
Troy SACHS/West Sydney Razorbacks
Head Coach: Ben Ettridge
Manager: Kelvin Browner
Physiotherapist: John Camens
Doctor: Dr. Larisa Trease
Rollers four-nation schedule:
26 May:
Depart Australia
28 May:
Practice match against German club side RSC
29 May:
Practice match against German national team
30 May:
11am: Germany v Great Britain
12:45pm: Canada v Australia
6:30pm: Great Britain v Australia
8:15pm: Germany v Canada
31 May:
11am: Germany v Australia
12:45pm: Canada v Great Britain
6:30pm: Semi-final 1 - 2 v 3
8:15pm: Semi-final 2 - 1 v 4
1 June:
12noon: 3rd place playoff
2pm: Final
2 June:
Depart Germany for Australia
4 June:
Arrive in Sydney at 5:10am
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