CLARK JOBLESS AFTER GB GAMBLE

Dan Clark has seen his contract revoked by Zaragoza after his decision to ignore their medical advice and declare himself available for Great Britain’s EuroBasket campaign.

The London-born forward, who joined the Aragon outfit from ACB rivals Estudiantes earlier this summer, failed a pre-season medical last week and was ordered to rest for up to two months.

However British Basketball’s medical staff – along with other external experts – cleared Clark to resume action and with the player declaring himself to be “completely fit”, he has now been left without a team for the new season.

In a statement, Zaragoza said: “Cai Zaragoza has renounced the signing of the centre Daniel Clark. Club and player have not been able to agree on the measures required for the British player to make a full physical recovery. Zaragoza will now search for a substitute.”

Murray’s rise praised

Great Britain vice-captain Kieron Achara has praised Gareth Murray for landing a place in the team for EuroBasket, four weeks after earning an invite through a last-minute trial.

The Glasgow Rocks forward was one of three Scots confirmed in coach Joe Prunty’s 12-man squad for Slovenia, joining Achara and ex-Falkirk Fury centre Ali Fraser in the line-up which will begin the championships against Israel on Wednesday.

And Achara believes Murray, who was dropped before returning to start GB’s last two warm-up friendlies, deserves credit for refusing to give up.

“It’s a remarkable story,” he said. “You talk about perseverance. Gareth’s coming up for 28 now and this is a great achievement. I guarantee it’s something he never even thought about doing, certainly not a few months back, but he’s taken it in his stride.

“He’s probably learnt more in these last few weeks than he has done in his whole career. But I’m very proud of him. I think he’s still got another level to bring up and I know he’s capable of it. He just has to go and show it now.”

Pic: Mansoor Ahmed