Month: August 2022

Riders are thrilled to announce the signing of talented point guard CJ Jackson for the 2022/23 season! Georgia-born Jackson has played three pro seasons in Scandinavia, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game for Bisons Loimaa in the Finnish first division last season. 

Jackson is a graduate of Ohio State, playing three seasons with the Buckeyes. During his time in college, he played alongside Riders’ sharpshooter Marc Loving for the 2016/17 season. He scored 12 points a game in his senior year before going pro in 2019. 

In his first game as a pro, Jackson showed his clutch genes, hitting a game-winner with 0.8 seconds left on the clock for Swedish side Köping Stars. He played two seasons in Sweden, averaging 17 points, five assists and four rebounds during his time there. 

“I’m super excited to be joining the Rider family,” reflected CJ.

“I can’t wait to start the season. Playing with an old teammate like Marc (Loving) is exciting, and I’m looking forward to going into battle with him again!”  

Head Coach Rob Paternostro commented on the signing:

“We are looking forward to working with CJ. He is a talented guard who can do a variety of things on the basketball court. Throughout his career he has shown that he can be effective both on the ball or off it and can be really difficult to defend.”

“His three point shooting , attacking the basket and passing ability will be a nice addition to our team.”

“We liked his experience, he played in a very good conference in the big ten and played very well, he also has had some very good professional seasons where he was a standout performer.”

Riders play their first pre-season game this Friday against USA Select – tickets are on sale here. Having just landed CJ is expected to make his debut the following week against Donar Groningen.

Riders have announced the BBL support staff for the 2022/23 season. After winning the treble last season, the club are delighted to announce the addition of some key staff members.

“It’s awesome for us to welcome the new faces to the backroom team”, commented Head Coach Rob Paternostro.

“It’s important for us to have a great support staff to support our players for the season ahead and beyond. I’m looking forward to working with them all.”

Former Riders WBBL coach Matt Pitkin returns to the club and joins Pablo Vazquez and Will Maynard on the sideline under head coach Rob Paternostro. Matt will also head up a new role for the club as Pathway Manager.

“It’s an awesome feeling to be back at Leicester after the last five years,” Matt Pitkin reflecting on his return.

“The opportunity to work with one of the BBL’s most decorated teams in the last ten years was one that really excited me. Rob is a serial winner and I’m looking forward to supporting and learning from him.”

“I’m really motivated to support the club in their journey to connect and collaborate their extensive pathway.”

Tom Austin succeeds Jordan Godfrey as the strength & conditioning coach, whilst Ben Pogmore (Head of Medical) and Callum Stevens (Performance Analysis) join the backroom.

Head Coach – Rob Paternostro
Ast. Coach – Matthew Pitkin (previously Harber)
Ast. Coach – Pablo Vazquez
Ast. Coach – Will Maynard
Team Manager – Donna Phillips
Strength & Conditioning – Tom Austin
Head of Medical – Ben Pogmore
Performance Analysis – Callum Stevens

Managing Director Russell Levenston commented “Over the last 5 years we have really developed our support staff to help Rob take the team to next level and this year we feel we have a great group to support for the BBL team and other areas of the club.”

“It is really exciting times for the club following last years’ success and the preparation for the Champions League qualifiers in September.”

Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce a three-year partnership with Vertu Motors and their Leicester dealership – Vertu Toyota Leicester.

The leading car dealership, who also have dealerships in Loughborough, Nottingham, Derby, Mansfield and Grantham, are supplying the team a fleet of Toyota vehicles

Chris Taylor, Group Operations Director at Vertu Motors, said: “Leicester Riders have enjoyed huge success on the court over the years and most importantly they are revered for the work they do to support local communities. We hugely admire their dedication to developing young people of all ages, through working with schools in the area and player
pathways in Leicester and Loughborough. We are very proud to partner with the team.”

Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu Motors, added: “Following our Group’s successful partnerships with Newcastle Eagles and Glasgow Rocks, we are delighted to announce a further deal within the British Basketball League, with Leicester Riders. We are focused on continuing to drive brand awareness with key audiences; this partnership will serve to cement our name within the local community, and we can’t wait to get the season started.”

Russell Levenston, Managing Director at Leicester Riders, commented:

“It gives us great pleasure to welcome Vertu Motors as an Official Partner for the upcoming season. The Riders are committed to working with national brands that have a link to the local community and we are keen to help the region in becoming a more prosperous location for their business.

“We take pride in providing success both on and off the court, and we feel that this partnership, with Vertu Motors’ renowned quality service and customer care, will help us accomplish just that.”

Vertu Motors hold partnerships with a number of sports clubs across the country, including in football and cricket, with Burnley FC, Middlesbrough FC and Sunderland AFC, alongside Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Durham Cricket.

Riders will face Swedish side Norrköping Dolphins at Morningside Arena on Wednesday 14 September at 7.30pm tip, as they prepare for the new season.

Dolphins won the league title in Sweden last year and will also feature in the Basketball Champions League Qualifiers on 21st.

After facing Rob Paternostro’s men, Norrköping will travel to the north-east where they face Newcastle Eagles on 16 September.

Tickets for our home pre-season game versus Dolphins are available here.

Riders are excited to announce the re-signing of former Ohio State forward Marc Loving for the 2022/23 season. The sharpshooting stretch-four scored 12 points a game last season on an efficient 46% from the field. 

Loving played an integral part of the Riders’ treble-winning season last year. His season-high of 32 points game back in November, torching the Cheshire Phoenix to settle into Leicester life quickly, before earning Player of the Month in December.

Prior to last season, Loving competed in the NBA G-League for the Delaware Bluecoats and the Agua Caliente Clippers. This came after a successful four-year stint at Ohio State, where he averaged 13 points and five rebounds across his junior and senior years. 

Loving became a fan favourite throughout the season and will bring a bounce to the Morningside Arena with his highlight plays.

“I’m looking forward to being back & building on what we accomplished last year,” said Loving. “I’m happy to be back with a great coaching staff and fan base. This year should be really exciting!”

Head Coach Rob Paternostro reflected on Loving’s return:

“We are thrilled to have Marc back for another season. He is a very talented player with a high basketball IQ whose versatility allows him to play in many different positions on both ends of the floor.”

“I thought he was excellent last season. He is a player that you feel comfortable with on the floor because he consistently makes the right plays both offensively and defensively.”

“His three point shot is a great weapon in our offence, he has unlimited range out there but I also think that his passing and playmaking were very important to our offence last season.”