Bruce Bolden's new role

Came across this press release that a friend shared on Facebook earlier about one of our West Sydney Razorbacks legends, Bruce Bolden.

The Basketball Factory

All Sorts is excited to announce the appointment of NBL star, Bruce Bolden as Basketball Manager at their brand new facility, The Basketball Factory.

American-born Bolden, who enjoyed an illustrious career spanning 17 seasons in the Australian National Basketball League, is thrilled to be launching the venue aimed at providing kids with an opportunity to learn the game and become a part of the basketball community.

"I've met so many amazing people throughout my basketball career and I am looking forward to sharing my passion for the game with the local community. I'd like to welcome kids of all levels, the upcoming stars who dream of a professional basketball career and those who enjoy the game for fun and social competition. The Basketball Factory is for everyone."
Bruce Bolden

Bolden has a wealth of experience, skills and knowledge to pass on to young basketballers after playing and coaching in the NBL. More recently, Bolden has enjoyed providing private one to one coaching which has led him to taking up the opportunity to offer something back to the wider basketball community here in Sydney.

All Sorts Gym and Indoor Sports now boasts a huge footprint of more than 10,000 square metres in Alexandria and has become a power house when it comes to the provision of fitness and sporting activity in Southern Sydney.

Since launching the indoor sports centre, which features top-quality basketball facilities, the court bookings have been over taken by school groups and other sports such as Futsal, leaving basketball lagging behind. The management have a keen desire to see basketball grow and so they seized the opportunity to convert the vast space of the old heritage 'Zeppelin' shed, that was originally built in the 1930s by Commonwealth Gases for construction of Dirigibles (Zeppelins/Airships), into a brand new basketball venue! With super high ceilings and walls decorated by local street artists and youth community groups, The Basketball Factory needs to be seen to be believed.

NBL countdown continues ... 6 days to go

The countdown continues ... just 6 days until the NBL season gets underway. The # 6 is brought to you today by West Sydney Razorbacks legend Sam Mackinnon.
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/sam-mackinnon-hashtag-A12595987/customize/color/17

Bruce Bolden - West Sydney Razorbacks

Today our feature West Sydney Razorback legend is Bruce Bolden. Before he completely changes his name to Jonah Bolden's s dad (the time is coming quickly), let's pay tribute to his time in West Sydney.

Bruce Bolden joined the West Sydney Razorbacks in 1999 having already played 12 seasons in the NBL. Bolden may well have been past his prime but provided much needed leadership to the start-up franchise. In ’99 he was named the NBL's best sixth man award and averaged 16 points and 6 boards while shooting 56% from the field.

Here's our favourite Bruce Bolden t-shirt:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/bruce-bolden-ball-A12596027/customize/color/17

Sam Mackinnon - West Sydney Razorbacks

Today's feature West Sydney Razorbacks legend is Slammin' Sam Mackinnon.

Sam Mackinnon signed with the West Sydney Razorbacks in 2002 joining Rillie, Rucker, Dwight and Bolden to be the final piece in the puzzle and helped them reach the finals in two of his three seasons with the team. One of his best years was 2003 when he averaged 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks.

Click here to check out our favourite Sam Mackinnon t-shirt: http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/sam-mackinnon-ball-A12596019/customize/color/17

Derek Rucker - West Sydney Razorbacks

Today's West Sydney Razorbacks Legend is Derek Rucker.

Derek Rucker may not have put up the numbers in West Sydney like he did in previous years but he had better players around him and he didn’t need to single-handedly take over games.  In 2002 when the Razorbacks reached the finals, Rucker averaged 16.5 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2.5 triples while shooting 47% from the field.

Our favourite Derek Rucker t-shirt is:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/derek-rucker-ball-A12596012/customize/color/17

Simon Dwight - West Sydney Razorbacks

Let me tell you a story about the NBL player that turned down an offer to play in the NBA ...

Simon Dwight signed with the West Sydney Razorbacks in 1999 after he turned down an offer to play with the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA (yes, you read that right).

 

Simon led the league in blocks & blocks per game for 8 of 11 NBL seasons. Helping take West Sydney to the finals, 2004 was one of Simon’s best averaging 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 assists. Dwight's career was cut shot in 2005 due to major knee injuries.

http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/simon-dwight-ball-A12596026/customize/color/17
 

 

 

John Rillie t-shirt - West Sydney Razorbacks

The Rillie tee has arrived!!

JR is most commonly remembered as a Croc but to me he was the heart and soul of the Razorbacks. Despite winning a championship in Adelaide, his time and input was limited by (Phil) Smyth and the move to West Sydney really saw him make his mark on the league. 

John Rillie teamed up with Derek Rucker for the West Sydney Razorbacks to form one of the best back courts of the 90s. JR led West Sydney to the finals in 2002 an...d 2004 but fell just short of the title both times. In 2002 he averaged 22 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists while hitting 3.5 triples a game at a 47% clip. In 2004 he averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists while hitting 3.5 triples a game at a 46% clip as well as shooting 90% from the line.

To get your hands on a JR tee or one of his team mates, go to:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/

West Sydney Razorbacks t-shirts

Gather round and let me tell you about a time when the NBL was booming and there were not one but two teams from Sydney!

Growing up as a Bullets fan it was natural to hate the Sydney Kings. I wasn’t alone tho and there were plenty of bask...etball fans even in Sydney who didn’t like the Kings. So much so, they needed another team in their hometown that they could support and the West Sydney Razorbacks entered the NBL.

The Razorbacks played their first game in the NBL on October 10, 1998 defeating the Kings 103-97 and a great rivalry was born. They qualified for the playoffs in their second season and then made history in 2001/2002 as the first Sydney team in the NBL to make it to the grand finals. They had the chance to beat the Kings in the race to an NBL title but unfortunately it wasn’t to be as they fell short against the 36ers.

The Razorbacks soon built a great team that ran and were fun to watch. I’ll admit, around that time they became my team as I tired of the Bullets stinking it up post-Leroy. Depending on your favourite player, West Sydney’s nickname soon became either the Rilliebacks or Ruckerbacks.

Hate the Kings? No problem, we’ve got you covered with our tribute to the West Sydney Razorbacks. Representing them in our “Legends” series is Derek Rucker, John Rillie, Sam Mackinnon, Bruce Bolden and Simon Dwight.

Sydney, its time to represent, show your support for our game, and remind everyone that your town is not just about football! Like, share and shop!

Check out our store for team 3 of the "Legends" range:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/