Cheshire Jets: Gareth Murray dismisses rumours of GB interest as he focuses on big weekend

Mar 17 2011 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

WITH his form peaking in the later stages of this season the buzz around Gareth Murray is growing in volume.

The Scotsman, still young by BBL standards but a veteran in terms of experience, moved to the Cheshire Jets late in the off-season and started solidly without catching fan’s eyes.

Now however they can hardly tear their eyes away as he has developed a chemistry with Colin O’Reilly and Jeremy Bell that lights up every time the Jets hit a break and has spawned some of the most skilful plays seen at the Northgate for some time.

Coupled with his improved scoring rate, it has led to speculation that the former Scotland captain may be about to receive a call from Team GB coach Chris Finch as he looks at his options for the London 2012 Olympics.

Great Britain found out they would be guaranteed a place at the games during Sunday’s match at the Northgate Arena and Jets head coach Paul Smith admitted that if GB looked interested, the Jets would do all they could to encourage them to look at Murray seriously to feature alongside GB’s NBA stars Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons’ Ben Gordon.

But Murray laughed off the suggestion that he could be called up at this stage.

“I don’t think there’s any interest from Team GB,” he said. “I’ve been asked this before over the last couple of years but I think I’ve passed that stage already.

“I think that’s gone. I don’t think there’s any chance of me appearing at the Olympics.”

Despite this there is no doubting Murray is rolling at the moment and he said he is happy with the way his season is panning out.

“This is when you want to be playing your best basketball, towards the end stretch of the season coming into the play-offs not at the very beginning of the year so this is perfect timing.”

And should GB indeed sit up and notice Murray, he could be lining up alongside Drew Sullivan, the GB captain, who leads the Mersey Tigers in the second of the Jets crucial games this weekend at the Northgate Arena.

Before that the Jets travel to face Newcastle Eagles tomorrow night and Murray is fully aware of what is at stake.

“We’ve beaten them once each already and they’ve beaten us so this is for the league,” he said.