ROCKS SEVEN HEAD SCOTLAND TEAM

Seven Glasgow Rocks players have been named in Scotland’s 12-strong squad for the Commonwealth Games.

Head coach Tony Garbelotto has, unsurprisingly, opted for a large contingent from the Emirates Arena, including St. Kitts-born guard Bantu Burroughs who has been cleared to compete through grandparentage.

Bristol Flyers forward Mike Vigor is also included with the surprise selection as 17-year-old Callan Low, currently at Myerscough College, who impressed at two training camps.

However there is no place for Plymouth Raiders guard Eddie Matthew who is on a four-strong reserve list along with Eoghan Dover, Calum Nicol and Skylar Diggins.

💬 “It’s a huge honour and I can’t wait to get started.”

Mike Vigor spoke to #BristolFlyers TV for the first time since being named in the @basketballscot squad for @GC2018: pic.twitter.com/E8mihtA7NC

— Bristol Flyers (@BristolFlyers) January 17, 2018

For Kieron Achara, who is expected to captain the team, it is a second shot at the Commonwealths after missing Melbourne 2006 due to injury.

“I am really looking forward to being part of the squad for Gold Coast,” he said. “It is a unique opportunity for us to represent Scotland and the whole team have been working hard to ensure that we are the best prepared team on the Gold Coast this April.

“Having been part of Team GB at London 2012, I know how special multi-sport events are and being part of the wider Team Scotland will be a really enjoyable experience for the whole team.”

Gareth Murray is the lone returnee from 2006, the last time basketball featured in the Games, when Scotland finished sixth. Craig Nicol has been named as Garbelotto’s assistant coach.

“I was happy with our camp and the process we went through,” the Rocks, Scotland and GB coach said. “We had good input from the coaches and the performance director. Everyone had a strong say. We gave everyone a good opportunity.

“The only person who suffered was Skylar because we never saw him in person. But we watched all his clips from this year on Synergy and made an evaluation from there. He’s become more a four and that’s our strongest area.

“But it was a really tough decision, especially over the last couple of players. Everyone tells me it’s the strongest squad Scotland have ever assembled. I’m not trying to knock England but we’re showing real legacy with what we’re doing with the likes of Calum, Kyle and Sean who out-worked some senior players to earn a place.

“We have players who have been at the highest levels with GB, the best domestic players here and the best young players.”

The team will get their Commonwealth campaign underway in Townsville on April 5 with a crucial game against England before facing Cameroon and India in their other Pool B games.

Squad: Kieron Achara, Jonny Bunyan, Bantu Burroughs, Chris Cleary, Ali Fraser, Kyle Jimenez, Gareth Murray (all Glasgow Rocks), Sean Nealon-Lino (Barking Abbey), Mike Vigor (Bristol Flyers), Callan Low (Myerscough), Nick Collins (St. Mirren), Fraser Malcolm (Black Hill State)