West Sydney Razorbacks

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West Sydney Razorbacks

Established	1998/99
Team Colours	Navy, Orange, Red and White
Home Venue	Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney
Major Sponsor	Westbus
Championships	None
Team History	West Sydney Razorbacks (1998/99-Present)
Chief Executive	Robbie Cadee
Coach	Rob Beveridge
Captain	TBA
Website	www.razorbacks.com.au

The West Sydney Razorbacks are a professional basketball team competing in Australia's National Basketball League. The club is based in the western suburbs of the city of Sydney.

They are the second team to represent Sydney's west in the NBL, several years after the Fosters (West Sydney) Westars were largely absorbed in a merger with the Sydney Supersonics to form the Sydney Kings.

1 History
2 Honour Roll
3 Current roster
4 External links

[edit] History

Granted a National Basketball League licence in 1997, the Razorbacks originated from the Sydney Slammers. They made history in season 2001-02 becoming the first Sydney team in the NBL's 24 year history to contest the NBL Grand Finals. The Adelaide 36ers went on to win the championship with a 2-1 result in the best-of-three series. After breaking club records for most wins in a season, most wins on the road and most wins at home in 2003-04, the Razorbacks made it to their second Grand Final series, this time against the Sydney Kings. In the new best-of-five format, the Razorbacks, who at one stage were up 2-1 in the series, lost 2-3. After being coached for their first six seasons by Gordie McLeod, a new coach was appointed in 2004-05 – Mark Watkins who previously had been the team’s assistant coach. The Razorbacks, played their first game in the NBL on 10 October 1998 defeating the Kings 103-97. They qualified for the NBL play-offs in their second season - 1999-2000. Since season 2000-01 the Razorbacks’ home venue has been the 4,500 seat Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre located at Olympic Park; widely regarded as the best basketball viewing venue in NSW. Prior to that the Razorbacks' home was the Whitlam Centre at Liverpool. During the 2003-04 season, legendary NBL forward, Bruce Bolden, became the first Razorback to have his singlet #32 retired. In 2005-06 he was joined by #45 Simon Dwight - the NBL's all time top shot-blocker. The club is headed up by basketball Olympian, Robbie Cadee, who launched the franchise in 1998-99. The Razors have had two shocking years in a row. The first of these years started off Dwights retirment and Steve Markovic leaving to Europe just a few weeks before the start of season. The second of the spell started off Nick Horvaths Knee injury on the first game (he was out for season) Mark could have kept him but he didnt want to risk it for the next season. Robbie Cadee got rid of mark watkins and got Cal Bruton as coach in late 2006 as ther Razors were on a losing streak. During the 2006/07 season the razorbacks broke a 20 game losing streak agaisnt the Wollongong Hawks. 6 Games after that, the Razorbacks thumped the kings 106-75 at home wreaking Brian Goorjians record breaking of games coached.

[edit] Honour Roll

NBL Championships:	0
NBL Finals Appearances:	2000,2001,2002,2004
NBL Grand Final appearances:	2 (2002, 2004)
All-NBL First Team:	John Rillie (2004), Sam Mackinnon (2004)
NBL Rookie of the Year:	Steven Markovic (2004)
NBL Best Defensive Player:	Simon Dwight (2002)
NBL Best Sixth Man:	Bruce Bolden (1999)
NBL Most Improved Player:	Liam Rush (2007)

Source: www.nbl.com.au

[edit] Current roster

West Sydney Razorbacks Current Roster
Head Coach: Rob Beveridge			Edit
F	23	Jason Aucoin#	(Canada)
G	1	Rhys Carter	(VIC; AIS)
G	3	James Harvey	(WA)
G	4	Justin Bailey *	(New Jersey; University of Hartford)
G	5	Graeme Dann	(NSW; AIS)
C	6	Julian Khazzouh	(NSW)
G/F	8	Clint Reed	(NSW)
G/F	13	Liam Rush	(WA)
F	15	Cam Rigby	(VIC)
G	21	Matt Unicomb #	(NSW)
C	42	Cheikh Ya Ya Dia *	(Senegal; Georgetown University)
* = Import, # = Development Player			West Sydney Razorbacks