BBL: Glasgow Rocks sign Olympian Achara

The Glasgow Rocks have completed the signing of Team GB Olympian Kieron Achara ahead of their first home match at the stunning new Emirates Arena.

Achara, who starred for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games, has agreed to a month by month contract with the Rocks. The 6’10″ power forward joined his new team-mates for a game of street basketball outside the Emirates Arena today as they prepared to raise the curtain on the sporting events programme at the venue this Sunday (7 October).

Stirling-born Achara, who scored 16 points for Team GB in their final game at the London Olympics against China, is expected to make his home Rocks debut against Newcastle Eagles at the Arena on Sunday. The clash will be the one of the biggest ever games of basketball played in Glasgow.

Rocks player/coach, Sterling Davis, said: “Being able to bring on a player of Kieron’s calibre is a huge plus for our team. He’s a very smart player who has a wealth of international experience. He gives us the option of going big without losing out on the versatility factor. There are multiple facets to his game and that can only strengthen our squad.”

Chair of Glasgow Life and the Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games, Councillor Archie Graham, said: “Sports fans and the general public will get their first opportunity to see top-class sporting action at the Emirates Arena and we can’t wait for it to get underway. I’m sure the people of Glasgow will come out and roar the Rocks on to success.”

The first chance to see Achara and his new team-mates in action at the Emirates Arena will be at 5pm on Sunday 7 October when the Glasgow Rocks take on the Newcastle Eagles. Tickets are available for this historic event via the Glasgow Rocks website www.glasgowrocks.co.uk priced from £6 for children, £8 for concessions and £10 for adults.

Achara played for Falkirk Erikson Fury as a junior. He then made the move to the USA where he played college basketball at Duquesne finishing 19th on the all-time scoring list and 2nd all-time for blocked shots. Since his time at college, Achara has starred in the professional leagues in Italy and Spain.