BEL - Veteran Huggins still comes up with the goods
LIEGE (EuroCup) - He may be in the twilight of his career but Roger Huggins is proving to be an influential figure in Liege Basket’s EuroCup campaign. Liege coach Giovanni Bozzi drafted in the 39-year-old Londoner to add some experience for the European showpiece tournament and Huggins has plenty of that. The much-travelled Great Britain forward has spent much of his career in Belgium, but has also had spells in his homeland, Israel and
LIEGE (EuroCup) - He may be in the twilight of his career but Roger Huggins is proving to be an influential figure in Liege Basket’s EuroCup campaign.
Liege coach Giovanni Bozzi drafted in the 39-year-old Londoner to add some experience for the European showpiece tournament and Huggins has plenty of that.
The much-travelled Great Britain forward has spent much of his career in Belgium, but has also had spells in his homeland, Israel and the United States.
Huggins, who is only contracted for the EuroCup and does not play in the Belgian top flight, is relishing his third spell under Bozzi and insists he is still learning with every game.
The Belgian side surprisingly progressed to the second round of the EuroCup and the Englishman has proved to be a shrewd signing.
“I started off slow (in round one), picked up again and became a player and I’m still learning, no matter how old you are, you can still learn.” said Huggins.
“I’m still enjoying playing and it’s worked out well. I’m glad to be able to pass on my experience to the younger players and hopefully it helps them.”
After an illustrious career, Huggins is currently considering his next move but he revealed that it is unlikely that he will return for a swansong in England.
“My original plan was to return to England, I wanted to finish in the UK and I don’t want to knock my country, but basketball in England is not in good shape. I’m not thinking about coming back at the moment, I just don’t see that happening.” he said.
“I’m in negotiations (to stay at Liege), but at the moment I don’t know what will happen, I may go home and call it a day or I may stay in Belgium.”
Given his experience at both international and club level, he admits that the question is often posed as to whether he would consider moving into a coaching role.
Although Huggins admits it is an option he has considered, he has no plans to make the transition in the near future.
“It’s such a difficult job to coach with all the personalities to contend with. I’ve no plans to go into it at the moment, but who knows.”
Liege are not the only team to value the experience that Huggins brings to the table, as last September Great Britain coach Chris Finch called him up for the first half of the crucial European 'B' Championships campaign.
Huggins proved he can still cut it at international level and although he is uncertain whether he will have a part to play when Great Britain recommence their Group B campaign against Slovakia on August 21, he hinted at a role on the coaching staff.
“Chris (Finch) asked me to play in the first half of the qualifying, so I went over and enjoyed it. The second half, I don’t know if I’ll be playing or maybe be part of the coaching staff, that’s still to be decided.”
Great Britain will be under pressure to convince FIBA they merit a place in the 2012 Olympics in Huggins’ home city of London over the coming years, an incentive which is not lost on the 6ft 5in forward.
“Everyone will want to be part of the Olympics, but first and foremost we’ve got to qualify. The Olympics is massive for the country and it would be amazing to be part of it.”
By Pete Thompson, PA Sport
Exclusively for FIBA