Bears punished for playing Rodman

Rodman played three times for the Brighton Bears

Brighton Bears have been hit by a points deduction and fine for playing Dennis Rodman against Guildford Heat.

Brighton failed to de-register one of their three work permit players when the former Chicago Bulls star played against Guildford.

Brighton won 91-88, but the British Basketball League has awarded the game 20-0 to Guildford, taken a point from the Bears and fined the club.

The 44-year-old has said he now wants to make a comeback in the NBA.

Rodman, who helped Brighton beat London 103-84 in the British Basketball League on Wednesday, said two NBA sides had offered him trials.

Rodman, who also appeared on reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother while in the UK, returns to the US having earned a reputed £50,000 for his three games for Brighton.

But Bears coach Nick Nurse is still hopeful of bringing Rodman back to Brighton.

If we had a need on our team it would be for a great rebounder and defender and we just happened to bump into the best one that ever played the game Brighton coach Nick Nurse

He said: "We're talking about what we are going to do. I always wanted to have him and from our standpoint he has surpassed what I thought he would do.

"We've actually got his work permit and licence for the rest of the season so this season is a possibility but we're also talking about bringing him back for the opening weekend of next season just to keep our relationship going and our fans excited.

"It's always been about his schedule and if people want to see him play.

"We're trying to shake you British people up a bit so you'll come out and watch the game because we think it's a great game and it's entertaining and he's certainly provided that in the three games."

Rodman struggled with a knee injury against London, but still played 26 minutes in the victory.

He produced his best performance the night before in a loss to Newcastle.

Nurse added: "He was unbelievable against Newcastle with his 23 rebounds and playing 38 minutes.

"It has been unbelievable to me how quickly he fits in and how much he wants to learn.

"His knee was bothering him (against London) and he didn't know how many minutes he could go and he played a lot.

"If the game wasn't a 25-point blowout he would have been out there a lot more.

"If we had a need on our team it would be for a great rebounder and defender and we just happened to bump into the best one that ever played the game."