Rollers coach Mick Conlon has declared import Spencer Parker NBL ready as the club prepares to win their way into a grand final
NOT only do the Gold Coast Rollers tonight have the chance to secure a QBL grand final birth, but they are also in the business of making basketball careers.
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NOT only do the Gold Coast Rollers tonight have the chance to secure a QBL grand final birth, but they are also in the business of making basketball careers.
American imports LJ Rose and Spencer Parker have been crucial cogs to the Rollers success so far in 2019 with the former the Rollers leading goal scorer and the latter hitting more three-pointers than anyone this season.
Though as the Rollers prepare to take on the Townsville Heat at home in their do or die semi-final tonight, Rollers coach Mick Conlon believes the QBL isn’t the only level Parker could succeed at.
“He’s got NBL potential,” he said.
“I’ve reached out to a few coaches in the league that I have relationships with but they were already looking at other guys.
“It’s well within his capabilities.
“He’s one of the elite scorers in the league and he’ll probably be in the top three or four for MVP.”
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Conlon also lauded the impact of Rose who he believes has brought spades of knowledge and experience to an already mature Rollers roster.
“He’s a basketball purist and knows and understands the game inside out,” he said.
“He’s always talking non-stop to the boys at training but he brings a real positivity to the group.”
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As the Rollers prepare to take on the two time defending champions, Conlon said his side couldn’t wait for the opportunity to get one back on one of only three sides who’ve defeated them this year.
“If you want to be the champions you’ve got to beat the champions,” he said.
“There’s a bit of extra feeling in this game because they beat us last year in finals and then beat us this year up in Townsville which was a pretty convincing win.”
If the Rollers defeat Townsville tonight and the Brisbane Capitals lose against Rockhampton, then the Gold Coast will host a home grand final and have the chance to take out the championship in front of adoring fans.
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Though first, Conlon wants to see a packed out Roller giving their visitors a hostile reception.
“We want this stadium filled,” he said.
“The northern associations like Townsville are always great at filling out their stadiums but we want to show them that we can pack out Carrara.”
Tonight’s match kicks off at 7pm at Carrara Indoor Stadium.
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