Radford courts basketball talent

Just a few weeks after joining fellow Tasmanian Marty Clarke as the coaching team behind NBL side the Adelaide 36ers, Radford was back in his home state hoping to inspire others to reach the top in the sport.

"If you love the game and want to be involved, the world is your oyster," the 40-year-old former North-West Thunder coach told a gym-full of transfixed youngsters at Mowbray Heights Primary School.

Supported by players from both Launceston Tornadoes and Hobart Chargers plus 36ers star Jeff Dowdell, Radford said the popular program, which was launched by Aurora CEO Peter Davis and chairman John Hasker, provides a perfect introduction to a sport which in turn gives an opportunity to travel the world.

He said Tasmania's relatively small size was not an obstacle to its production of elite basketballers including Evandale's world champion Hollie Grima, Perth Wildcat teammates Sam Harris, of Newnham, and Burnie's Matthew Knight, plus Hobart dynamo Hugh Greenwood.

"We need to get over the mentality that we are underdogs because we actually do things pretty good down here. Population is not a negative, it can provide more opportunities. It's what you do with those opportunities.

"If you're passionate enough and want to keep working, the opportunities are there. I think Marty and I have proven that with two Tasmanians working together in a national competition."

Forty-year-old Radford is back home in Burnie but will move to Adelaide on June 1 and said he is not perturbed by having left the reigning champion Perth for the wooden spoon winner.

"I don't think it's daunting, it just presents fun opportunities and challenges.

"There is really not that big a gap between first and last in the competition so it is not like we are rebuilding the whole club from scratch. There is also a lot of tradition in Adelaide. It is a very proud club and led the league in attendances last year with 5500 per game. It also has the best venue with best facilities in the league so there are a lot of positives."

Basketball Tasmania president Lou Cox said more than 90,000 Tasmanian students have been involved in the scheme's 13 years with 125 schools taking part last year including on King, Bruny and Flinders islands.

"We're thrilled that this program brings basketball to so many younger players who will hopefully go on to join clubs and keep playing," he said.

"It is the leading model for basketball development in schools and still the envy of every other state in Australia so we consider ourselves very lucky."

BT community development officer and Launceston Tornado Myra Donkin added: "It's a fantastic introduction for the kids and the start of a great pathway."

Radford on SAM HARRIS: He has made significant strides in the past season. He played some games (for Perth) early on in the year and has improved in strength and agility so has given himself the best opportunity to get a contract in the future.

He is still only young. Big centres generally develop later.

Radford on MATTHEW KNIGHT: He is a great pick-up for Perth. He's going to be a real handful for opposition power forwards. He is a good team guy, low maintenance and will fit in well with that Perth group.

Radford on ADAM GIBSON: He is in the top three point guards in the NBL along with Damien Martin at Perth and C.J. Bruton in New Zealand. Gibbo will be vying for that position for the upcoming world championship team and is very close. It will probably be between him and Martin to succeed C.J. as back-up to Paddy Mills in future teams.

Radford on HUGH GREENWOOD: He is very special. He is just a great level-headed hard- working kid that has great skill. He has potential to be very, very good. Where that leads is up to him but so far every hurdle thrown in front of him he's been able to jump including against world standard players on Australian overseas tours.