Author: Riders Media

This Friday sees the Riders host the Plymouth City Patriots in the second round of the British Basketball League Championship.

Rob Paternostro’s players will be looking to bounce back after falling 110-86 to the Cheshire Phoenix in their season opener.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the fixture.

Fixture Information

Leicester Riders vs. Plymouth City Patriots

Morningside Arena, Leicester

Friday, September 22, 7:45pm

Get your tickets here!

Riders Look to Rebound

Last Friday’s contest with Cheshire tipped off to the sound of anticipation around the Morningside Arena, as the Riders’ fans saw a new-look squad in competitive action for the first time. 

The game proved to be a source of valuable lessons for a unit looking to build cohesion over a long British Basketball League campaign.

While the Riders fell to the Phoenix, Coach Rob’s teams take pride in improvement throughout the long British Basketball League season. The first focus after the season opener: offensive rebounding. 

Cheshire only secured five more rebounds than the Riders, but 17 of their 38 total came on the offensive glass. Comparing that to the Riders’ five offensive rebounds paints a clear picture of how the visitors were able to secure the win.

There were positives to be taken from the fixture. Versatile guard Jaren Holmes led the Riders’ scoring charts, dropping 16 points in 32 minutes of play. Many of the rookie’s points came from the free throw line – Holmes the only player to make double digits from the charity stripe.

The Riders shot efficiently (54.9% from the field), helped by the impressive bench duo of Samuel Idowu and Xavier Pinson. 

Front-court bruiser Idowu looked excellent from deep, draining three of his four three-point attempts, while Pinson reached his 12 points through a mix of difficult finishes and accurate shooting.

Checking into the tie midway through the third quarter, Pinson led a charge back into the game, which saw the Riders trail by just three with one to play. 

A major goal for the Riders this Friday is to gain parity on the boards and play turnover-free basketball. 

If they can clean up those areas, the sky is the limit for this quick and athletic unit. 

Plymouth’s 2022/2023 in Review

Last season proved to be a tough one for the Patriots who, despite a solid start to the year, finished ninth in the championship standings with a record of 11 wins and 25 losses.

A run of difficult results down the stretch dropped Plymouth level with the Newcastle Eagles and out of the playoffs on head-to-head.

Individually, the Patriots’ brightest spark came in the form of Rashad Hassan, who netted 15.6 points per game and seven rebounds per game. Hassan has departed Plymouth, but donning the colours again this season is lead distributor Elvisi Dusha. 

Dusha provided 6.1 assists per outing a season ago, enjoying the best statistical season of his career last year. 

Led by Dusha, the Patriots will be hoping 2023/2024 brings with it a playoff place come the end of the season. 

Significant Retool for the Patriots

After losing the services of influential players like Hassan and Anontio Williams, the latter leaving midway through last year, the Patriots’ front office has worked hard to rebuild the spine of the team.

Joining Dusha (who has returned as club captain) are no fewer than seven new signings to help Plymouth push for a return to the playoffs. 

Perhaps the most notable addition of the South Westerner’s summer comes in the form of recent National Basketball League joint-MVP, Taylor Johnson. 

The playmaking guard, who is as dangerous as he is unselfish with the ball in his hands, brings a winning mentality to Plymouth, having led the Hemel Storm to an undefeated season in the NBL Division One last year.

Johnson will be accompanied by second-year pro, TJ Atwood. The 6’6″ wing player, who originates from Texas, comes over from Slovakia, where he spent a season playing for BK Iskra Svit. Atwood got big minutes in Europe, leading the Slovakian Extraliga in time on court. 

A Tricky Start

Like the Riders, Plymouth sits a 0-1 after a difficult trip to Bristol last Friday. 

The Patriots were downed 82-65 in a low-scoring game plagued with turnovers. Plymouth gave up possession 26 times, giving the Flyers impetus on the fast break and the ability to force trips to the line. 

T. Johnson and Atwood joint top scored with 17 apiece, assisted by Dusha, who dished eight assists on the night. 

Expect the Patriots to be much tighter in possession this Friday, especially against a Riders team that possesses an abundance of pace.

Played for Both

Plymouth Head Coach Paul James will be no stranger to his surroundings in this matchup. The Leicester native is one of the longest-serving Head Coaches in British Basketball and suited up in Riders Red during his playing career. 

The 59-year-old began coaching in 1996, enjoying long spells with the Thames Valley Tigers, Guildford Heat, Worcester Wolves and the English National Team, most notably earning BBL Coach of the Year in 2007 after guiding the Heat to a league and cup double.

James has also previously played for Leicester, starting as a 17-year-old with the Leicester All-Stars in 1982 until the 1987/88 season that saw the point guard score 6.9 points per game.

The veteran’s battles against Rob Paternostro have spanned over a decade, as they get set to write another chapter in their storied history in this one. 

Get tickets to the game!

The Riders started 0-1 for the 2023-24 season, falling to the visiting Cheshire Phoenix 110-86. 

Following his second opening night loss in 16 seasons as Leicester Riders head coach, Rob Paternostro made clear the areas for improvement. 

“They beat us up on the glass. That was the main issue we had. They got every second chance point. For me, that and the points-off turnovers were the most disappointing stats. Those are free points in a lot of ways,” said Paternostro postgame. 

The Phoenix grabbed 21 offensive rebounds to the Riders’ seven, leading to 18 second-chance points. Leicester’s 20 turnovers led to 24 points for the visitors too. 

Cheshire were also lights out from behind the arc all night long. They made 18 on 46% shooting, with big man Skyler White going 7-14 from three, not attempting a two all game. 

“Their three ball was going in like crazy. We really struggled to defend them on the three-point line: they were unconscious from out there. We knew they were a three-point shooting team going in, and when they’re shooting the ball like they did, it will be a long night.”

The Riders’ roster featured six rookies playing in their first professional game. Despite their youth, Paternostro made no excuses for them. 

“It’s not about your age, it’s about making the right plays. We’re still a new group that has to learn different things, but when you give the ball away, it has nothing to do with how old you are.”

Leicester cast their attention to the Plymouth City Patriots, who they face on Friday. They’ll need to iron out the creases quickly to avoid an 0-2 start. 

“We have to challenge ourselves to come out on Friday and play way better. We ran into a team that played great tonight, so I tip my hat to them, but we have to find a way to improve in these areas. If we don’t, no matter who you’re playing, you’ll face a similar result.

“We have to get out on the practice floor and keep our heads up. We’ll figure it out. We have to be able to bounce back after a tough defeat, so we’ll see what they can do this Friday.”

Get tickets to the Riders’ Friday night fixture against Plymouth City Patriots!

The Riders fell in their season opener against the Cheshire Phoenix. 

It was an uncharacteristic performance from Leicester, who suffered from turnovers and rebounding throughout. This marks only the second loss in an opening game for the club during the 16-year-long Rob Paternostro era. 

Iowa State guard Jaren Holmes led the team with 16 points, in a game where 20 Riders turnovers proved costly. The Phoenix had three 20-point scorers, led by Aaryn Rai’s 23 in his first British Basketball League game. 

Cheshire settled into the new season quickly, taking an early lead after a number of turnovers from the home side. 

The Riders quickly quashed any Phoenix momentum in the opening stages, and a monster Miryne Thomas jam assisted by a no-look assist from Kimbal Mackenzie tied it up at 15 five minutes in. 

It rained threes for the Riders at the back end of the first half, with big man Sam Idowu hitting three in the quarter, but the Riders trailed by four after one after Cam Christon’s nine-point first period. 

The game stayed in the balance until halftime. Mackenzie took over the opening of the second period with six, followed by back-to-back buckets from Blake Bowman, but the Riders struggled to keep Cheshire off the boards. 

Cheshire had 11 offensive rebounds by halftime, and new man Skyler White had success in the first half, putting up 13 by the break. Maceo Jack ended the half with an offensive board off a missed White three, making it 51-44 in their favour. 

The Phoenix momentum carried into the third quarter, stretching their lead to 12 a minute in. They maintained their double-digit advantage through the third, until the insertion of Xavier Pinson back into the game.

With Pinson in, the Riders hit back-to-back threes, the second by the Chicago-born guard to light a fire into the team. Bowman continued the run with a triple of his own which cut it to five. 

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To end the third, Pinson went coast to coast, laying it up for two and making it a one-possession game with one to play. It was a 14-4 finish to the quarter for the Riders. 

The Phoenix rebuilt their lead in the final period of play, as second-year Phoenix Maceo Jack’s two three-pointers stole back momentum. From there, they ran away with the game, stretching their advantage to by the final buzzer after a flurry of threes. 

The Riders are back in action next Friday, looking to bounce back as they host the Plymouth City Patriots. 

Want to see the Riders in action? Get tickets to Friday’s game here.

The Riders get their season underway on Friday, hosting the Cheshire Phoenix.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the fixture.

Fixture information

Leicester Riders vs Cheshire Phoenix

Morningside Arena, Leicester

Friday, September 15, 7:45 pm

Get your tickets here!

Riders’ early style

The Riders enter the 2023-24 season with a revamped and revitalised roster, with seven new additions entering the fray. Early signs in pre-season show a deep, athletic team, which looks to be gelling quickly ahead of a long, demanding British Basketball League season. 

The Riders have had contributions all the way down the roster throughout pre-season, and their ability to get out in transition following suffocating defensive possessions makes them a threat to any team in the League. 

Leicester outscored their opponents 82-17 in transition in pre-season and will look to utilise their speed throughout the year. 

Coach’s thoughts

Head Coach Rob Paternostro looked back on a positive pre-season campaign. 

“Looking back on the pre-season, while the results don’t matter in the long run, ultimately, you want a team that will play hard and try and win every possession.

“Those games were important for getting a feel for the rotation and understanding how to play different lineups. The more pre-season games, the better in that sense, and I think it was a successful run of fixtures for us. 

“We don’t look too far ahead at this stage of the season, other than wanting to be in great condition. We want to be in great shape to deal with the season, and we want to be a group that loves playing basketball. 

“We always want to grow through the season and be better at the end. We have a great track record of playing our best basketball in the second half of the year. But what jumped out to me straight away is how much speed and athleticism we have out there.”

Cheshire’s 2022/23 in review

The Phoenix enter this year off the back of what they’ll consider a successful 2022/23. Finishing fifth in the standings with a 19-17 record, they made it to the Playoff semi-final, losing to the eventual champions in the London Lions. 

The first round saw them take revenge over the Caledonia Gladiators, whose game-winning shot at the hands of David Sloan saw the Phoenix fall a game short of silverware in the Trophy final. 

But making a domestic final showed progress for the North Westerners, who will look to make the final leap this year. 

Cheshire’s off-season overhaul

Like the Riders, Cheshire has faced the task of bringing in a new core of players after their five top leading scorers left the club in the offseason. Their most notable departure, leading scorer Larry Austin Jr., signed with the Newcastle Eagles as they look to rebuild after an eight-placed finish last year. 

Hoping to compensate for the loss of Austin Jr. at the point guard position, the Phoenix have invested in a number of young American guards. Among them are EJ Stephens from Lafayette College and Laquincy Rideau, who signed from the Slovenian first division. 

Time will tell who can step into the shoes of Austin Jr. Early pre-season signs are that one of their few returners, Maceo Jack, may look to step into that role. 

Jack went off for a 31-point explosion against last season’s third-placed finishers, the Bristol Flyers. The American guard averaged 10.5 points per game last year, and the performance suggests further improvement in his second professional season. 

Pre-season

The Phoenix faced up against British opposition in their pre-season fixtures. In their only game against British Basketball League opposition, Jack’s 31 points still saw them fall 91-83 to the Bristol Flyers. 

They did take wins against Loughborough University and the Derby Trailblazers, concluding their pre-season against Derby, beating the NBL opposition 106-83. 

The Trailblazers have pulled off upsets against British Basketball League opposition in the Trophy, and put on a good showing in the Trophy semi-final last season against the Phoenix, so the matchup was a good test for the newly formed Cheshire roster. 

Played for both

Riders legend and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Jamell Anderson suited up for the Phoneix last season, following eight seasons in Riders’ red.

The 6’8” British forward amassed over 2000 British Basketball League points for the Riders and won eight pieces of silverware for the club. His prowess on the defensive end earned him a spot on the Molten BBL Defensive Team of the Year on three occasions. 

Anderson put up his best statistical performances for the Phoenix last season, putting up 13.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, helping the team to the BBL Trophy Final. 

Want to see the Riders in action?

Get tickets here!

Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce Champions (UK) plc as an official partner. 

Champions is a strategy-led growth and implementation partner for businesses with market-leading expertise across strategy, digital, communications, creative and talent.

With a team of over 75 dedicated specialists, they provide market-leading expertise to drive businesses forward. 

After more than 20 years of adding capability and driving innovation, Champions are one of the UK’s leading full-service business consultancies. 

Champions CEO John Hayes commented: “I’m truly proud and excited to begin this partnership with Leicester Riders. 

“The Midland has been the home of our business for the last 20 years, and I’m always keen to support the winners in the region which bring more attention to this fantastic area. 

“I’ve been following the incredible success of the team closely for the last 10 years. After watching the Riders secure back-to-back championship glory after lifting the trophy in 2022, I knew it was time to get involved with them 

“Like Champions, Leicester Riders are winners, which is everything we embody here. This is the perfect fit, and I’m eager to see the continued success of the Riders.”

For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!

Jaren Holmes signed to the team this season, but already has Riders connections. He played his final college season at Iowa State University, under assistant coach and former Rider JR Blount. 

Blount played for Leicester in the 2010/11 season and made an immediate impact. His 20.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.9 left an impression on the Riders faithful, and he has since established himself as one of the top college coaching prospects in the NCAA. 

The 36-year-old helped Holmes through the recruitment process following his college career but left a message for him before he departed for Leicester: 

“I told him he won’t top the scoring numbers I had, but he already knows that!” 

It would take a special season for anybody to better those numbers, but a talent like Holmes is capable of it.  He was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and received an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, playing in the toughest conference the NCAA has to offer. 

Blount has nothing but praise for his game. 

“He can play multiple positions, and he’s strong with deceptively good athleticism. He can get to the free throw line and play through physicality, which is something that’s really important in the pros. 

“Jaren can defend the perimeter, and he’ll bring toughness. He was the personality of our team at Iowa State. He brings the energy, brings the fight: he’s a throw-the-first-punch kind of guy.”

However, what leaves the biggest impression on those who have known Jaren is his persona off the court. 

“He’s a great man, very outgoing, and the fans will love him. He’s the ultimate teammate, and he’ll do anything to win. Jaren isn’t looking for stats and accolades, even though those things come to him. 

“He’s someone my wife and kids like and ask about. He’s a genuine person, and a lot of that comes from his mother. I’m sure she’ll be in Leicester in Riders gear because she didn’t miss many games at Iowa State!”

Blount credits Holmes’ work ethic for getting him where he is today. He worked his way from Ranger Junior College to the Big 12 conference through grit and determination. 

“Jaren was one of our hardest workers. We started practice at seven in the morning every day, but he was always there at 5 am to get a workout in before and stayed afterwards too.

“He was in the gym all day, and you saw that come to fruition with us. The way he works on his craft, you saw him develop throughout the year until he’s hitting big shots in the NCAA tournament. He was huge in the biggest games.”

Holmes worked with a professional mentality as an amateur, so Blount says he is well-prepared for life in the pros. 

“The transition will be easy for him. I told him just to do what he does. He has the mindset and mentality to come in and work hard. His transition will be seamless. He’s going to set the tone based on his work ethic, and he’s a big-time talker and communicator on the floor. He’s someone the guys want to work with and be around.”

Holmes and Blount grew close during their time together at Iowa State. Helping him through the process of finding a pro team, Blount knew where would be the best fit for him—his time with the Riders told him everything he needed to know. 

“I told him it was a great experience for me. The fanbase was great, I still have great memories of playing in Loughborough. Rob’s commitment to development and making it a great experience, and having the Leicester community around you is something that’s really exciting. He’s going somewhere where he’ll be set up for success.

“It’s a great platform. The Riders’ goal is to get to the top, so Jaren’s goal has not changed from college. He’s trying to win trophies, and the individual accolades will come with it. It’s a great place for him to start. There’s a tradition of success, and he wanted to go to a winning programme, so this is the perfect place for him.

In addition to the organisation, Blount believes Rob Paternostro is the best coach for his development. 

“Rob’s going to instil confidence in you and allow you to play through your mistakes. Jaren will grow through that, and Rob can coach point guard mechanisms that he knows from his playing days. 

“Rob will help him with decision-making: learning when to get teammates involved and when to be aggressive. He is going to allow you to play with freedom, and you don’t really get that in college with how the defence is played, and scouting reports and schemes. Rob will have a major impact on how his game transforms.”

From their initial conversation, Holmes and Coach Paternostro are already on the same page.  

“I was able to connect Jaren and Rob, and it seemed like they hit off right away! After a few days, he was a Rider!”

All that’s left now is for Holmes to hit the court. 

“I just told him to embrace it,” said Blount, speaking about his conversation with Holmes before his departure to Leicester. 

“It’s an opportunity he’s worked his whole life for. I know who he is. He’s not going to take this for granted. He’s ready to go, itching to get there, and the Riders won’t be disappointed!”

Photo credit: Iowa State Cyclones

Want to see Jaren in action?

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The club is excited to announce the return of point guard Kimbal Mackenzie for the 2023/24 season. 

Mackenzie has proved a fan-favourite in his two seasons in Leicester, earning the Supporters Club Player of the Year last season – voted for by the Riders faithful. 

His 12.7 points and 3.8 assists also saw him named on the Molten BBL British Team of the Year alongside teammate Patrick Whelan. 

“Kimbal has been excellent for us and we are thrilled to have him back at the club. We have enjoyed working with him these past two seasons, he is a player who comes ready to play every day,” reflected Head Coach Rob Paternostro.

“He is a versatile guard who can be effective in many different spots on the floor and has shown the ability to make winning plays in important moments of the game.”

“His ability to fill different roles last seasons was very impressive.”

Mackenzie put in countless team-leading performances throughout the 2022/23 season, perhaps none better than his 31 point explosion against the Cheshire Phoenix in February. He went 11-15 from the field and 7-7 from the free-throw line in the Riders’ 105-91 win. 

“My family and I are thrilled to be returning to Leicester for my third season,” commented Kimbal. “The experience that we have had within the city and with the fans has been amazing. I look forward to continuing the winning ways of the Riders. Since day one, Leicester has felt like home, and in the business of being a professional athlete, it can be rare to be with the same team for multiple years, so I’m thankful for that.” 

“I’m happy to still be playing in front of the best fans in the league! A fanbase that makes Morningside one of the best home court advantages in the league, and fans that frequently travel across the country to support us.” 

“In deciding to come back, it’s the culture that Coach Rob has built for years that played a big part. Rob is a players’ coach, and the ultimate competitor, someone who I love going to battle with. I look forward to playing with a great group of guys, and to winning a lot of basketball games!”

Mackenzie’s form earned him his first call-up to the Great Britain Senior squad, making his debut in a FIBA World Cup Qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade.

Welcome back Kimbal! 

The Riders will begin the final weekend of the BBL regular season on Friday when they host the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks.

Victory for Leicester should wrap up a second-place finish in the championship standings and will taste even sweeter after the 72-64 loss to Sheffield on March 24.

Riders’ Season So Far

The Riders currently sit in second place in the BBL standings on 48 points, just two points ahead of a Bristol Flyers squad they have battled with all season.

The narrow lead over Bristol came after Leicester willed their way to an 83-82 triumph in Manchester last Sunday.

The enthralling contest boiled down to one last play for Manchester, but Rahmon Fletcher’s drive to the basket was thwarted by a number of tireless Riders defenders, and he missed his shot.

Defeat to the Giants seemed entirely possible at half-time, Rob Paternostro’s men staring down a 12-point deficit, having only scored 31 in the first 20 minutes.

But with their coach’s impassioned words ringing in their ears, the Riders turned things around to claim a famous road win.

Point guard Carrington Love was ever-present (as he has been so often in recent weeks) dropping 17 points, snagging six rebounds and dishing out just as many assists.

His do-it-all display was backed up by the starting trio of Patrick Whelan, Zach Jackson and Darien Nelson-Henry, scoring 15, 13 and 10 points respectively.

Nelson-Henry, the Riders’ captain, bagged himself a double-double, matching his points haul with 10 rebounds.

The clutch victory was Leicester’s 24th on the season, taking their winning record to an impressive 24-10.

Sharks’ Season So Far

Much like the Riders’ last opponents, the Sharks are embroiled in a tight mid-table battle, tussling for playoff seedings with a 17-17 record.

Their form, however, has been good since the short winter break as they have manufactured an 11-6 record in all competitions.

One of the wins came against the runaway leaders in London and two came against the Riders, including a BBL Trophy quarter-final win at the Morningside Arena.

Sheffield pride themselves on a formidable defence that concedes 74.73 PPG, second only to the London Lions.

The Sharks’ smart defensive play sees them rarely get into foul trouble, and players like Devearl Ramsey pressure the opposition into mistakes. Since his arrival in Sheffield, Ramsey has been one of the most tenacious on-ball defenders in the league.

The Riders will need to keep things clean on offense if they are to defeat a team that has gotten the best of them more than once this season.

Key Players

Sheffield are a team that likes to play slowly and methodically on offense, backed up by their stifling play on the opposite end of the court.

One player that has broken that mould this season, especially when facing off against the Riders, is forward, Kipper Nichols.

The American has dropped double-digits on Leicester every time they have played this season, including 19 points in the BBL Trophy QF back in February.

The Ohio native is somewhat of a fan favourite up in Sheffield, having plied his trade there for three seasons.

Nichols is averaging 12.1 PPG, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists. His ability to score inside will likely keep Zach Jackson and Marc Loving busy all night.

Sheffield’s defensive hustle makes it tough to see any clean looks at the basket, but they do slip to middle of the pack when it comes to giving up the deep ball.

Enter Patrick Whelan.

Whelan’s abilities from beyond the arc are well known, so look for them to be on show again come Friday night.

The Warrington-born guard is currently second in three-pointers made with 72. The Sharks only need to give him a glimpse of the basket and Whelan is likely to take the shot.

Whelan is averaging 13.7 PPG and shooting nearly 44% from deep.

There aren’t many chinks in Sheffield’s armour, but it’s a strong possibility that Patrick Whelan will find them.

Where to watch

Tip-off is at 7:45 pm at the Morningside Arena Leicester.

Get your tickets here!

The game will also be shown live on Sky Sports and streamed live on Sky Sports youtube, starting at 7:30 pm.

Today sees the Riders return to Morningside Arena after their southern road trip to tip off against the Newcastle Eagles.

Leicester have the chance to go equal on points with Bristol in the BBL championship, after both teams suffered defeat on Friday night.

Sunday’s contest will carry added flavour for fans as it is one of this season’s ‘Retro Nights’. Old school tunes will be playing, BBL legends will be making an appearance and the Riders will be donning their 1987 jersey’s worn during the first ever BBL Championship.

It promises to be a fantastic celebration of the club’s history.

Riders’ Season So Far

Friday proved to be an exhilarating yet ultimately frustrating night for the Riders, who came back from a 20-point deficit to push the London Lions to the final shot in an 83-81 loss.

Leicester’s players proved their resilience and had the chance to send the game to overtime in the final seconds, but Carrington Love’s shot bounced off the rim at the buzzer.

The starting point guard led the team in scoring on the night, racking up 17 points and six assists in an all-action, attacking display.

With Marc Loving sidelined through injury, Blake Bowman answered the call to start at forward. The young Brit performed well, dropping five late points after a solid defensive display in which he pulled down six rebounds, snagged one steal and rose for a block.

Strong bench performances came from Kimbal Mackenzie and Evan Walshe, both notching double-digit point totals.

Despite sustaining their 10th loss of the season, the Riders will feel confident that they can go toe-to-toe with the best the BBL has to offer during the final stretch of the season.

Eagles’ Season So Far

Newcastle’s record sits at 8-23 after Friday’s 82-71 loss in Sheffield to the in-form Sharks. The Eagles allowed Sheffield to build a double-digit lead early and were simply unable to claw their way back into the game.

Kyle Johnson had a great day ball-in-hand, putting up 26 points at a 64% clip, but the Eagles lacked much support from their bench.

Lack of offensive firepower that performs consistently has affected the Eagles for most of the season.

They have the players on court to trouble any team in the BBL – they just need to put it all together more often, especially now the chance is there to catch Plymouth in the last playoff position.

The recent two-game series between the Eagles and the Riders was split one apiece.

Leicester know that a full 40-minute performance is needed to see off Newcastle’s challenge.

Key Players

Currently, no player is catching the eye on the Eagles’ roster as much as the aforementioned Kyle Johnson.

The guard has dropped over 15 points in his last four outings including the 26 he posted against the Sharks.

Standing at 6’5”, the Brit brings power and athleticism to the guard position, as well as a tenacity that has seen him snag over 10 rebounds in a game when playing at small forward.

A player with the size, strength and attitude to match up against Johnson is the Riders’ action man, Zach Jackson.

Jackson has the tools to go basket-for-basket with Johnson, something he has demonstrated over the last three games where he is averaging over 20 PPG.

The 6’7” American combines speed with a soft touch and – at his best – is possibly the most devastating scorer in the BBL.

Fans attending the Morningside arena on Sunday can’t predict the result. What they can predict is that Jackson and Johnson could have an almighty battle of buckets.

Where to watch

The game will be streamed live on the British Basketball League youtube channel, starting at 3:45 pm.

The Riders beat the Plymouth City Patriots 99-85 on the road. They took a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never surrendered their advantage to improve to 21-9. 

Zach Jackson led the team for the second straight game, scoring 24 points after putting up 28 on Friday. He was followed up by Marc Loving’s 22 points and eight rebounds, but the Ohio-born forward played just 25 minutes after picking up a wrist injury in the third period. 

It was an efficient display from the visitors, who shot 50% from the field and went 25-27 from the free-throw line. Loving went 4-6 from three to stretch the lead, which the Riders saw home professionally.

The win sees them claim second place in the BBL Championship standings in the final month of the regular season. 

The Patriots’ Elvisi Dusha’s 19 points were not enough to win the tie, as the hosts missed 10  foul shots in the game. That proved the difference, as Plymouth now sit just two wins ahead of the Newcastle Eagles in the final playoff spot after their win this afternoon. 

The Riders jumped out to a lead early through a hot offensive start. They looked to get out in transition, running the fastbreak often to score plenty of points in the first. Leicester ended the quarter up 25-16, led by Patrick Whelan and Jackson who had six points each. 

Kimbal Mackenzie took over the scoring load to start the second with back-to-back threes.

Little separated the sides through the period. Former Rider Rashad Hassan found success finishing at the rim to keep his side in it, but the Riders were up going into the locker rooms after Loving’s 12-point half. 

The Patriots had the better start to the second half, cutting it to a one-possession game after a fastbreak slam from James Hawthorne Jr. The Leicester response was immediate, and Jackson’s drive to the rim capped off a 5-0 run from the visitors to rebuild their lead. 

The three ball started to fall for Leicester, as Loving and Whelan hit in to make it a 14-point advantage. Meanwhile, Jackson got himself to the free throw line consistently to keep the scoreboard ticking over. 

The Patriots also got to the foul stripe, shooting eight free throws in the third quarter to stay in it. Blake Bowman drove to the hoop for Leicester to put them up 11 with one to play. 

Jubril Adekoya took over the game with his playmaking ability to start the fourth. He dished a pair of no-look assists to get the Riders’ offence hot. 

After Adekoya got them going, the Riders comfortably saw the game out to secure their third win on the bounce. He went for six points, two assists and two rebounds in the fourth to see it home. 

The Riders remain on the road for their next fixture, taking on the London Lions on April 7.

Friday will see the Riders finish March with a crucial clash against the second-place Bristol Flyers.

The Morningside Arena will host the second of a two-game home stand as the Riders look to build on Tuesday’s victory over the Plymouth City Patriots.

Riders’ Season So Far

The win was the Riders’ 19th of the season in the BBL Championship, keeping them fixed in third place in the standings and now within reaching distance of Friday’s visitors.

Leicester consigned Plymouth to a fifth straight loss, but the game was never a foregone conclusion.

The Patriots mounted a spirited fourth-quarter comeback and the 92-89 scoreline perfectly reflects the competitiveness of the contest.

Marc Loving and Kimbal Mackenzie typically topped the Riders’ scoring output, dropping 24 and 23 points respectively. Loving especially had his stroke going, hitting 61% from the field including six from downtown.

Zach Jackson also had a nice night with an energetic 18 points, but it was two late plays on the defensive side of the ball that clinched victory for the Riders.

Holding a tenuous one-point lead with less than a minute to go, the Riders needed a stop. Up stepped Jubril Adekoya, one of Leicester’s most tenacious stealers of the ball.

The strong forward shot out a quick hand and pilfered possession away from the Patriots’ guard, forcing the away team to foul.

A couple of clutch Mackenzie free throws and a last-second block by Loving put the seal on an entertaining game.

No doubt more of the same will be needed to stop a high-flying Bristol team.

Flyers’ Season So Far

The Bristol Flyers have been one of the best teams in the BBL this season and travel to Leicester boasting a 21-9 record.

They sit a narrow four points above the Riders in the table, the proximity between the two teams adding extra spice to Friday’s contest.

Mixed results in recent weeks have seen the Flyers go 3-2 in their last five meetings, both losses coming against a Manchester Giants squad that fell 104-84 to the Riders in February.

Bristol’s latest game ended in a 39-point win however, the Flyers prevailing over Leicester’s Tuesday night opponents riding a strong 23-point show by guard, Tevin Olison.

A dangerous three-point threat when on the left side of the court, Olison is averaging 9.58 PPG and shoots a respectable 82% when he gets to the free-throw line.

Despite the single-digit PPG average, Olison can rack up buckets, as shown by his dominance over Plymouth.

Leicester will want to keep him in check as they did when the teams met on January 6.

Key Players

The Flyers are the least accurate team in the BBL when shooting, currently hitting 43.58% of their shots.

What they lack in efficiency, they make up in scoring chances.

Bristol attempt 69.82 field goals per game, second in the BBL. The key to this plethora of shots is their ability on the offensive glass – the Flyers are the only team to have snagged over 400 offensive rebounds this season.

The driving forces behind Bristol’s thirst for second chances are forward Thomas Bell and Flyers veteran, Malcolm Delpeche.

Both Bell and 6’8” center, Delpeche, sit in the league’s top 10 in offensive rebounds per game, pulling down 2.34 and 3.03 respectively.

This front-court hustle gives extra opportunities to players like top-scorer, VJ King, who is a force when driving to the basket.

Tasked with boxing out Bell and Delpeche will be the interchanging Darien Nelson-Henry and Aaron Menzies.

As a result of swapping in and out at the center position, the two big men don’t trouble the BBL’s top 10 in defensive rebounds per game.

However, they rise up the statistics table when the criteria is changed to DREBs per 40 minutes.

Nelson-Henry and Menzies grab 7.87 and 9.78 DREBs per 40, the 7’3 Brit placing second in the championship in that metric.

While players like Jackson, Mackenzie and King may grab the post-game headlines for their ability to sink the rock, the battle of the frontcourt may be the true area where this game is won and lost.

Where to watch

The game tips off at 7:45 pm on Friday 31 March. Get your tickets here!

Alternatively, it will be streamed on the BBL Official youtube channel from 7:30 pm.

Friday sees the Riders play the second of a two-game home stand as they tip off against the Caledonia Gladiators. Leicester will hope to make it two-for-two at home after a hard-fought 89-79 victory over the Newcastle Eagles last Sunday.

Riders’ season so far

After sharing the spoils in last weekend’s series with Newcastle, the Riders head into Friday night with a 17-8 record, six points behind the second-placed Bristol Flyers.

Leicester had to wait until the fourth quarter to create some breathing room between them and the Eagles. Marc Loving, who led the scoring with 20 points, dropped 11 in the final stretch to inspire the Riders to their ninth home win.

Read our full report here.

Loving was ably supported by captain Darien Nelson-Henry who contributed 16 points in an efficient shooting display.

Nelson-Henry is currently scoring 8.5 PPG and shooting at a 56.41% clip, good for third on the team. The 6’11” center is also the Riders’ most prolific rebounder, snagging 6.4 per contest.

If he has another dominant day on the boards this Friday, the 29-year-old could be the first Rider to pass 200 rebounds this season.

Gladiators’ season so far

Much like the Riders, Caledonia notched another mark in the win column after a well-fought victory against the Manchester Giants. The 92-83 triumph pushed the Gladiators to a 14-13 record and boosted their league position to fourth, leapfrogging their Manchester opponents.

The most significant difference between the two teams came on the boards – the Scottish outfit outrebounding Manchester 51 to 34. Centers Patrick Tapé and Fahro Alihodzic were excellent on the offensive glass, hauling in four OREBs each to help the Gladiators to 13 second-chance points.

Caledonia’s top scorer is guard David Sloan.

Sloan is averaging a cool 16.97 PPG while dishing nearly five assists per game. The 6’0” Tennessee State Buccaneer possesses wicked ball-handling skills and has a habit of scoring points in bunches, racking up 36 against the Riders earlier in the season.

A win over Leicester would give the Gladiators a firmer hold over the fourth spot in the league.

Key Matchup

Expect guards David Sloan, Patrick Whelan and Kimbal Mackenzie to light up the scoreboard, but of more importance may be the number of chances they get.

As he did against Manchester, Patrick Tapé will want to pose as a problem for the Riders on both end of the court. The athletic big man was Caledonia’s ‘Player of the Game’ on Sunday, after a fine showing where he earned a double-double, scoring 13 points and reeling in 12 rebounds.

The Ivory Coast international is averaging 10.5 PPG in four games against the Riders this season, but rebounds haven’t been as plentiful. Leicester have restricted Tapé to just four RPG, some way off his season average of 6.55.

Continuing the keep the 6’10” center off the glass will be key for the home team if they want to lead the season series against Caledonia, which currently stands at 2-2.

On the front line to achieve the task will be the previously mentioned Nelson-Henry and Sunday’s hero, Marc Loving.

The free-scoring forward has been dependable on defence all season, pulling down over five defensive rebounds per game. Couple that with the Ohio native’s talent for scoring, and you have a two-way forward who can match up with any front-court player in the BBL.

The fan favourite is putting up 16 PPG versus Caledonia this season, hitting over 55% of his shots in three of the four games.

Loving has not dropped below double-digit points in the league since January 29.

Another big night from the American may be crucial as the Riders look to further the gap between third and fourth in the BBL.

Where to watch

The game tips off at 7:45 pm at the Morningside Arena. Get your tickets here!

Alternatively, it will be shown live on Sky Sports Arena and the Sky Sports youtube channel, starting at 7:30 pm.

The Riders are back in action with the second game against the Newcastle Eagles in three days. It is a chance to bounce back for Leicester, who fell to the Eagles on Friday 92-85 on the road. 

Riders’ season so far

Leicester enters this game off back-to-back losses, losing to the London Lions before the Newcastle Eagles. They possess a 16-8 record, sitting third in the league standings, six points from second place. 

They held a 20-point lead against the Eagles, but a second-half comeback saw the North Easterners take the win. Zach Jackson led a late effort to take the result, but the Riders fell short in the final seconds. 

Read our full report here. 

Marc Loving leads the Riders this season with 15.9 points and 6,1 per game, playing at an elite standard on both ends. Leicester is the league’s most efficient team in field goal, three-point and free-throw shooting, making the most of their offensive opportunities.  

The Morningside Arena has proved a fortress for the Riders this season, going 9-2 in their building. A win in this one would snatch back momentum for Leicester, as they start a two-game home stand. 

Eagles’ season so far

The win against the Riders was massive for Newcastle, as they fight for the final playoff spot in the BBL Championship. They improved to 7-17, three wins from the eighth-placed Sheffield Sharks. 

They shot the lights out from deep last time out, going 41% from deep led by three off the bench from Jermel Kennedy, Their second-half comeback was led by an explosion from Kyle Johnson, who led the game with 21 points. 

But it’s Javion Hamlet who leads them on the season with 20.2 points per game, the former G-Leaguer ranks second in the BBL’s scoring charts in his second pro season. 

Hamlet attacked the rim relentlessly in his previous game, shooting 10 free throws in the contest. Newcastle ranks second in free-throw percentage this season behind the Riders, making the most of their charity shots.  

Back-to-back wins against the Riders would be a monumental momentum shift in the Eagles’ season. 

Key matchup 

The battle between Zach Jackson and Kyle Johnson proved pivotal in the previous fixture between the sides and is likely to play a key role in this one. 

Johnson’s 21 points were his sixth 20-point performance of the season, and enter this one on a run of hot form, putting up 19.3 points per game in his last four. 

The 6’6” wing is a 14-year veteran and has played across Europe and Canada in his professional career. Johnson spent three seasons in Iceland before landing in Newcastle and scored 12 points per game last year. 

In 2017, Johnson’s scoring prowess was on full display as he dropped a 51-point performance in the Canadian NBL, the most points scored in a game in league history. 

This season, Johnson is scoring 14.9 points per game on 47.4% shooting and grabbing 5.2 rebounds per game. 

Facing Johnson on the wing is Kansas-born Jackson, who led the attempted charge back into Friday night’s fixture with seven points in the final period. 

He’s the Riders’ second-highest scorer on the season, putting up 15.8 points per game on 55.8% shooting. Jackson is red-hot from deep, hitting 43.1% of his three-point attempts while playing elite defense on the other end. 

Jackson is a third-year Rider and has made improvements each season. This has shown up in the box score, as the fourth-year pro is scoring six more points per game than in his first BBL season. 

The 6’6” small forward is one of the BBL’s best scorers, able to get it done on all three levels. He shows up in the biggest moments for Leicester, so expect a good showing in this get-back game for Leicester. 

Where to watch

Tickets for this fixture are available here! 

The game tips off at 4 pm and will be streamed on the BBL Official Youtube channel, starting at 3:45 pm.

Kimbal Mackenzie has been named Molten BBL Player of the Month!

The point guard averaged 19.5 points per game in Febuary, including a 31-point outing against the Cheshire Phoenix in the highest-scoring game of his Riders tenure.

His play earned Mackenzie his first GB call up, and helped the Riders to a 3-1 record over the month as the Riders climbed the BBL Championship standings.

Congratulations Kimbal!

The Riders improved to 15-6 in the BBL Championship, beating the Manchester Giants 104-84 at home. Marc Loving led an explosive offensive performance with 25 points, following up his 32 points last time out against Manchester.

He was backed by 18 from Zach Jackson and 16 from Kimabl Mackenzie, as the Riders’ offence shot 58% from the field and 45% from three in an explosive performance. 

The Giants could not contain the Riders’ offence and now have given up over 100 to them in the second-straight game. Offensively, they crashed the boards to grab 21 rebounds but shot just 21% from three in their loss. 

They had five scorers in double digits, led by 16 points and 3 assists from two-time BBL MVP Rahmon Fletcher. Nick Lewis also scored 16 off the bench, going 4-8 from deep. 

The opening stages were defined by high flying plays from the Riders, as Jackson and Loving threw down monster jams to help the Riders to a quick lead. Mackenzies’s three from the corner made it 15-6 with five minutes gone. 

The Riders attacked the rim all quarter, throwing down four jams. But the story of the first was Evan Walshe, who in his first Riders start ran the show from the point. He has five assists five minutes in, lighting up the arena with his flashy passing. 

Fueled by the momentum of the dunk party, the Riders burst out to a 27-13 opening period led by 10 points from Loving. 

The Giants found the bottom of the basket to start the second, stalling the Riders’ progress with 11 points in three minutes led by five from Lewis. Lewis scored nine in the period, helping the visitors cut the Riders’ lead to five.  

But Loving beat the buzzer to have the last say in the first half, draining a stepback three to make it 54-46. He had 21 points in the first, leading the game going into the locker rooms. 

Mackenzie kick-started the action in the second half, taking it coast-to-coast to make it a 10-point Riders lead. He had six in the first three minutes of the third, as the Riders extended their advantage. 

The Riders outscored the Giants 17-7 to start the third quarter, making it an 18-point lead. The period took the form of the first, as the Giants’ defence could not contain Leicester, who scored 30 points, led by nine from Jackson. 

Leicester saw the game out comfortably, keeping the Giants at arm’s length. Blake Bowman put up nine in the fourth to tally a career-high 12 points off the bench, sealing the win. 

The Riders play the second of a weekend doubleheader on Sunday, heading to Cheshire to take on the Phoenix. The game tips off at 5:30 pm, and a Riders win would see them continue to chase down second place in the BBL Championship standings. 

The Riders improve to 14-6 in the BBL Championship after a 99-77 win against the Surrey Scorchers. 

Marc Loving led the game with 21 to steer the Riders to the win, in a game where five Leicester players scored double-digit points. His efforts were backed by 20 points from his wing partner Zach Jackson, who went off for 20. 

It was a one-point affair midway through the second period before the Riders blew the game open with a 13-2 run. They shot a red-hot 42% from three and 50% from the field, after entering the game leading the BBL in both categories.

It was the first appearance in Leicester for point guard Carrington Love, who impressed with eight points and five assists off the bench. His three-point shooting and playmaking added a different dimension to the Riders’ offence, as he looks to settle into the second half of the season.

The win makes it 38 games undefeated in all competitions against the Scorchers for the Riders. Padiet Wang and Jalen Ray combined for 13 each for the visitors, who cut the game to nine early in the fourth.

But the Scorchers could not contain the Riders’ offence, who bounced back to seal the win. 

After scoring 18 points in the first half of the previous meeting between the sides, Surrey’s leading scorer on the season Wang went off to start the game, scoring the first seven Scorchers points. 

The Riders fought back, taking the lead midway through the first with back-to-back threes from Jackson and Loving. The dynamic duo led the team with seven points each in the first quarter. 

The Riders held a narrow lead until the end of the period, as new man Love drained a three on the buzzer to make it 23-17 to the hosts. 

Love carried the momentum into the second period, hitting from midrange to get another two on the board. But the Scorchers had the best of the early stages of the quarter, bringing their deficit to one point after a jam from Wang. 

Whelan hit back, finding his from deep to make two threes, making it a nine-point game four minutes from halftime. The Riders commenced a 13-2 run following Whelan’s first three to jump out to their first significant lead of the game. 

Love concluded the quarter yet again, drawing a foul on a three before making two shots at the line. He finished the half with eight points in six minutes off the bench in his first Riders home game, as the hosts entered the locker rooms up 51-41. 

Leicester continued their hot deep shooting form to start the second half, as Whelan and Loving knocked down their first attempts to stretch the lead. The Riders controlled the game with their advantage, getting to the rim to win the third 28-21 to make it a 17-point game. 

The Scorchers came out hot in the final period, starting 8-0 after two Kyle Carey threes to cut the game to nine. 

But the Riders seized back control, as Kimbal Mackenzie scored five straight to rebuild the lead, hitting his second three of the game. 

Leicester responded to Surrey’s surge with a 10-3 run, to leave the result in little doubt. 

Next up, the Riders host BBL Trophy action, taking on the Sheffield Sharks in the quarter-final. The game takes place on Febuary 10th, tipping off at 7:45 pm. 

The Riders are gearing up for BBL Championship action, heading to the North East to take on the Newcastle Eagles! They look to make it nine wins out of their last 10, to improve their league record to 10-4. 

Riders on the road 

This game will be Leicester’s ninth away fixture of the year. They’ve won 50% of these games, positioning them third in the BBL Championship standings after a recent run of good form. 

A win in this one would make it four on the bounce in all competitions, with the Riders’ offence executing with elite efficiency on this winning streak.  

They lead the BBL in field goal, three-point and free-throw percentage, their offence producing the second most points in the league. 

Their shooting form was on full display in their previous game, as they scored 100 points against the Caledonia Gladiators. Leicester shot 57.6% from the field and 42.1% from three, led by Patrick Whelan’s emphatic 25 points and 10 rebounds.

READ MORE: Riders secure big win vs Gladiators 

The Riders last faced the Eagles in the BBL Cup quarter-final, booking their spot in the semis with a 94-75 win. Marc Loving’s 27 points led the team to the next round, where they will take on the Caledonia Gladiators on December 21. 

Get your tickets here! 

Loving went 10-12 from the floor and 5-5 from three, and will hope for another elite performance in this fixture! 

Eagles’ season so far

Facing their historic rivals is a golden opportunity for the Eagles to get their season on track after a 2-9 start. They enter the game on a four-game winless streak but will take encouragement from their previous fixture. 

It was a closely fought encounter against a talented Caledonia Gladiators team, resulting in an 81-77 loss. The Eagles were up double digits with 7:30 on the clock, but the Gladiators finished strong to secure the win. 

Newcastle was led by Darius Defoe, the most decorated player in BBL history with 27 trophies to his name, who scored 20 points in the tie. The 15-year Eagle rolled back the clock in a vintage performance, as the big man dominated inside to make 66% of his shots. 

The Eagles can take confidence from their ball-sharing ability, as they average the third most assists in the BBL this season. They’ll aim to display their best brand of team basketball to secure a win from the reigning league champions. 

Key matchup 

GB international Patrick Whelan is leading the Riders in scoring for the second straight season, putting up 15.9 points per game on a red-hot 49.3% from deep. 

The Warrington-born shooting guard was named to the Molten BBL Team of the Year last season and has continued his form into his second Riders year. His 25 points in his previous game was a season-high points tally, earning him a place in the BBL ALL-Star Five last week. 

“Pat’s a great player. When he lines up a three-point shot I think it’s going down, and more importantly, he thinks it’s going down,” said coach Rob Paternostro after the game.

“He’s a confident player who’s a team-first guy, and he does a lot of little things. His teammates did a great job of finding him tonight.”

Facing up against him in the backcourt is Newcastle’s leading scorer on the season, Javion Hamlet. The American guard is scoring 19.2 points per game for the Eagles this season and is the fourth-highest scorer in the BBL. 

The former North Texas Mean Green was a two-star recruit coming out of high school but proved all doubters wrong in his college career when he put up 15 points per game as a sophomore. He is an automatic scorer at all three levels and will look for a big scoring night against the Riders. 

Hamlet went off for a season-high 31 points against the Plymouth City Patriots in October and has scored over 25 points on three other occasions this season. 

The 24-year-old can go off for huge numbers on any given night, so Whelan and the Riders will have to bring their best defensive effort against him to slow him down. 

Where to watch

Tip-off is at 7:30, and will be streamed live on the British Basketball Youtube channel! Coverage begins 15 minutes before tip-off. 

The Riders got the best of the Newcastle Eagles, winning to advance to the semi-finals of the BBL Cup. 

Marc Loving led the team with 27 points, his fourth 20-point performance on the season. He scored 11 in the first quarter to get the Riders rolling, and went 10-12 from the field and 5-5 from three on the game. 

He was one of two 20-point scorers for Leicester, as Derryck Thornton put up 21 in 25 minutes. The California-born point guard attacked the rim relentlessly, going 8-9 from the free-throw line and 6-12 from the field. 

The Riders put up an efficient and clean offensive effort. They shot 49% from the floor, 43% from three and turned the ball over just eight times to blow out their long-standing rivals. 

Kyle Johnson put up big offensive numbers for the visiting Eagles. The Canadian guard put up 24 points, six rebounds and four assists in an effort to swing the scoreboard in his team’s favour. 

Loving caught fire to get the Riders’ offence firing early, scoring 11 of the team’s first 15 points to pull back an early eight-point deficit. After the slow start, the Ohio native’s electric play got the Riders in rhythm to make a quick recovery. 

They finished the first up 24-20, and the sides continued to trade baskets in the early stages of the second. Thornton was the hot hand midway through the period, making back-to-back buckets, including an and-one on the fastbreak.

With two and a half minutes remaining in the half, Jubril Adekoya, returning to the lineup after missing the previous game through injury, hit a corner three to give Leicester a seven-point lead: their biggest of the night. 

The triple saw momentum shift the Riders’ way, and Kimbal Mackenzie dished a flashy pass to a cutting Darien Nelson-Henry to continue to grow the lead. 

The Riders finished the half on a 10-0 run, going into the locker rooms up 49-37. 

Zach Jackson came out into the second half gunning, scoring nine straight points to put the Riders up 20. Leicester started the third on a 17-6 run, making the run 27-6 since late in the second period. 

Thornton got back to work, taking over from Jackson to bag seven points on the bounce. Mackenzie concluded the period with a two at the rim, as the Riders won the third 29-13. 

The Riders saw the game out comfortably, led by Loving’s six points in the fourth to take a 21-point win. 

The Riders return to league action in their next fixture, heading to Surrey to take on the Scorchers. A win would see them improve to 8-4, and bring the season series against the Scorchers to 2-0.