'It's bigger than basketball': Hoops community unites for special cause

A host of former Australian hoops stars and celebrities will return to the hardwood for a good cause on Saturday, February 28, during the first-ever Legends of Basketball for Bowel Cancer game.

As it stands, more than 30 individuals will take part in the State Basketball Centre event, created to raise awareness and funds for bowel cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in Australia.

“We’re excited to bring Hall of Famers, Olympians, National Basketball League champions, Most Valuable Players and the wider basketball community together to support such an important cause,” Legends of Basketball Game for Bowel Cancer Founder Nigel Purchase said.

“This will be a very special night for Australian basketball – one dedicated to saving lives.

“Bowel cancer touches thousands of families every year, including many within the basketball community, and we’re proud to play a role in making a difference on a night that will be so much bigger than basketball.

“Our aim is to use basketball for good, to encourage people to 'Take the Screen’, and to make the Legends of Basketball Game an annual event that makes a difference to people’s lives.”

>> BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR LEGENDS OF BASKETBALL FOR BOWEL CANCER

Basketball legends and celebrities to be involved on the day include Andrew Gaze, Cal Bruton, Phil Smyth, Mark Bradtke, David Andersen, Ricky Grace, Lanard Copeland, Warrick Giddey, Darren Lucas, Andrew Parkinson, Joey Wright, Al Westover, Brad Newley, Paul Maley, Brian Kerle, Adam Gibson, Peter Hooley, Michele Timms, Ray Gordon, Eddie Crouch, Bill Mildenhall, Ray Hunt, Mal Cooper, Andre Moore, Robert Sibley, Jason Dunstall, Tom Maher, Robyn Maher, Steve Carfino, Danny Morseu, Don Shipway, Brendan Joyce, Anthony Koutoufides and Ben Shewry.

All funds raised in the build-up to, and during, the Legends of Basketball Game for Bowel Cancer will support the Gibbs Lab at the Walter Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), helping to drive research and improve early detection.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the basketball community,” Professor Peter Gibbs, Laboratory Head at the WEHI, said.

“Bowel cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Australia, with cases rising fast among younger people. When detected early, though, it is one of the most treatable cancers.

“This is such an important cause, and every ticket purchased, every donation made and every fundraiser sparked will help power research that saves lives and reinforces the message that early detection matters.”

The event tips off at 6pm with a Legends Meet and Greet, following by the Celebrity Shootout at 7pm and Legends of Basketball Game for Bowel Cancer at 7.50pm.

Tickets for the Legends of Basketball Game for Bowel Cancer, which has already raised more than $140,000 and sold close to 2,300 tickets, are on sale now.

>> VISIT THE EVENT WEBSITE