Disgraced American Olympic sprinter, Marion Jones may become the Bulleen Boomers’ newest recruit. The Aussie WNBL team has spoken to Jones, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, with highly decorated coach Tom Maher sounding positive about the potential move.
Jones played for North Carolina during her College days and “was a championship-winning point guard in 1993. It was her NCAA basketball feats being feted “like a Jordan”, not her sprinting,” according to Maher. In fact her team’s record in that 1993-94 championship season was an amazing 33-2, however she has not played competitive basketball since 1997, after making the switch to track-and-field.
The New York Times reported a couple of weeks back that, “since October, Jones has been working on her basketball skills and conditioning with an assistant coach and the head trainer of the W.N.B.A.’s San Antonio Silver Stars.”
That same article quotes Jones: “Back in May, when I got a call from someone in the NBA asking if I would possibly be interested in the WNBA, my reaction was, ‘Yeah, right,’ ” she said Monday.
Jones, who at the time was eight months’ pregnant with her third child, said she thought about it and talked with her husband, Obadele Thompson. “I thought it would be an interesting journey if I decided to do this. It would give me an opportunity to share my message to young people on a bigger platform. It would give me an opportunity to get a second chance. I think I can be an asset to a franchise, so it comes down to, Why not? Really. Why not?”
Her aim is apparently to play in the NBA in the 2010 season, with “Europe” quoted as a stepping stone. However it would seem that Maher and Sandy Brondello, who has been training with her at the Silver Stars (a team that also boasts Aussie star, Belinda Snell), may have convinced her that Bulleen is a better step in her development.
“Her connections feel it might be better to come to a league that focuses on development”, Maher said of the prospect of the American joining his 13/1 team.
“She needs team as well as individual training now – five on five”, he said.
Maher said that if Jones decided to prepare for a career in the American professional ranks, she would choose between Europe or Australia, but his club was the best fit.
“We hang our hat on individual development … of all clubs (in Australia) Bulleen holds itself as a cutting edge development club … plus we have three Olympic coaches (himself, Michelle Timms and Gary Fox) … It’s a no-brainer.”
The Bulleen Boomers are clear leaders in the WNBL this season, led by centre Elizabeth Cambage who is averaging 20.9ppg and 8.9rpg. If indeed the team does bring in Jones she would certainly provide a promotional opportunity and media coverage boost for the team and the league.
