Jimmy Rogers Slams Olympic Basketball Legacy

Legendary Brixton Topcats coach Jimmy Rogers (pictured) has slammed the lack of a ‘legacy’ for basketball after the London 2012 Olympics.

Rogers, who has coached the likes of Luol Deng, Ogo Adegboye, Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Justin Robinson, feels not enough has been invested in grass-roots basketball and is frustrated by the lack of a full time dedicated basketball court in London. Talking to the BBC he said:

“There is no one more passionate about the Olympics than me, but I don’t agree with the Olympics in London. There is going to be nothing remotely like a legacy in London, because what they say and the reality is two different things.

“The Olympics is one year away and there is not one full time basketball court in London, I think it is an absolute outrage.”

“I would have liked to see the money invested in grass roots, sadly that opportunity is being missed.”

The article goes on to say British Basketball claim grass roots development is the responsibility of the home nation federations despite having confirmed plans that a basketball-specific product for schools is in the process of development.

In a statement, British Basketball said:

“There is a new 4-court facility being built at the University of East London and a 4-handball court size practice arena is also being built in Barking which could be available for basketball post 2012.”

Ironically, on the same day, British Basketball began advertising for a ‘Legacy Development & Performance Manager’ for London. The job description states:

“The London Basketball Legacy Development & Performance Officer will have responsibility for planning and implementing programmes to provide a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games. These will essentially be focussed on increasing basketball participation and improving standards in London by providing leadership in the planning process and implementing strategies leading up to and subsequent to the 2012 Olympic Games for British Basketball and England Basketball. This will include developing partnerships to inclusively grow the sport in London along with securing and developing the use of the Olympic handball arena (Arena 3) for basketball after 2012.”

A few thoughts come to mind with regards to the role;

1) Isn’t this the job of England Basketball’s basketball development officers in London?
2) With the role likely starting in September, it gives whoever gets the job under a year to achieve a very tough task and
3) There is still a possibility that British Basketball as an entity may not even exist after June 2012 (shouldn’t this be decided sooner rather than later?), how can you create a legacy when you might not even have your job after the Olympics to see it through?

What do you think about the basketball Olympic legacy? What would you like to see happen? Thoughts?