Giants suffer lack of height

Basketball

DUNCAN HOOPER

Manchester Giants' supporters are running out of players to watch. Their coach, Mike Hanks, has reluctantly axed their American playmaker Ron Rutland as a result of the dispute which has cost him 6ft 9in Trevor Gordon.

With the 6ft 11in Danny Craven out with a long-term injury, the Giants' general manager, Rick Taylor, said: "We've got to get some height in." Rutland's replacement against Birmingham Bullets tomorrow is the 6ft 7in American John Tresvant, who lost his place at Leicester City Riders during the summer.

Taylor said that Rutland had been shocked when told he had to go: "Anybody would have been, but he was caught up in the domino effect of the row with Trevor and Danny's injury."

Thames Valley Tigers are likely to lead the chase for Gordon, who has not played for Giants since pre-season.