Disgraced Jones could play in Aussie WNBL

Disgraced former Olympic champion sprinter and convicted criminal Marion Jones is considering training, and possibly playing for Melbourne WNBL team Bulleen Boomers.

Bulleen coach Tom Maher, said today Jones needed to get into "team training" after working out individually off-season with former Australian Olympic star Sandy Brondello at WNBA club San Antonio.

"Her connections feel it  might be better to come to a league that focuses on development", Maher said of the prospect of the American joining his 13/1 team.

"She needs team as well as individual training now - five on five", he said.

Maher said that if Jones decided to prepare for a career in the American professional ranks, she would choose between Europe or Australia, but his club was the best fit.

"We hang our hat on individual development ... of all clubs (in Australia) Bulleen holds itself as a cutting edge development club ... plus we have three Olympic coaches (himself, Michelle Timms and Gary Fox) ... It's a no-brainer."

Under WNBL rules, Jones would be able to play Boomers home games, where 12 players are allowed to suit up. Only ten are permitted for away games. She would need a waiver from the league to be able to play finals, as she would not have played enough games to quality under current rules. The WNBL season is played over 22 home and away rounds.

Maher, preparing his league-leading team for a showdown with Bendigo on Saturday night, stressed that if Jones came to Bulleen, she would train with the club, and replace an injured player, rather than immediately displace a member of his all-conquering team. But he said that if Jones "rocked up" on Saturday night at the Veneto Club in Bulleen, she could play.

"We're not having ongoing discussions. It was put to us and we considered it. It's a big call for her. There's wanting to do something and liking to do something. We're just going about our business.

"But it comes about, it would be a tremendous promotable opportunity."

Maher recalled seeing Jones' picture hung on the wall at a North Carolina college, where she was a championship-winning point guard in 1993. It was her NCAA basketball feats being feted "like a Jordan", not her sprinting.

Marion Jones, 34, a mother of three,  forfeited the 100m, 200m, 4x400m relay gold medals and bronze medals won in the long jump and 4x100m relay at the Sydney Olympics nine years ago, after admitting doping offences. She served six months this year in a Texas prison for perjury, before stating her ambition to play professional basketball.

- with Michelle Johnson

- © Fairfax NZ News