Star coach Adrian could look to talents of son CJ
TEENAGE basketball sensation CJ Fulton is on course to make his All Ireland Superleague debut this Saturday night when Belfast Star host Swords.
The 16-year-old, whose dad Adrian took over as Star’s head coach in pre-season, grabbed headlines with his amazing feat of 15 three-pointers in the All Ireland Schools’ final earlier this year and such is his natural ability that he could be thrown in at the deep end.
Dad Adrian, who made his National League debut at 15, insisted he was still weighing up his mind on whether or not to have CJ on the bench as he will be playing for Star’s Under-18s 24 hours later in the National Cup.
“It’s a big decision and I have to talk it through with the Under-18 coach Ger Ryan because I know that he needs CJ fresh and ready to go on Sunday,” said Adrian.
“It’s one of those decisions where you have to weigh up the risk of injury. I would have no issue with him playing in Superleague, it’s just a case of whether or not this is the right time.”
Star started their campaign with a loss away to last year’s Cup winners and Superleague runners-up Templeogue and their resources have been depleted through injury, particularly in the key area of point guard, and that’s why it would seem to make good sense to allow CJ to play a key role.
Coach Adrian is expecting to see his side raise their game against Swords, while he is also boosted by the debut of Spanish professional Sergio Vidal.
“The one thing that disappointed me from last weekend was the fact that we lost our discipline at crucial moments. It wasn’t that we were having a go at officials but the structure of the team got lost. We fought hard to get back into the game and then had individuals trying to do things rather than sticking to the team ethic,” added Adrian.
“So I want to see us keep that structure of the way we play and if we have that discipline then I think it will make a big difference.”