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Melbourne Tigers duo Chris Anstey and Sam Mackinnon announce retirements
February 08, 2010 Australian basketball greats Chris Anstey and Sam Mackinnon have announced their retirements from the game.
Both Anstey and Mackinnon struggled through tears as they revealed their decisions at a joint media conference for their NBL club Melbourne Tigers on Monday.
Anstey, 35, plans to play his final two games this weekend, with the Tigers out of contention for the subsequent finals series.
But 33-year-old Mackinnon will miss those games through injury, meaning he has already played his last match.
Tigers coach Al Westover said it was a sad day both for the club and for basketball in Australia.
"They are two legends of the game," Westover said.
"It's a pretty strange day, I know everyone feels for these two. We're all disappointed we're not going to out with a bang and win the championship.
"We're going to have to look to replace them but they are going to be very difficult to replace."
Anstey has been part of three NBL championship teams and Mackinnon two, including one together with the South East Melbourne Magic in 1996.
The pair also played in an under-23 world championship winning side in Melbourne in 1997.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26690450-23769,00.html
February 08, 2010 Australian basketball greats Chris Anstey and Sam Mackinnon have announced their retirements from the game.
Both Anstey and Mackinnon struggled through tears as they revealed their decisions at a joint media conference for their NBL club Melbourne Tigers on Monday.
Anstey, 35, plans to play his final two games this weekend, with the Tigers out of contention for the subsequent finals series.
But 33-year-old Mackinnon will miss those games through injury, meaning he has already played his last match.
Tigers coach Al Westover said it was a sad day both for the club and for basketball in Australia.
"They are two legends of the game," Westover said.
"It's a pretty strange day, I know everyone feels for these two. We're all disappointed we're not going to out with a bang and win the championship.
"We're going to have to look to replace them but they are going to be very difficult to replace."
Anstey has been part of three NBL championship teams and Mackinnon two, including one together with the South East Melbourne Magic in 1996.
The pair also played in an under-23 world championship winning side in Melbourne in 1997.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26690450-23769,00.html
