Veteran centre called to add experience to Boomers

Paul Rogers has been called on by Brian Goorjian to rejoin the Boomers squad in the lead up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

With seven Australian big men overseas and unavailable for the Games, Rogers brings a huge, 213cm, 118kg frame and 104 international games of experience to the squad.

“The group lacks experience, especially in the front line,” Goorjian said.

“We want to medal at the Games and we see Paul as an internationally experienced player who can help this group.”

32-year-old Rogers has had an injury-hampered season with the Perth Wildcats, his first NBL season for three years. He most recently played for Casademont Girona in Spain.

“We were waiting to see if Paul was healthy,” Goorjian said of the late inclusion of the two-time Olympian.

“He’s been injured during the selection process and we weren’t sure if he was going to be fully fit for the camp.”

Rogers is averaging nine points and seven rebounds per game this season, down on his top NBL statistics back in 2000 and 2002 of 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. Rogers won a Championship with Perth and was named NBL MVP in 2000.

The Boomers will start as favourites for the gold medal at next year's Commonwealth Games, but will be strongly challenged by the New Zealand team.

Australian Boomers squad:
CJ Bruton (Sydney Kings), Jacob Holmes (Adelaide 36ers), Glen Saville (Wollongong Hawks), Jason Smith (Sydney Kings), Mark Worthington (Sydney Kings), Peter Crawford (Perth Wildcats), Brad Davidson (Hunter Pirates), Brad Newley (Townsville Crocs), Russell Hinder (Hunter Pirates), Oscar Forman (Adelaide 36ers), David Barlow (Sydney Kings), Greg Vanderjagt (Townsville Crocs), Luke Kendall (Sydney Kings), Pero Vasiljevic (West Sydney Razorbacks), Sam Mackinnon (Brisbane Bullets), Neil Mottram (Melbourne Tigers), Tony Ronaldson (Perth Wildcats), Adam Caporn (Wollongong Hawks), Larry Davidson (Hunter Pirates), Paul Rogers (Perth Wildcats).

Coaching Staff
Brian Goorjian (head coach), Brendan Joyce (assistant coach), Rob Beveridge (assistant coach), Nic Mercer (operations manager).

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