Crocs complete NBL roster
Gardner has signed as 12-month deal to complete Townsville's roster for the 2006-2007 National Basketball League season, but former chief executive Barry Gibson will not be returning to the club
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Gardner has signed as 12-month deal to complete Townsville's roster for the 2006-2007 National Basketball League season, but former chief executive Barry Gibson will not be returning to the club.
Gibson quit the Crocodiles in April to head new NBL club South Dragons after four and a half seasons with Townsville, but he resigned from the Melbourne franchise this week due to "differing styles" with chairman Mark Cowan.
"I don't believe Barry is contemplating returning at any stage,'' Townsville chief executive Tim Smythe said.
"He rang me after his decision and he is looking at bigger and better things."
Crocodiles coach Trevor Gleeson meanwhile said the club had made its decision about its final spot on the roster between "three outstanding players".
But Smythe said NBL great Derek Rucker, released by Brisbane in the off-season, was "never considered" for the vacant point guard position.
Rucker, 39, is hindered in his search for a new club by his points value - the ranking given by the NBL to every player in a bid to create a level playing field in the league.
Each club has a salary cap of $776,000 and a points limit of 68.
Rucker is one of 23 players in the league with a 10-point ranking - the highest.
Gardner attended National Basketball Association camps and trials in his native US before plying his trade in Europe.
He was named in the 2004 All-Imports Team in France, and last season averaged almost 20 points per game with French team Golbey-Epinal.
Smythe was looking forward to Gardner linking with NBA hopeful Brad Newley in Townsville's backcourt.
Newley - in the Australia squad playing New Zealand - withdrew his NBA Draft nomination in a bid to give himself a better chance of being selected in the world's toughest basketball competition next year.
"(Newley) came back from the NBA knowing what he had to do to make the next step to the NBA," Smythe said.
Townsville will be without veteran guard Robert Rose, who was snapped up by arch rival Cairns after being released by the Crocodiles.
"We made a very tough decision at the end of last season, we were looking at the future," Smythe said about Rose.
Gardner - currently in Phoenix - will arrive in early August for pre-season training.