MURRAY: WE MUST GET MINTED - Hoopsfix.com

MURRAY: WE MUST GET MINTED

Gareth Murray claims British basketball will go nowhere unless it lures more investment into the domestic game.

Great Britain host Germany tonight in a EuroBasket qualifier in Newcastle (8pm) with the Glasgow Rocks forward admitting he envies the domestic structure of the visitors.

While the likes of Bayern Munich have ploughed millions into the German BBL, the British BBL is still small-time in European terms.

And it’s hindering our chances of international success, Murray believes.

The Scot said: “We need a league like theirs if we want to get GB on the same level. They produce great players. They’ve produced a MVP of the NBA. We’ve a similar-sized country but our players can’t thrive by staying in the UK.

“We have to raise the level of the game here financially. But hopefully a sell-out game in Newcastle is one way to start showcasing what we have.”

After losing 81-74 in Montenegro on Friday, Marc Steutel’s line-up will be unchanged for the second Group G contest.

Germany arrive off a solid 83-69 defeat of France and they will be tough to stop, Murray acknowledged.

“They’re such a well-established group with players at big teams in Europe. But we have guys doing well in big leagues too.”

Earlier, the French chase their first victory when they host Montenegro at Vendespace (5.45)

Watch GB v Germany live at MVP247.com