Press Releases
News Release - Blaze Signs James Harvey |
| Posted by Sophie Hickson (sophie) on Jun 19 2009 |
NEWS RELEASE
HARVEY SIGNS WITH BLAZE FOR SEASON 2009-2010
NBL STAR RETURNS TO FURTHER BOOST COAST TITLE CHANCES
Date released: Thursday 18th June 2009
MONTHS of speculation over the future of one of Australia’s most talented basketballers were put to rest today with the re-signing of guard James Harvey to the Gold Coast Blaze.
The Australian Boomer squad member and 2008-2009 Blaze captain made his decision while considering the option of playing in Europe for a second time.
His new contract contains a 1st September European release clause deadline.
"The past few months have been about working out a contract with the Blaze that would no longer have me wondering whether I had made the right decision or should have gone back to Europe, and I believe we are pretty close to achieving that,” Harvey said today.
“Europe remains a possibility, but I’m really looking forward to the local pre-season and being a part of what is shaping as a very competitive team,” he said.
Blaze coach Joey Wright said it’s great to have Harvey back on board.
“He’s certainly one of the most important signings of the off-season,” Wright said from his United States scouting mission.
“He has the ability to almost win games by himself, as he’s shown plenty of times in the past.
“The addition of James to this years’ group will make the Blaze a really competitive team,” he said.
The calibre of that team is already evident with the Blaze recently naming fellow Boomer squad members Adam Gibson, Greg Vanderjagt and Chris Goulding alongside regular Kiwi national representatives Mika Vukona and Pero Cameron in their 2009-2010 line up.
Exciting young guns Anthony Petrie and Tyson Demos have also been named by the Blaze as starters this year.
Harvey is one of the league's premier guards and brings plenty of experience to the team.
A decade ago he was part of Perth's 1999-2000 NBL championship and 2002-2003 grand final appearance and won the league's Most Improved Player award in 2000-2001.
Between stints with the Wildcats and West Sydney, Harvey played in the Treviso summer league in Italy and in Israel with Maccabi Rishon Le-Zion.
He has been named in the NBL second and third all-star teams and last January hit a career high and franchise record 42 points as he piloted the Gold Coast Blaze to a 139-119 victory over the Sydney Spirit at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Dave Claxton
Gold Coast Blaze CEO
0407 755 955
Wayne Hickson
HicksonMedia
5591 2556
0407 028 917
Last changed: Jun 19 2009 at 9:41 AM
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