Commonwealth Games hero says basketball is in safe hands

Former Arbroath Musketeer predicts a bright future for game in Scotland

Former Arbroath Musketeer Gareth Murray claims the future of basketball in Scotland is in safe hands following a headline-clinching performance at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

The reluctant hero made the assertion before climbing aboard the long flight from Brisbane to Glasgow last night and insisted he was not surprised at how well the Scottish basketball team had fared in Australia.

In fact, their fourth-place finish – they missed out on a bronze as they lost 79-69 to New Zealand – was better than any Scottish team in any sport since team sports were first introduced into the Games in Malaysia in 1998.

Averaging almost 30 minutes court time per game, 33-year-old veteran Murray had contributed a remarkable three hours of high intensity play – possibly the best of his long career – and in doing so topped several of the statistical categories for the Scottish side.

These included leading scorer, averaging 14 points per game and most minutes, while in free throws (84%) he was second only to Jonny Bunyan with 21 from 25.

Scotland not only convincingly beat England in their opening group game but went on to take care of Cameroon and India as well to reach the quarter-finals unbeaten and Murray’s ability to convert key plays drawn up by stand-in Australian coach Rob Beveridge was crucial.

“It was no surprise to me that we did well in the group stages and to beat Nigeria to qualify for the semi-finals was a great achievement,” said Murray.

“We showed that team basketball beats individual talent and we have a good group of players looking to improve the future of basketball in Scotland.”

Even Murray might concede that the way they played against the Mighty Tall Blacks when they faced New Zealand in the last four must have surprised many people, particularly when they fought back from 17 points to narrow the gap to single figures in the final quarter before losing out on the bronze.

Murray himself was showing signs of fatigue and rough marking by the much bigger Kiwis and was restricted to nine points, his lowest tally of the tournament.

Inspirational captain Kieron Achara has meanwhile announced his retirement from international duty.

His Great Britain colleagues, including Murray, will be hoping he can be persuaded to turn out twice more for GB in the World Cup qualifiers at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow in November, when he will earn his 100th cap.

Murray, who boasts 47 GB caps, will be an automatic selection after his fine run of form in Townsville, Cairns and the Gold Coast.

Gareth Murray was one of Scotland’s Commonwealth Games heroes.