COAST WELCOME FOR THE GREAT TALLS OF CHINA

BRISBANE Bullets coach Andre Lemanis says tonight’s Carrara clash against team China provides his players with an outstanding opportunity to experience international basketball.

Brisbane players Tom Jarvis and Daniel Kickert were members of the NBL’s All Australian team that toured China earlier this month but tonight’s reciprocal clash - the second after team China played United in Melbourne on Sunday - gives the rest of the Bullets a remarkable chance to experience the sport at the elite level.

China’s stars, including 208cm Hanlin Tao (pictured), visited RACV Royal Pines yesterday ahead of the clash.

“Any time you have a chance to play international basketball, it’s a good opportunity, it always adds to some improvements and learnings in individuals and I think that’s always an exciting opportunity for everybody,” Lemanis said.

Lemanis - who is also the Australian coach and will head into camp with the Boomers on the Gold Coast tomorrow - is hoping his players can challenge team China, looking to fight back after being defeated by Melbourne on Sunday.

The Chinese team arrived on the Gold Coast yesterday afternoon before heading to training at Carrara where they will take on the Bullets tonight.

China Blue - one of two national Chinese outfits - will field strong players.

Centre Tao, Lingxu Zeng and Quan Gu are looking to bounce back from a 104-94 loss to Melbourne United tonight.

The Bullets will tonight be without imports Torrey Craig and Travis Trice, who are playing in the NBA Summer League, as well as Adam Gibson and Anthony Petrie.

Commonwealth Games basketball preliminaries will be held in Cairns and Townsville next April, with the finals at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, leading Lemanis to hail the facilities in the region.

Tonight’s Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre match tips off at 7pm and is the latest elite event drawn to the region ahead of the Games.