Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
I've spent many hours talking to Dave Rose in his office over the years, but never have I enjoyed a conversation with the coach more than I did earlier this afternoon.
Our one-on-one interview can be heard by clicking his audio link in the "Cougar Cuts" box to the right, and in it you will get as much as I could squeeze into 15 minutes.
*******
As interesting and enlightening as Dave Rose was in our on-air interview, I learned so much more about Dave and his remarkable experience during the half-hour that preceded our taped interview.
Besides the pleasant talk of families and vacations and so forth, our off-air conversation included his fairly detailed description of a medical odyssey--the moments of distress, the gravity of clinical realities, the highs and lows of recovery, but ultimately, the positive perspective on a future that looks as promising as ever.
Most memorable about my time with Dave Rose was the palpable sensation that he is a truly happy man--happy to be where he is, doing what he is doing, with and for people he loves and appreciates. And happy to be alive, most of all.
Not that Dave was ever "unhappy," but seeing and talking to him today was like taking off a pair of sunglasses--you still see what you saw before; it's just that much brighter.
*******
I can confirm that former Cougar hoopster Austin Ainge will be the head coach of the NBDL (D-League) expansion franchise in Portland, Maine. Ainge will coach players assigned by the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Bobcats, so among his primary contacts will be his father, Danny (Celtics President of Basketball Operations), and Michael Jordan (Bobcats Managing Member of Basketball Operations).
When the D-League is not in-season, Ainge will continue to serve in his previous post as a Celtics scout. An official announcement of Ainge's hiring will be made next Tuesday--look for an interview with Austin here on "Cougar Tracks" sometime next week.
*******
Jonathan Tavernari scored 17 points (second to the 23 points scored by teammate Olivinha) to help Brazil to a 105-46 pasting of Guinea-Bissau at the Jogos da Lusofonia Thursday afternoon in Portugal. With the win, Brazil sets up a tourney semifinal meeting with Angola on Saturday morning.
In Thursday's game, JT was 5 for 7 from the field, including 4/6 from three-point range, and 3 for 4 from the free throw line. He added 3 rebounds, and did all of his damage in a little more than 17 minutes of play.
Through five games over the last week, Tavernari is now 24/37 from the field (65%). From 3-point range, JT is 12/20 (60%), and from inside the arc, he's now 8/11 (73%). From the free throw line, he's 9/12 (75%). While it will be tough to crack Brazil's final 12-man "A" team roster, JT is doing exactly what is required to put himself in the mix.
While the overall level of competition has been marginal, Brazil's senior national "B" team is now 5-0 through a full week of international tournament play.
*******
