Posted on 25 September, 2008

The team will be coached by Australian Basketball Legend Andrew Gaze and will include 10 of the ACC’s top players. This will be the second trip as Coach for the former Melbourne Tigers’ star after leading last year’s squad to a 3-2 record against the Chinese National League (CBA) teams.  The ACC Select team will play six (6) games on tour during the Chinese CBA pre-season.

The Cobras two leading scorers in the 2008 SEABL Season Werner (21.1ppg and 14.7rpg) and Leonard (19.5ppg) continued to play hard in a Season riddled by injury.  Werner has returned to the United States for the off-season but will join his Kilsyth teammate in Beijing before returning to Australia in early February 2009 to continue his career with the Cobras.

Leonard has stayed on the training track during the post season preparing for the ACC Select tour of China. When asked for his thoughts on the tour and what the Chinese crowds can expect from the Australian’s, he responded by saying;

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to play with some of the best players from the ACC during the off-season, especially Cobras teammate Werner.”

“We will have to put on a ‘Kilsyth Show’ for the Chinese crowds with the customary Leonard to Werner Alley-oop, what some people have likened to that of Gaze to Copeland in the 90’s,” he said.

“On a serious note…it will be great to experience the different culture and basketball playing conditions in China. The team is looking forward to being coached by Australia’s most distinguish player, Andrew Gaze, and will be keen to impress.

Leonard will return to Australia in late October 2008 before beginning his pre-season with the Cobras in January 2009.

ACC Select Team

Sedale Threatt – Sandringham
Ash Cannan – Dandenong
Daniel George – Geelong
Gerard Leonard – Kilsyth
Joe Werner – Kilsyth
Lester Strong – Knox
Andrew Harms – Frankston
Mark Banovic – Hobart
Dallas Jeffree – Mt. Gambier
Andrew Rice – Albury

Coaches – Andrew Gaze and Matt Ferris

Keep up to date with all your Cobras off-season news at www.kilsythbasketball.com.au