Month: February 2022

Riders home game with Bristol Flyers has been selected to feature on Sky Sports. As such the game on 25 March 2022 will now tip-off at 7.30pm.

With an international break this weekend, Riders are back in league action away at Bristol on Saturday 5th before returning to the Morningside versus Cheshire on Friday 11th – tickets available here.

The Riders dominated the Glasgow Rocks wire to wire, taking a 105-76 road win to improve to 14-1. 

Patrick Whelan led the Riders with 23 points in 22 minutes, exploding from three to hit six of his seven attempts. Joining him in a hot shooting night were Conner Washington and Marc Loving, who went 3-7 and 4-9 respectively. 

The Riders bolted out the gate to score 68 by halftime, their highest ever points tally in a half of basketball. Loving, Washington and Whelan had 47 points entering the locker rooms, as Leicester hit 11 first-half threes to leave the Rocks shellshocked. 

In the absence of MVP Geno Crandall, Conner Washington stepped into a starting role seamlessly, playing every minute of the first half and scoring 15 by halftime. The GB guard put up his season-best scoring tally to help his team to a commanding win. 

Another man stepping up for the shorthanded Riders was Jubril Adekoya, who acted as a sixth man as Mo Walker sat out with an injury. He also put in a season-high performance with 18 points, hitting both of his threes and eight of his 11 field goals. 

Entering the final period with 46 points, the Rocks showed heart in the final ten minutes. They scored 30 in the fourth to make it a respectable scoreline. 

Glasgow’s two high volume scorers, who both sit top in the top 10 of the BBL scoring charts Ali Fraser and Jordan Harris, went off for 17 each. Harris grabbed six rebounds and dished five assists in a well-rounded game, the former Georgia Bulldog putting in the bulk of his points in the latter stages. 

The win makes it two on the trot for Leicester, who extended their lead at the top of the league table. Loving has exploded for back to back big shooting nights, after leading the Riders to the win last time out. 

He spent no time backing up his team-leading performance in his previous game, pulling up from all over the court to score eight points in less than a minute in the first. The Ohio State sniper drained back to back deep threes, getting the Riders off to a perfect start. 

Loving’s shooting was infectious, as the Riders went 8-9 in the first five minutes of the game, bolting out to a 12 point lead. Whelan quickly bested his teammate in the points column, making three straight three-point plays to bring his tally to 11 in the first quarter. 

With Loving and Whelan taking a well-earned rest on the bench, Adekoya checked in and quickly set the tone down low. He scored seven points in four minutes, including a steal and a breakaway jam to end the period 33-17 in Leicester’s favour. 

After the Riders hit five threes in the first quarter, Washington continued the barrage from deep, hitting two of his own to get the second period underway. 

With momentum firmly behind the Riders, big man Adekoya showed off his playmaking skills, throwing a halfcourt lob to Darien Nelson-Henry who flushed it down with two hands. The connection between the front-court pair was evident throughout, as Nelson-Henry repaid the favour on the next possession by dishing an assist to Adekoya inside. 

The Riders’ lead continued to grow as they neared the halfway mark, with everything they threw up seeming to go down. They hit six more threes in the second quarter, in which they scored 34 points to enter the half up 68-37. 

Leicester began the second half like they ended the first, continuing to grow their already colossal lead. Scotland international Fraser scored 7 straight for Glasgow in an attempt to chip into the deficit, but a Whelan three put a quick stop to the Rocks run, before Nelson-Henry made it a 40 point affair. 

Loving’s fourth three of the night concluded the third, as the Riders entered the final period up 90-46. The Riders flexed their BBL best defence in the third, holding the Rocks to just nine points. 

The Rocks showed heart despite the deficit in the final quarter, scoring 12 in the first five minutes. Adekoya got to work down low in response, putting Fraser in a spin cycle in the post to lay in his 18th points of the night, a season-high tally. 

With the game in no doubt in the final stages, Evan Walshe saw 10 minutes of floortime, scoring six points. The small forward, who gained international experience with GB u20s, received his season-high minutes total in the game, valuable game time for the 23-year-old. 

The Riders return in another road game next time out, as they head to Bristol to take on the Flyers. A win would bring their record to 15-1, as they continue their best-ever start to a season. 

Season So Far – Riders

The Riders are once again the team to beat in the BBL, as they sit top of the league table with a 13-1 record. They are in a strong position to retain their BBL Championship title, playing elite basketball on both ends. 

Leicester possesses the BBL’s best offensive and defensive record, scoring 91.2 points while giving up just 69 a game. No team has scored 80 points against the Riders in the league this season, and they held the Sharks to 14 in the fourth in their previous game to maintain that record. 

The final score was 90-77, a deceptive scoreline to what was an intensely fought game. Marc Loving played all 40 minutes, leading the Riders with 23 points. Loving scored 11 in the fourth as the Riders stretched their lead late, after entering the period up just two. 

It was the perfect response to their first league loss of the season, something Loving commented on post-game: 

“It was very important for us to get on the right track today. We had a long week of practice after the loss to London, and now we’re going back in the right direction.”

“Tonight I had to bring some scoring to the table, and I’m happy my teammates put me in a position to knock some shots down.”

The Riders hope to improve to 14-1 against the Rocks, continuing their best-ever start to a league season. 

Season So Far – Rocks

After a solid 3-3 start to the season, the Rocks enter this tie on a six-game losing streak which puts them second bottom of the BBL Championship table. They came close to breaking the streak in their previous fixture, but fell short in heartbreaking fashion.

It was the second of a back to back against the Newcastle Eagles, which they lost 97-95. They held a two-point lead in the final minute, but fell victim to former MVP Rahmon Fletcher’s game-winning jump shot to send the Rocks home empty-handed. 

It was former Rider and GB international Ali Fraser who led his home country Rocks in the game with 25. Fraser was one of two Glasgow players who scored 20, with Georgia graduate Jordan Harris scoring 21. 

Defence has been responsible for the Rocks struggles this year, as they hold the worst record in the BBL, giving up 93.23 points per game.

As they prepare to face the league’s most potent offence, they will need to buckle down to have any hope of breaking their losing streak in this one. 

One To Watch – Riders

Carrying the scoring load in his last game, Ohio State star Marc Loving went off in the fourth quarter to seal a Riders win. The 6’9” power forward knocked down three of his seven threes, and shot 56% from the field on his way to his 23 point night. 

Loving is stuffing the stat sheet this season, ranking second in scoring for the Riders with 14.4 points per game, and topping the rebounding charts averaging 5.6. His production comes efficiently, as he knocks down 40% of his threes and 47.3% of his field goal. 

Coach Rob Paternostro sings the praises of loving: “Marc’s a great all-around basketball player. He doesn’t go hunting his shot, he just tries to play the right way.”

“If he gets an open look, he’s taking it. I love his floor game too. His shot is amazing, and the way he plays the game is very intelligent. He’s a player that helps us in many ways.” 

Coming out of high school, Loving was the number one recruit in Ohio, after being named his state’s Mr Basketball in his senior year. He brings NBA G-League experience, after playing for the Agua Caliente Clippers and the Delaware Bluecoats, and is a calm presence to the team in every occasion. 

One To Watch – Rocks

Jordan Harris has been on a tear for the Rocks this season, putting up 20 points in seven league games. The 6’5” guard comes off a back to back against the Eagles where he averaged 21 points and five rebounds.

The Georgia graduate averaged 7.1 points per game in his senior year with the Bulldogs, and gained experience playing alongside NBA number 1 pick Anthony Edwards in college. 

A human highlight reel, Harris is capable of serving up big plays on any given possession. His athleticism allows him to rise up high and throw down poster dunks, which he does often with his willingness to run in transition.

The first-year pro will look to continue his hot streak to end the Rocks poor run of form. 

Previous Meeting

The teams last met early in the year, as the Riders hosted a 105-76 blowout win. 

GB sniper made six threes for the Riders on his way to 22 points, as the Riders knocked down 18 threes in the game. 

Harris led the Rocks with 14 points and four assists, as his team shot 50% from the free-throw line in the heavy defeat. 

The Riders bounced back from their first league loss of the season, beating the second-placed Sheffield Sharks 90-77. They stretched their lead atop the BBL Championship table to eight points, possessing a 13-1 record.

Marc Loving played all 40 minutes to lead the team with 23 points. He scored 11 in the fourth to seal the win, in a tie that was closely contested throughout. 

The Riders put on the ultimate team display, as all of their starters scored in double digits. But as has been typical of this Leicester outfit, it was their defence that won the day. 

No team has scored in the 80s in the league against the Riders, as their streak continued in this one as they held Sheffield to 14 in the fourth. Jubril Adekoya had three steals, and his defence late was integral to Leicester’s success. 

The Sharks dominated the glass to stay competitive until the dying stages. Pulling down 10 offensive rebounds, their physicality challenged the Riders who were without their big man Mo Walker. 

Sheffield’s new star Antwain Johnson continued his scorching hot start to Sharks life, leading the game with 25 points and seven rebounds. The former NBA G-Leaguer carried the bulk of the scoring off the bench for large stretches going 8-12 from the field in 28 minutes. 

Getting the game underway, wing tandem Patrick Whelan and Zach Jackson got the Riders cooking early, scoring the first 11 Leicester points. Jackson stayed hot through the entire first quarter, scoring nine.

A Loving breakaway dunk capped off a hot Riders start, as they bolted out to a 15-8 lead. The Sharks battled back, with San Fransisco graduate Jordan Ratinho scoring back to back buckets, but Loving halted the Sharks’ surge with a monster baseline jam, lifting the roof off the Morningside Arena. 

Loving scored seven in the first, as the Riders ended the period up 26-19 after Kimbal Mackenzie got the roll of the rim to knock down a floater in the lane. 

Sheffield’s new man Antwain Johnson started the second with five points in a minute, cutting the score to a possession. The Riders, struggling to find the bottom of the net, buckled down defensively. They forced three straight turnovers out of the Sharks, who possess the best turnover record in the BBL. 

With Johnson scoring 10 in the second for Sheffield, the visitors won the period 22-12 to enter the locker room with a slender lead. Crandall’s finish through heavy contact cut the Sharks lead to 43-40 by halftime. 

To start the second half, Whelan drained a quick three to tie it up. The Riders snatched the game’s momentum, breaking out on a 7-0 run out of the locker rooms. 

The score swung back and forth as the sides attempted to secure a foothold in the game. There were 11 lead changes in the third quarter, with each team responding to each other’s baskets with big plays on the other end. 

Whelan finished the third with five points in the final minute, including a tough and-one in the lane. Johnson’s free-throws concluded the period, with the sides entering the final quarter with two points between them, the hosts with the advantage. 

Early in the fourth, Adekoya took over the game, scoring three points and stealing the ball twice in three minutes while playing stifling interior defence. Building off the big man’s play, a three from Whelan gave the Riders a seven-point advantage with five minutes on the clock. 

Playing physical offence, the Riders put the Sharks in foul trouble with the fourth coming to a close, as they got to the line effectively. With Sheffield unable to foul, the Riders clicked their offence into gear, taking the first double-digit lead of the night as Crandall dished to Adekoya down low. 

With a raucous Morningside Arena behind them, the Riders sealed the game in style, as Loving scored his 11th points of the quarter to put it beyond a doubt. 

After the game, Loving spoke on the importance of responding to their recent loss: “It was very important for us to get on the right track today. We had a long week of practice after the loss to London, and now we’re going back in the right direction.”

“Tonight I had to bring some scoring to the table, and I’m happy my teammates put me in a position to knock some shots down.”

The Riders head on the road for their next game. They face the Glasgow Rocks, looking to improve to 14-1 in their league title defence. 

Season So Far – Riders

The Riders are the team to beat in the BBL Championship, as they currently top the standings with a 12-1 record. They possess both the best offensive and defensive records, scoring 91.3 points per game, while giving up just 68.4. 

Patrick Whelan’s play this season has earned him a place on the GB roster, leading the Riders scoring with 14.4 points per game. The William Jewell graduate led the Riders in their most recent game, their first loss of the year which came against the London Lions. 

Whelan dropped 20 in the 77-79 loss, the Riders struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the second half. Their defence maintained its impressive record of holding teams to under 80 points, however, with no Leicester opponent able to get into the 80s against their BBL best defence. 

The Riders face the Sharks in front of a home crowd, hoping to bounce back and protect their undefeated home record in the league. As the league’s leading assist makers, the Riders will look to keep the ball moving to generate consistent offence in this one. 

Season So Far – Sharks

The Sharks, struggling to find consistency this season, have won three of their last six, but come into this one on a three-game winning streak. 

Having scored in the 80s five times this year, but failed to break the 70 point mark four times, the Sharks offence can produce varying levels of success on any given night. 

The addition of Antwain Johnson has injected a jolt of momentum into the Sharks, the 6’2” Buffalo graduate has averaged 19 points in the two game’s he has played for his new team.

He scored 20 in his previous game, a 90-77 home win against the Glasgow Rocks. Sheffield caught fire to make 38% of their threes, something that has been key to their success as the third ranked three-point shooters in the BBL. 

The Sharks sit second in the league, and a win against the Riders would solidify their position. Their three-game win streak has earned them an 8-5 record, as they look to keep their momentum going. 

One To Watch – Riders

A key to the Riders defensive prowess this season has been strong perimeter defence, suffocating opponents. No Riders player represents that better than 6’7” wing Zach Jackson. 

The Omaha graduate, who led his college in scoring for his junior and senior years, uses his lateral speed, combined with strength and quick hands, to clamp his opponents down on the perimeter. 

His size also allows him to fight inside, able to contest shots at the rim and grab rebounds. Offensively, Jackson is capable of big shooting nights, demonstrated on the opening day of the season with his 26 points against the Newcastle Eagles. 

Having sat out most of last year with an injury, Jackson returned to the Riders in the offseason hoping to make a run at the championship, and he is an integral part of their success midway in the year. 

One To Watch – Sharks

Arriving to the Sharks roster in wake of Aaron Anderson’s departure, Antwain Johnson has gotten off to a flying start in Sheffield. He followed up an 18 point debut with a 20 point performance last time out, instantly earning the admiration of the Sharks faithful. 

This marks Johnson’s second professional season after spending three years in college. 

In college, the 6’2” guard spent two seasons with the Tennessee Blue Raiders before transferring to Buffalo. He scored 10.7 points per game in 27 minutes, before graduating to play his first professional season in the Georgian Superleague. 

He was then named in the 2021 Sioux Falls Skyforce training camp roster at the beginning of the season, the NBA G League affiliate of the Miami Heat.

The shifty guard attacks the teeth of the defence, using his athleticism to throw down monster jams, or his touch at the rim to make contested layups. The Riders rim protection will need to be on top form when Johnson drives to the hoop. 

Previous Meeting 

The sides last met at the dawn of 2022, playing in the BBL Championship in Sheffield. The Riders blew the Sharks out of the water, winning 100-62. 

62 points is the lowest home tally in Sheffield Sharks history, as the Riders flexed their BBL best defence. Big man Darien Nelson-Henry led the Riders with a 19 point, 11 rebound double-double, dominating down low. 

The Riders continue their record-breaking undefeated start to their season, improving to 12-0 with a 86-69 win against the Manchester Giants. Darien Nelson-Henry led the game with 23 points and six rebounds, hitting big shots throughout a dominant victory. 

The game was won largely in the second quarter, as the Riders league-best defence held the Giants to just four points, establishing a 21 point lead by halftime. Geno Crandall had eight points and six assist in the second, leading Leicester to a commanding advantage.  

Despite suffering a blowout in the second, the Giants won the remaining three quarters 62-60 to threaten the Riders’ lead. Manchester’s leading scorer on the season, Tyrik Armstrong, topped his team’s points tally again, scoring 15 points and dishing eight assists. 

The Riders played through the hot hands of their captain to begin the tie, as Nelson-Henry scored six points in the opening five minutes. The University of Penn big man hustled down low to hunt down missed shots, earning second-chance points for his team. 

Despite the big man’s play, the game remained close through the first quarter, which ended 24-23 in the Giants’ favour. Their star guard Armstrong scored eight while Presbyterian graduate Francios Lewis scored six off the bench. 

After a quick start, the Giants’ offence stalled in the second. The Riders locked in their BBL best defence to keep Manchester scoreless through the eight minutes of the period, as they established their first real advantage. 

Crandall broke away on the fastbreak to make it 31-24 in Leicester’s favour, forcing coach Llyod Gardner to call a Giants’ timeout. However, the break in play failed to halt the Riders’ surge, as Patrick Whelan’s finish over Manchester veteran Dan Clark put them up double digits. 

With the wind in their sails, the Riders rode into the distance to close out the half. Marc Loving’s double-clutch jam brought the roof off the Morningside Arena, before Crandall turned up the style with a between the legs dish to Whelan on the break. 

Clamping the Giants and making momentum-building plays, Leicester held a 49-28 lead into halftime. 

Rim protection was the key to the Riders maintaining their lead to start the second half, as Loving and Crandall’s colossal blocks denied the Giants’ kick-starting a comeback. 

However, after getting blown out in the second, Manchester did chip into the lead in the third. Former Rider Jamell Anderson’s breakaway slam cut the game to 16, and his denial out of bounds against Whelan on the other end made sure it remained a 16 point deficit.

Leicester responded with a bang, draining back to back threes to end the third, putting them up 70-48 entering the final stanza. 

The Giants started the fourth with an 8-0 run, threatening to make it a contest in the closing stages. After a Riders’ timeout, Nelson-Henry attacked the teeth of the Giants’ defence, scoring four quick points to keep Manchester at arm’s length. 

After their captain lead them through the Giants’ threat, Leicester saw the game out comfortably to maintain their undefeated record. 

Nelson-Henry commented on the performance post-game: “We pride ourselves on defence. We work on our defensive strategy all week. We’re smart enough and we communicate enough to figure things out on the fly, and it helps us that we have a high IQ group of guys.”

“It feels good to be back in the starting lineup, but whether I’m starting, coming off the bench, playing five or 40 minutes, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want to get that W.”

The Riders face a quick turnaround in their next game, as they head to London to take on the Lions. A win would improve the Riders’ record to 13-0, continuing their best start to a season in franchise history. 

Season So Far – Riders

The Riders have asserted themselves as the premier team in the BBL this season. An 86-69 win against the Giants last time out improved Leicester’s record to 12-0, their best-ever start to a season. 

Picking up where he left off last season, reigning MVP Geno Crandall has led the way for the Riders this season, stuffing the stat sheet with 14.1 points, 7.8 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals a game. 

Crandall was at his brilliant best to help Leicester to their first silverware of the season, picking up the BBL Cup Final MVP with 26 points. It was the Giants again on the end of a 86-69 Riders victory, as they lifted their first BBL Cup in seven years. 

Defence has been the key to the Riders success this season, with no team able to score 80 points against them in the league. Leicester captain Darien Nelson-Henry spoke about the Riders’ defence prowess: 

“We pride ourselves on defence. We work on our defensive strategy all week. We’re smart enough and we communicate enough to figure things out on the fly, and it helps us that we have a high IQ group of guys.”

Set to play the second-ranked Lions’ offence in their next game, the Riders defence will need to be locked in to improve to 13-0. 

Season So Far – Lions

In their previous game, the London Lions made BBL history, becoming the first British team to win in the second round of the FIBA Europe Cup. An 82-75 victory against Danish side Bakken Bears in front of a raucous Copperbox Arena paved the way for future success for British teams in Europe. 

Domestically, the Lions haven’t enjoyed the same success. They sit with a 5-3 record, and face back to back league losses after falling to the Riders 80-67 last time out. The game was close entering the fourth, but the Riders defence held London to just four in the final quarter, securing an important victory. 

That quarter was uncharacteristic of the Lions, who possess the second-ranked BBL offence, placed behind the Riders. Their defence leaves a little to be desired, however, giving up 83.5 points per game compared to the Riders 67.6. 

Dirk Williams has led the hot Lions offence through the early stages, scoring 21 points per game. His scoring tally is ranked second in the BBL, and he is scoring at an impressive 53% from the floor.

To add to their roster, the Lions have called on reinforcements, signing 6’11” big Ryan Martin. Martin was last seen averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Bakken Bears and will bring EuroCup experience to the center position. 

One To Watch – Riders

Getting back into the starting lineup after an injury early in the season, Darien Nelson-Henry got back to his brilliant best against the Giants last time out. The Penn graduate scored 23 points in the win, going 8-12 from the floor. 

“It feels good to be back in the starting lineup,” commented Nelson-Henry postgame. “But whether I’m starting, coming off the bench, playing five or 40 minutes, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want to get that W.”

Graduating college in 2016, Nelson-Henry began his professional basketball career in Poland, signing with Jezioro Tarnobrzeg at the age of 22.

He would go on to play in Poland and Austria, enjoying a breakout year averaging a monster 20 points and 12 rebounds a game for UBSC Raiffeinsen Graz. Darien then took his talents to Leicester in 2019 to play for Rob Paternostro’s side.

Nelson-Henry is averaging 13.7 points and six rebounds on the season, and his intangible leadership qualities have been invaluable to the Riders over the last three seasons. 

One To Watch – Lions

In their historic game in Europe, Dirk Williams led the Lions to victory with 23 points. Shooting 64% from the field, Williams introduced himself to the European stage with a bang, taking over the tie with five threes. 

Spending his first two professional seasons with the Sheffield Sharks, this marks Williams’ fourth season in the BBL. He has made progress in each of his five professional years, having spent a year away from Britain in the Hungarian first division. 

The former UAB Blazer scored 10 points per game in the NCAA D1, spending two seasons in college before turning pro. The 6’5” guard is a relentless corer, capable of pulling up from anywhere on the court and going off for hot shooting nights. 

Previous Meetings

This is the sixth encounter between these sides this season, after a number of clashes in the BBL Cup. The Riders got the better of the Lions in the Cup, beating them 178-170 over two legs in the semi-final. 

They most recently met in the league, an 80-67 Riders win. Leicester held London to four points in the final quarter, clamping their opponents to secure an important win. 

Patrick Whelan led the Riders with 17 points, going 6-11 from the floor. On the other end, Dirk Williams went off for 16 points, despite his side falling short in the game. 

The Riders continue their record-breaking undefeated start to their season, improving to 12-0 with a 86-69 win against the Manchester Giants. Darien Nelson-Henry led the game with 23 points and six rebounds, hitting big shots throughout a dominant victory. 

The game was won largely in the second quarter, as the Riders league-best defence held the Giants to just four points, establishing a 21 point lead by halftime. Geno Crandall had eight points and six assist in the second, leading Leicester to a commanding advantage.  

Despite suffering a blowout in the second, the Giants won the remaining three quarters 62-60 to threaten the Riders’ lead. Manchester’s leading scorer on the season, Tyrik Armstrong, topped his team’s points tally again, scoring 15 points and dishing eight assists. 

The Riders played through the hot hands of their captain to begin the tie, as Nelson-Henry scored six points in the opening five minutes. The University of Penn big man hustled down low to hunt down missed shots, earning second-chance points for his team. 

Despite the big man’s play, the game remained close through the first quarter, which ended 24-23 in the Giants’ favour. Their star guard Armstrong scored eight while Presbyterian graduate Francios Lewis scored six off the bench. 

After a quick start, the Giants’ offence stalled in the second. The Riders locked in their BBL best defence to keep Manchester scoreless through the eight minutes of the period, as they established their first real advantage. 

Crandall broke away on the fastbreak to make it 31-24 in Leicester’s favour, forcing coach Llyod Gardner to call a Giants’ timeout. However, the break in play failed to halt the Riders’ surge, as Patrick Whelan’s finish over Manchester veteran Dan Clark put them up double digits. 

With the wind in their sails, the Riders rode into the distance to close out the half. Marc Loving’s double-clutch jam brought the roof off the Morningside Arena, before Crandall turned up the style with a between the legs dish to Whelan on the break. 

Clamping the Giants and making momentum-building plays, Leicester held a 49-28 lead into halftime. 

Rim protection was the key to the Riders maintaining their lead to start the second half, as Loving and Crandall’s colossal blocks denied the Giants’ kick-starting a comeback. 

However, after getting blown out in the second, Manchester did chip into the lead in the third. Former Rider Jamell Anderson’s breakaway slam cut the game to 16, and his denial out of bounds against Whelan on the other end made sure it remained a 16 point deficit.

Leicester responded with a bang, draining back to back threes to end the third, putting them up 70-48 entering the final stanza. 

The Giants started the fourth with an 8-0 run, threatening to make it a contest in the closing stages. After a Riders’ timeout, Nelson-Henry attacked the teeth of the Giants’ defence, scoring four quick points to keep Manchester at arm’s length. 

After their captain lead them through the Giants’ threat, Leicester saw the game out comfortably to maintain their undefeated record. 

Nelson-Henry commented on the performance post-game: “We pride ourselves on defence. We work on our defensive strategy all week. We’re smart enough and we communicate enough to figure things out on the fly, and it helps us that we have a high IQ group of guys.”

“It feels good to be back in the starting lineup, but whether I’m starting, coming off the bench, playing five or 40 minutes, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want to get that W.”

The Riders face a quick turnaround in their next game, as they head to London to take on the Lions. A win would improve the Riders’ record to 13-0, continuing their best start to a season in franchise history. 

Season So Far – Riders

Winning the BBL Cup and sitting undefeated through 11 league games, the Riders are in the midst of their greatest start to a season in franchise history. They face their Cup final opponents in this one, hoping to boost their chances of a league title defence. 

Team play on both ends has been the key to the Riders’ success this season. In the league, no team is yet to break the 80 point mark against Leicester, as they hold the best defensive record in the BBL giving up just 67.5 points per game. 

Offensively, the Riders share the wealth to generate open looks outside. They dish the most assists in the league, and shoot the most efficient three-point shot at 41.2%. A large part of their joy has come from Patrick Whelan’s 47.2% shooting on threes, his sharpshooting ability earning him his first GB call up. 

January’s BBL Player of the Month Geno Crandall has led the way for Leicester, as he did in his MVP season last year. His 14.5 points and 7.5 assists have been fundamental to the Riders winning streak, as they return home for the first time since December 27th wanting to continue their hot form.

Season So Far – Giants

Acquiring GB captain Dan Clark in the offseason, the Giants looked to take the next step towards challenging for trophies this season. The progress was evident midway through the season, as the Giants reached the BBL Cup final, taking on the Riders. 

They fell to the Riders in the final, but remained competitive until the dying stages to consolidate their status as a team able to challenge for silverware. 

In the league, the Giants enter this game sat second in the standings with an 8-5 record, off the back of an 81-74 road win against the Surrey Scorchers. Geno Artison led the game with 19 points, 17 of which came in the first half. 

Tyrik Armstrong sets the statistical tone for the Giants, leading the scoring with 16.2 points per game. Meanwhile, veteran Clark anchors the paint for Manchester, his 1.5 blocks per game ranked third in the BBL. 

In their previous fixture, the Giants saw themselves eliminated from the BBL Trophy losing 90-79 to the London Lions. A win against the league leaders in this one would mark the perfect response. 

One To Watch – Riders

Bruising big man Mo Walker put in a dominant display in his last game against the London Lions. Catching fire in the second quarter, Walker put up six points and six rebounds in five minutes to get on the board, and continued to bully the opposition down low to finish with a 16 point and 12 rebound double-double. 

Canadian-British Walker has added strength and post play to the Riders this year, after dealing with injury troubles over the last two seasons. Playing in tandem with fellow big man Darien Nelson-Henry, Walker has provided a one-two punch down low to terrorise the heart of opposing defences. 

Walker’s touch at the rim, combined with his size, makes him one of the league’s most efficient players. He ranks third in field goal percentage at 63.6%, with Nelson-Henry ranked right behind him in fourth. 

Walker has put up double-digit points on 11 occasions this season, and will look to follow up his dominant performance with another elite offensive display. 

One To Watch – Giants

Mr consistent Tyrik Armstrong has put up double-digit points in every league game he has played this season. The 5’10” point guard leads his side in scoring with 16.2 points per game, with a season-high of 40 points coming in late January against the Newcastle Eagles. 

Armstrong averaged 14.3 points in his senior year at Texas Southern University, before making his professional debut with the Giants this season. As has been the trend in the BBL, he scored double-digits in every playoff game in his senior season, scoring 16 points in the final. 

Armstrong has made a habit of strong final performances, as he led Manchester in the BBL Cup final with 18 points. He will hope to turn his play into trophies in the remainder of the Giants’ season. 

Previous Meeting

The sides last met in the BBL Cup Final, where the Riders emerged 83-69 victors. The win earned the Riders their fourth BBL Cup in their history, and their first four seven years. 

Geno Crandall put on a dazzling display to win Final MVP, putting up 26 points, six rebounds and five assists. 

Manchester kept the game close until late but ultimately fell short, led by Tyrik Armstrong’s 18 points. 

The Riders moved to 11-0, their best-ever start to a league campaign, beating the London Lions 80-67. 

Leicester’s BBL best defence locked in to win the game late, holding the league’s highest-scoring offence to zero points in the first eight and a half minutes in the fourth quarter. 

Patrick Whelan proved why he deserved his first GB call up before the game, leading the Riders with 17 points. Mo Walker also had himself a dominant performance off the bench, putting up a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. 

Meanwhile, off the back of a Final MVP performance in the BBL Cup final, January’s BBL Player of the Month Geno Crandall stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Crandall had key buckets in the third to keep it close, before the Riders jumped out to a lead in the fourth. 

The Lions’ offence, which was rolling through three quarters, was forced to a halt in the fourth. They went 2-12 from the floor, despite entering the period shooting 50%, and turned the ball over five times. 

Dirk Williams’ led the hosts in the game with 16 points, but his side managed just 10 points off the bench to the Riders’ 31, as Leicester flexed their strength in depth. 

The game, featuring the BBL’s two highest-scoring offences, began at an electric pace. Whelan and Darien Nelson-Henry owned the first quarter, which finished 26-23 in London’s favour, with 14 points between them. 

Nelson-Henry led Leicester through the tightly fought opening stages with five quick points, including an and-one to start the game. Whelan then took over the scoring duties, heating up with back to back threes.

The GB sharpshooter pulled up in transition for his second three, silencing the home crowd for his ninth points of the evening. But Williams’ explosion for eight points to close the period earned London the advantage. 

Walker led the line for Leicester in the second quarter, the bruising big man putting up six points and six rebounds in the first five minutes of the period. Walker fought inside to help the Riders to the lead. 

The sides battled it out to close the half, as Italian sniper Lorenzo Cugini caught fire for London to hit four threes in the quarter. Cugini closed the half with a three to put the Lions up 48-46 at halftime. 

After three straight London scores to start the second half, Crandall turned up his aggression on the offensive end to keep the Riders in the contest. The reigning MVP scored six quick points to tie the game at 54, hitting contested shots in close. 

The score swung back and forth to close the third, as there were three lead changes in the final two minutes. A pair of Crandall free-throws for his 10th points of the quarter took the lead for Leicester entering the fourth. 

The teams were locked in a stalemate to start the final period, as it took three minutes for the first score of the quarter. It came courtesy of Jubril Adekoya, who drained a corner three to put Leicester up six, their biggest lead of the night. 

The Riders’ defence locked in, putting a lid on the rim for London. With London failing to score for eight and a half minutes in the fourth, the Riders took a double-digit lead. Whelan’s three forced a Lions timeout with Leicester up 15. 

The win sees Leicester six points clear atop the BBL Championship table. They host the Manchester Giants in their next game, hoping to maintain their undefeated league record. 

Coach Rob Paternostro is named as the BBL Coach of the Month for January 2022, back-to-back after winning the award in December.

Geno Crandall was also named the BBL Player of the Month for January 2022, he last won the award in November.

Riders 10-0 start in the league continued through January, and with the BBL Cup Final win on Sunday, the Riders duo were firm favourites to win the awards. The cup win was Paternostro’s 15th trophy for the club he has led to be the most successful over the last decade.

Riders remain by far the league’s best defence, a Paternostro hallmark, conceding just 68 points per game and holding opponents to a stifling 39.5% from the field; but they are also prolific offensively, averaging 94 points per game and leading the BBL in both field goal percentage and three-point percentage.

Meanwhile, Crandall led the scoring in the final with a game-high 26 points, he scooped up the BBL Cup Final MVP award to add to his collection. Earlier in the month Crandall finished the Phoenix game with a first triple-double in his BBL career of 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.

For the month, he was the only player to average a double-double, of 12.4 points and 10.0 assists, along with 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 steals per outing.

Season So Far – Riders

The Riders have gotten off to their best start to a league season in franchise history, as they sit top of the BBL Championship table with a 10-0 record. Led by Marc Loving’s 14.8 points per game, they are in prime position to retain their league title. 

In their previous fixture, Leicester’s hot start was rewarded by silverware, as they lifted the BBL Cup after beating the Manchester Giants 83-69. Geno Crandall dominated the game, scoring 26 points to earn himself the Final MVP. 

“This is validation for the hard work we’ve put into the season up to this point,” said Crandall post-game. “It’s good to get another win under our belt to keep the momentum going, and we just want to build on this.”

Holding their opponents to just 67.5 points per game, the Riders’ defence has been the key to their early success. 

“We have a group of guys who believe in defence, and that’s important,” commented coach Rob Paternostro after the Cup win. “We really wanted to make this a defensive game, and we locked in nicely. To hold them to 69 is a great effort.”

The Riders are an elite outfit on the other end too, scoring the second-most points in the league with 94.4 a game. 

Three-point shooting has been their most effective weapon, leading the BBL to make 42.1% of their deep shots. Leicester have a plethora of weapons on the perimeter, with four players averaging over 40% from three-point range. 

Season So Far – Lions

For their high standards, the Lions have endured a difficult start to their BBL campaign. They sit sixth in the table with a 5-2 record, having played the least amount of games in the BBL due to their European commitments. 

The Lions made history in Europe however, becoming the first BBL franchise to win a European game since Nick Nurse’s Brighton Bears in 2002. They advanced to the second round of the FIBA EuroCup, where they finished with an 0-4 record. 

Led by Dirk Williams’ 21.7 points, the Lions possess the highest-scoring offence in the BBL with 95.7 points a night. They are also stifling at the rim, blocking a BBL best five shots per game, led by Kylor Kelley’s 2.7 per contest.

Following legendary coach Vince Macaulay’s departure, the Lions look to start their new era with a run of good form, and a win in this one would make it 3-0 in the BBL for their interim coach James Vear. 

One To Watch – Riders

Named Finals MVP after his 26 points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals in the BBL Cup final & Molten Player of the Month for January, Geno Crandall added to his long list of team and individual BBL accolades. 

The Gonzaga graduate continues to set the league alight with his play after winning the BBL MVP last season. He’s averaging 14.7 points and 7.5 assists, but is more focused on winning than his individual statistics:

“I’m a big team guy, and I think winning is more important than anything you can do individually. It’s the ultimate mark of a player: how can you contribute to winning.”

Leading the Riders to a 10-0 record to start the year, Crandall’s contributions to Leicester’s winning efforts is key to their success. 

Coach Rob Paternostro sang the praises of his point guard: “He’s always a difference-maker. He’s can score and assist from so many places, and he’s a competitor. That’s what we love about him. When you couple that with a great IQ, you get a heck of a player.”

One To Watch – Lions

Shot blocking big man Kylor Kelley has patrolled the paint effectively for the Lions this season, blocking the second-most shots in the BBL with 2.7 a game.

The seven-footer from Oregon State University utilises his 7’3” wingspan to great effect, walling off the rim from any attackers. In college, Kelley was the PAC-12’s best shot blocker, averaging a monumental 3.4 blocks in his senior year. 

Kelley’s ability at the rim alone was enough to earn him NBA draft consideration. Now, his talents are at the Lions’ disposal, as the second-year pro is a key asset to his side. He has saved over 20 points on the defensive end this season, by far and away the most on his team. 

Should the Riders want any success at the rim in this one, they’ll have to go through Kelley. 

Previous Meetings

The Riders have gotten the better of their opponents in their meetings early in the year. The league rivals have met four times in the BBL Cup this season, with the Riders winning on three of these occasions. 

Most recently, they met in the semi-finals of the BBL Cup, with Leicester emerging 178-170 victors over two legs. 

In a hard-fought second leg, Zach Jackson led the Riders to a 79-74 home win with 16 points, as his team held the BBL’s best offence to 42% shooting. 

Isaiah Reese led the Lions effort with 20 points and seven assists, going 7-18 from the field.