US duo to lead Rangers revival

A PAIR of Americans will lead Dandenong’s quest to reclaim the Big V Championship Men’s title next year.
Dandenong signed 200cm forward Dusty Jura last week, and Rangers coach Warren Dawson expects current import Vince Inglima to ink another contract within the month.
Jura, 25, has been playing with Cajasur Cordoba in the competitive Spanish league for the past two years, having graduated from NCAA Division Two college Nebraska-Kearney in 2007.
The versatile left-hander led Nebraska-Kearney with 21 points and 10 rebounds per game in his senior year, earning him player-of-the-year honours in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).
He was also named in the NCAA Division Two All-American second team that year.
The RMAC is the same league that Dandenong stars Brent Hobba and Ash Cannan – and Boomers Mark Worthington and Luke Kendall – played in during their college stints, and is considered to be one of the strongest Division Two conferences.
Jura’s association with Hobba and Cannan prompted him to consider Australia as a career move, and Dawson is thrilled that he did.
“We’re excited. It’s a great pick-up for us,” Dawson said this week.
“He could potentially be talented enough to play in the NBL.”
Dawson says Jura is an imposing inside presence, who can extend opposition defences with a handy mid-range jump shot.
Dandenong board member Lou Godfrey kept a keen eye on Jura during his college career, and the Rangers jumped at the opportunity to secure his services when he became available.
His arrival will offset the departure of gun forward Ash Cannan, who is expected to return to Kilsyth if he is not accepted into university in Queensland later this year.
Dandenong will also be without the dogged Campbell brothers – Adrian and Dwayne – and veteran point guard Mick Wheeler next season.
The Campbell boys have moved on after a mutual split with the club, while Wheeler is taking some time off with his young family.
Dawson said he would have to make some tough decisions during the off-season in a bid to reignite the Rangers roster.
Dandenong finished on top of the ladder this season, before bowing out of the playoffs with losses to eventual champions Melbourne and grand-finalist Sandringham.
With the key departures, Inglima’s return should give the rebuilding Rangers some stability.
Inglima garnered some interest from a club in Germany after the Big V season, but a persistent foot injury prevented him from securing a contract.
Dawson said the popular American swingman had made a verbal commitment to return to Stud Road next season.