A host of basketball greats are coming together to raise awareness for bowel cancer, Australia’s second-leading cause of cancer death, at a charity event featuring a celebrity shootout and a Legends game.
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The fundraiser has already generated $145,092 and is aiming to reach $250,000 with Saturday night’s showcase. Players, coaches and past stars will lace up, some for the first time in decades, rekindling old rivalries in support of the cause.
Among those set to take the court are Australian legend Andrew Gaze, Olympic great and five-time WNBL champion Michele Timms, along with Ricky Grace, Lanard Copeland, Mark Bradtke, David Andersen, Cal Bruton and Joey Wright, with more still to be confirmed.
Former NBL champion Peter Hooley will also take part, driven by a deeply personal connection after losing his mother, Susan, to bowel cancer in 2015 at the age of 52.
“Ever since I lost my mum to bowel cancer, I’ve wanted to do all I can to help raise awareness on early screening for this particular cancer. Whether that’s telling my story or being part of something special like this, I’m all in,” Peter Hooley said.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there with some of the greatest we have seen lace them up. It should be a lot of fun and I know everyone’s competitive, so if I don’t see at least two hamstrings gone, I’ll be disappointed.”
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Event founder Nigel Purchase said the night is about more than basketball.
“Every ticket, every donation and every fundraiser helps power research that saves lives and reinforces the message that early detection matters.”
The Legends of Basketball game takes place Saturday, 28 February from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at the State Basketball Centre, with tickets and donation details available via the MyCause website.
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