The players that will make up the 2006 version of the Big V All Stars has been announced, with the team headed up by a number of players with NBL experience and some returnees from the 2005 All Stars team that competed in the NBL Blitz.

Coaches Warren Dawson and Kevin Fleming finalised the team after training on Wednesday night.

Former NBL Players Jason Eversteyn, Luke McMillan, Liam Santamaria and Mark Whitehead will anchor the team against the South Dragons, who have been on a roll in their pre-season to date.

The two leading scorers in the Big V Championship, Lester Strong and Curtis Small, both made the side, Strong being joined by team mate and 300 ABA gamer Mark Roberts and Small being accompanied by first year Seahawks import Tim Gainey.

The Coaches looked to the future with the selection of Dean Rzechta and Tom Burns. Rzechta, one of the Big V's best defenders, will no doubt earn some tough match-ups while Burns, the 2005 Youth League Player of the year made the group after missing the 2005 cut for the Cairns trip.

The team is rounded out by Big V MVP candidate Sedale Threatt Jnr, who enjoyed a tremendous season with the Melbourne Tigers, and Jared Swanson, a 2005 All Star Five member with Warrnambool who this year has dominated Division One competition with Shepparton.

Four times national golden hands award winner Bobby Cunningham was asked and has agreed to play with the team after the loss of experienced players Greg Smith, Mike Spears, Marcus Timmons and Darren Smith through injury or other commitments.

Cunningham, Strong, Santamaria and McMillan are all returnees from the 2005 All Star Group.

The full team, with Championship games, points, rebounds and assists summary is listed:

Tom Burns (Diamond Valley)
(43 Games/18.5ppg/7.8rpg/1.7apg)
Bobby Cunningham (Warrnambool)
(162 Games/20.7ppg/12.3rpg/8.4apg)
Jason Eversteyn (Ringwood)
(94 Games/12.2ppg/13.8rpg/2.0apg)
Tim Gainey (Warrnambool)
(23 Games/22.0ppg/10.7rpg/2.4apg)
Luke McMillan (Ringwood)
(66 Games/16.1ppg/9.5rpg/2.3apg)
Mark Roberts (Dandenong)
(51 Games/10.2ppg/3.4rpg/3.1apg)
Dean Rzechta (Sandringham)
(74 Games/10.3ppg/6.5rpg/1.4apg)
Liam Santamaria (Diamond Valley)
(61 Games/14.2ppg/4.6rpg/7.0apg)
Curtis Small (Warrnambool)
(94 Games/28.3ppg/4.2rpg/3.5apg)
Lester Strong (Dandenong)
(53 Games/25.4ppg/15.3rpg/1 apg)
Jared Swanson (Shepparton - D1M)
(26 Games/25.0ppg/13.1rpg/2.9apg)
Sedale Threatt (Melbourne)
(44 Games/16.1ppg/6.3rpg/5.6apg)
Mark Whitehead (Sandringham)
(124 Games/18.2ppg/8.2rpg/1.3apg)

Coach: Warren Dawson (Dandenong)
Assistant Coach: Kevin Fleming (Hume City)
Manager: Ray Scott (Dandenong)

The All Stars play two games against Melbourne's newest NBL side, the South Dragons, next week.

@ Dandenong, Tuesday September 12 @ 7.30pm
Enquiries: 9794 7192

@ Shepparton, Friday September 15 @ 7.30pm
Enquiries: 0407 550833