ARTEST MOVE PLACED ON ICE

Los Angeles Lakers star Ron Artest has postponed a trip to the UK, with Cheshire Jets officials admitting that their hopes of bringing the forward to the British Basketball League have hit a major bump.

Discussions between the Northgate outfit and Artest’s legal team are understood to have centred on the issue of insurance for his $33 million NBA contract.

Artest had been due to arrive on Friday to finalise his move to Chester which was expected to begin in November. Talks, confirmed the Jets, have now broken down but officials say they still hope to reach an agreement “in the near future.”

“We are of course extremely disappointed not to be able to welcome Ron to the UK this weekend,” Jets director Peter Hawkins said. “Both teams have worked really hard to make this happen and we are still hopeful that we can do something together.”

If an agreement can be reached, it is now thought the most likely option will see Artest play a handful of games on a short-term deal, rather than remaining for the entire season should the NBA lockout continue.

Rocks to go Green

Glasgow Rocks have signed American guard Mychal Green from German second division side Eintracht Stahnsdorf.

The 28-year-old, who averaged 17 points last season, will form a new-look backcourt partnership with EJ Harrison when the British Basketball League campaign tips off next month.

And Rocks coach Sterling Davis believes the duo can work well in unison.

He said: “Mychal is one of those players who are equally good on both ends of the floor.  He shoots an excellent percentage from the 3 point line whilst also leading your team in steals.  He is a natural scorer who can make something out of nothing and he’s also a very intelligent player.

“Mychal has got some very good experience professionally with teams within Europe and also New Zealand.  With this experience within the professional ranks, he gives us a very mature backcourt alongside EJ.”

Lions ink pair

Milton Keynes Lions have signed young British forwards Nathan Schall and Carl Josey.

Schall was formerly a junior with Manchester Magic while Josey played last season I in Iceland.

O’Reilly back with Cheshire

Irish forward Colin O’Reilly has agreed a new one-year deal with Cheshire Jets.

The 26-year-old, who remains the club captain, averaged 12.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last term.

And he is looking for on-court improvements.

“Obviously last season’s ending couldn’t have gone any worse than a defeat to local rivals, but that can’t disguise the fact that we achieved the consistency we had been looking for, and were in the hunt for the league right up to last few weeks of the season,” he said.

“This happened despite the fact we had a player missing for 3 months, and effectively played with a 5 to 6 man rotation during that time. Maybe we ran out of gas at the end but had plenty of good moments to be happy about.”

 

Bucci is Wildcat striker

BBL expansion franchise Durham Wildcats have made their first move of the summer by signing veteran guard Ralph Bucci.

Now 35, the Italian-American joins from EBL side Teesside Mohawks where he has spent much of his career outside of stints in the Greek League.

However he will now make his BBL debut when the season begins next month.

“We have been trying to persuade Ralph to become a Wildcat for some time and I think he’s really bought into what we’re trying to do at Durham,” said Wildcats coach Dave Elderkin.

“I think he’s relishing the chance to finally test himself in the BBL. I know he’s been a target for BBL clubs in the past but now’s the right place at the right time as far as Ralph’s concerned.

“He is a very creative player and has a great basketball brain. He’s just what we need as an expansion franchise and we’re hoping he’s the first of many exciting signings in the next few weeks.”

Lions ink Aussie Sturt

Milton Keynes Lions have signed Australian forward Adrien Sturt.

The 25-year-old spent part of last season with Essex Pirates, having started his career with Melbourne Tigers.