AFTERSHOCKS will inevitably be felt in Tasmania from the implosion of the National Basketball League.
This is the feeling of Tasmanian Institute of Sport basketball coach Justin Schueller, who fears the State's impressive production line of elite male players may run dry without a complete pathway.
Basketball Australia announced yesterday that it plans to go ahead with a seven-team NBL this year. This followed the withdrawal of both Melbourne clubs, which left the competition without its reigning champions or any teams in the major markets of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
But BA chief executive Larry Sengstock conceded it may yet be forced to scrap the season if there was not sufficient support from clubs.
This is the feeling of Tasmanian Institute of Sport basketball coach Justin Schueller, who fears the State's impressive production line of elite male players may run dry without a complete pathway.
Basketball Australia announced yesterday that it plans to go ahead with a seven-team NBL this year. This followed the withdrawal of both Melbourne clubs, which left the competition without its reigning champions or any teams in the major markets of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
But BA chief executive Larry Sengstock conceded it may yet be forced to scrap the season if there was not sufficient support from clubs.
While welcoming the job opportunities provided by the interim league, Schueller warned a depleted or non-existent national competition would impact on a State that has produced NBL players Matthew Knight, Sam Harris, Nic Campbell and two-time champion Adam Gibson.
"It would have been devastating if this league had not gone ahead because the players, fans and sponsors would all have gone elsewhere," he said.
"(But) it's going to be tough to keep kids in the sport, particularly where an athlete is good at another sport.
"Because basketball is so professional now, if the professional opportunity is not there another door will open elsewhere so it is a major concern.
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