Glasgow Rocks coach regrets lack of silverware as he retires from playing

Gareth Murray says his one regret from a successful basketball career was not winning any silverware with Glasgow Rocks – but will focus on that from the sidelines.

The 37-year-old from Rutherglen says it was just the right time to retire on the playing side, but reckons that will give him more of a focus on his team.

And he reckons this is one of the finest squads he has assembled at Rocks – who were last week renamed Caledonia Gladiators following a take-over – ahead of the British Basketball League season opener at home to Newcastle Eagles on September 25.

Murray leaves the team after 505 games as all time top scorer, with all time top assists, rebounds and steals to his name.

He also led Scotland to within a whisker of a bronze medal in 3x3 at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – his third Games He also amassed 62 GB caps.

And he said: “I am proud of what I’ve achieved and the numbers and all of that are great for Glasgow, but my biggest disappointment is that we never actually won anything, that’s the biggest regret.

“But in terms of longevity, I started playing for Glasgow in 2005, so 14 seasons, 500-something games, it’s pretty good, pretty special.

“Hopefully those records will stand for a little while, but we’ll see.”

Murray says the difficult decision was made last season, and reckons it’s the best way forward for him.

“I had decided already after the season that I was going to retire after the Commonwealth Games for Scotland,” he said. “It was a little bit delayed getting put out there, just because of everything that was going on.

“Do I still feel like I could play? Probably, but I want all my focus to be on the coaching side.

“I’ve spoken multiple times over the last couple of years about how difficult