Niall Gray talks to GB and Glasgow’s Kieron Achara

A member of Great Britain Olympic basketball squad this past summer, Stirling-born forward Kieron Achara recently signed a short-term contract with the Glasgow Rocks. His new side were in Guildford last Sunday, losing 84-78 to the Surrey Heat, and after the game Achara spoke with Niall Gray.

Niall Gray: Kieron, let’s start with a few thoughts on the game.

Kieron Achara: It was a tough loss. We started really poorly; I didn’t know if it was something to do with the early start coming from Glasgow but we started really poorly, missed a lot of easy shots and we allowed Surrey to get a good rhythm, and they got it done.

At the end of the game we were in [with a chance of winning] but we missed shots and they made shots.  Surrey and Creon [Raftopoulos, Heat’s head coach] did a great job defensively tonight and I think he’s done a good job with this team.

NG: For long stretches the deficit was between approximately five and ten points, but with about seven minutes left in the fourth the game changed as you took a brief lead. Was that an opportunity missed to steal the win?

KA: Definitely. We had a chance, I actually remember it clearly. We had the ball, I think it was 71 each and we turned the ball over on a 3-on-1 break which just can’t be done.

Obviously, that’s not why we lost the game tonight, we were just too inconsistent throughout the game but chances like that, we have to learn to execute down the stretch. They got a big stop and a score, and we have to learn to get a stop and a score.

NG: Just turning back the clock a bit, is it hard to believe that it’s only 10 weeks since the Olympics finished?

KA:It’s long forgotten for me now, as right now I’m just focused on my pro career, and I feel I’m getting back into the shape I want to be. My confidence is there, I just have to find a way to get more consistent, strive and move forward.

NG: You don’t go back and watch that China game then?  (Achara led Great Britain in scoring with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.)

KA: I actually do watch the China game a lot, it was a great moment in my career.  I know what I’m capable of and a lot of people ask me about the China game, and how do I feel about it. I know I’m capable of doing that.

I feel that when I’m on the right team, the right kind of ball movement, I can strive. So it was one of those situations where I was really happy with the game and we got the win over China, but I think we definitely underachieved that tournament.

NG: Are you getting recognised more since the Olympics?

KA: Definitely. Especially back home [and] it’s nice to see. In Edinburgh, we had the parade and one in Glasgow too, so it was another opportunity I could stick out like a sore thumb.

It’s nice to get the recognition but at the same time you know, I just want to make sure I’m moving forward with my career, making sure the Olympics is not the highlight of my career and there’s more highlights to come.

NG: How does it feel playing in the new Commonwealth Arena in Glasgow?

KA: It’s a great stepping stone for Scottish basketball, it’s also great for British basketball and the league. It’s a really nice arena and a buzz is starting to get created in Glasgow, which I like to see.

A lot of people are going to games for the first time and seeing how exciting basketball can be, so hopefully we can get a few more wins and keep the people happy.

NG: Next two games for the Rocks have you away to Sheffield in the cup next weekend, and then a week later it’s a Sky Sports game when Worcester visit Glasgow. Your thoughts on those games?

KA: We’ve got to take it one game at a time and Sheffield will be a tough cup game. We have to go out there and make sure we get off to a better start than we did tonight.

I’m looking forward to the challenge and then playing Worcester in front of the TV cameras. As motivation, it’s right there. We’re just hoping to get a couple of wins.

• Read Niall Gray’s interview with Cardiff Devils’ Bari McKenzie here. As well as that, click on the link to check out Niall’s Hoops and Hockey Facebook page and follow Hoops and Hockey on Twitter @hoopsandhockey