Riders Media - 17th March 2024
Gallery 2024 All-Star Game
Leicester Riders Women’s stars suited up for the South to compete in the 2024 British Basketball League All Star game.
Take a look at the event through the lens…
Author: Riders Media
Riders Media - 9th March 2024
Scouting report: Bristol Flyers
Leicester Riders are set for their final game before the All-Star break, hitting the road to take on the Bristol Flyers.
The game features two teams with contrasting styles, looking to play the game on their own terms to take control of the fixture.
Here’s what the Riders can expect from Sunday’s opponents…
Battling on the boards
Bristol have made their name on the boards this season, leading the League in total and offensive rebounds. The Flyers pull down an offensive board on 34.48% of their misses, leading to 11.87 second chance points per game.
Their All-Star Brad Greene leads the League in this department, and is the only player averaging double digit rebounds in the British Basketball League this season.
It’s a group effort on the boards, despite Greene’s dominance down low. Five players average over four a game, as the who roster crashes the glass every possession, from front court to back court.
Sam Idowu’s outing last time the Riders faced Bristol neutralised their rebounding threat, however. He grabbed 14 boards to pair with 15 points, making the paint his own as the Riders took a Trophy win.
Greene still pulled down 11 rebounds, but Leicetser won the rebounding battle 45-36 to take the victory. It will take the same level of effort on the glass to come away with the win in the South West.
Points in the paint
On the defensive end of the ball, the Flyers have a stifling defensive interior. They allow the fewest points in the paint of any team this season, allowing only 31.55 points per game around the basket.
Bristol contest without fouling, ranking seventh in fouls per game, and their sixth ranked blocked shots ranking means they have found ways of preventing opponents from driving their way inside, and forcing difficult attempts when they do.
The Riders rank third in points in the paint with 40.18 per outing, and will look to counteract Bristol’s interior defence to establish themselves inside. They can open up the rim from distance, however, with their second ranked 37.74% shooting from three.
Bristol have not prevented the three at the same rate as the layup this season, allowing their opponents to shoot 35.8% from distance.
The Riders, with their sharpshooting quartet of Miryne Thomas, TJ Lall, Teddy Allen and Conner Washington who are each shooting over 40% from deep this season, will hope to continue their hot form from three to get points on the board.
Setting the tempo
The game may feature a tug of war between two sides who play at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Bristol plays a slow paced, half court brand of offence for the majority of their possessions. They play at the second slowest pace of any team in the League at 76.85, compared to the Riders who lead all teams at 80.61.
The Riders continually want to get out and run in transition, using their speed and vision to push the pace and get easy looks at the rim.
In the halfcourt, they take shots early in the shot clock to maximise the amount of possessions they have in the game.
Meanwhile the Flyers slow the tempo and grind down the shot clock, taking their shots deep into the clock through patient play.
Both sides will look to establish the game at their tempo to take control of this matchup.
Riders Media - 1st March 2024
Gallery: Leicester Riders vs Cheshire Phoenix
Pictures from last night’s 101-93 win against Cheshire Phoenix…
Riders Media - 1st March 2024
Championship Preview: Leicester Riders vs Oaklands Wolves
Leicester Riders return to Championship action, taking on Oaklands Wolves at Loughborough University.
Here’s how the game is shaping up…
Fixture information
Leicester Riders vs Oaklands Wolves
Loughborough University Netball Centre
Saturday, March 2, 6 pm
5 on the bounce
The Riders enter this fixture having won their last five games, catching fire in the mid point of the Women’s British Basketball League Championship season.
A winning weekend last week brought their record on the season to 11-2, good for second in the standings behind the undefeated London Lions.
The weekend saw Leicester beat the Newcastle Eagles 90-75 at Mattioli Arena, before hitting the road to beat the Manchester Giants 92-67. All of the Riders wins on this streak have come by over 20 points, and they fire through games and climb the standings.
Star guard Taylor O’Brien has led the team through the stretch. She has led the scoring in the last three, and averaged 27 points over the last two. And the team has continued to assert themselves on the boards, led by Rayven Peeples who has logged a double double in four of the last five.
The Riders return home to take on the Wolves, who they last played in the second game of the season.
Contrasting form
In contrast to the Riders’ hot form, the Wolves enter this matchup looking to avoid making it five losses in the row. They have lost the last four by 20, and will look to turn their form around in Loughborough.
Their last game was a 61-90 loss at home to the third-placed Caledonia Gladiators. They were outrebounded 23-53 by the visitors, so the Wolves will need to crash the glass to get a result against the Riders, who lead the League in offensive rebounding.
Oaklands are typically solid in that department, pulling down 24.7 defensive rebounds per game, good for sixth in the League.
Amy West leads them in rebounding with 6.9 per game, but missed a Gladiators game after a collision with a teammate in pregame warmups, which sidelined her with a head injury. Should she return to action against the Riders, she’ll be in for a battle at the rim with Peeples.
Key matchup
Topping the Wolves scoring charts this season is American guard Caterrion Thompson, who is averaging 16.2 points per game on the season so far.
Thompson’s play this season should come as no surprise for those who have followed her career. She arrives in Oaklands having led the scoring for Finnish side Forssain, averaging 18.1 points per game.
The Ohio-born guard started out her college career at Bowling Green, where she remained until her Junior year. As a Redshirt Junior, Thompson ranked second on her team in scoring with 13.7 points per game and averaged 5.3 rebounds.
In her final college season with Mississippi State, Thompson averaged 8.1 points and 3.1 rebounds, leading the team in 3-point shooting percentage with 41%.
Tasked with the role of going toe-to-toe with Thompson is fellow American O’Brien. O’Brien, who also leads her team in scoring this season, is capable of going bucket for bucket with anyone in the League, as she demonstrated over her last two games.
The rookie signed to the Riders from Florida State, averaging 6.7 points for the Seminoles last season.
She spent four years prior at Bucknell University, leading the team in scoring for two straight seasons and earning a place on the All-Patriot League First team for 2021 and 2022. The Pennsylvania native averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in her final season with the Bison.
Expect a battle in the backcourt between these two scoring guards.
Riders Media - 29th February 2024
Mckenzie Johnston named 2024 British Basketball League All-Star
Leicester Riders captain Mckenzie Johnston has been named to the 2024 British Basketball League All-Star team.
Team South Head Coach, Stella Kaltisdou, picked Johnston as one of her six reserves to suit up at the Copper Box Arena on March 24.
This comes after Riders guard Sam Ashby was named an All-Star starter a week ago.
The full All-Star teams are as follows:
| Position | North | South |
| Guard | Georgia Anderson (c)- Manchester Giants | Shanice Beckford-Norton- London Lions |
| Guard | Georgia Gayle- Sheffield Hatters | Sam Ashby- Leicester Riders |
| Forward | Harriet Ittewill-Soulsby- Durham Palatinates | Allison Day- Oaklands Wolves |
| Forward | Emma Eichmeyer- Sheffield Hatters | Temi Fagbenle- London Lions |
| Centre | Kirsty Brown– Caledonia Gladiators | Megan Gustafson- London Lions |
| Reserve | Lakan James- Caledonia Gladiators | McKenzie Johnston- Leicester Riders |
| Reserve | Madison Washington- Sheffield Hatters | Haylee Saurette- Cardiff Met Archers |
| Reserve | Myah Pace- Manchester Giants | Mari Stewart- Nottingham Wildcats |
| Reserve | Ariadna Pujol- Caledonia Gladiators | Caterrion Thompson- Oaklands Wolves |
| Reserve | Janika Griffith Wallace- Durham Palatinates | Kat Tudor- Essex Rebels |
| Savannah Wilkinson- London Lions |
You can get tickets to see your Riders at the All-Star game here!
Riders Media - 29th February 2024
Scouting Report: Cheshire Phoenix
Leicester Riders take on the British Basketball League’s only undefeated team in 2024, the Cheshire Phoenix, in their next Championship fixture.
The Phoenix have proved too much to overcome for every opponent this calendar year, including the League leading London Lions who they bested in the Trophy final.
Here have been the keys to their success…
Running the Fastbreak
Cheshire plays fast, with willing runners going coast to coast in transition at the highest rate of any team in the British basketball League.
The Phoenix lead the League in fast break points with 18.97 per game, and get their opportunities on the break often by topping the points from turnovers charts with 16.77 per game
Their ability to get buckets in transition stems from their ball pressure on the defensive end, where they rank first in steals with 8.53.
Trophy Final MVP Laquincy Rideau has been key to getting the Phoenix on the run. The American point guard is first among all players in steals this season with 3.1 per game in his first season in the British Basketball League.
He also leads the League in assists with 6.8 per game, pushing the pace in transition and dishing off to his teammates on the run for easy buckets.
Good shot selection and hustle in transition will be key to keeping Cheshire in the halfcourt in this one, and prevent easy baskets on the break.
Offensive rebounding
As well as getting easy looks on the break, the Phoenix crash the glass for second chance points to generate their offence.
Cheshire ranks second, behind the Bristol Flyers, in offensive rebounding with 13.57 per game, leading to a League-high 11.80 second chance points per game.
Front court pairing Ethan Chargois and Arryn Rai lead the effort on the glass, grabbing 2.5 and 2.4 offensive rebounds per game respectively. They both rank in the top 10 among all players in that department, their two pronged attack making it difficult to box out from missed Phoenix shots.
The Riders have multiple players willing to do the work on the glass, from the League’s leading scorer Teddy Allen who pulls down a team-high 6.7 boards per game, to the Riders’ depth at the big position of Mo Walker, Sam Idowu and Duke Shelton who all take pride in their rebounding efforts.
With the Phoenix shooting at a 45.55 % rate on the season- third best of all teams- the Riders cannot afford to give them second looks at the hoop.
Points in the paint
Cheshire’s speed in transition, offensive rebounding and halfcourt approach means they rank second in the League in points in the paint. The Phoenix score 39.73 points in the paint per game, led by stars who relentlessly attack the hoop.
Arryn Rai has been key to the offensive playstyle. The new acquisition from the NBL in the offseason is the team’s leading scorer and a top five scorer in the League with 18.3 points per game.
Rai attempts 8.2 shots from within the arc per game, connecting on 62.2% of his looks in close.
This ranks third in the League of those who have taken over 100 shots. Rai’s aggressive drives to the rim opens up shots for teammates and draws fouls on opponents, highlighting the emphasis on the Riders being able to contest without fouling.
The Riders have bodies to throw at Rai in the paint, but staying in front of the talented wing may be key to preventing a big scoring night. Cutting off Rai’s drives to the rim will be tasked with the Riders premier perimeter defenders, who are in for an intense night to limit Rai’s effectiveness.
We need you there!
The team need your help to get over the line in this one!
Get tickets here to get behind your Riders!
Riders Media - 25th February 2024
Report: Riders cruise to victory in Manchester
Leicester Riders won their fifth game on the bounce with a road victory against Manchester Giants.
In her third straight 20 point outing, Taylor O’Brien led the team with 25 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 30 minutes.
Rayven Peeples continued her dominance on the glass, which has spanned all season, with a monster 15 points and 17 rebounds on the game.
The Riders led from the opening quarter, and controlled the game throughout. Led by Peeples, they outrebounded the Giants 62-28 in the game.
Brooklynn Mcalear-Fanus led the Giants with 20 in the host’s defeat. Manchester shot well from three, hitting 40% of their attempts, but couldn’t keep Leicester off the glass throughout.
The Riders endured a slow start, falling in a 5-0 hole before O’Brien’s three from the top of the arc took the lid off the basket for the visitors. Marsissa Hamilton, following a 5/5 night from three on Friday, followed her up with a triple of her own, giving the Riders the lead in a quick swing.
The threes settled the Riders down, and they took control of the first quarter. They established the paint, led by six points from Rayven Peeples, and led the first 26-17 after a relentless attack of the rim throughout the period.
O’Brien took over the start to the second with 5 quick points, making her points tally 12 with seven minutes left in the half. Young star Erin Powell also put five on the board to bring her total to seven, and Leicester extended their lead.
O’Brien’s hot first half meant the Riders won the second period 23-15. Peeples bossed the boards with 10 rebounds at the half, contributing to 10 offensive rebounds for the team as they owned the inside. The score was 49-32 at halftime- the Riders in control.
Sam Ashby got the second half underway with a three to set the tone in the third quarter. The sides exchanged buckets, but the Riders held their opponents 20 points away.
The Giants did chip into their deficit with four minutes left in the third, as Idil Turk hit back-to-back from deep to make it a 14 point difference. But Peeples got work out of the resulting timeout, making a tough bucket at the rim in response.
They went 8-0 started by Peeple’s bucket, before the quarter was ended by another Turk three to make it 70-51.
Boasting a big lead, the Riders saw the game out professionally. Ashby, Peeples and O’Brien shouldered the scoring load, and Leicester won the fourth 22-16 to improve their record to 11-2.
Riders Media - 9th February 2024
Report: Riders take the win against Plymouth
A superb fourth quarter by the Riders fired them to a 102-81 British Basketball League Championship victory over the Plymouth City Patriots.
The contest was much closer than the final score suggests as Rob Paternostro’s squad were made to work hard by a determined Patriots side, who remain at the foot of the championship standings.
The home side dropped 33 points in the final ten minutes, heating up from three-point range to finish the game with a decent 37% from deep.
Led by captain Kimbal Mackenzie (who had a quiet scoring game with six points but distributed 11 assists), the Riders played excellent team basketball, ending the night boasting 24 dishes.
There were several solid performances, but Teddy ‘Buckets’ Allen and Samuel Idowu stole the show, making 45 points between them with Idowu putting up yet another double-double.
Athletic big man Miryne Thomas also had a good game, especially from beyond the arc, draining a hot four from five on his way to 19 points, scoring 14 in the final quarter.
Paul James’ Patriots side showed plenty of positive flashes throughout the game and won on the offensive glass, pulling down 18 to the Riders’ seven.
Star man Jacob Wiley hit 22 and the speedy TJ Atwood scored 17, but the visitors were crippled by poor accuracy from the free throw line, hitting just 58% from the line.
An aggressive start to the game by the Riders saw a swell of scoring early on, started by Allen with a silky-smooth reverse layup. Mo Walker then hit an ‘and one’ play after a lovely dish from Mackenzie and – following a transition three from ‘Buckets’ – Leicester had seven points in two minutes.
The Riders were working hard to utilize their size inside, but the Patriots did a good job of keeping pace, showing fast hands-on defence and tenacity on the offensive boards, totalling ten offensive rebounds in the first half.
It wasn’t long before the familiar sight of a scoring run from Idowu had the home supporters cheering, the bench big man dropping an impressive 11 points in seven first-half minutes.
The power forward was dominant on both sides of the arc, hitting turnaround jumpers in close and stretching the floor with pick-and-slide splashes from deep.
The game then entered a somewhat messy period as both sides engaged in numerous scrambles below the rim.
Leicester kept a small lead going into the second quarter, narrowed down to three points following a Wiley fast break dunk.
The opening minutes of the second were dictated by the visitors, who demonstrated excellent team basketball to ride a 13-0 scoring run.
Danger-man Wiley was starting to heat up, showing his skills in close with powerful finishes and accurate jump shots.
The Riders had to stop the bleeding, and a typically impassioned timeout from Paternostro did the trick, prompting Allen to start the mini comeback with an acrobatic, falling layup while under heavy pressure.
TJ Lall followed suit with a tricky finish of his own, and when Jaren Holmes slammed home a breakaway dunk following a nice steal, the Riders were back level.
The teams went bucket-for-bucket as the half drew to a close, but increased defensive pressure exerted by the home side caused Plymouth to cool down, allowing the Riders to edge ahead.
Duke Shelton threw his weight around in the paint to earn multiple trips to the line, and after a clutch corner three by Lall, Leicester found themselves five points in front, a leading margin they maintained to go into the locker rooms 48-43 to the good.
The second 20 couldn’t have started any differently than the first as both teams struggled to get into an offensive rhythm, perpetuated by a rare Mackenzie turnover.
Holmes didn’t get the memo though, hitting a pair of backdoor layups to keep the Riders ahead by five, answered by a buzzer-beating fadeaway by shooting guard Cameron Copeland.
A quiet phase of missed shots and fouling followed, ended by a stop and splash three from Thomas which sparked Idowu into action again.
The big American matched Thomas’ deep ball before finishing a nasty Holmes alley-oop with a one-handed jam.
Back came the Patriots again, Wiley hitting four quick points including a monstrous alley-oop slam.
Four points from Mackenzie – his first of the night – ended the third quarter, giving his side a 69-64 lead going into the final stanza and with everything to play for.
The Riders began the fourth perfectly, relaxing the Mattioli Arena with four quick points to make it a nine-point ball game.
Atwood’s first trey of the game was matched by Thomas, and Leicester looked in good shape for another home win.
Lall soon put a punctuation mark on the ever-growing lead, dropping a corner three despite being fouled for a spectacular four-point play.
The Riders were now taking over the game, Thomas dropping a heat-check triple which preceded ‘Buckets’ Allen’s 23rd point of the night.
Paternostro’s squad were flowing, and despite some splash plays from the visitors, they rode the double-digit lead for the final two minutes to send the Riders’ faithful home happy.
Riders Media - 5th February 2024
Teddy Allen named to British Basketball League Team of the Week
Teddy Allen has been named to the British Basketball Team of the Week for his performance in the Leicester Riders’ victory against Surrey Scorchers.
In the Riders’ 104-84 win, Allen scored a game-high 20 points, led all players with a +/- of 20, and finished the game with 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Allen is the League’s leading scorer, putting up 23 points per game in Championship action.
This is the American guard’s fourth appearance on the Team of the Week, and a month of dominance in December earned him the Player of the Month award.
Teddy is back in action for the Riders on Friday, as the team hosts the Plymouth City Patriots.
Riders Media - 31st January 2024
Mid-season Recap: Reviewing the Leicester Riders’ British Basketball League Championship season so far
After taking a break from Championship action for the British Basketball League Trophy in January, Leicester Riders return to League action on Saturday to take on the Surrey Scorchers on the road.
Here, we bring you back up to speed with the Championship season so far…
The State of Play
The Riders sit seventh in the standings with a 10-11 record, battling to get over .500 to set up the rest of their season.
Having played the same number of games as the second-placed Caledonia Gladiators, they find themselves just three wins behind and are ready to make a run up the table.
It’s a tightly packed midfield in this season’s British Basketball League Championship. Only three wins separate second and seventh, and six wins separate second from ninth, allowing for movement up and down the table as the teams fight for playoff seeding.
| Position | Team | Wins | Losses | Games Back |
| 1 | London Lions | 22 | 3 | – |
| 2 | Caledonia Gladiators | 13 | 8 | 7 |
| 3 | Cheshire Phoenix | 12 | 8 | 7.5 |
| 4 | Newcastle Eagles | 11 | 9 | 8.5 |
| 5 | Sheffield Sharks | 11 | 10 | 9 |
| 6 | Bristol Flyers | 11 | 11 | 9.5 |
| 7 | Leicester Riders | 10 | 11 | 10 |
| 8 | Surrey Scorchers | 7 | 14 | 13 |
| 9 | Manchester Giants | 7 | 16 | 14 |
| 10 | Plymouth City Patriots | 3 | 17 | 16.5 |
The Riders, in good form in the League of late, will look to benefit from that movement.
Last time out
The Riders went 4-1 to close out the year, heating up going into their Trophy run. They scored over 80 points in each of those games and finished 2023 with a dominant win against the Sheffield Sharks.
It was a 103-75 victory, led by Teddy Allen and Miryne Thomas, who scored 25 and 22 points, respectively. The Riders had four double-digit scorers, Jaren Holmes having the biggest positive effect on the team, leading the game with a +/- of 32.
Leicester exploded from three, shooting 51.9% from behind the arc, and held the Sharks to 28% deep shooting on the other end.
The three-point accuracy has been a trend for the Riders all season long.
The numbers
In all phases of the game, the Riders are among the elite in the British Basketball League with their shooting efficiency.
They lead all teams in three-point percentage (38.9%), and are second in field goal percentage (46.9%) and free-throw percentage (77.1%). This has led to 88.9 points per game, which is third in the League.
After a solid Trophy campaign defensively, where the Riders ranked second in defensive rating, they will look to lock into that side of the ball as the Championship resumes.
They’ve struggled in that department so far, giving up the second most points per game with 87 a night, but the additions of Duke Shelton and Teddy Allen have helped in that regard, allowing the Riders to defend the rim and pull down defensive boards more effectively.
Should they maintain their offensive efficiency while showing more resistance on the other end as they did throughout January, Leicester will put themselves in good stead in the later months of the season.
Want to see the Riders in action?
Get tickets to our next home game against Plymouth City Patriots!
Riders Media - 23rd January 2024
Rob Paternostro previews the British Basketball League Trophy Final Four
The Riders are set to take on the Final Four in the British Basketball League Trophy this weekend.
For Head Coach Rob Paternostro, it will be his sixth trip to Birmingham at the Riders’ reins as he goes for his 18th piece of League silverware with the club.
He reflected on his team’s journey through the competition so far, and previewed Leicester’s clash with the Phoenix on Saturday.
Building momentum
To punch their ticket to Birmingham, the Riders faced off against their historic rivals, the Newcastle Eagles, in a win-or-go-home scenario. The Riders controlled the game on the road against the Eagles, coming out 101-85 victors.
The result saw the Riders through with a 3-1 record, winning both of their home games against the Manchester Giants and Bristol Flyers before getting it done in the North East.
“We played some good basketball on both ends of the floor,” said Paternsotro, looking back at the team’s performances throughout the group phase.
“We took care of our home games, which was very important, and we showed a real toughness to go on the road in a win-or-go-home game and win by such a big margin in Newcastle.
“We felt really good about our team going into the game. With the additions of Teddy and Duke, we feel like we’re in a great position.
“We have confidence, we’ve been having great weeks in practice, and we can see the work we’ve been putting in on the court in games. It was an impressive win to be in control like that.”
The Riders made waves midseason with the acquisition of CEBL MVP Teddy Allen and experienced forward Duke Shelton to their roster.
The midseason moves have had a significant impact on the team.
“Our rebounding has certainly picked up, and both of those guys have really helped in that regard. Teddy’s size and energy from the wing have helped us close possessions, and adding Duke means we feel like we have more options to play bigger if needed.
“Looking at this roster, we have a lot of guys now that are locked in and alert.
“That has improved from the beginning of the season until now, and it’s vital when you come into any important game. We have to have a group that’s aware of what the team is doing defensively.”
Impact players
It’s no secret to anyone following the team that the impact of Allen on this Riders roster has been immeasurable. He led the Trophy in scoring throughout the group phase and has given the team confidence going onto the court with an elite scoring threat.
Riders captain Kimbal Mackenzie attested to this:
“Of course, the thing that stands out with Teddy is his ability to score, but above that has provided us with an extra layer of confidence and swagger.
“He’s given our team the confidence to go on the road in a game like Newcastle, knowing we have him on our side. He’s a winner. It’s simple to say, but he cares about winning. You can tell throughout the week at practice- he always wants to play more, and he works hard on both ends.”
Paternostro seconded his skipper, speaking on what having another All-Star talent on the roster has added to the team:
“Before Teddy arrived, we were already beginning to put together some smart, intelligent play, but he’s given us an X-Factor that can do so much.
“His scoring has been tremendous. It’s given the group confidence knowing they have a guy who can make plays like that. But he’s also helped us in a lot of ways that people haven’t talked about.
“His physicality from the wing, his rebounding and his ability to find the ball are all things that we’ve been looking for before he arrived, and he’s been someone that can explode and take your team to another level.”
TJ’s Trophy Performances
Beyond Teddy, the Riders have difference-makers up and down the roster. A player that has particularly impressed since he landed in Leicester is Canadian forward TJ Lall.
“TJ has been fantastic in this competition, and he’s been a really good player for us all year. He’s one of the most underrated players in the league.
“He can impact the game in many ways on both ends of the floor, cover multiple positions defensively, and his athleticism is valuable, but offensively, he has shown an ability to score and shoot efficiently and to create as well.
“We’ve been very happy to have him playing for us. He’s been vital. He’s a hard worker- he’s there early and late in practice- and he wants to be in big games.
“Going forward, the sky is the limit for him. When you combine his skills with his willingness to guard anyone, you’re looking at a player who is going to have a bright career.”
Back to Birmingham
Paternostro returns to Birmingham for the sixth time as head coach. He played for the Birmingham Bullets in the British Basketball League for two stints between 2000 and 2004. It’s a city of great sentiment for him.
“I love it there. It’s always been a great place to play. I’ve been in this country a long time and played so many memorable games there, coaching and playing.”
The all-new Trophy format sees the Final Four fight it out over the weekend, bringing the Riders to Birmingham with the reigning champions Caledonia Gladiators, as well as the Cheshire Phoenix and London Lions.
“The exciting part about this weekend is that it’s four teams and four sets of fans coming to the Arena on Saturday. Having a lot of British Basketball League fans around the city is going to make a great environment for British basketball.”
Facing the Phoenix
The Riders will take on the Cheshire Phoenix on Saturday, who have already bested them three times this season.
Paternostro said that keeping them in the halfcourt is a big key to success in this one.
“We can’t allow easy baskets. We have to take away easy runouts and layups, offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities. We have to make it tough for them to get good looks.
“In these types of games, it’s important to limit offensive opportunities, and if you do that, you put yourself in a good position to win.”
Cheshire are one of the stories of the season, sitting a win behind second in the British Basketball League Championship standings. They reached the final of the Trophy last season but fell on the buzzer to David Sloan’s corner three.
The Riders will look to prevent them from making it back-to-back Finals appearances for the Phoenix.
“They’re really good in the open floor- they’ve scored the most in transition of any team season. They’ve done a good job of getting second-chance opportunities. That’s going to be vital to stop.
“When we’ve been able to limit those against anyone, we’ve been successful this year.”
These games, in these environments, are the types of matchups that the best players thrive in. Paternostro called out to his team to enjoy the occasion.
“There’s a lot of good players in this game, so it should be a really good event for everyone involved. We’ve got to enjoy it. These are the games we play for, and you have to have a group that enjoys the challenge and is fired up to play well on the day.”
Want to be a part of the atmosphere, and join the Sea of Red in Birmingham?
Riders Media - 17th January 2024
Riders vs Eagles: The season series so far
The Riders face off in a win-or-go-home matchup against the Newcastle Eagles on Friday, the victor progressing to the Final Four in the British Basketball League Trophy.
The sides have shared centre stage in some of the biggest battles in British basketball history over the last decade and once again meet with the stakes at their highest.
READ MORE: Riders vs Eagles: The History
Every Riders-Eagles fixture has been a battle so far this year, the Riders winning the season series so far 2-1.
Here’s how the teams have matched up…
Game 1- Newcastle Eagles 85-92 Leicester Riders
The teams first went face-to-face this season in the North East, and the Riders game out winners in the clutch.
It was a one-score game with 1:25 remaining, after Malcolm Delpeche got to the hoop and laid in a finish.
From there, it was a Riders onslaught on the free throw line, kicked off by Jaren Holmes’ and-one in transition. Kimbal Mackenzie finished it off from the stripe, making both attempts to seal a hard-earned win.
Miryne Thomas impressed throughout with his interior presence, going off for 17 points and 7 rebounds in a Player of the Game performance. He was backed by Mackenzie’s 16, as the captain went 8-10 from the free throw line.
Game 2- Newcastle Eagles 95-90 Leicester Riders
The Eagles had a chance to get back later that month and won in a war. Heated exchanges lasted throughout, seeing Newcastle’s star forward Tajh Green ejected from the game, but a 31-point explosion from Rickey McGill saw them win in a game that was contested wire-to-wire once again.
McGill went 6-10 from three, the Riders with no answer to his hot hand.
It was a one-possession game within the final two minutes after Miryne Thomas threw down a slam to cut the game to three. But this time it was Newcastle who finished strong, McGill scoring six down the stretch to win it for the hosts.
Thomas impressed again, putting up 22 point and 10 rebound double-double. But ultimately, Leicester were outgunned from deep, the Eagles shooting 54% from behind the arc and tying the season series at 1-1.
Game 3- Leicester Riders 111-88 Newcastle Eagles
Back in their own building, the Riders made a statement with a commanding win at the Morningside Arena.
Jaren Holmes went off for 28 points and 5 rebounds, going 4-5 from three in the win. The Riders were down 10 in the first quarter, but a dominant third saw them turn a close game at the half to a 20 point lead.
Vote for Jaren for the 2024 British Basketball League All-Star game!
Holmes scored 13 on the run, and the Riders won the period 36-19 to burst out to a dominant lead.
Mackenzie put up another 16 in the game, matching up well against the Newcastle backcourt to go 5-8 from the field. It was Leicester’s turn to shoot the light out, led by Holmes, going 57% from three-point range.
Game 4- Win or go home
We’re back in Newcastle for our fourth meeting, in the most significant meeting between the sides so far this season.
Should the Riders secure their second win in Newcastle, they’ll have booked their place against the winner of Group A in the Utilita Arena, Birmingham.
The Riders’ roster has been revamped since the last meeting, with new signings Teddy Allen and Duke Shelton looking to face the Eagles for the first time.
Watch the clash live on Friday, on the British Basketball League’s YouTube channel!
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Riders Media - 10th January 2024
British Basketball League Launches All-Star Game Voting for North vs South Clash
The British Basketball League have unveiled the much-anticipated launch of the All-Star voting platform, providing fans with a unique opportunity to shape the Men’s and Women’s lineups for the star-studded event taking place at the Copper Box Arena in London on March 17, 2024.
The All-Star Games will see the best of the best from the British Basketball League come together for one day only in a North v South showdown. It’s an event where rivals become teammates and fans can witness their favourite players battling together (and against each other) on the court.
Power to the fans
From today, fans can visit the All-Star voting webpage and pick their favourites for the North v South teams starting fives. They can select one centre, two forwards and two guards per team, and there is no limit on how many players from one club can be picked in the starting five.
Voting closes on February 15 at 7:00pm (GMT), and the players with the most votes will be selected to start in their respective teams.
The battle of North v South
With 10 Men’s teams and 11 Women’s teams across the UK, the North v South rivalry will be greater than ever on March 17. The split of teams is as follows:
Men
North: Caledonia Gladiators, Cheshire Phoenix, Manchester Giants, Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles, B. Braun Sheffield Sharks.
South: Bristol Flyers, Leicester Riders, London Lions, Plymouth City Patriots, Surrey Scorchers.
Women
North: Caledonia Gladiators, Durham Palatinates, Manchester Giants, Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles, B. Braun Sheffield Hatters.
South: Cardiff Met Archers, Essex Rebels, Leicester Riders, London Lions, Nottingham Wildcats, Oaklands Wolves.
How to vote:
- Visit britishbasketballleague.com/all-star-vote-2024 to vote for your Men’s starting fives, and visit wbbl.org.uk/all-star-vote-2024 to vote for your Women’s starting fives.
- Choose your favourite players for both North and South teams using the interactive court.
- Download your selected teams and share on social media to rally support.
Taking the lead
The two top-performing North and South coaches in the League will be chosen as the head coaches for each team. These coaches will have the responsibility of selecting the reserves next month, with one selected from every team.
The All-Star voting allows fans to seize the opportunity to make their voices heard and gives them the power to have their favourite players grace the court on March 17, in what will be a momentous day in British basketball.
For more information about the All-Star Game, visit britishbasketballleague.com.
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Riders Media - 8th January 2024
Teddy Allen named in British Basketball League Team of the Week
Riders guard Teddy Allen has been named to the British Basketball League Team of the Week following his opening two Trophy performances.
On Friday against the Bristol Flyers, Allen led the Riders to a 95-74 win with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists- his second 30-point outing since signing with the team in mid-December.
He followed this up on Sunday with a game-high 21 points on the road to the London Lions, as the team fell short in the capital.
This comes fresh off the Phoenix native being named British Basketball League Player of the Month for December after he averaged 23.8 points and 5.5 rebounds over his first four Riders games.
He returns to action on Wednesday when the Riders take on the Manchester Giants at home, hoping to improve to 2-1 in Group B.
Riders Media - 7th January 2024
Riders revisited: Reliving 2001 NTL National Cup Final
“Cinderella no more, champions today,” exclaimed Head Coach Billy Mims, after securing the Leicester Riders their first silverware in major competitions in 30 years.
23 years and 19 trophies later, the Riders’ 2001 NTL National Cup Final victory remains sweet in the memory of the fans who witnessed it.
To those who didn’t, it marks the first addition to a now stacked trophy cabinet, representing the renowned success of Britain’s oldest professional basketball club.
We take you back to the game, to reflect on the historic win.
Image credit: Mansoor Ahmed
20 years of “nearly”.
In the decades preceding the National Cup win, the Riders’ story was one of agonising near-misses.
They reached their first major final in 1980, falling short to a dominant Solent Stars. That was the theme for the Riders: They repeatedly came close, but never quite got the silverware.
They reached the Cup final in 1990, hoping to break their duck, but once again couldn’t get over the hump with an 88-81 loss to Sunderland.
The Riders followed up with a loss in the Trophy final in ’91, this time a heartbreaking three-point loss to Kingston – at the time, the closest Final in the competition’s history.
They had to wait until ‘half a decade for another shot at glory, this time reaching the British Basketball League Cup final.
But a cruel twist of fate saw star man Gene Waldron break his leg, and so too went Riders’ chances of winning. Thames Valley edged the Final by four points.
So entering Wembley Arena in 2001, Riders fans would have been forgiven for guarding their optimism cautiously, following 20 years of heartbreak in the biggest games.
Riders run to the final
The Riders entered the turn of the millennia with a fresh start. They returned to the place of their founding, Loughborough, to play their home fixtures at the Sir David Wallace Centre, and immediately found success.
Their run through the National Cup saw them push aside the Teesside Mohawks 100-102, fight through an overtime win against the Birmingham Bullets, and beat the Thames Valley Tigers 95-85 at the Sky Dome in Coventry.
Head Coach Billy Mims, who was appointed after his departure from the London Leopards, hoped a change of finals fortune could get them over the hump.
He was set to face his former club in the final, making the match-up all the more personal.
This was emphasised by the Leopards, who led by former Leicester coach Bob Donewald, refused to take part in the pre-game handshake.
The game became “about the bigger picture” from there, said Mims.
Down early
Despite Leicester starting the brightest, racking up 14 unanswered points in the first quarter to lead 24-11, London’s answer showed shades of the narrow shortcomings that had tortured the club for the past 20 years.
London, haunted by their own ghosts of finals past following defeat in the Cup Final a year prior, exploded going into halftime. A 10-1 run made it 45-38, the Riders surrendering a lead after a bright start.
In desperate need of some momentum going into the break, Ralph Blalock drained a three for the Riders, stemming the tide and cutting the deficit to a reasonable four points at halftime.
But the Leapords still held the advantage.
Fighting to the wire
The Riders’ Larry Johnson, also competing against his old club, ran the show in the third quarter.
He pulled the strings throughout, leading them to a 9-0 run to end the period and snatch back the lead.
The score swung back and forth until the finale. Blalock, heating up, inspired a 7-0 Leicester burst. The Leopard fought back with nine unanswered points, putting them ahead 78-81.
Johnson responded with a three-pointer in the corner to level again, the score 81-81 with seconds remaining.
Coming in clutch
The Riders turned to the hot hand to take a late advantage. Blalock drove to the rim, laying in a crucial bucket for his game-high 26th points of the affair.
The Leopards missed a crucial foul shot on the following play, and Karl Brown went to the line to take the most important free throw of his career.
He knocked down a crucial point, and London failed to get a shot off to tie or win, as the Riders secured the first major trophy in their history, winning 84-82.
The players, staff and fans erupted in the Sheffield Arena, and decades of anguish were released. The Riders had brought their first major silverware home.
Blalock was named Final MVP after his game leading, and game-winning, performance.
Riders scorers
| Player | Points |
| Ralph Blalock | 26 |
| Larry Johnson | 21 |
| Billy Singleton (c) | 12 |
| Malcolm Leak | 10 |
| Purnell Perry | 9 |
| Karl Brown | 6 |
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Riders Media - 6th January 2024
December Dominance: How Teddy Allen won Player of the Month
Teddy Allen has been named the British Basketball League Player of the Month for December following an explosion on the British basketball scene.
The American guard and reigning CEBL MVP did so after signing to the club three games into the month, dominating his first four games in Riders red to win the award.
Dazzling Debut
Allen hit the ground running with the Riders, leading the team to a win against the Caledonia Gladiators with the highest-scoring debut since 2016.
He scored 32 points, and a late dagger three to win it in the clutch. Allen finished the game with 6 rebounds and 3 assists in 28 minutes off the bench.
“I had to keep my mind and my body right through the last few months, and for that I thank God, but there’s definitely more to come from me,” said Allen after the game.
“My legs felt better than I thought they would. I’m a hooper, so it feels good to be playing in front of people again.”
Buckets by name, buckets by nature
Teddy “Buckets” scoring went unmatched through December. He averaged 23.8 points over the four games, including two 20-point game and a 30-point performance on his debut.
Allen is the League’s best-ranked bucket-getter early in his Riders tenure. He’s carried his hot form from the CEBL where he set the single-game regular season and postseason scoring records this summer.
His scoring ability generated much-needed offensive firepower to the Riders’ roster, and his gravitational pull on the court opened up space for his teammates to succeed.
Turning fortunes
Arriving to the team with a 7-10 record, Allen helped the Riders back to winning ways since his first appearance.
Leicester went 3-1 with Allen on court, taking victories against the Manchester Giants, Sheffield Sharks and Gladiators to bring their record to 10-11.
With the newly revamped British Basketball League Trophy in full swing, the Riders will look to translate their recent performance to make a run at the silverware.
Want to see the Riders in Trophy action?
Get tickets to our final January home game against Manchester Giants on Wednesday, January 10!
Riders Media - 27th December 2023
Teddy Allen makes second straight British Basketball League Team of the Week
Riders guard Teddy Allen has been named to the British Basketball League Team of the Week for the second week running.
His 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals in the Riders’ 86-73 win against Manchester Giants earned him the honours.
Allen has enjoyed a dream start to Leicester life, his two games so far both earning him a place on the team after putting up 32 points and six rebounds on his debut.
He returns to action on December 28 to take on the Bristol Flyers.
Riders Media - 23rd December 2023
Report: Riders take road win against Giants
The Riders gave their fans an early reason to celebrate the holiday period with a confident 86-73 win over the Manchester Giants in round 15 of the British Basketball League Championship.
Teddy Allen continued his dream start to Leicester life with his second game-leading scoring performance, following up his 32-point debut with 21 points and six rebounds on the road.
Leicester forced tough shots and double-teamed the Giants’ key weapons down low, resulting in a low 22% three-point percentage and 22 turnovers.
The Riders, led by Allen and Kimbal Mackenzie, shot more accurately from deep and from the foul line – 48 of the away team’s points coming in those areas.
Coach Rob Paternostro will also be pleased with how his team spread the scoring; Allen’s 21 points backed up by three other Riders hitting double-digits.
Mackenzie and quick forward Miryne Thomas dropped 16 points each, while TJ Lall scored 11 hard-earned points on his way to a plus/minus of 17.
Quick hands from Allen saw him add to his scoring totals with five steals, Thomas and bench big man Samuel Idowu getting in on the act with four and three takeaways, respectively.
Speedy shooting guard Evan Walshe top scored for the home squad with 18 points from the bench, as star duo Jamell Anderson and Nick Lewis had quiet nights by their standards, contributing 15 points each.
Tonight’s victory for Leicester sees them take back-to-back wins heading into Christmas, improving their record on the season to 9-10 and pushing them within touching distance of the top four.
The game started in disjointed fashion, with both teams committing early turnovers but also failing to capitalise on opposition mistakes.
A Thomas two-handed dunk – something that is becoming a familiar sight to Leicester supporters – opened the Riders’ account, but offensive play remained muted in the opening five minutes.
Paternostro soon introduced new star Allen to the Manchester crowd and his impact was felt immediately, the 32-point debutant bringing impetus and focus when on the ball.
The shooting guard’s presence also opened space on the floor for his teammates, allowing captain Mackenzie to stroke home the Riders’ first three-pointer and workhorse Lall to score two with a nice finger roll.
A couple of buckets from downtown kept Manchester in touch, but seven first-quarter fouls gave the Riders plenty of opportunities at the free-throw line.
The opening ten minutes predictably finished with a score from ‘Buckets’ Allen, who hit high off the glass to give the Riders a narrow, one-score lead.
After a short break, the teams entered the court for the second quarter and – after a surprisingly subdued opening stanza – the scoring began to accelerate.
Buckets from former Riders Anderson and Walshe were answered by a smooth Allen three-ball, and with the Riders’ continuing to force fouls, the contest became a back-and-forth affair.
It continued in that fashion until the final minute of the half, which saw Leicester ride the momentum of a clutch Jaren Holmes trey to build an eight-point halftime lead.
Solid play on the defensive side of the ball – including a huge block by the athletic Thomas – gave Lall a chance to finish at the rim and saw Allen (12 first-half points) stroke home another triple.
More good defence from Thomas stunted the Giants’ attempt at a final first-half bucket, and the teams entered the locker rooms with the score at 41-33 in favour of the Riders.
The second 20 minutes began with a quickfire six points from the home team, Legend Robertin and Anderson entertaining the crowd with some spectacular plays.
The Riders soon stopped the bleeding, though, Holmes hitting a pair of important free throws followed by a run of five points from Mackenzie that stretched the lead to double-digits.
Leicester’s defence also started to clamp down, forcing the Giants into the low post to meet a defensive wall of Mo Walker and Idowu.
Dangerman Anderson couldn’t beat the consistent double-team, and Manchester were struggling on 43 points deep into the half.
An eye-catching alley-oop from Austin Lawton gave the home crowd something to celebrate, but once more, a deep three from Lall staunched any thoughts of a Giants run.
The Riders continued to pour on the points to end the quarter with pretty three-balls from Allen and Mackenzie, and Blake Bowman showed some shifty footwork down low to hit a nice layup.
Key Manchester man Anderson finally began to make his mark on the game during the opening minutes of the first quarter, but a tricky finish by Holmes and yet another silky triple from Allen saw the Riders boasting a 16-point lead.
As the clock wore down, the Riders were helped by clutch scoring from Mackenzie and their 79% free throw shooting, negating Manchester’s attempt to set pulses racing with a Walshe-led comeback.
A final layup from Thomas ended the game, giving the Riders a deserved win.
Leicester is back in action on December 28, hosting the Bristol Flyers as they look to get back to a .500 record.
Riders Media - 21st December 2023
Championship Preview: Riders at Giants
Saturday night gives the Riders a chance to give fans an early present for the holidays with a win in Round 15 of the British Basketball League Championship.
Coach Rob Paternostro’s squad travel northwest to face the Manchester Giants, who sit eighth in the standings with a record of six wins and thirteen losses.
Fixture Information
Leicester Riders at Manchester Giants
National Basketball Performance Centre, Belle Vue Sports Village, Manchester
Saturday, December 23, 5:00pm
A New Star
Since the Riders’ impressive 96-90 victory over the Caledonia Gladiators last weekend, all the talk and excitement has been focused on the performance of new signing, Teddy ‘Buckets’ Allen.
Making his British basketball debut, the 6’6” combo guard set fire to the Morningside pine, dropping 32 points – including five buckets from three-point range – pulling down six rebounds, laying on three assists and finishing the game with a plus/minus of ten.
Allen showed confidence from deep, aggression when finishing at the rim and an uncanny ability to slice to the basket with finesse and style.
Despite a three-month gap between his British Basketball League debut and MVP season in the CEBL, ‘Buckets’ came ready to put on a show and to live up to the extensive hype surrounding him.
The Arizonan’s influence also impacted the play of his teammates, most notably Kimbal Mackenzie and experienced big man Samuel Idowu.
The Riders’ captain had one of his best shooting displays of the season – hitting 19 points at a FG% of 63 – and Idowu controlled the low post, scoring 14 points and building a game-high plus/minus of 11.
Now, for Allen and the Riders’ squad, it’s about riding the wave of momentum into 2024 and finishing Championship play on top before the Trophy competition commences.
That starts with Manchester.
Struggling for Consistency
November 17 saw Brian Semonian’s Giants’ squad score an impressive road victory in Bristol – just Manchester’s third of the season – and it looked like they would turn a corner.
In the ensuing weeks, the Giants’ play has improved, however they have been unable to put consecutive wins together, alternating wins and losses in the last eight games.
Most of Manchester’s problems have come on the defensive side of the court as they currently sit last in points conceded per game and defensive rating at 91.1 points allowed and 114 defensive rating.
The Riders have been one of the better offensive teams in the League, and – with the introduction of Allen – away supporters should expect plenty of points to fall.
Manchester can put up big numbers of their own though, with weapons like the free-scoring Jamell Anderson and long-range sniper Nick Lewis leading the scoring charts.
The deadly duo collectively contributes over 30 points per night for the home team and the Riders need to be constantly aware of their positions on the court.
Rangy guard Lewis particularly catches the eye, putting up six deep balls a game as one of the most prolific three-point shooters In the BBL.
Preventing the Canadian from getting hot must be a priority for Paternostro.
Key Players
There are a number of exciting matchups to look forward to across the court, but perhaps the most fun contest will be between rookie Rider Jaren Holmes and former Rider Evan Walshe.
Walshe is a speedy guard that can finish athletically around the rim and is dangerous on the fast break.
Riders’ fans will know how effective the Brit can be at bringing energy off the bench and changing the game with attacking intent and positivity.
After impressing with the Surrey Scorchers, the guard spent two seasons with Leicester before joining the Giants this season, currently dropping nearly ten points per game in his new home.
Much like his opponent, Holmes predicates his game on speed and athleticism, often with a show of strength thrown in for good measure.
The wing player – who is as effective beyond the arc as he is near the rim – has been ever-present for the Riders this season, scoring 13.6 points per game including a high of 28 against the Eagles.
Holmes has been knocking on the door of a 20-point performance during December, and with the Giants’ defensive record, look for the former Iowa State star to hit that mark on Saturday.
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Riders Media - 21st December 2023
British Basketball League to introduce first-ever Hall of Fame to honour outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the League
First inductees to be named at British Basketball League’s prestigious All-Star Game in March.
The British Basketball League are excited to announce the launch of the League’s first-ever Hall of Fame, which will honour and recognise individuals from all eras of the Men’s and Women’s Leagues who have made a significant contribution to the sport in the UK.
The first inductees into the Hall of Fame are set to be announced alongside the return of the highly anticipated All-Star Game which takes place at London’s Copper Box Arena on Sunday March 17 2024.
Five individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Fame from the following five categories, in line with similar organisations across world basketball:
- Men’s Players
- Women’s Players
- Coaches
- Officials (Referees, Table Officials, Statisticians)
- Services to the League (i.e. volunteers, photographers, videographers, team managers, general managers, members of the community etc.)
Inductees will be selected and nominated by a selection committee consisting of Club-elected Directors, alongside a representative from the League Office and two invited members of the media.
Each member of the selection committee would be entitled to three nominations per category. The selection committee will then meet to discuss the nominations as a group and finalise the inductees for the upcoming class.
For the first class of inductees, which will be announced in March 2024, one nomination in each category will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, meaning five total inductees.
Future classes would see five new inductees into the Hall, but these would simply be the five nominations most worthy of induction in the eyes of the selection committee.
The League’s Hall of Fame will initially take pride of place on the League website, and as the League continues to grow over the coming years, plans are in place to have a physical Hall of Fame space at the League office in addition to online.
Speaking on the launch of British Basketball League’s Hall of Fame, Chief Executive Officer Aaron Radin said:
“We’re proud to launch the British Basketball League Hall of Fame, which will enable us to honour and give recognition to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the League and the growth of the sport.
“So many people have played a significant role in growing British basketball throughout the years, so it’s great to have a permanent feature for us to continually celebrate new members each year.
“We’re excited to see the first generation of inductees announced at this season’s All-Star Game on 17 March in London. This addition to the weekend will add to what is already set to be a special occasion to showcase and celebrate the talent in the Men’s and Women’s Leagues.”
To buy tickets to the British Basketball League’s All-Star Game and for more information visit https://www.britishbasketballleague.com/2024allstars/
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Riders Media - 19th December 2023
“The whole experience has been surreal!”- Seth Wylie on playing with the pros
This summer, Seth Wylie joined the Loughborough Riders, stepping into the NBL D1.
Three months later, he competed against the British Basketball League-leading London Lions and scored his first points in professional basketball.
“Coach Rob [Paternostro] looked down the bench and pointed in my direction, and I didn’t want to wait for him to change his mind!” said Wylie, reflecting on the build-up to his first minutes in Riders red.
“I wasn’t even sure if he was pointing at me. I just took my tracksuit off and ran down to the scorers’ table. It was all a blur.
“All I was thinking coming into the game was: ‘I have to play good defence!’ I was looking around and saw Luke Nelson, who played for GB, and I was hoping Conner [Washington] would pick him up! But he told me to guard him, and I wasn’t going to argue!”
Practice makes perfect
Wylie was called up to the Riders’ game-day roster for the first time as the team prepared for the clash against the Lions. In a sliding doors moment, it took him catching fire in his first Riders practice to get the nod.
“I took part in practice a week before with the first team to make up numbers, and I had a great day. We were running as the scout team ahead of a game against Manchester, and I hit a bunch of threes from the corner.
“Everything that released from my fingers was going in! I remember Kimbal [Mackenzie] saying: ‘he’s on fire. We’ve got to stop him!’. That boosted my confidence even more, and my shots kept going in. The next week, a day before the London game, I was called up to the team.”
Life at Loughborough
The University’s association with the Riders is an attractive concept for anybody joining Loughborough basketball.
Players such as Washington and Jamell Anderson have paved the way for British basketball player development pathways, leading to long and successful professional careers.
“Loughborough has been a blessing to me. The facilities blew me away as soon as I got here. The facilities and education at the University are better than what I would get in a lot of places in America, which is great to see.
“I was happy just playing for Loughborough when I arrived. In the back of my mind, I thought it would be nice to play for Leicester if I had the opportunity, but in my head that was years down the line. But here I am!”
First pro points
Here he is. Wylie checked into the game against London with 1:48 to go, and found the ball in his hands open in the corner.
“By the time the ball was in my hands, I was in the zone. I think it had to be that way for the shot to go in. I wasn’t thinking, which was the main thing.
“Before the game, the guys were really supportive. Kimbal said to me, ‘if you get it, shoot it,’ so I shot it!”
The opportunity to practice with the first team and be in a professional environment isn’t lost on Wylie, who is trying to learn every possible lesson from the experience.
At only 20 years old, he remembers watching the players in the stands in his home city of London as he was growing up.
“I used to watch Conner play against the Lions at the Copper Box, and now I’m playing with him! Now, it’s a blessing to be able to learn from them. If I could play like anybody on this team in the future, it would be Conner Washington.
“My goal is to soak up the experience and knowledge. Everything happens so quickly at that level, so it’s about slowing the game down in my head, putting it into terms I can understand and learning from them.”
In addition to the players, Wylie has benefitted from coaching at the highest level from Loughborough Head Coach Will Maynard and Riders Head Coach Paternostro.
“I’ve gained so much confidence from my coaches. Having them believe in me and put me in games that even I wouldn’t have put me in is the first step for me.
“Hearing their reasoning behind everything they do has opened up a whole new level of understanding. The whole experience has been surreal!”
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Riders Media - 15th December 2023
Report: Riders win a battle against Gladiators
The Riders won a hard-fought battle against the Caledonia Gladiators 96-90, led by Teddy Allen’s emphatic debut.
Allen scored 32 points in his first appearance in Riders red, putting on a show in the clutch. Teddy “Buckets” went 5-7 from three and 10-19 from the field to explode on the British Basketball scene.
It was a tightly contested game throughout, the Riders coming back from a double-digit deficit in the third to win it late. They won the fourth 27-17 to secure the win.
Allen was backed by his captain, as Kimbal Mackenzie went off for 19 points, including 11 in the opening period to get the game underway. Sam Idowu also found success, working with his teammate’s elite guard play to score 14.
The Riders cooked from three, shooting 50% from deep in the game and going 33-66 from the field in an efficient shooting display. They overcame the League’s third-placed team to bounce back from recent losses, improving to 8-10.
For Caledonia, Ian Dubose went off for 22 and seven assists to lead the team. They came close to a second win against the Riders this season, but it was Leicester who got it done in the clutch this time around.
The Riders hit the ground running with a hot start, as TJ Lall and Mackenzie combined for the game’s first five points. Mackenzie scored 11 to start the game, the captain exploding early.
Caledonia quickly clicked into gear. Led by Prince Onwas who scored seven points, they climbed back into the game and made it a back-and-forth encounter. Former Rider Patrick Whelan ended the first with four points to make it 25-18 to the visitors.
Allen opened his Riders account with a layup to start the second quarter. But it was New York native Idowu who got to work down low to chip into the deficit, throwing down the highlight of the night with an explosive two-handed slam over Lukas Palyza.
Allen caught fire midway through the second, connecting with his first three as a Rider before hitting at the foul line to cut the game to one.
The debutant scored 14 in the second quarter to burst onto the scene at the Morningside Arena, the Gladiators finding no answer for Allen as he attacked the rim relentlessly.
But Caledonia, led by 12 from Onwas, led 51-47 after the first half of action. They went on a 6-3 run in the final minute to build their narrow lead.
The Gladiators were the better team to start the second half, building their lead to double digits with a 9-2 start after Palyza’s three.
The Riders cut into the deficit with Allen checking back into the affair. He lit up the Arena with a four-point play with three minutes left in the quarter, before Jaren Holmes put away a tough finish inside to make it a seven-point difference.
Idowu scored back-to-back baskets, including a breakaway jam to lift the roof off the building as the Riders continued to roll. Holmes cut it to a possession with an and-one to cap off an 11-2 run.
Idowu tied it up at 73 to start the final period of play, setting up an intense finale. The sides exchanged baskets through the opening stages, but it was 81-81 by the media timeout with 4:21 left.
The Riders continued to pour in buckets. Allen dropped Moore Jr with a stepback, draining his fourth three of the night following the ankle breaker, before Idowu hit a putback layup to take a late lead.
Allen continued his emphatic display, draining a three for his 29th points with 1:11 on the clock to make it a five-point Leicester lead. Holmes followed up his new teammate with a triple of his own to seal it.
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Get tickets to our next home game against Bristol Flyers on December 28!
Riders Media - 13th December 2023
Championship Preview: Riders vs Gladiators
Round 14 of the British Basketball League Championship sees the Riders tip-off against the 11-5 Caledonia Gladiators.
Friday night is the first time the Morningside Arena will see the Gladiators this season, as Rob Paternostro’s squad look to notch their eighth championship win.
Fixture Information
Leicester Riders vs Caledonia Gladiators
Morningside Arena, Leicester
Friday, December 15, 7:45pm
Allen to Make Debut
The most enticing feature of this week’s contest is the much-anticipated debut of Canadian Elite Basketball MVP, Teddy Allen.
Riders’ supporters will – for the first time – be witness to the skills of the Canadian league’s best player as he comes off a season averaging 27.6 points per game, eight rebounds per game and 1.7 steals per game.
The former Winnipeg Sea Bears guard had a record-breaking year for his team and should provide a significant offensive figurehead to Paternostro’s roster.
Allen – tall for a guard at 6’6” – brings an insatiable appetite for points, especially from beyond the arc, leading the CEBL in three-pointers made.
Leicester currently sit middle of the pack in three-pointers attempted per game with an average of nearly 25. Expect that number to take a leap on Friday night and potentially for the remainder of the season.
The Phoenix-native is also efficient from deep, hitting 72 triples at a clip of 36.5%, which will only add to the Riders’ already high accuracy from downtown.
Leicester’s defence has improved markedly in the last few weeks. With the introduction of an offensive anomaly like Allen, fans can expect scoring numbers to improve too – starting with the tilt against the Gladiators.
On a High
This week’s visitors are currently experiencing a terrific run of form.
Coach Gareth Murray’s team are riding the momentum of a four-game winning streak, and it will take a good performance from Leicester to slow them down.
Three of those four victories were against the other teams in the BBL’s top four, illustrating the high level the Gladiators are reaching.
Murray likes his team to be a defensive wall inside the paint and to aggressively attack the basket to draw fouls on the other end.
Teams that struggle to shoot from distance find it particularly difficult to put up points on the Gladiators, who are the best in the British Basketball League at blocking shots (4.1 per game) and hustle hard on the defensive glass. They pull down 29.5 defensive rebounds each night, greatly limiting second chances.
Offensively, the regularity at which Caledonia make it to the free-throw line masks a 44.3 field goal percentage that sits in the bottom half of the league.
The Glads do possess some good shooters – primarily former Rider Patrick Whelan – but if the home side can avoid committing fouls and force contested shots, they have a chance to severely limit Caledonia’s scoring total.
Coupled with the efficient outside shooting of the Riders, it appears Paternostro’s squad match up favourably with Friday’s opponents.
Key Matchup
The back-and-forth between Teddy ‘Buckets’ and Whelan will be an entertaining watch, but the key matchup could well come down to a couple of experienced big men: Mo Walker and Fahro Alihodzic.
Alihodzic is an imposing centre who has plied his services all over the world, spending time in the United States, Argentina, Kosovo, Greece and here in Britain.
The 6’10” Bosnian-Brit will bring a good inside touch and rebounding strength, particularly on the defensive board.
Alihodzic currently averages 11 points per game, just over six rebounds per game and has notched a double-double on a couple of occasions this season.
A 19-point performance against Plymouth in November showed his offensive threat, but Riders’ defensive lynchpin Walker will be a tricky puzzle to solve.
The Riders’ stalwart has seen increased minutes over the past month, and his quality of play has taken a leap.
#9 may is an excellent inside link player on offense and focal point on defence.
By clogging up the paint, Walker provides space and opportunities for Leicester’s primary weapons, and his deftness of touch has seen him record assists in eight of his last 10 games.
If the Canadian-born Brit can lock up his opposite man while providing an outlet for the offense, the Riders should enjoy a lot of success on Friday night.
Riders Media - 9th December 2023
Taylor O’Brien named Women’s British Basketball League Player of the Month
Leicester Riders guard Taylor O’Brien has been voted as the Women’s British Basketball League Player of the Month for her performances throughout November.
The American rookie averaged 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 61.7% shooting from the field, going 2-0 over the two games in the month of action.
Her highest-scoring performance came against the Cardiff Met Archers on November 18, where she put up 26 points and six rebounds in the Riders’ resounding win.
Riders Media - 1st December 2023
Report: Riders fall to Lions
A spirited performance from Rob Paternostro’s Riders wasn’t enough to overcome a clinical London Lions team, who left the Morningside Arena with an 89-79 victory in the British Basketball League Championship.
Tonight’s defeat was Leicester’s second of the season to the league leaders, dropping their record to 7-8.
Most of the Riders’ success came from beyond the arc where they shot at a 44% clip, largely due to the play of second-unit point guard, Conner Washington. The experienced sharpshooter hit five treys to lead the team with 15 points from the bench.
Washington was ably supported by fellow bench guard Sesan Russell, the new man dropping 13 points after an action-packed second half.
A number of Lions played their part, but big man Conor Morgan was the pick, top-scoring with 19 points after a near-perfect display of shooting, going 87% from the floor.
The opening minutes saw the visitors gain ascendency with clean, incisive play. Early buckets from key men Conor and Matt Morgan gave the Lions an early six-point lead and with the Riders struggling at 1-7 from the field, London looked in charge.
However, industrious play from TJ Lall and a red-hot Washington brought the home side back into the game and got the home fans on their feet.
Lall – who is becoming increasingly important for the Riders with each game – was effective on both ends of the court, making chase down blocks and using his strength to work to the foul line.
Three-ball specialist Washington was the star of the first quarter, knocking down three deep balls, including a catch-and-shoot attempt from a different postcode.
The fast-paced quarter sped to an end, with the scores at 20-20 and Leicester showing plenty of fight.
The second ten minutes began with London turning the heat up on the Riders. Clean jump shots coupled with telescopic offensive rebounding by Josh Sharma pushed the Lions out to their second six-point lead of the night.
The Riders’ effort was present on both ends of the court, but the clean looks they were producing were hitting rim rather than net. Captain Kimbal Mackenzie was all over the court, combining four first-half points with five boards and three assists, but even he couldn’t hold back London’s onslaught.
Getting to the foul line seemingly at will, the Lions opened a commanding double-digit lead, and with the likes of Sam Dekker heating up from the outside, Paternostro’s squad would need to play tough basketball in the second half.
Another picturesque three from Washington and an emphatic fast-break dunk by Miryne Thomas showed that toughness, but the Lions went into the half with a 52-36 lead.
The start of the second 20 was the story of Jaren Holmes versus the Lions. The Riders’ most prolific scorer had the bit between his teeth, draining a pair of threes and slamming home a breakaway dunk to bring the home side back into the game.
Lall continued to hustle hard and Russell’s chemistry with Samuel Idowu was yielding points, but the league leaders managed the contest well, keeping the Riders in a double-digit deficit.
The final stanza started in jubilant fashion for the Riders, Russell and Victor Ndoukou stringing triples before Mackenzie followed suit. When Russell splashed from distance once more, the deficit was down to single figures and the Riders looked to be on a charge.
More deep balls in the final minutes from Washington and Division One prospect Seth Wylie drew cheers from the Riders’ faithful, but more efficient play from London down the stretch gave them the win.
Want to see the Riders in action?
Get tickets to our next home game against Caledonia Gladiators!
Riders Media - 1st December 2023
British Basketball League Nets Deal With Most-Watched U.S. Regional Sports Broadcaster, the YES Network
The British Basketball League has announced its programming partnership with the YES Network, the most-watched regional sports network in the United States and the exclusive regional television home of the 27-time World Champions New York Yankees, the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty.
As part of this collaboration, the YES Network’s Emmy Award-winning YES App will stream two live British Basketball League games per week each Thursday and Friday starting at 2:30 pm ET, with the Riders clash with the London Lions today at 7:45 GMT.
The games will be available on the YES App to subscribers in YES’ regional footprint, which includes all of New York State and Connecticut, northern and central New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania. The network has been the most-watched regional sports network in the country for 18 of the past 20 years.
In addition to the two games streamed weekly, fans can enjoy replays of select games on the YES Network’s linear channel Thursday or Friday in primetime. The British Basketball League’s brand-new UNBEATABLE magazine show will also air on the YES Network and the YES App.
YES App subscribers will be able to watch homegrown talent play across the pond, including Samuel Idowu and Rob Paternostro of the Riders.
The YES App is accessible via yesnetwork.com/info/watch-yes-network and through devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Google TV and Samsung-connected TVs, and on mobile.
British Basketball League Chief Executive Officer, Aaron Radin, said:“We’re very excited about our partnership with the YES Network, the most-watched regional sports network in the US, to bring our League into the homes of the New York tri-state area. This announcement marks a major milestone for our League, signifying our continuing growth and ambitions.
“We are committed to delivering high-quality sports entertainment to the YES Network’s viewers to build an audience with new overseas fans.”
The following Riders games have been selected for coverage on the YES Network (subject to change).
- Friday, December 01, 2023: Leicester Riders vs. London Lions
- Friday, December 15, 2023: Leicester Riders vs. Caledonia Gladiators
- Friday, January 19, 2024: Newcastle Eagles vs. Leicester Riders
Want to see the Riders in action?
Riders Media - 30th November 2023
Leicester Riders join forces with Trophies Plus Medals as Official Trophy Partner
Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce their partnership with Trophies Plus Medals as the club’s official trophy supplier.
Trophies Plus Medals are the UK’s leading wholesale supplier of trophies and awards, offering a diverse range of sports trophies manufactured to the highest standards.
This partnership will allow the club to celebrate the many successes of its players, from the first team to its academy, encapsulating their triumphs through Trophies Plus Medals’ first-class products.
They will supply trophies for the Wok 68 Player of the Game Award for Leicester Riders home games and the Leicester Foundation with awards for their academy programmes.
Leicester Riders season ticket holders can now enjoy 10% off at TrophiesPlusMedals.
Trophies Plus Medals Director Ashley Sinclair commented: “As the UK’s fastest & largest supplier of trophies, medals and awards, we are thrilled to be teaming up with the Leicester Riders as their official trophy partner.
“It is hugely important to us to partner with a local organisation that promotes, engages, and develops the sport not only at a professional level but also in the community. We are proud and excited to support the Leicester Riders and look forward to building a strong relationship together.”
Leicester Riders Head of Commercial Tracey Hallam added: “We are thrilled to welcome Trophies Plus Medals to the Leicester Riders family. This exciting partnership promises tremendous benefits for both our club and the community through the Leicester Riders Foundation and its academy programmes.
“At the Riders, we are in continual pursuit of excellence on and off the court. Our partnership with Trophies Plus Medals enables us to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our first team and academy players, allowing them to showcase their achievements proudly in their trophy cabinets.”
The all-new Wok 68 Player of the Game award will be presented to the Riders’ Player of the Game following their clash against London Lions on December 1.
Want to join the Riders family? Contact [email protected], or read our corporate brochure for more information.
Riders Media - 30th November 2023
Championship Preview: Riders vs Lions
The Riders begin December basketball on Friday night by welcoming the London Lions to the Morningside Arena in Round 12 of the British Basketball League Championship.
It will be the second meeting between the two sides, the first a high-scoring 102-95 victory for the league leaders.
Fixture Information
Leicester Riders vs London Lions
Morningside Arena, Leicester
Friday, December 1, 7:45pm
Back on Track
After a tricky run of results and significant changes in personnel, the 7-7 Riders jumped back to winning ways with a 94-79 defeat of the Manchester Giants.
Coach Rob Paternostro’s team completely outplayed their opponents, most pleasingly restricting Manchester to just less than 80 points.
A commanding first-quarter lead and accuracy from three-point range – led by the experienced Connor Washington – made the difference. Washington went four of seven from deep, leading the bench with 14 points in a show of effective ‘shoot first’ point guard play.
The starters also had impressive nights, most notably the versatile TJ Lall, who ended the game just shy of a 16-point double-double.
The Lions should be a much stiffer test and, as the Riders’ faithful discovered in early November, have game-winners throughout their roster.
However, a packed European schedule has forced London to manage playing time and the 102-80 loss to a surging Newcastle shows potential vulnerability in the BBL Championship.
There’s no doubt that the Lions will bring their best to Leicester come Friday, but on the back of a refreshing victory over the Giants, the Riders may well replicate the feat of the Eagles.
Conquering Europe
The championship leaders may have an eight-point advantage in the British Basketball League with a 14-2 record, but it is their performance in Europe which demonstrates the quality of this roster.
The Lions are 7-2 in EuroCup play and sit second in Group A having beaten top European competition at home and on the road.
Star players like Matt Morgan and Donte Grantham have elevated London to a new level this season, but last Thursday’s loss in the Copper Box to Newcastle shows that teams can rise to meet them.
The Eagles hurt the Lions with their guard play. Jordan Johnson and Larry Austin Jr both having impressive nights, scoring 25 and 14 points respectively.
Austin Jr backed up his scoring with seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. The Riders have players who can fill the stat sheet like Austin. It will be needed on Friday.
London also suffered at the hands of bench shooter Josh Ward-Hibbert, who drained five three balls at a high clip. Riders’ fans should look for rangy big man Samuel Idowu, or the deadly accurate Washington to provide points in bunches from the second unit.
Morgan, his namesake Conor Morgan, Grantham and Gabe Olaseni all troubled Leicester in the previous clash between these two teams.
Continuing the three-ball shooting accuracy from the win over Manchester and restricting these four to limited points could be the recipe to hand London their third domestic loss of the season.
Key Matchup
The crucial battle on Friday may develop between two players who do everything well – the previously mentioned TJ Lall and Conor Morgan.
Morgan, a 6’9” Irish Canadian forward, came to the UK this season with a fine pedigree after seasons spent in the top tiers of Spain, Poland and Turkey.
The big man has shown that he can do it all in the League, mixing his offensive output up with smooth skills inside and an ability to shoot efficiently from beyond the arc.
Among forwards, Morgan has one of the best jump shots in the league and is often the outlet after the Lions drive into the lane, demonstrated by eight contests scoring double-digit points.
The former Joventut player has also shown hustle around the rim and an eye for an assist in his 13 games with the Lions.
Lall may not have the height of his counterpart – standing at 6’7” – but he makes up for it with physicality and sheer determination.
The Canadian, a former first-overall pick in the CEBL draft, predicates his game on hard work on both sides of the court.
Due to minor injury, Lall has only suited up 10 times for the Riders this season, but each time he has taken to the court, opposition players and fans alike can feel his impact.
The forward’s best game came last week versus the Giants with 16 points and eight rebounds. As Lall earns more minutes, expect those numbers to become a regularity.
Riders Media - 27th November 2023
Riders Head of Commerical Tracey Hallam raises £1625 for Leicester Hospital’s Charity
Leicester Riders Head of Commerical Tracey Hallam raised £1625 for Leicester Hospital’s Charity in their Boss Breakout event!
The event, hosted in Leicester Highcross, saw Tracey, among other Leicester business leaders, use her business skills to raise money for the purchase of 12 fold-away hospital beds.
The aim of each of the participants was to raise £1000, leaning on their business connections to encourage donations. Tracey comfortably achieved this total and more, thanks to the generosity of the Riders family.
The beds will serve an essential purpose, allowing parents to stay overnight with their children during their hospital stays. This invaluable support aims to ease the burden on families when faced with the challenging circumstances of having a child in hospital.
Your contributions will make a meaningful difference in the lives of families who find themselves in the difficult situation of having a child in the hospital.
Thank you for your help in supporting this cause.
Riders Media - 25th November 2023
Report: Riders beat Wildcats in overtime
The Riders improved to 4-0 in the Women’s British Basketball League Championship, taking an 83-75 overtime home win against the Nottingham Wildcats.
Taylor O’Brien led the team with her second straight 20-point performance, leading the game with 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists. She was backed by an 18-point double-double from Sam Ashby, who grabbed 10 rebounds in a red-hot overtime performance.
The so-far winless Wildcats put up a heroic fight against the table-topping Riders, pushing them all the way after a hot start. 22 from Jessica Wayne led the team, as the visitors shot 44% from three to come close to an upset win.
Starting off 6-0, Nottingham took an early surprise lead led by seven from 6’3” center Brooke Bjelko. The Riders shot 27% from the field in the first but trailed only by a possession after Elise Tweeidie’s free throw to end the quarter.
The visitors stretched their lead in the second, making it double-digits thanks to a layup inside from American Wayne. Leicester’s two for 13 shooting from deep dug their first half hole, but Taylor O’Brien found form to end the second quarter to keep the hosts in touch.
O’Brien had four points and a steal in the final two minutes to bring her game tally to nine, and making the score 28-39 going into the locker rooms.
She continued her dominance in the third, scoring 11 in the quarter as the Riders attempted to chip into the deficit. Driving inside, her and-one play cut it to a four-point game with two minutes left.
Charnwood graduate Katie Januszewska got on the scoreboard to follow up her teammates, scoring five quick points and snatching the lead for the first time since the opening quarter. The Riders held the Wildcats to a scoreless final seven minutes of the third to lead by four with one to play.
Shahd Abboud, upon her return from injury, led the Riders out the gate in the fourth with two quick buckets. They stamped their authority in the final period of play, building a solid foundation to see the game out from. Abboud hit a three with four minutes gone to make it an eight-point Leicester lead.
Nottingham hit big shots throughout to keep it competitive, and cut it to a one-point game after a three from Wayne with 1:45 left to play. After a back-and-forth exchange, Mari Stewart drained another triple which tied it up with nine seconds remaining.
Ashby couldn’t connect on the would-be game-winner, and the tie went to overtime.
She took over the overtime period with back-to-back threes to amend for the miss, building a two-possession lead for the Riders to defend. The GB international’s second triple with 2:30 to go proved to be the final score before the fixture became a free-throw-shooting affair.
Jessica Eadsforth-Yates and Ashby hit their foul shots to end the game, winning it in overtime.
The Riders are back in action next week, hitting the road to take on last season’s quadruple-winning London Lions on Sunday.
Riders Media - 24th November 2023
Riders sign Russell
Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce the signing of Sesan Russell for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
The 6’1” British guard comes off the back of a four-year collegiate career for Florida Tech University in the NCAA Division II. He averaged 18.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.3 rebounds as a senior, leading the nation in his assists total.
Russell has been a member of the Riders family since 2015, joining Charnwood College at the age of 16. He went on to play for the Loughborough Riders until 2018 and represented Great Britain for the under-18s and under-20s.
He helped Charnwood to an EABL North Division title, earning EABL North Player of the Year and EABL First Team selection in 2018, and lifted the NBL Division 1 title with Loughborough Riders.
Head Coach Rob Paternostro commented: “Sesan is a guy that we know well. He came through our academy and saw some time on our bench during that time, so he understands the club and what it takes to be a Rider.
“He brings a combination of scoring and passing, and he was excellent at Florida Tech. I know the coaches there were really impressed by him. He’s someone that can step in and make a real impact out there.”
Russell added: “It’s a pleasure to be back with the Riders. Thank you to Coach Rob and Russell for the opportunity, and I’m looking forward to getting out there with the team.”
The Riders are back in action tomorrow, taking on the Manchester Giants at home.
Riders Media - 21st November 2023
Caleb Asberry and Xavier Pinson depart from Riders
Leicester Riders officially announce the departure of Xavier Pinson and Caleb Asberry from their 2023/24 roster.
Following conversations with both players, the club have decided to move in a different direction from the American duo.
Riders would like to wish all the best to Xavier and Caleb in the future careers.
Stay tuned for more announcements and updates about the roster, which will be coming this week.
Riders Media - 21st November 2023
Riders duo named to Team of the Week!
Riders duo of Taylor O’Brien and Rayven Peeples were named to the Women’s British Basketball League Team of the Week!
The Riders took a 110-64 road win against the Cardiff Met Archers, and the American pair showed out with a combined 45 points and 19 rebounds in the game.
O’Brien led the way with 26 points, six rebounds and three assists, finishing with a game-high +/- of 35.
She was backed by Peeples, who continued her league-leading dominance on the glass with 19 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 81% from the field.
It’s Peeples’ second nod for Team of the Week, following her week one 18 point double-double performance against Manchester Giants.
The Riders are back in action on Saturday, taking on Nottingham Wildcats at 4:30 pm at the Morningside Arena.
Tickets for the following Riders men’s game against Manchester Giants are also valid for the women’s game, so come down and get behind the team!
Riders Media - 17th November 2023
Report: Riders fall to Sharks
The Riders fell to the Sheffield Sharks 91-84 on the road.
It was an intensely fought battle from wire to wire, but the Riders could never grab the lead despite bringing their deficit back to a possession several times. Miryne Thomas led the team’s efforts with 21 points, backed by Jaren Holmes’ 16.
Devearl Ramsey went off for his season-high of 22 points for Sheffield, taking charge to hit key shots throughout to keep the Sharks narrowly ahead. They shot 52% from the field and 40% from three in a hot shooting night.
Turnovers ultimately cost the Riders, who gave the ball away 15 times to the Sharks’ 10. They couldn’t get it going from deep either, hitting 23% from three against Sheffield’s sharpshooting clinic.
Starting for the first time this season, Mo Walker got to work from the tip, playing physically inside to establish the Riders’ offence in the paint. He and Thomas found success down low early, combining for 11 points by the first commercial timeout.
The Sharks led 21-20 after one, led by seven points from star scorer Jalon Pipkins who had his team up by as much as six in the quarter. But Samuel Idowu hit the Riders’ first three of the night to close the score by the buzzer.
The Sharks continued to lead from the front in the second, as big man Bennet Koch drew two and-one plays to rebuild the host’s lead.
Sheffield found success running the floor, as point guard Devearl Ramsey leaked out on the fast break to log 11 halftime points. Kimbal Mackenzie ran the Riders’ show off the bench to keep them in it, scoring eight in the second quarter, and made free throws to cut it to seven to end the half, the Riders still with work to do.
Thomas put the team on his shoulders out of the half to keep the team in it. He scored eight in five minutes, including two threes, responding to big Sharks plays to start the third.
The Riders clawed their way back into it, Jaren Holmes finding his range to spearhead the comeback, but the Sharks kept their noses in front by making timely threes throughout the period. Ramsey hit two of them, keeping up with Thomas’ scoring as the game approached its final stanza.
Representing the theme of the game so far, Leicester looked like they’d be entering the fourth within a possession after Mackenzie’s score inside. But Pipkins’ miraculous full-court heave went through to make it 68-62.
Sheffield exploded in the fourth, relentlessly hitting their deep ball to build their first double-digit lead of the tie.
Trailing in the turnover battle 15-7 midway through the period, the Riders found a way to force steals of their own to get back into the game. Holmes and Lall intercepted passes on back-to-back possessions to trigger fastbreaks, resulting in four important points.
But as was the case throughout, Leicester couldn’t get over the hump, Ramsey hitting shots in response to earn Sheffield the win.
The Riders are back in action next week, taking on the Manchester Giants at home on November 25.
Riders Media - 17th November 2023
Braelen Bridges departs from Riders
Leicester Riders announce the departure of Braelen Bridges from their 2023/24 roster.
The club have decided to part ways with the American center, who joined the Riders this past summer.
Riders would like to put on record their thanks and gratitude to Braelen for his efforts whilst in red, and wish him the best for his future endeavours.
Riders Media - 16th November 2023
Ted Lasso star Tom Hendryk to attend second Riders business club
Leicester Riders are set to build on the success of their relaunched Business Club with the second of three events this season on November 20, hosted by EverythingBranded.
The event, sponsored by 1284, will feature a Q&A with Ted Lasso star Tom Hendryk!
Hendryk, a Leicester native, plays goalkeeper Tom O’Brien in the hit Apple TV show. Guests will be invited to ask questions during a 30-minute talk with our special guest.
The club would like to thank its partners at 5or6 for their key role in arranging the Q&A with Tom.
Sponsors are invited to bring a senior figure from other businesses as guests, to showcase what sponsorship with the Riders can do for local organisations.
There has been increased interest this summer in Riders’ corporate packages. Player sponsorship has increased 50% year-on-year, the vast majority of last season’s corporate sponsors have renewed, and new businesses joining for first time include Better IT, Abel Alarm, 2XL Commercial Finance, and Griffin Fit.
Leicester Riders Chairman, Kevin Routledge, said: “We’ve been building our business offer over the summer following the arrival of Tracey Hallam as our commercial manager and our partnership with 1284.
“The support of our sponsors is crucial, not just for the Riders but also for our community foundation and the Arena itself.”
Loughborough-based 1284 provides award-winning B2B corporate communications to innovative public and private organisations in the East Midlands.
George Oliver, Managing Director of 1284, said: “We’ve been involved for a couple of years now and are really excited about getting more involved with the new-look Riders Business Club.”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Riders Media - 9th November 2023
Sam Ashby named to GB roster
Riders guard Sam Ashby has been named to the Great Britain 12-player roster for the upcoming EuroBasket Qualifiers.
This news comes after Ashby was called up for the pre-qualifiers training camp roster.
Great Britain will face Sweden tonight at the National Basketball Performance Centre, Manchester at 7:30 pm, and Estonia away on Sunday, November 12.
It will be the 22-year-old’s first international appearance for Great Britain.
Want to see Ashby in action?
Get tickets to our next home game against Nottingham Wildcats!
Riders Media - 28th October 2023
Rayven Peeples named to Team of the Week
Riders forward Rayven Peeples has been named to the Women’s British Basketball League Team of the Week following week one’s action.
Peeples was dominant in the team’s season opener, leading the Riders to a 92-65 win against Manchester Giants.
She put up 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and led the charge in the third quarter which saw the Riders blow the game open.
In week two, Peeples continued her dominance in the paint with her second straight double-double, going off for 11 points and 12 rebounds in the Riders’ win against Oaklands Wolves.
Riders Media - 26th October 2023
Report: Riders come back to beat Scorchers
The Riders took a comeback win against the Surrey Scorchers to improve to 5-3 in the British Basketball League Championship.
They were down by as much as 23 early, before a fightback starting at the end of the first half saw them come back and win the game.
Miryne Thomas led the team’s scoring for the second straight game, going off for 20 points and 11 rebounds and coming up with momentum-building plays throughout. As did his teammate Jaren Holmes, who scored seven straight to start the final quarter and steal the late momentum.
Surrey, led by Padiet Wang’s 18 points, six rebounds and five assists, started hot, forcing Leicester to dig themselves out of a hole and earn the win the hard way. Their last three fixtures will give them confidence going into the rest of the year, beating the Giants before playing the top two from last season close.
They came storming out the gate, getting out to a 9-1 lead after just two minutes. They found success in close, and Wang’s putback layup forced an early timeout from Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
The Scorchers’ hot shooting continued for the entirety of the first. Wang scored seven, digging the Riders a 28-12 hole to climb out of early.
They struggled to make inroads for much of the second quarter. Scorchers big man Saiquan Jamison dominated the paint through the first 20 to put up 13 points and three rebounds.
The Riders then fought back from 23 points down as the half came to a close, bringing it to within single digits after Kimbal Mackenzie’s free throws. Veteran guard Conner Washington lit the spark, consistently hitting tough shots to get Leicester back in it.
The score was 45-36 to the visitors, a manageable position for Leicester to mount a second-half comeback.
Coming out of the locker rooms, the Riders took the game by the reins and stormed back into the tie. They attacked the rim relentlessly, the surge led by Xavier Pinson, who cut the game to one score at the free throw line.
A pair of Thomas threes followed up Pinson’s play, taking the first Riders lead since their first score of the game. The Scorchers responded, and the sides engaged in a back-and-forth throughout the rest of the third.
Caleb Asberry heated up from three, making three in the quarter to lead the team in scoring going into the fourth. Two Riders scores in the final seconds saw them take the lead at the end of the quarter.
Leicester blew the game open in a strong final period. Jaren Holmes scored seven straight points to earn the Riders an advantage, the Riders making it a nine-point lead with five minutes remaining.
The Scorchers hit back with a pair of triples, making it a tense finish, but the hosts had enough to seal the win, making shots consistently at the free-throw line. Sam Idowu hit the final free throw to end the tie.
The Riders return to action on Sunday, taking on the Caledonia Gladiators on the road for the second game of a weekend doubleheader.
Want to see the Riders in action?
Get tickets to our next home fixture against Newcastle Eagles!
Riders Media - 25th October 2023
Championship Preview: Riders vs Scorchers
The Riders’ British Basketball League Championship game on Thursday night pits Rob Paternostro’s squad against the 1-6 Surrey Scorchers.
The Morningside Arena will host the Scorchers for the second time this season and Riders’ fans won’t need to cast their minds too far back to remember a 91-74 home victory on October 13.
Round seven brings a double-header for Leicester, who follow Thursday’s tilt with a trip to the home of the Caledonia Gladiators on October 29.
Fixture Information
Leicester Riders vs Surrey Scorchers
Morningside Arena, Leicester
Thursday, October 26, 7:45pm
Keeping Pace at the Top
The Riders currently occupy fifth place in a BBL Championship table that is tight throughout.
Coach Paternostro’s young squad sit just above .500 with a 4-3 record after tough northern road trips to Manchester and Newcastle.
In last Friday’s outing versus the Eagles, the Riders fell 95-90 in a hotly contested game.
Despite matching the Northeasterners on the boards and putting up solid offensive numbers, a sharpshooting performance by guard Rickey McGill (31 points including six three-pointers) proved to be the difference.
The Riders didn’t go down quietly, though, with Miryne Thomas and Xavier Pinson dropping 22 and 19 points respectively.
Thomas, capable of multiple spectacular plays per game, had his best statistical game in a Rider jersey, complementing his effective scoring with 10 rebounds to claim a well-earned double-double.
The 6’8” Ohio native has been a focal point for Leicester’s offense so far this season, whether that’s through slipping into space in the paint for a monster jam or fading out wide for the corner three.
The long power forward’s offensive production could prove the difference on Thursday night, especially against a Scorchers team that could struggle to go bucket-for-bucket with him if he hits at a high percentage.
Building on the First Win
The first chapter of the 2023/2024 season has been a difficult one for the Scorchers, but Lloyd Gardner’s squad now have a victory from which to build.
October 21 saw Surrey delight their home faithful with a comfortable 98-72 victory over a Manchester Giants team coming off two games in three days.
The Scorchers cooked from beyond the arc, hitting an impressive 20 three-pointers at a 50% clip.
Surrey pull the trigger more than any other team in the BBL, firing an average of 72 shots per game. If they can breach the net as often as they managed against Manchester, their 78.6 PPG will take a huge leap.
Accuracy and efficiency have been stumbling blocks all season, though. The Scorchers sit bottom of the league in FG% and second bottom in 3PT%.
They rebound the ball well, largely thanks to star centre Saiquan Jamison who tops the BBL with 11.4 RPG.
Riders’ fans should expect the Scorchers to manufacture plenty of chances to score. If they can score at an efficient rate, they could cause some problems.
Key Matchup
Thursday night’s box office battle will be one that comes off the bench, as experienced guards Justin Robinson and Riders’ Kimbal Mackenzie tussle for second-unit dominance.
Crafty veteran Robinson was a key factor in Surrey’s sole win, dropping a smooth 23 points on the Giants through efficiency all over the court.
Robinson held a masterclass in taking what the defence gives you, hitting 72% of his field goals including five buckets from downtown.
The long-time London Lion is currently averaging 11.6 PPG on 42% shooting from the bench.
Attempting to match Robinson’s impact on court will be Round five BBL ‘Team of the Week’ member, Mackenzie.
The Riders’ team leader has been as influential as ever this season, often hitting difficult shots around the rim and coming up clutch when the team needs him most.
An industrious 16-point game against the Eagles typified the qualities Mackenzie is bringing in his third year as a Rider, as he combines ruthless scoring with an eye for a pass.
The Canadian is second on the Riders in assists this season, dishing 4.7 assists per outing, which could give him the advantage in the matchup against Robinson.
The streak
The Riders currently possess a 39-game winning streak against the Scorchers, the longest active streak in the British Basketball League.
The streak dates back to November 11 2021. They have an opportunity to make it a round 40 in this one.
Riders Media - 23rd October 2023
Leicester Riders Student Night
Leicester Riders are offering an exclusive 45% student discount for Thursday’s game against Surrey Scorchers.
To get your discount, click here, then use the code RIDUNI in the “enter package code” option at the top of the page.
A valid student ID will be required upon entry to the Arena.
Come down and support your Leicester Riders!
Riders Media - 20th October 2023
Report: Riders fall to Eagles
A Friday night filled with high drama in the British Basketball League Championship saw the Riders fall 95-90 to the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles.
In a fiercely contested game, accurate shooting beyond the arc from the home team made the difference in the Vertu Motos Arena, helping them secure their first win in nearly a month.
The Riders drop to 4-3 on the season but can take heart from a spirited performance on the road.
High-flying forward Miryne Thomas had his best performance in a Riders uniform, dropping 22 points and pulling down 10 rebounds to earn his first BBL double-double.
The point guard tandem of Xavier Pinson and Kimbal Mackenzie also made a significant impression on the stat sheet, combining for 35 points and seven assists.
Pinson, who has been deadly accurate from deep this season, went five-for-seven from deep and remains near the top of the league for three-point percentage.
The Eagles’ best showing came from combo-guard Rickey McGill, who despite only hitting one three-pointer coming into the game, sunk six shots from downtown.
McGill totalled 31 points on the night and earned ‘Player of the Game’ honours.
In a sight that is becoming pleasingly familiar this season, scoring began with Thomas, who hit from deep after fine ball movement by the Riders.
The Eagles answered back quickly with an emphatic flush from Malcolm Delpeche, but a well-timed block by Braelen Bridges on the next defensive set sparked a 12-2 Riders run dominated by the three ball.
A second bucket from range from Thomas and back-to-back triples by Pinson saw the visitors hit four threes in four minutes, and with Jordan Johnson in foul trouble, the Riders looked comfortable.
Paternostro’s young squad hit a cold snap midway through the half however, allowing the Eagles to pull themselves back into the game.
After a couple of unexpected delays, due to a referee suffering an injury and Will Neighbour being ejected for collecting technical and unsportsmanlike fouls, the home side took their first lead on the back of a Tajh Green three.
A hotly contested game boiled over to end the first half, resulting in technical and unsportsmanlike fouls for Caleb Asberry and Thomas respectively, plus a second ejection for the Eagles, who had Green leave the court after a hard foul on Asberry.
Once the arena was calmed and play resumed, strong play on the inside from Bridges and a pair of Riders’ threes saw them retake the lead, 43-42 the halftime score.
Coming out of the break strong, Newcastle pulled out to a five-point lead, but an unbelievable hustle play from Jaren Holmes – stopping a fast break with a steal – galvanised the Riders and they closed the gap with a pair of three-pointers.
Nice layups from Holmes and Sam Idowu kept the Eagles defence honest, but a three-point efficiency of 55%, including five deep balls by McGill, propelled them to a seven-point lead heading into the closing stanza.
A heavy tension filled the arena heading into the fourth, ramped up by five quick points by the Riders.
Captain Mackenzie was putting the team on his back, cleverly drawing a pair of offensive fouls and taking advantage with a corner three.
Back fired the Eagles, an ‘and one’ play by Johnson taking him over 20 points, and once McGill hit yet another three, Newcastle were up by eight with four minutes left.
Holmes’ first three of the night, a beautiful right-hand layup from Thomas and a nasty step back three by Pinson showed the Riders’ resilience, but despite taking it down to the final shot, Newcastle held on for victory.
The Riders return to action on Thursday, hosting the Surrey Scorchers.
Riders Media - 16th October 2023
Captain’s Log: Kimbal Mackenzie’s thoughts on the season so far
Thank you to everybody for their incredible support this season. It’s been great to see you all back in the stands and getting behind the team.
The start to the season has been a great challenge for us with plenty of lessons, but ultimately I’m proud of the way this team is coming together. We have a phenomenal group stacked with talent, and I’m happy to see that starting to come to fruition on the court.
Opening night was an important lesson for the team. Give Cheshire credit. They showed that they can be a dangerous team, and they outplayed us.
We have a reputation for being one of the better teams in the league and for playing well at home, but we learned quickly that if we don’t show up and bring our best, we’re going to get punched in the mouth.
The first game of the year is always tricky, but the bottom line is they played harder than us and outperformed us. There are no easy games in this league, and that was important for us to learn quickly.
This was an almost brand-new group with a couple of injuries early on, so we really didn’t have a great idea of who we were when we first entered the season. But I believe in this group, and I believe in this coaching staff.
Every week we get in better shape, and we better understand our team philosophy, our roles, and each other. We’re a few weeks into the season, and we are all getting to know each other better every day.
Since opening night, I have definitely seen the team start to gel. We’re finding our roles and learning how to play with one another. The way we beat Newcastle was especially important. It’s really good to show you can grind a game out early in the season.
We’re starting to find our identity as a team. This roster is incredibly dynamic, and we have a lot of three-dimensional guys who make plays in multiple ways. We will be a difficult team to scout because we have many guys who can score, pass, rebound and understand the game well.
You don’t know where we’re going to find success every night because we have a lot of playmakers and shot-makers. With this packed schedule, seeing teams four times a season, that kind of versatility is going to be essential.
Having a dynamic group that can beat teams in a lot of different ways gives us an edge. Ultimately, you never know how we’re going to approach a game. That comes from our depth, which is one of our biggest strengths. We have gotten contributions from everyone.
I could go all the way down the roster talking about the players who have contributed this season. It’s truly been a group effort, top to bottom.
One guy who has somewhat flown under the radar and who has quietly been playing great is Braelen. He’s been a monster in the paint. He’s tough to stop: He has a great touch around the hoop and a good understanding of the game. He’s been excellent for us.
He brings something that I can say for all of the players on our roster: fearlessness. The returning players all bring pride and toughness to the roster, and the guys that have come in have amplified that. They don’t back down from anyone.
I’m also proud to be a part of a team that puts winning first. Every player on our roster is dedicated to the teams success. The more we give ourselves to the team, the better we’re all going to play. We’ve done a good job as a team to go out there, be competitive together and enjoy winning.
For the rest of the season, I’m excited to see this team’s development.
The trait of great teams is their progression through the season, and we have so much room to grow. We will, of course, have many ups and downs over the course of the season and will likely lose another game (as great as it would be to go undefeated the rest of the way), but the important thing is to keep looking forward and improving every day.
We have seen that early in the season, and we’ll work hard every day to continue to improve.
Thank you to all of our fans for your unwavering support. We, as ever, have felt your support in the stands this season, and we will continue to work hard to make Leicester proud the rest of the way.
Your captain,
Kimbal Mackenzie
Riders Media - 14th October 2023
Preview: Riders at Giants
The Riders play the second of back-to-back games, heading to Manchester to face the Giants.
After last night’s win against the Scorchers, they look to continue their hot start to the season.
Fixture information
Leicester Riders @ Manchester Giants
National Basketball Performance Centre
Saturday, October 14, 8 PM
No Rest for Riders
The Riders are rolling entering tonight’s game, having won four games on the bounce. Their 4-1 record means they sit a clear second in the standings early in the season.
It was a confident win last time out against the Scorchers. Led by Kimbal Mackenzie’s 22 points, six assists and six rebounds, the Riders took control in the third and saw out a 92-74 win.
There’s little opportunity for rest and recovery for this one, as they are set to take on the Giants just a day later.
With that in mind, no Rider played over 27 minutes in the Scorchers games, as they look to rely on their deep bench to get them through a congested schedule.
Led by Mackenzie, 47 of the Riders’ points against Surrey came off the bench, and they’ll need more of the same to come away with a win.
Giants suffer from strong schedule
It hasn’t been the start to the season the Giants may have imagined under new Head Coach Brian Semonian. They possess a 1-3 record following losses to the Caledonia Gladiators and the London Lions twice.
They have faced some of British basketball’s sternest opposition in the Lions and Gladiators, and while their first two fixtures featured blowouts, they fought the undefeated Lions wire-to-wire last time out.
The Giants ultimately fell 94-89, but forced the League’s leading scorer Matt Morgan to ice the game at the free throw line. Second-year Giant Nick Lewis led the team with 24, beaten only by Morgan’s 30 in the game.
The defensive end of the ball has seen Manchester struggle early in the season, giving up a League-worst 94 points per game through four fixtures. They’ll have to shore up defensively in this one, as they take on the second-highest scorers in the British Basketball League.
Key matchup
Former Rider Jamell Anderson leads the Giants’ scoring so far this season, putting up 16.5 points per game. The versatile two-way wing has established himself as a top-level scorer over the last few seasons and has continued that form into this year.
Anderson, a 6’7” wing, is playing in his 13th professional season, which has featured 12 years in the British Basketball League. His stature and skillset allow him to impact every aspect of the game, from scoring, rebounding and elite defence against all four positions.
Looking to help occupy Anderson on both ends is Canadian wing TJ Lall. the 6’6” small forward is able to match up with Anderson in frame, and his offensive and defensive talents can challenge him on both ends.
Lall impressed early in his Riders tenure, earning Player of the Game honours with 14 points and four rebounds against the Plymouth City Patriots, leading the team to their first win of the season.
A second-year pro, having spent last season in the Japanese first division for Kyoto Hannaryz, is sure to play a big role from a pivotal position on the court in this one.
Played for both: Jamell Anderson
Most of Anderson’s storied British basketball career was spent in Leicester, where he won eight trophies for the Riders.
He signed in 2011 from the Essex Pirates and helped the team to their first piece of silverware in 12 years, with a treble in 2013.
His final season with the Riders was 2021, concluding his decade-long commitment to the club with a BBL Championship title.
Jamell’s defensive prowess earned him a spot on the Defensive Team of the year twice with the Riders, and once last season with the Cheshire Phoenix.
He left the Riders for the Giants for 2021/22, scoring 10.8 points per game on the year. Anderson re-signed with the Manchester Giants last year, after departing the city for the Cheshire Phoenix last season.
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Riders Media - 8th October 2023
5 things we learned from Riders at Eagles
The Riders took a 92-85 win on the road to long-standing rivals, the Newcastle Eagles.
Here’s what we learned from the game…
Miryne magic
For the second straight game, Miryne Thomas led the team with 17 points. His ability to score on all three levels, run in transition and battle around the hoop presents a constant threat to opposing defences.
In the seven-point win, Thomas finished the game with a +/- of 16 points, showcasing his impact on winning. He came up with monster slams throughout the game to inject energy into the team, while flying around the court on defence and in transition.
“I’m living my dream. I’ve been working to get here for over 10 years, and now I’m soaking it in,” said Thomas.
“I’ve been telling the team that I’m here to run and get tired. If I have zero points and rebounds and we come out with a win, I’m as happy as I would be if I had 100 points.”
Clutch gene
With the game tied with 3:15 remaining, the Riders demonstrated their ability to battle it out in the clutch. They won the remainder of the game 14-7, executing on both ends with the game on the line.
Jaren Holmes impressed late, scoring six points in the final three minutes, including a coast-to-coast and-one play with 45 seconds on the clock. He hit a go-ahead three with the score at 78-78 to snatch momentum when it mattered.
“I trust my work. I make those shots every day in practice, from the layups to the threes, so I know I can be myself,” said Holmes.
“Hopefully, this win can put us in good stead for the rest of the season. We’re trying to build momentum and keep our energy and spirits high. We’re becoming a more cohesive group. Every day we learn more about each other, and each other’s games.”
Head Coach Rob Paternostro was proud of how the team saw the game out late.
“I was a little disappointed because I thought we could have been up a little more at the half.”
I knew we’d have to hang on in the second half, and we did a really good job in the last five minutes to get the job done.”
Different ways to win
The Riders’ victory against the Bristol Flyers last week came in large part thanks to their three-point shooting, going 46.2% from range.
They weren’t on the same red-hot form in this one but found another way to get it done. Leicester’s one-two punch of Thomas and Bridges wreaked havoc inside. They found success in the pick and roll with the Riders’ playmakers and in the post.
Newcastle had no answer. Thomas’s 17 was accompanied by Bridges 15 points, the latter going 6-6 from the field. Bridges is 18-21 from the floor on the season, making a name as one of British Basketball’s most efficient scorers.
Strength in depth
The Riders, once again, demonstrated the talent they have throughout their deep roster. Their bench outscored the Eagles 33-17, proving the difference between the sides.
They were led by Kimbal Mackenzie, who put up 16 points and four assists as the sixth man. He played out the final stages of the game, and his high defensive IQ proved pivotal in seeing out the game.
Another bench player stepping up in the closing minutes was Sam Idowu, whose clutch three made it 84-79 with just over a minute remaining. Idowu also proved his value on the defensive end with a monster block on Larry Austin Jr late.
Idowu came off the bench to great effect throughout. Behind the elite combination of Miryne Thomas and Braelen Bridges, the Riders did not miss a step when Idowu swapped them out, playing with the same level of physicality on both ends.
Giving minutes to 11 players, the Riders flexed the talent they have in their squad.
Riders rolling on Offence
In the early stages of the season, the Riders’ offence is ranked as one of the British Basketball League’s best. Their 89.5 points per game is good for second in the League, as is their 50.2% field goal percentage and 38.6% three-point percentage.
Scoring 92 points for the second straight game, the Riders’ offensive firepower throughout their roster proved too much for the Eagles. Leicester had nine points contributors on the night, and four players scored at least 15 points.
With multiple players able to be the difference on any given night, the Riders are in contention to put up big scoring numbers every time they take the floor.
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Riders Media - 6th October 2023
Report: Riders beat Eagles in thriller
The Riders improved their record to 3-1 on the season following a pulsating 92-85 win over the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles.
In a game that entertained fans inside the Vertu Motos Arena from start to finish, Leicester went toe-to-toe with their Northern rivals, matching them on the boards and on the fast break.
Athletic forward Miryne Thomas took ‘Player of the Game’ honours, dropping 17 points in spectacular fashion with eye-catching dunks and clutch three-pointers.
Thomas was ably supported by Braelen Bridges and Jaren Holmes, who put up 15 points each – Bridges hitting 100% from the field.
Kimbal Mackenzie, and frontcourt rock Samuel Idowu brought intensity from the bench, Riders’ captain scoring 16 crucial points and Idowu proving to be a handful at both ends of the court.
The 6’8” big man made three blocks in the late stages of the game, helping to throw the Eagles off rhythm each time they looked like making a run.
Free-scoring guard Jordan Johnson was the top scorer for the home side, knocking down 22 points, aided by a strong 17 from high-flyer Tajh Green.
The game started in frenetic fashion, with the Riders finding success inside and on the fast break. Despite strong on-ball defence from the Eagles, Bridges and Thomas took charge, finding early success on their way to a combined 13 first-half points.
Midway through the first, Thomas sent the visiting supporters into raptures with a highlight reel dunk, fed by a bullet pass from Caleb Asberry.
The high-quality first quarter came to a close with the teams level on points, Mackenzie making it 21 apiece with a clutch buzzer-beater.
An excellent second quarter for the Riders started with a spectacular layup from the captain, capitalising on two offensive rebounds by Leicester’s frontcourt.
With Xavier Pinson injecting pace into the game and TJ Lall knocking down their first three of the night from the corner, the Riders pulled out a deserved five-point lead.
Green wowed the home fans with a huge putback dunk and the dangerous Johnson hit ten points for the Eagles, but Leicester’s squad depth was proving to be the difference.
20 points from the bench helped the visitors go into halftime with a 42-37 lead after an exciting first half.
Riders hit the ground running in the third, Thomas rising high for a seismic slam to extend the lead, before dropping beyond the arc and stroking a three from deep.
As expected in the pre-game build-up, the teams were going bucket-for-bucket.
Leicester’s aggressive play and crisp passing pushed them to the first double-digit lead of the night, and they headed into the final 15 minutes 59-49 to the good.
But the Eagles showed fight and stayed in touch, proving that they should be near the top of the standings come playoff time.
A fast-break three by Johnson put the home side into a 65-64 lead, which they took into the fourth quarter.
The final ten began in the same vein as every other quarter – with a big play from Thomas, who drained a corner three.
With the game finely poised at 69 each, Caleb Asberry made the defensive play of the season so far, chasing down an Eagles fast break before rising highest to make a block against the backboard.
This energised the Riders to a late four-point lead, but the Eagles kept pegging them back.
A dagger of a three from Holmes gave Leicester an 81-78 lead, maintained by a dominant block from defensive wall, Idowu.
The gap rose to six following an Idowu bucket from beyond the arc and a strong ‘and one’ play by Holmes.
Intelligent play from the experienced Mackenzie carried the Riders in the final minute, and they travel South with a hard earned early-season victory.
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Riders Media - 1st October 2023
Riders review: September summary
With the first month of British Basketball League action in the books, we take a look back at September’s action…
Story of September
After the disappointment of an opening night loss to the Cheshire Phoenix, the Riders responded with back-to-back wins against the Plymouth City Patriots and the Bristol Flyers.
A comeback against Plymouth got them on the board, as the newly formed team seemed to click into rhythm midway through the third quarter.
They took that form into the Flyers game, exploding out to a 37-10 lead after a quarter. They fended off a Bristol fightback with a red-hot second half, shooting 46% from three in the game to start the season 2-1.
“We wanted to come out from the jump and put in a full game at a high-level,” said Xavier Pinson, who was named Wok 68 Player of the Game against Bristol.
“We’ve got to keep building, and take steps forward from here.”
September in stats
Through three games, the Riders’ offence has established itself as one of the best in the League. Their 88.7 points per game, 50.6% field goal shooting and 39.1% three-point shooting rank second in each category.
Ball movement and playmaking have led to the scoring success. Leicester averaged 18.7 assists, third in the League, led by Pinson’s six per game. Pinson ranks as British Basketball’s second-leading assist maker following his nine against Bristol.
The Riders get contributions all the way down the roster, with nine scorers contributing over 7.5 points per game. Michigan-born guard Jaren Holmes is leading the way with 14 points per outing, finding success through consistency with double-scoring performances in all three fixtures.
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Riders Media - 28th September 2023
Preview: Riders at Flyers
On Saturday, the Riders will play their first road game of the British Basketball Championship season as they visit the SGS College Arena to face the Bristol Flyers.
Coach Rob Paternostro’s squad will travel to Bristol in high spirits after a hard-fought 88-81 victory over the Plymouth City Patriots last Friday.
Fixture Information
Leicester Riders @ Bristol Flyers
SGS College Arena, Bristol
Saturday, September 30, 8:00pm
Riders Aiming to Build Winning Streak
After the bounce-back win in round two, the Riders will want to back up the victory with more of the same in the upcoming two-week road trip.
Leicester will face adversity against the Flyers and the upgraded Serios Group Newcastle Eagles, but the triumph over Plymouth demonstrated that this group is packed with resilience.
Trailing by 10, deep into the third quarter, Paternostro’s squad dug deep to wrestle back momentum through aggression at the rim and reliable free throw shooting.
Former Iowa State guard, Jaren Holmes, was a key part of the comeback and should be a focal point of the Riders’ offence come Saturday night.
Holmes is currently getting to the foul line eight times a game and hitting at an impressive rate of 88%. The abilities of both Holmes and captain Kimbal Mackenzie to draw fouls could be crucial to building a lead in this one.
Mackenzie himself had a difficult three-quarters last Friday, but his refusal to stop taking shots paid off, and he ended the game with a well-earned seven points – incidentally, the difference between the Riders and their opponents.
Leicester’s captain is the epitome of confidence, a trait that the Riders need to take into their matchup with the Flyers if they are to get the better of a team that finished third in the championship last season.
Riders’ thoughts
Texas-born guard Caleb Asberry made is Riders debut against the Plymouth City Patriots, and impressed in front of his home crowd.
“It felt good to be back, especially because I’ve been out for a little while. It felt good to be out there with the guys,” said Asberry.
After finding rhythm in the second half last Friday, Asberry looks for the team to put in a performance for the full 40 in this one.
“Everybody needs to buy in, and play our roles. That’s all it’s going to take: doing the small things.
“We’ve been watching a lot of film, and Bristol play hard. The rebound well from all five spots, so we’ll have to box out well. That’s been our main struggle, so we’re going to have to execute there.”
Bristol’s 2022/2023 in Review
An impressive 25-11 record in the BBL Championship saw Bristol place third in the standings last season, before making it to the Playoff semi-finals. The Flyers were unable to make it to the O2 Arena however, losing to the Riders by three points on aggregate in a hotly contested series.
A surprise defeat to the Surrey Scorchers in the BBL Trophy and a loss to the London Lions in the Cup wrapped up a promise-filled season that ended without a trophy.
Key players for the Flyers were Basketball Journalists Association Player of the Year, VJ King, and the winner of the BJA Pete Jacques Award for British Player of the Year, Jelani Watson-Gayle.
King was the heart of Bristol’s offensive production, dropping 17 points a night at a 44% clip.
Watson-Gayle assisted King with pinpoint accuracy from deep, knocking down 38.9% of his three-point attempts whilst averaging 11.7 points a game.
The Flyers, who will be without the award-winning duo this season, will nonetheless be hoping to remain a force to be reckoned with in the BBL.
Flyers Replace Key Pieces
Bristol managed to retain a large part of their roster for the current season, but lost the services of star players, VJ King, Jelani Watson-Gayle and Thomas Bell.
King moved to Germany to hit buckets for the Hamburg Towers, Bell will play in the Czech National League after a good rookie season with the Flyers and Watson-Gayle has not returned after playing for Winnipeg in the summer.
The Flyers responded by making four off-season moves, notably signing 6’11” centre, Brad Greene, from the Kapfenberg Bulls.
The American led the Austrian Basketball League in rebounds last season and put up 22 double-doubles for the Bulls.
Greene has carried that form into the BBL early, averaging over 14 points and seven rebounds in his first couple of outings.
Finding ways to combat Greene in the paint on both ends of the floor will be vital if the Riders want to come away with the dub.
It will be a tough task for the Flyers, however, as they took on the London Lions on the road on Thursday night, falling 98-84 to start the season 1-2.
Played for Both
Northampton-born power forward Shane Walker has suited up for both the Riders and the Flyers.
The 35-year-old played six years of basketball in the BBL, occupying the Riders’ front court between 2015 and 2018 before consecutive stints with the London Lions and Flyers.
Walker averaged 6.9 points per game in his three seasons with the Riders and became an important piece of a squad that won three BBL Championships, three BBL Trophies and two BBL Playoff titles.
The 6’10” big man also earned a place in the England squad for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, helping the national team reach the quarter-finals.
Walker most recently competed in the UK with the Flyers in 2021/22, taking to the court on 23 occasions averaging 3.5 points per game.
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Riders Media - 28th September 2023
Women’s D1 Roster confirmed
Our Division One women’s roster for the 2023/24 season is confirmed.
Roster
Returners
- Sasha Lecuyer
- Grace Roberts
- Kate Davies
- Jasmine Graham
- Anna Trett
- Rose Bryan
- Emma Dunsire
- Lauren Dabbs
- Eimhear Morris
- Erin Powell (Charnwood Academy)
- Emily Taylor (Charnwood Academy)
Arrivals
- Ellie Sarri
- Erin Caldwell
- Daisy Porter
- Megan Curran (Charnwood Academy graduate)
- Lauren Cooper (Charnwood Academy)
- Louise Fisher (Charnwood Academy)
- Charley Woodman (Charnwood Academy)
Head Coach
Tor Freeman
Riders Media - 27th September 2023
Griffin Fit sponsor Riders
Leicester Riders are thrilled to welcome Griffin Fit to the Riders family.
Griffin Fit’s team of dedicated coaches are committed to helping you achieve your fitness goals.
With a remarkable track record in guiding individuals towards building lean muscle and effectively shedding body fat, they provide comprehensive education on optimal techniques.
Their expertise lies in crafting personalised nutrition coaching and tailor-made personal training programmes, meticulously designed to cater to your unique requirements. By prioritising both attainability and long-term sustainability, their bespoke programmes ensure lasting results.
Griffin Fit are the official sponsor of Riders’ guard Jaren Holmes for the 2023/24 season.
Lizzie Griffin, owner of Griffin Fit, commented: “As a small business, every year we sponsor a local sports team because we love giving back to our Leicester community, and we are really pleased to be sponsoring Jaren Holmes this season.
“We’re looking forward to watching him go from strength to strength. Let’s go Riders!”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Riders Media - 25th September 2023
Riders’ home games selected for Sky Sports coverage
Four Riders home games have been selected for live Sky Sports coverage.
The home games selected are:
Thursday, October 26 vs Surrey Scorchers
Friday, November 10 vs London Lions
Friday, December 1 vs London Lions
Friday, December 15 vs Caledonia Gladiators
See the full 2023 British Basketball League Sky Sports schedule below.
The games will be available on Sky Sports and the Sky Sports YouTube channel.
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Riders Media - 24th September 2023
Abel Alarm sponsor Riders
Leicester Riders are delighted to welcome Abel to the Riders’ family.
Abel is a leading provider of electronic security systems for homes and business premises.
From intruder and fire alarms, to access control and CCTV systems and the very latest premium home automation products, thousands of people have trusted Abel to protect their families, businesses and their assets since 1965.
Joel Mulloy, Managing Director of Abel, commented: “From one team to another, we are delighted to join hands with a local sports team and support the Leicester Riders.
“After all of their incredible achievements over the past few years, we are proud and excited to support the talent they bring to our city over this next season.”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Riders Media - 22nd September 2023
Report: Riders beat Patriots
The Riders claimed their first victory of the 2023/24 British Basketball Championship with an 88-81 defeat of the Plymouth Patriots.
An all-action fourth quarter, that saw Rob Paternostro’s men outscore their opponents 29-16, secured the win over a Plymouth team that led by nine points at halftime.
TJ Lall dropped a team-high 14 points for the Riders in an efficient display which saw him hit 66% from the field.
The Ontario native was joined in double figures by Xavier Pinson, Jaren Holmes and Braelen Bridges as the Riders’ showed their ability to spread the scoring.
A particularly pleasing aspect of Leicester’s win was their hustle on the boards, limiting the visitors to just eight offensive rebounds.
The Patriots did put up a stern test with some promising performances – TJ Atwood scoring 20 in the first half alone.
But Leicester responded well in the second half, shutting Atwood’s offense down to help towards a well-earned victory.
An end-to-end first half started well for the Riders, who utilised quick ball movement to create openings in the paint.
Bridges and Lall benefitted early, both dropping five points in the first quarter which pushed the Riders into an 18-17 lead.
Supported by a hard-working Samuel Idowu and the debuting Caleb Asberry off the bench, Leicester entered the second quarter looking to build on their narrow lead.
Despite showing a marked improvement on the defensive glass, limiting Plymouth to just a couple of offensive rebounds, an inspired ten-minute spell by the Patriots’ Atwood helped them to build a lead.
Atwood, who dropped 17 points in round one, finished the first half with six rebounds and four assists to accompany his 20 points.
A crucial three-pointer by Holmes kept the Riders within touching distance, swiftly followed by a deep three from long ball specialist, Asberry.
The half ended with the Patriots 52-43 to the good – a buzzer-beater from guard, Mason Faulkner giving Plymouth a nine-point lead.
Starting the second half as he did the first, Bridges dropped the Riders’ first bucket, igniting an 8-2 run after good hustle on both ends of the floor.
A timely three from Miryne Thomas kept the Riders within striking distance before the home team bridged the gap through multiple trips to the foul line.
The third quarter ended with Leicester facing a 6-point deficit but with their tails up heading into the final ten.
The fourth saw the Riders show the home fans what they can produce in the clutch.
Buckets from Asberry, Idowu and the agile Pinson pushed Paternostro’s team to a 15-3 surge, wiping out the Patriots’ lead and giving the home side a small cushion.
The game hurtled towards an exciting finish full of back-and-forth action, with the Riders able to keep the lead on the back of fearless play by captain, Kimbal Mackenzie.
Next Saturday, the Riders take on their first road trip of the season, travelling to Bristol to face the 1-1 Flyers.
Want to see the Riders in action?
Riders Media - 13th September 2023
A note from Head Coach Rob Paternostro
To our fans,
As the season fast approaches, I wanted to thank you all for your continued tremendous support.
There have been some big changes to our roster, and we’ve worked hard all off-season to make sure we were bringing in the right guys for our club.
This is my 16th season as Head Coach, and while we’re used to having some changes in the roster, you can really feel this season like there’s been a big turnaround.
That said, we’re excited about this group. I loved the team last year, and I really enjoyed being around the guys. But this season, there’s a sense of a fresh start and a blank canvas.
As we’re starting fresh, while on-the-court play is important, we’re taking the off-court things very seriously, especially because we have such a young roster. We want to make sure the guys feel comfortable.
Our fans and sponsors do such a great job of that. Part of the draw of this club is, of course, the winning tradition, but we also have a club that makes you feel like part of a family. That’s the first thing I noticed when I arrived here. It feels great to be embraced by our loyal supporters.
I’ve really enjoyed the energy of this group. The team have had a good time getting to know each other, and that’s the great thing about playing basketball in Europe: you build bonds with guys that last forever, so it’s great to see the start of it now.
You want to have a group that loves being together. We want them to enjoy the work on the court and being together off the court, which can be easier said than done. If you can find that balance, you’re going to have a great opportunity to have a good team.
On the court, the early stages of the season are about trying to learn about the roster. Once we’ve figured out who the players are and how they like to play, we can figure out the best way for the team to play.
Last season, we came back with pretty much the same group; we knew who we were from the jump. This year is completely different, but we’re ready for the challenge.
Looking back on the preseason, 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 preseason 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.
There’s a new League format this season, with no Cup and a month dedicated to the Trophy. That will take some time to get used to, but at the end of the day, basketball is basketball. We’re going to try our best to do well early in the competition and improve along the way.
It’s an exciting time to be a Riders fan. Any time you can check out some new players, it’s exciting, and our fans will really like the guys we have here.
We hope you’re looking forward to the season as much as we are, and we can’t wait to see you out there!
Rob Paternostro
Riders Media - 12th September 2023
Captain’s log: Kimbal Mackenzie’s thoughts ahead of the season
First of all, let me say how much it means to me to represent this club as captain. It’s a huge privilege for me. There’s been a lot of great Riders captains in the past, and I’m honoured to step into this role.
Congratulations to Darien on his well-earned retirement. He will go down as one of the greats to play for this club with all the success he helped bring to the Morningside Arena.
I have a lot of respect for him as a great friend of mine, and he did an excellent job leading the Riders during my time here.
I held this role in college, and it’s something I take a lot of pride in. I love competing, and I love winning. With that, I’m a very vocal teammate, so I’m very committed to my role as a leader.
I want to be a leader that can be here for the younger guys on our team. I hope that I can be there in situations where they may need some guidance, and I hope to help make their transition to the pros easier.
Excelling on the court is great, but part of my role is being there for my teammates as people as well. As professionals, we can often get caught up in confusing our job with our identity, and in sports, those highs and lows can take a toll.
Part of my role as a leader is being a support piece for my teammates and building a bond they know they can trust.
I want to be an open book to them and share my knowledge as a veteran of the team. We have a lot of talented players who all lead in different ways, so my role becomes leading by example and helping the guys in any way I can.
Ahead of the season, I wanted to extend my thanks to our fans. From day one I noticed how incredible and dedicated you all are, and I appreciate how you embrace us all.
Not only through your support at home and away but how you care about who we are as people, and extend your support to our families. To feel that love (and see someone dressed as me in the crowd!) is incredible.
We come into this year off the back of a good season. We put ourselves in a position to win against London in both finals, and if a couple of possessions went differently, we could have brought some more silverware home.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. We came up against a great team in London, so congratulations to them.
It’s a compliment to what Rob and the front office have built in our winning culture that we look back at last season and feel like there was more on the table. We expect to win, and that’s exactly what we’re looking to do this season.
Pre-season was great. It was different to the previous years with a big turnaround of players, but we’re heading in the right direction as a group.
The trip to the Netherlands was really important for us, as we’ll have a lot film to learn from and build on. There’s been an awesome energy to the group, and we have lots of athleticism, speed and talent on the court. I’m really looking forward to growing as a team.
Our depth and energy are going to be our strengths. We have a lot of guys that can run and make great decisions on the fastbreak, and I think we’re going to develop into a really tough defensive team.
I’m looking forward to a great season, and it’s as important as ever to have our great fanbase behind us. The League is strong, and we all hear that teams are getting better, but I know you all carry the same pride as I do in wanting to fight at the top.
Morningside Arena is a tough place for opponents to play, and we can’t wait to be back out there in front of you all!
Your captain,
Kimbal Mackenzie
Riders Media - 11th September 2023
5 things we learned from pre-season
The Riders wrapped up their pre-season campaign on Friday with a win, as they prepare to get the 2023-24 season underway.
Following games against Loughborough University, Donar Groningen and USA Select, here is what we learned…
Strength in depth
The Riders quickly discovered that their roster goes 12 deep, as they got contributions up and down the roster throughout pre-season.
Take the final fixtures against USA Select, where all 11 players played double-digit minutes, with nine players scoring seven or more points.
It was the same story on their trip to Donar Groningen, where eight Leicester players scored 10 or more, and in their pre-season opener against Loughborough which featured eight scorers with at least eight points.
The depth opens up a number of different rotations to Head Coach Rob Paternostro, as he can expect significant contributions from everyone on the team.
It also allows players to keep fresh and healthy during a long British Basketball League season.
The Bowman Show
The depth comes, in part, thanks to the play of second-year Rider Blake Bowman, who has shown consistently impressive play during pre-season.
He scored double-digit points in every outing, leading the team in the fourth quarter against USA Select with nine points as he capped off a 15-point outing.
After the game, the East Midlands native stated that he has put in work to his deep shooting over the off-season. This showed, as Bowman took his defenders off the dribble and pulled up from range on Friday night.
But the electrifying Brit’s high-flying antics are back for another season, as he got the Morningside Arena on its feet with emphatic slams.
View this post on Instagram
Bowman looks set for an exciting year.
Flying on the fastbreak
With a young, athletic roster this season, many would assume the Riders would be ready to run. They’d be right.
They dominated the box score in fastbreak scoring this pre-season. Leicester outscored their opponents 82-17 in transition during their campaign, capping off their pre-season by beating USA Select 34-3 on the run.
Running the break stems from defence, and 13.3 steals per game over the three fixtures allowed the Riders to get out and use their youthful athleticism.
With the depth on their roster, Leicester will look to get up and down the court all night long.
Miryne’s monster performances
Rookie forward out of Kent State Myrine Thomas led the team in two of the Riders’ pre-season games, showing explosive energy early in his Riders career.
Playing only 19 minutes in the game against USA Select, Thomas had as many points and added seven rebounds and four steals to the box score in the process.
Thomas also had 17 in his pre-season opener in Loughborough, thriving in front of Riders fans. He was quick out the gate on both occasions, setting the tone as the Riders jumped out to early leads.
In the Riders’ first competitive game of the season on Friday, Thomas will look for another explosive start.
X gon’ give it to ya
Returning to the court for the final pre-season game was Xavier Pinson, who got a run out in front of the Riders faithful.
He made an immediate impression, scoring 12 points and dishing three assists in just 19 minutes of action.
The Chicago-born rookie demonstrated elite point guard skills, using his shifty dribbling ability to get to the rim and finish in close.
Pinson averaged 13.3 points and 4.5 assists in his final college season in New Mexico and looks to carry that form into his first pro year.
Want to see the Riders get their season underway?
Riders Media - 7th September 2023
Pre-season preview: Riders vs USA Select
The Riders host USA Select final pre-season fixture. Here is all you need to know…
Fixture information
Leicester Riders vs USA Select
Morningside Arena, Leicester
Friday, September 8, 7:45 pm
Promising signs
The Riders return from their Netherlands trip, which they can take lots of positives from. They beat seven-time Dutch champions Donar Groningen 104-75 last Friday to move to 2-0 on their pre-season campaign so far.
It was a confident display throughout. Donar’s only led the game for 15 seconds early in the first quarter, as the Riders took control of the tie. They won all four quarters, and after a Groningen surge to make it 52-51 to get the second half underway, the Riders blew the game wide open.
Kimbal Mackenzie led the team with 17 points, backed up by Jaren Holmes’ 16, the pair dominating proceedings from the backcourt.
“Our depth has been impressive,” said Head Coach Rob Paternostro following the game.
“We played 10 guys, and all of them made a great impact. We know we have a long way to go, but I like where we’re going.
“These are the types of trips where you learn a lot about your team, and because we have so many new players this season, it’s a great opportunity for them to bond on and off the court.”
Now their attention turns to the Morningside Arena, as the Riders are set to make their first home appearance of the season. They are preparing to face a young team of determined talent, looking to make a name in Europe.
USA Select- Making professionals
The Riders’ opponents face them in the midst of a busy European tour, where they play 19 games in 22 days hoping to secure their first professional contracts.
The tour spans four countries and 18 cities, with a newly formed roster made up of players straight out of college.
The programme has produced two British Basketball League head coaches in Sheffield’s Atiba Lyons and Machester’s Brian Semonian, and players such as Derby Trailblazers’ Malcolm Smith.
The Riders are an annual fixture on USA Select’s packed schedule, and the club have built a thriving relationship with the programme over the last four decades.
“Leicester Riders, like so many other clubs in the UK, has been phenomenal for us over the decades, which is why I never miss the UK out on these tours,” said Head Coach and General Manager Sean Kilmartin ahead of the game.
“The club, and its vision in a sport that was always under the radar and never truly appreciated in the UK, has changed the way people look at basketball in the country. Their venue is the first of its kind, and it set the bar for the other clubs in the league.
“When my players can see all that, they see what professionalism looks like. They see how professionals put pride in their job, and their humility when they put their jerseys on for the fans.
“The Riders fanbase is amazing. The love and respect we get from those fans is humbling. They really get it.”
Played for both- Russell Jordan
The Riders are one of many organisations that benefitted from USA Select’s tour. 6’6” forward Russell Jordan was a product of the program that played for the club.
Having played for USA Select in the mid-2000s hoping to secure his first contract, Jordan secured a deal with the Reading Rockets in the EBL with the help of Kilmartin.
Having impressed at Reading, Jordan made the step up and signed with the Riders in 2007, playing 31 games in the 2007/08 season. He put up 5.6 points in 14 minutes per game, shooting 56% from the field and suiting up against the likes of Paternostro in his final playing season for Birmingham Panthers.
Jordan went on to play for Worthing Thunder, Surrey Scorchers and London Capitals, averaging 13 points per game in the 2009/10 season. He is one of the true success stories of the USA Select programme in British Basketball.
Want to see the Riders in action?
Get tickets to our season opener against the Cheshire Phoenix!
Get tickets to our preseason home opener against USA Select here!
Riders Media - 2nd September 2023
Riders partner with Everards
We are delighted to have Everards as the official beer of the Leicester Riders!
Founded in 1849 as an independent family business, Everards’ beers are available in more than 150 pubs across the East Midlands and are served at our home, the Morningside Arena Leicester.
Erika Hardy, Operations Director at Everards, commented: “Everards of Leicestershire is proud to partner with the Leicester Riders. Connecting with the club has allowed us to deliver fun and enjoyable experiences and corporate hospitality to our business owners and partners.
“Our iconic Tiger copper ale, which is available throughout the Morningside Arena, is much loved across Leicestershire and is the perfect beer to enjoy whilst cheering on your favourite team.”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Riders Media - 31st August 2023
Riders Business Club relaunched!
The Leicester Riders Business Club relaunches next month – with sponsors invited to take to the court.
The first event of the season takes place on September 13 – two days before the 2023-24 British Basketball League season starts for Riders at home to Cheshire Phoenix.
Sponsors are invited to bring a senior contact along as their business club guest to showcase what Riders sponsorship offers for local organisations.
Guests will join a basketball session led by coaching staff, enter into a prize draw, and network with other business leaders.
They will be welcomed by Leicester Riders chairman, Kevin Routledge, and get an update on the work of the Leicester Riders Foundation from General Manager Laura Shephard.
There has been increased interest this summer in Riders corporate packages. Player sponsorship has increased 50% year-on-year, the vast majority of last season’s corporate sponsors have renewed, and new businesses joining for first time include Better IT, Abel Alarm, 2XL Commercial Finance, and Griffin Fit.
Next month’s business club is the first of several the club is planning for the 2023-24 season. Each will have a different theme and focus, while providing a look behind the scenes at the Riders, Foundation, and Arena.
Kevin Routledge said: “We’ve been building our business offer over the summer following the arrival of Tracey Hallam as our commercial manager and our partnership with 1284.
“The support of our sponsors is crucial, not just for the Riders but also for our community foundation and the arena itself.”
Loughborough-based 1284 provides award-winning B2B corporate communications to innovative public and private organisations in the East Midlands.
George Oliver, Managing Director of 1284, said: “We’ve been involved for a couple of years now and are really excited about getting more involved with the new-look Riders Business Club.”
The second Riders Business Club meeting of the season will take place on November 20.
It has been arranged to coincide with the Morningside Arena hosting the World Snooker Tour, giving guests a behind-the-scenes look at the Arena’s staging of international tournaments.
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Riders Media - 30th August 2023
Sponsor Spotlight: Edmonds and Slatter Opticians
Leicester Riders are thrilled to continue their long-standing relationship with Edmonds & Slatter Opticians.
Edmonds & Slatter is an award-winning independent opticians based in Leicestershire, with practices in Blaby, Glenfield, Kibworth, Lutterworth and Rothley.
They provide the highest level of professional eye care in Leicestershire, and have supported the club for over a decade.
Tim Cole, Director of Edmonds & Slatter Opticians, commented: “We have provided eyecare to the Leicester Riders since 2012. As we enter our twelfth season in this partnership, we are delighted to be able to continue this support.
“Elite athletes like the Leicester Riders understand the need to train to keep their body at peak fitness. Vision is the dominant sense in this sport, so we are proud to contribute to helping the Riders maximise their sporting performance.”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Riders Media - 28th August 2023
3 things we learned from Red vs Purple
The Riders got their pre-season underway in Friday’s fixture vs Loughborough University.
They took a 99-64 win, and learned valuable lessons into the rest of the pre-season.
Here are three things we learned from the outing.
Miryne makes his mark
Miryne Thomas dominated from the jump in his first Riders outing, putting up 17 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes.
His high-flying antics lit up the Sir David Wallace sports hall, throwing down emphatic jams with ease.
The 6’8” forward out of Kent State made an immediate impression on his new team to lead them in scoring on his first time out.
“I wanted to show the fans, team and organisation that I’m the guy they needed to help win a championship. I just try and prove I’m that guy every day,” commented Thomas after the game.
Getting healthy
Conner Washington and Mo Walker took to the court for the pre-season opener after missing a large proportion of last season due to injury.
They played positive minutes, looking back to their usual selves in their first look at competitive action this season.
Walker put up 11 points and three rebounds and knocked down his only three-point attempt of the evening. Meanwhile, Washington played 27 minutes, dishing out eight assists to combine with as many points.
Among the new additions, Samuel Idowu saw game time after sitting out the last 16 months due to injury. In eight minutes, he put up 11 points, five rebounds and a block in a positive showing.
Immediate chemistry
In his postgame interview, Head Coach Rob Paternostro said that the team had only had three minutes of 5-on-5 action in the lead-up to the game.
It didn’t show, as the Riders managed 99 points, and despite the expected feeling out process initially, they gelled quickly in the game.
Building chemistry among this collection of new players is high on the list of priorities this pre-season, but that process looked well underway for the team. The Riders totalled 20 assists, displaying good ball movement and teamwork already.
Want to see the Riders in action?
Get tickets to our season opener against the Cheshire Phoenix!
Get tickets to our preseason home opener against USA Select here!
Riders Media - 26th August 2023
Riders react: Red vs Purple
The Riders got their first 40 minutes under their legs last night, in their annual “Red vs Purple” pre-season outing.
They took a 99-64 win against Loughborough University, and look to build as a newly formed team going into the season.
READ MORE: Riders take Red vs Purple win
Here’s what Head Coach Rob Paternostro and Player of the Game Myrine Thomas had to say:
Miryne Thomas
“I feel like I could do it all again!” said Thomas, after a stat sheet stuffing 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. He got 20 minutes of game time, filled with high-flying action.
“I wanted to show the fans, team and organisation that I’m the guy they needed to help win a championship. I just try and prove I’m that guy every day.”
These were important minutes for the team, with seven new players added to the roster this offseason, looking to gel with the returners.
“I really like the team. Every time we made a mistake, we all just wanted to move on to the next play.
“Loughborough scored at the bottom of the shot clock a few times, and that’s what we focused on at halftime. The leaders in the locker room told us we’d be fine if we locked in on our guys and closed out possessions. We did that in the second half, and we were able to increase the lead up to 30.
“Now, we need to look at our game today, fix the mistakes, and take it inch by inch.”
Rob Paternostro
Entering his 16th season as Head Coach, Rob Paternostro has rarely faced the challenge of a significant player turnaround to the extent of this offseason. He recognised the importance of these minutes.
“I thought it was good for us. We’ve only had three minutes in practice 5-on-5 this week, so we really benefitted from the conditioning.”
It was the first look at his new team in a competitive environment, and Paternostro liked what he saw.
“I love the way the guys competed. Defensively, we were really aggressive, and we were able to play a lot of guys and throw a lot of bodies that them.”
Health is key going into the season, and early signs are promising for the Riders. Mo Walker and Conner Washington returned to the floor after sitting out much of last season, as well as Sam Idowu, who looked fresh after recovering from his knee injury.
“It was great to have them back. Conner missed a lot of time with a back injury last season. I gave him a lot of minutes tonight, and he was the same old Conner. Mo also missed almost all the season, and he played really well today.
“Sam has been out for 16 months, so him being out there and making an impact was nice to see. That’s what these games are all about: letting guys get some rhythm and get the feel for being back on the floor.”
On the Riders’ opponents, Loughborough were faced with a mammoth task of professional opponents and put on a good showing. They fought wire-to-wire and held their own for long stretches.
“Loughborough were competitive tonight. Our defence was tough for them at times, but they played hard, and they came right at us. I know Coach Maynard will have them ready to go for the season.”
Paternostro was asked what the focus is for the rest of the pre-season:
“Conditioning, we really need that. And beyond that, putting in some of our sets. We haven’t been able to put in much of our stuff, so we’ve got to keep building and try and get healthy.”
American guards Caleb Asberry and Xavier Pinson sat out as a precaution, to minimise any injury risk ahead of the season.
“We’re missing Caleb and Xavier, and they’’ll certainly make an impact when they come back. We’re excited to see how they can push the pace and impact the game.”
Want to see the Riders in action?
Get tickets to our season opener against the Cheshire Phoenix!
Get tickets to our preseason home opener against USA Select here!
Riders Media - 26th August 2023
Riders sign Tweedie
Leicester Riders are excited to announce the signing of Elise Tweedie for the 2023/24 season.
The 21-year-old Scot joins from the University of Edinburgh, where she graduated this summer.
Tweedie played two seasons for her home country Caledonia Pride in the Women’s British Basketball League. The 6’4” center averaged 4.5 points and 4.2 rebounds and played 23 games in 2021/22.
Tweedie will also compete for Loughborough University, where she will complete her master’s degree. The club would like to thank the University for their support.
Tweedie commented: “I’m incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to play for the Riders this season and to make my return to the Women’s British Basketball League.
“The team’s strong culture, fan base and mission are all things I’m super excited to be a part of. I’m eagerly looking forward to starting this journey with my new teammates and coaches, and I can’t wait to see the success we can attain together!”
Head Coach Ben Stanley commented: “We’re very happy to have Elise join us this year. She’s contributed for Pride in the League previously and knows the league.
“She’s got good mobility, she’s versatile and brings with her size, a great attitude and huge willingness to get better. I’m looking forward to getting her on the floor and also seeing her improvement over the season.”
Riders Media - 25th August 2023
Loughborough University parking information
Fans driving to tonight’s game, please enter the University via the entrance on Epinal Way. Once you have passed through security, we recommend following the road left and parking in Car Park 9.
This is a simple drive around the back of the Brockington pitch facilities, and Car Park 9 is found on the far side of the playing fields.
From there, it is a five-minute walk to the Sir David Wallace building.
Doors open at 6 pm, before player introductions commencing at 6:45 pm, and tip-off at 7 pm.
Please travel safely and arrive with plenty of time.
We hope you enjoy the game!
Riders Media - 22nd August 2023
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Riders Media - 21st August 2023
Loughborough announce retained core ahead of 2023/24
Loughborough Basketball’s core of young talent will return for the 2023/24 NBL Division One season.
The returners are:
- Elijah Bailey
- Justin Hedley
- CJ Hayden
- Joe Bielak
- Milo Gordon
- Ben Woog
- David Oputa
American guard Bailey joined the Riders last summer on a two-year deal, playing with the Riders while studying his MSc in International Business at Loughborough University.
He averaged 20 points per game last season on a red-hot 44% from three-point range. He joined the team following experience playing professionally in Armenia, Iceland and Maldives.
German-born Hedley continues his NBL D1 career while studying Biological Science. The 6’4” guard’s previous playing experience includes his time with the Leicester Riders British Basketball League team.
Last season, Hedley put up 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game in Division 1.
Hayden studies Sports Coaching at the University while playing in the NBL D1. The 6’7”, British forward has played for Loughborough Basketball over the last three seasons and won the BUCS title with the team last year.
British wing Bielak will continue his BsC in Exercise Science at Loughborough University alongside his playing career in Division 1 and BUCS 1st team. Bielak was also a feature on Loughborough’s BUCS winning team, the sharpshooter also averaging 12 points in the NBL D1 last season.
6’5 Brit Gordon continues his Sport and Exercise Science studies at Loughborough alongside his NBL Division 1 and BUCS 1st team playing commitments. Gordon enters his third season with Loughborough, after averaging 5.5 points and 4.6 rebounds a game last year and winning the BUCS title.
Woog, a Charnwood College alumni, joined Loughborough’s NBL Division One side last season. The British 6’8 forward was part of the Riders BUCS title-winning team last season and has international experience for the Wales Senior Men’s programme.
Oputa returns to the Loughborough first team after a season playing for the D3 team. The 6’6” forward joined the Loughborough Basketball programme in 2019.
All of the returners will play in both the NBL and BUCS teams this season.
Head Coach Will Maynard commented: “To have so many players returning is great for the team. Hopefully, this continuity helps us as we move into next season, and we are able to hit the ground running as soon as pre-season starts.
“We know how tough of a task it can be with so many games through the season and on top of that your studying, so having guys who are used to that will definitely help throughout this long season.
“We have a great variety of players within the group which gives us a strong start when looking into the season, we have a great group of unselfish players who want to help the team win and willing to do whatever they need to do for the team to be successful.
“A lot of the returners are in their last year of study and last year with the programme so hoping to make it a season to remember for those guys.”
Riders Media - 16th August 2023
Leicester Riders: Hospitality
We are proud to offer a number of excellent game night packages, including
our corporate hospitality, the 1967 Club, and our Mezzanine hospitality package for you to indulge in during matchday games.
1967 Club
Enjoy the highest quality game night experience as part of the 1967 Club.
Access to the 1967 Club includes:
- Exclusive access to the 1967 Club before and after games
- Complimentary bar until half-time; to include beer, wine and soft drinks
- Two-course meal served before the game
- Pre-game presentation from a former player or coach
- Courtside/baseline seats for the game
- Post-match platter following the game
- Reserved Car Parking Space
- Opportunity to meet the players in the lounge following the game
- Complimentary season guide and game day team sheet
1967 Club Hospitality price: £80 per person + VAT
Mezzanine Hospitality
Leicester Riders offer action-packed entertainment in an electric atmosphere in the very heart of the city.
Our excellent gameday package includes the use of one of our mezzanines overlooking the playing court and provides a unique gameday hospitality
experience.
This new hospitality experience provides a panoramic view of the game, catering, and private bar facilities as well as opportunities to meet the Riders team.
The Mezzanine Hospitality includes:
- Private use of one of our two mezzanine areas for up to 80 guests
- Pre-game hot buffet dishes include; curry lasagne; chilli con carne; all served on the mezzanine
- Tickets to watch the game from the mezzanine or in seats
- Private cash bar and toilet facilities
- Complimentary season guide and game day team sheet
Mezzanine Hospitality price: £39 per person + VAT (Minimum numbers of 30 for private use)
Discounted Mezzanine Hospitality is also available at £25 for our preseason fixture against USA Select.
Read about all of our hospitality offers in our corporate brochure.
Interested in a game sponsorship, or want more information? Please contact [email protected].
Riders Media - 15th August 2023
2023/24 Trophy format explained!
The British Basketball League released a revamped structure for the upcoming season, featuring best-of-three playoff series, the return of the All-Star game and an all-new Trophy format.
The new structure allows The League to turn its full attention to each competition, dedicating a month of play to the Trophy.
Get to know the new Trophy format.
How does the new format work?
This season in the Trophy, the teams are split into two groups of five. Each team will play the other teams in their group once, determining their standings.
The top two teams in each group progress to the semi-finals. Should you finish top of your group, you earn a semi-final matchup against second place in the other group.
The semi-finals and finals are single elimination knockout, leading to an eventual winner being crowned!
Who will we play?
The Riders’ group features the London Lions, Bristol Flyers, Newcastle Eagles and Manchester Giants.
Our group fixtures are as follows:
| Date | Time | H/A | Opponent |
| Friday 5th Jan | 19:00 | H | Bristol Flyers |
| Sunday 7th Jan | 15:00 | A | London Lions |
| Wednesday 10th Jan | 19:45 | H | Manchester Giants |
| Friday 19th Jan | 19:45 | A | Newcastle Eagles |
Where are the games?
Following the group stage, the semi-finals and finals will take place at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham, in a final-four weekend event.
The semi-finals will be played on Saturday, January 27, leading to the final on Sunday, January 28.
How can you watch?
You can get tickets to our home fixtures in this season’s Trophy here:
Friday 5th January vs Bristol Flyers
Wednesday 10th January vs Manchester Giants
Tickets to the semi-finals and final at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham are available here.
You can watch our away fixtures on the British Basketball League YouTube channel.
Riders Media - 15th August 2023
2023/24 fixture changes
Some Leicester Riders’ fixtures for the 2023/24 season have been changed.
Our home game against Plymouth City Patriots on Febuary 22 has moved to September 22 and becomes our second home fixture.
Our trip to the London Lions has moved from September 20 to December 10.
Our previously unscheduled home fixture against Newcastle Eagles will be played on November 4.
The full fixture list is detailed below.
Fixtures
| Date | Time | Competition | H/A | Opponent |
| Friday 15th Sept | 19:45 | Regular season | H | Cheshire Phoenix |
| Friday 22nd Sept | 19:45 | Regular season | H | Plymouth City Patriots |
| Saturday 30th Sept | 20:00 | Regular season | A | Bristol Flyers |
| Friday 6th Oct | 19:45 | Regular season | A | Newcastle Eagles |
| Friday 13th Oct | 19:30 | Regular season | H | Surrey Scorchers |
| Saturday 14th Oct | 20:00 | Regular season | A | Manchester Giants |
| Friday 20th Oct | 19:30 | Regular season | A | Newcastle Eagles |
| Thursday 26th Oct | 19:45 | Regular season | H | Surrey Scorchers |
| Sunday 29th Oct | 18:00 | Regular season | A | Caledonia Gladiators |
| Saturday 4th Nov | 19:30 | Regular season | H | Newcastle Eagles |
| Friday 10th Nov | 19:45 | Regular season | H | London Lions |
| Sunday 12th Nov | 18:00 | Regular season | A | Cheshire Phoenix |
| Friday 17th Nov | 19:45 | Regular season | A | Sheffield Sharks |
| Saturday 25th Nov | 20:00 | Regular season | H | Manchester Giants |
| Friday 1st Dec | 19:45 | Regular season | H | London Lions |
| Sunday 3rd Dec | 18:00 | Regular season | A | Cheshire Phoenix |
| Sunday 10th Dec | 16:30 | Regular season | A | London Lions |
| Friday 15th Dec | 19:30 | Regular season | H | Caledonia Gladiators |
| Saturday 23rd Dec | 17:00 | Regular season | A | Manchester Giants |
| Thursday 28th Dec | 19:45 | Regular season | H | Bristol Flyers |
| Saturday 30th Dec | 17:00 | Regular season | H | Sheffield Sharks |
| Saturday 6th Jan | 20:00 | Trophy | H | Bristol Flyers |
| Sunday 7th Jan | 15:00 | Trophy | A | London Lions |
| Wednesday 10th Jan | 19:45 | Trophy | H | Manchester Giants |
| Friday 19th Jan | 19:45 | Trophy | A | Newcastle Eagles |
| Saturday 27th Jan | TBC | Trophy | TBC | Semi Final at Utilita Arena, Birmingham |
| Sunday 28th Jan | TBC | Trophy | TBC | Final at Utilita Arena, Birmingham |
| Friday 9th Feb | 19:45 | Regular season | H | Plymouth City Patriots |
| Sunday 11th Feb | 18:00 | Regular season | A | Caledonia Gladiators |
| Friday 16th Feb | 19:30 | Regular season | H | Sheffield Sharks |
| Sunday 18th Feb | 15:00 | Regular season | A | Plymouth City Patriots |
| Friday 1st Mar | 19:45 | Regular season | H | Cheshire Phoenix |
| Sunday 3rd Mar | 15:00 | Regular season | A | London Lions |
| Sunday 10th Mar | 15:00 | Regular season | A | Bristol Flyers |
| Sunday 17th Mar | TBC | All-Star | Copper Box Arena | |
| Friday 22nd Mar | 19:30 | Regular season | H | Caledonia Gladiators |
| Sunday 24th Mar | 18:00 | Regular season | A | Plymouth City Patriots |
| Friday 29th Mar | 19:45 | Regular season | A | Sheffield Sharks |
| Sunday 31st Mar | 15:00 | Regular season | H | Newcastle Eagles |
| Thursday 4th Apr | 19:45 | Regular season | H | Bristol Flyers |
| Friday 19th Apr | 19:45 | Regular season | H | Manchester Giants |
| Sunday 21st Apr | 15:00 | Regular season | A | Surrey Scorchers |
Please note fixtures and timings may be subject to change.
The following game remains unscheduled.
| Competition | H/A | Opponent |
| Regular season | A | Surrey Scorchers |
Want to see the Riders in action?
Get tickets to our preseason home opener against USA Select here!
Get tickets to our season opener against the Cheshire Phoenix!
Riders Media - 12th August 2023
WBBL update: Riders’ roster so far!
We’re counting down the days for the new WBBL season, and it’s been a busy offseason so far! Both new and familiar names have signed to play in Riders red, and there are a few more to come!
Here you can refamiliarise yourself with our roster.
Katie Januszewska– Retained
“KJ” is a Charnwood product, joining the Academy in 2020.
In 2021/2022, the versatile wing averaged 19.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in the WEABL and made the All-First Team in the Northern Conference.
She was also named to the Women’s NBL Division One British Team of the Year with the Loughborough Riders, putting up 13.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
Last season, Januszewska join St Francis Brooklyn in NCAA Division One, before returning to the East Midlands for the upcoming year.
Jessica Eadsforth-Yates- Retained
Jessica Eadsforth-Yates is a Manchester-born guard who signed a two-year deal last summer, joining from the Newcastle Eagles.
The Charnwood graduate averaged 7.7 points per game in the WBBL Championship for the Riders last year, putting up a season-high 25 points against the Oaklands Wolves.
Jessica also studies at Loughborough University for her master’s, winning the BUCS championship last season.
Erin Powell- Retained
Erin Powell will suit up for the Riders while completing her third year at Charnwood College.
Powell averaged 28.5 points and 18.8 rebounds in the EABL last season and 6.8 points per game in the WBL Division One for the Loughborough Riders.
She also has experience on the international stage, having played for Great Britain Under-18s.
Shahd Abboud- Signed from Maccabi Ramat Gan
Abboud is an Israeli international, who joined from Maccabi Ramat Gan in the Israeli Premier Division.
She represented her country in the 2021 European Championships and has regularly played for Israeli senior team since 2018.
In 2018, the Nazereth-native was named the first-ever Arab-Israeli captain of an Israeli Premier League team by Hapoel Petah Tikva.
In college, Abboud suited up for Northwestern State University, averaging 8.4 points per game as a junior while starting 28 games.
McKenzie Johnston- Retained
American guard McKenzie Johnston helped the Riders to all three domestic finals last season.
She averaged 8.3 points, 6.4 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game in the WBBL Championship.
Johnston signed a two-year deal last summer to play in the WBBL alongside studying for her master’s at Loughborough University.
Sam Ashby- Signed from the University of the Pacific
Sam Ashby is a 5’9” Australian, joining the club following her college career at the University of the Pacific.
She scored 10.9 per game in her senior year with the Tigers, earning an All-West Coast Conference Honourable Mention selection.
Prior to Pacific, the Perth native played for three years at her hometown Newman College, where she helped her team to three Associated and Catholic Colleges titles.
She was named MVP in 2017 and earned Most Outstanding Female Basketballer honours in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, she led Newman to the Marist Grand Final in Sydney.
Ashby will also compete for Loughborough University while she completes her master’s.
Taylor O’Brien- Signed from Floria State University
American guard O’Brien signed from Flordia State, having averaged 6.7 points for the Seminoles last season.
She spent four years prior at Bucknell University, leading the team in scoring for two straight seasons and earning a place on the All-Patriot League First team for 2021 and 2022. The Pennsylvania native averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in her final season with the Bison.
O’Brien also owns Bucknell’s record in the outdoor high jump and was named to the second Team All-Patriot League with a runner-up finish in the 2019 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Rayven Peeples- Signed from St John’s University
Rayven Peeples is a 6’3” forward who started all 32 games for tSt John’s Red Storm last season, ranking sixth in the conference with 8.7 rebounds per game. She scored 6.7 points per game in her final season in the Big East conference.
In 2021/22, Peeples averaged 8.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, once again leading the team on the boards.
Prior to St Johns, Peeples played for North Carolina A&T as a freshman, then Northwest Florida State College. She led the Northwest Florida Raiders in scoring with 14.0 points per game, and ranked fourth in the country in field goal percentage, shooting 64.2%.
Elise Tweedie- Signed from University of Edinburgh
21-year-old Scot Tweedie joins from the University of Edinburgh, where she graduated this summer.
Tweedie played two seasons for her home country Caledonia Pride in the Women’s British Basketball League. The 6’4” center averaged 4.5 points and 4.2 rebounds and played 23 games in 2021/22.
Marissa Hamilton- Signed from Merrimack College
6’0” forward Hamilton played her final college season at Merrimack College, where she put up 13.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and was named to the NEC Third Team.
Prior to that, Hamilton spent three years at the University of Buffalo, playing all 31 games as a junior and leading the Bulls in blocks.
Want to sponsor one of our players?
Read about our WBBL sponsorship opportunities in our corporate brochure!
Riders Media - 11th August 2023
Jaren Holmes: Top 5 Performances
Riders’ new man Jaren Holmes is entering his first professional season following a four-year college career.
The 6’4” guard made a name for himself as an elite scorer and facilitator during his time in the NCAA D1.
Get to know him with some of his best showings.
Career high 38 points
Holmes exploded for a career-high 38 points in just 37 minutes in his second year for St. Bonaventure Bonnies. It was a sharpshooting clinic, as a red-hot Holmes drained eight threes in his team’s 83-57 win against Saint Joseph’s Hawks.
He hit a triple to get the action underway, but it was a 28-point second half that blew the game open. He scored 11 straight points in the half to build the lead and lead the Bonnies to a blowout win.
Holmes dominated the boards as well as the scoring, grabbing 10 rebounds on his way to an emphatic double-double.
The game is tied for eighth all-time for single-game scoring performances in college history.
Back-to-back
You could have forgiven Holmes for a down game after his career-high night against St Joe’s. Instead, he went off for 26 points to lead the Bonnies to a 68-54 win against the Fordham Rams.
Holmes hit the dagger with a 1:30 remaining to seal the win, his hot hand staying hot with another five threes in the game. He went 10-16 from the field in a game where neither team found a rhythm on offence.
The win moved the team to 5-1 to start the season, in the midst of a seven-game winning streak.
Holmes went on to average 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on the season, earning a place on the Atlantic 10 second-team All-Conference honours and was named to the A-10 All-Academic Team for the second year in a row.
Upset on primetime
In a top-25 matchup live on ESPN, Holmes led Iowa State to an upset win against the #5 Kansas State in front of a raucous home crowd.
He had 23 points for the Cyclones in the fight for the Big 12 one-seed, going 8-11 from the field and dishing seven assists.
It was a hard-fought game wire-to-wire, but Holmes cooly knocked down the game-winning free throws, after being sent to the line up two.
A 16-point second half from Holmes saw Iowa State take the win. Holmes led the team to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
Double-double against Coppin State
Playing 37 minutes against the Coppin State Eagles, Holmes went off for 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the Bonnies’ 93-81, going 10-14 from the field and and 3-5 from three.
He made his presence known on both ends, adding two steals and a block to his box score.
The Bonnies won 93-81, kicking off a three-game winning streak as they started Homes’ senior year 4-1.
Playing big minutes was something Holmes became accustomed to that season, as he became one of the national minutes leaders at 38.1 per contest and started all 33 games.
Crashing the glass
Holmes showed he could lead the team in multiple ways by dominating the paint for his career-high in rebounds.
Holmes led the Bonnies in points and rebounds in a 70-54 win against the Marquette Golden Eagles, going off for a 19 and 13 double-double in the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic tournament.
Holmes made just six field goals in the game, but his persistence on the glass and ability to get to the free throw line saw him fill up the scoring column, leading his team to the win.
The win put the Bonnies to a 5-0 start to the season, building early momentum in Homes’ junior year.
Want to see Jaren in action?
Get tickets to our preseason opener against Loughborough University here!
Get tickets to our preseason home opener against USA Select here!
Image credit: Iowa State Cyclones
Riders Media - 11th August 2023
“I can’t wait to be a part of the culture!”- Sam Ashby on her journey to the pros
Leicester Riders’ newest WBBL addition has travelled to the other side of the world to compete in British basketball.
Australian Sam Ashby is a highly touted talent straight out of the University of the Pacific, but the leap into the unknown wasn’t something that was always feasible for her.
“Until the age of 17, I didn’t like staying away from home for even a night,” said Ashby, recollecting how far she has come since she first moved away from her home city of Perth.
“I’d struggle to have sleepovers with friends! But college has helped me grow up,” reflected the now 22-year-old.
Sam knew her talent could take her far as a mid-teen, making it onto Western Australian State under 16s at 15. She found herself competing against older age groups, preparing her for what was to come in college.
She was named Associated and Catholic Colleges MVP in 2017 and won three titles. Next came the difficult transition to America, where she tried her hand at the NCAA system.
Ashby landed in Stockton, California, ready to play for the University of the Pacific.
“Going to college was really scary for me. My thought process was that if I try it and I hate it, at least I’ll know and can’t regret it. If I didn’t try, there would always have been the what if.
“I had a big culture shock. It was really tough mentally being away from home. Not having family there, or even being able to talk to them because of the time difference was challenging.
“But I arrived with no expectations and thought to make the most of it.”
Ashby faced adversity on the court too. In her freshman year, she averaged three minutes a game and was forced to fight her way into the team.
“The first year was tough. I worked really hard, and I thought I deserved to play more than I did. I kept going for extra sessions and giving absolutely everything to show that I was meant to be there.
“My coach didn’t like to play freshmen. His attitude was if you’re young, you have to earn your place, so he played the older girls. I was taking them on in practice and doing well, but I couldn’t get minutes.
“When I came back for my sophomore year, I’d done a lot of work in the gym. I came back bigger and stronger, and they recognised that I wanted this, and gave me the opportunity.
“I showed up, did my best, and was starting for the team as a sophomore, so I think I proved myself that year.”
Prove herself she did. By her senior year, Ashby was an All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention selection, starting all 32 games for the Tigers and averaging 10.9 points per game.
She still had to overcome mental battles, which affected her performance early into her college career.
“I always had the basic skills, but being young and in the NCAA, I got really stressed out and suffered from performance anxiety. Decisions that I’d never make began creeping into my game. I learnt to relax, and play my own game instead of overthinking everything
“It took a lot of self-reflection and learning how to overcome that.”
Sam leaves college a different person. Someone that has grown in confidence and independence, and is ready to take on the challenges of international basketball.
“It made me grow up. I went into college as a shy 18-year-old, but I’ve learned how to develop relationships and friendships and talk to strangers. The biggest thing I got out of college was confidence.”
With her newfound confidence, Ashby is ready to take her talents to the UK, under Head Coach Ben Stanley’s leadership.
“Ben was lovely. He told me about his coaching style, and I was really intrigued by it. He sounds like a coach that I want to play for: not a hothead but he knows what he’s doing. Being relaxed, calm and smart is a great attribute as a coach.”
She now brings the work ethic and drive which earned her a starting spot in college to the East Midlands, looking to help push the team forward.
“I bring hard work, leadership by example and giving everything I can to make myself and others better. I’m looking forward to playing against different players. I’ve never played in the UK before, so I can’t wait to see how everyone plays.”
For Ashby, it’s bigger than just the game. She wants to use her platform to be a role model that she never had growing up.
“I would love to promote women’s basketball. Its become so much bigger throughout the years, and throughout my college experience, seeing younger girls come in and seeing how they look up to me and other players is huge for me.
“I never had that when I was younger. Women’s sport wasn’t even streamed at home, so I didn’t have the opportunity to look up to female athletes. Now, I can have an effect on other people which is a really big deal, and we’re really lucky that kids have female athletes to look up to.”
Now, all that’s left is to get started.
“I’m really excited to meet everyone and play in that atmosphere. I saw the photos from the finals last year, and it looked insane. I can’t wait to be a part of that culture!”
Photo credit: Pacific Tigers
Riders Media - 8th August 2023
Leicester Riders mascot experience
Become a Riders mascot for our preseason home opener against USA Select!
The package includes:
- Four tickets
- Lead the team on-court during the player introductions
- Riders’ t-shirt
- PA Announcement
Mascot package price: £95 (Booking Fee Applies)
Call Riders reception at 0116 255 8635 to book, or contact [email protected].
Riders Media - 8th August 2023
Leicester Riders birthday package
Celebrate your birthday in style, with a Leicester Riders birthday party experience!
We are offering this experience for our preseason home opener against USA Select!
This package includes:
- 10 tickets (2 Adults, 8 children)
- Leading the team on-court during the player introductions
- Commemorative group photo with the team
- Post-game meet the team access
- Halftime presentation on-court with a Riders cake
- Birthday message on Morningside Arena LED screens
- PA announcement message
Birthday party package price: £150 (Booking Fee Applies)
Call Riders reception at 0116 255 8635 to book or contact [email protected].
(Food options or larger party groups can be arranged)
Riders Media - 7th August 2023
Riders sign Pinson
Leicester Riders are excited to announce the signing of Xavier Pinson for the 2023/24 season.
The 6’2” American guard signs from New Mexico State University, following stints at LSU and Missouri over his five-year college career. The Chicago native averaged 13.3 points and 4.5 assists in his final college season in New Mexico.
Pinson served as LSU’s starting point guard for the 2021/22 season, averaging 9.8 points, 4.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He helped lead the Tigers to a 14-1 start to the season and an overall record of 22-12
He spent three years prior at the University of Missouri, putting up 10.3 points as a junior. Pinson helped Missouri to an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
Pinson commented: “I know I’m coming to a legendary organisation, so I want to add to the trophy cabinet. I want a championship. I don’t care about anything else, I just want to win. I want to help my coaches, teammates and organisation to where it should be.
“I’ve worked extremely hard to be the player I am today, so I want to get out there and play well for the fans. My focus is on helping this team in any way possible: whatever anyone needs from me is what I’ll bring to the team. I’m ready to help add more history to the Riders.”
Head Coach Rob Paternostro added: “We are thrilled to sign Xavier. He is an exciting guard who has great quickness and can make plays all over the court.
“He is a guard that can eliminate defenders and put pressure on the defence with his passing and finishing at the rim.
“He has played at a high level and shown the ability to be a dynamic player. It should be exciting to watch him play.”
Want to see Xavier in action?
Get tickets to our preseason opener against Loughborough University here!
Get tickets to our preseason home opener against USA Select here!
Riders Media - 5th August 2023
Riders 2023/24 roster!
It’s been a busy offseason! Both new and familiar names have signed to play in Riders red for the upcoming season!
Here you can familiarise yourself with our roster for 2023/24…
Kimbal Mackenzie- Guard
Kimbal Mackenzie is back for his third season with the Riders. During that time has proved himself one of the League’s best in the backcourt.
After gaining experience in Spain and his home nation Canada, Mackenzie took up a starring role last season, averaging 12.7 points and 3.8 assists per game.
His play earned him a spot on the Molten BBL British Team of the Year, and won him Molten BBL Player of the Month for February.
Kimbal’s college career was spent in the NCAA D1 for Bucknall. He enjoyed a sensational senior year, scoring 17.6 points per game, the seventh-most in a season in college history.
Samuel Idowu- Forward
Samuel Iwodu is a force in the Riders’ frontcourt. The 6’8” forward brings strength and physicality to the paint on both ends of the court.
The New York native is a fourth-year professional, having played in the Netherlands and Denmark. His most recent season for Yoast United was cut short due to injury, having averaged 15.8 points and seven rebounds in his first two years.
Iwodu spent his college career in NCAA division one with Saint Peter’s University. He starred for the Peacocks in helping them win the program’s first-ever national postseason tournament championship in 2017.
Braelen Bridges- Forward
Braelen Bridges is a first-year pro, following four years in the NCAA division one.
He played his first two college seasons at the University of Illinois at Chicago, before transferring to his hometown University of Georgia for his junior and senior years.
Bridges averaged 12.9 points and 5.6 rebounds as a junior. He was the only Bulldog to start all 32 games, and was Georgia’s most efficient scorer in his time there, shooting 56.1% from the field.
Victor Ndoukou- Forward
Victor Ndoukou playing against Finland u20s
Ndoukou first joined the Riders in 2019 and is one of GB basketball’s exciting young talents.
He represented GB at the youth level and played for the Loughborough and Charnwood Riders during his time in Leicester.
Ndoukou also represented GB Under-20s this summer in the FIBA European Youth Championships.
He averaged 15.5 points per game for Charnwood College in the 2021/22 season, winning EABL MVP.
Mo Walker- Forward
Canadian-born, British big-man Mo Walker returns for his fourth season with the Riders. Mo graduated from the University of Minnesota, leading the team in rebounds and blocks as the second-leading scorer in his senior year.
Walker signed his first pro contract in the Italian first division. He gained experience around Europe, playing in Latvia, France and the BBL for the Worcester Wolves.
Mo was been a key fixture in the Riders’ treble-winning season in 2022.
TJ Lall- Foward
TJ Lall is a first-year Rider, who has played in the Canadian CEBL for much of his career.
He was selected by the Ottawa BlackJacks as the first overall pick during the 2020 CEBL Draft, and played in Canada for four seasons.
Lall played last season in the Japanese first division for Kyoto Hannaryz, putting up 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
In college, the Ontario native won four national titles with the Carleton Ravens before transferring to Brock University for his fifth college season.
Miryne Thomas- Forward
Miryne Thomas signed in the summer for the 2023/24 season.
The 6’8” forward is in his rookie year after averaging 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds for Kent State in the NCAA Division One last season.
Thomas, a Cleaveland native, averaged double-digit points in his final two college seasons, transferring from Ball State to Kent State for his final year of eligibility.
He averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds over his five-year college career.
Caleb Asberry- Guard
Caleb Asberry signed straight out of college to the Riders’ 2023/24 roster.
The 6’3 spent his final year of eligibility with Oklahoma State in the NCAA Division One. He averaged 9.7 points per game in the Big 12 for the Cowboys, following three seasons with Texas State.
At his home university, the Texas native had back-to-back seasons scoring over 13 points per game. He was the only Bobcat to start all 29 games and led the team in steals and three-pointers made.
Asberry also became the first Bobcat in school history to earn back-to-back All-District honours from the NABC.
Jaren Holmes- Guard
Holmes arrived in Leicester as a rookie, having spent his final season of college eligibility at Iowa State. He led the Cyclones in scoring with 13.3 points per game and was one of two players to start all 33 games.
He was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and received an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Three years at St. Bonaventure University proceeded Holmes’ year at Iowa State.
He scored over 1000 points for the Bonnies, putting up 13.5 points, five rebounds and 3.6 assists in the 2021/22 season. He was named to the Atlantic 10 Second Team All-Conference in 2021.
Blake Bowman- Forward
Blake Bowman joined the Riders for his first venture into BBL basketball last season, establishing himself as one of the UK’s hottest prospects. His high-flying dunks and infectious energy quickly made him a fan-favourite.
Bowman played previously with his hometown Derby Trailblazers, playing through their youth setup. He averaged 19 points, six rebounds and three assists in the NBL, helping to bring silverware to the midlands.
Blake’s father Barry had a spell in the BBL during his professional career, while his uncle, Marc Hawley played 56 games in two seasons for the Riders between 1997 and 1999.
Conner Washington- Guard
During his decade-long tenure with the Riders, GB guard Conner Washington has won everything there is to win in the British Basketball League with 14 pieces of silverware to his name.
Washington is an integral part of the Riders’ successes over the last 10 years. In the 2016/17 season, Conner made the BBL Defensive Team of the Year and British Team of the Year. He developed into a dangerous perimeter threat, averaging over 40% from three in three separate seasons.
Washington is respected around the League as an intelligent veteran, playing to an elite standard on both ends. He has earned Molten BBL Defensive Team of the Year honours on three separate occasions.
Xavier Pinson- Guard
American guard Xavier Pinson signed from New Mexico State University, following stints at LSU and Missouri over his five-year college career. The Chicago native averaged 13.3 points and 4.5 assists in his final college season in New Mexico.
Pinson served as LSU’s starting point guard for the 2021/22 season, averaging 9.8 points, 4.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He helped lead the Tigers to a 14-1 start to the season and an overall record of 22-12
He spent three years prior at the University of Missouri, putting up 10.3 points as a junior. Pinson helped Missouri to an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
Want to see the Riders in action?
Get tickets to our season opener against the Cheshire Phoenix!
Get tickets to our preseason opener against Loughborough University here!
Get tickets to our preseason home opener against USA Select here!
Riders Media - 2nd August 2023
Ticket Information: Loughborough Men’s preseason fixtures
Loughborough Riders Men’s tip-off preseason action against BBL opponents, taking on the Leicester Riders and Cheshire Phoenix.
Loughborough will play Leicester in the Sir David Wallace building at the University on August 25, tipping off at 7 pm.
Loughborough will take on the Riders in the annual “Red vs Purple” matchup.
Ticket prices are as follows:
| Ticket type | Price |
| Adult | £10 |
| Child/Student | £5 |
We face Cheshire on Saturday, September 2, at the Netball Centre building, tipping off at 3 pm.
Ticket prices are as follows:
| Ticket Type | Price |
| Adult | £8 |
| Child (6-16) | £5 |
| Student | £2 |
| Family (2 Adult, 2 Child) | £15 |
Please note, seating is unreserved.
T&C’s and bookie fees apply
Riders Media - 2nd August 2023
Ticket information: Riders at Loughborough
Leicester Riders are set for preseason action against Loughborough University!
The game will take place in the Sir David Wallace building at the University on August 25, tipping off at 7 pm.
The Riders will take on the future of British basketball in the Loughborough Riders, in the annual “Red vs Purple” matchup.
Ticket prices are as follows:
| Ticket type | Price |
| Adult | £10 |
| Child/Student | £5 |
Please note, seating is unreserved.
T&C’s and bookie fees apply
Riders Media - 31st July 2023
Riders abroad: Mackenzie and Lall make CEBL Conference Finals
Leicester Riders duo TJ Lall and Kimbal Mackenzie are headed to the CEBL Championship weekend!
The Canadian pair have spent the summer with the Niagara River Lions, who booked their place in the Eastern Conference final with a game to spare.
Four CEBL teams will compete for the coveted CEBL Championship Trophy at the Langley Events Centre, the River Lions’ Conference Final taking place on August 11.
Mackenzie and Lall showed out in the River Lions’ final game of the regular season.
Lall had an impactful outing with a game-high 18 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists and a block. Mackenzie scored 17 points and dished seven assists to direct the Niagara offence as the starting point guard.
“I feel like we’re all together all the time,” Lall said after the game. “Our defence picked up throughout the season, and we’re gaining trust with each other.”
Want to see Lall and Mackenzie in action?
Get tickets to our home preseason opener against USA Select!
Quote credit: Niagara River Lions
Riders Media - 28th July 2023
Top 5 Miryne Moments
Riders’ new man Miryne Thomas is entering his first professional season following a five-year college career.
The 6’8” Cleaveland native made a name for himself as an elite scorer during his time in the NCAA D1.
Get to know him with some of his top performances!
11/3/23: 24 points in MAC Championship semi-final
Kent State played in the MAC Tournament Championship in early 2023, attempting to book their place in the NCAA Tournament.
In the semi-final, they came up against the Akron Zips, the third seed in the Mid-American Conference. Thomas came up huge in the game, a 16-point second half seeing Kent State to a 79-73 win.
He attacked the game with killer efficiency, getting his 24 points on 54% field goal shooting, 66% three-point shooting and going 10-10 from the free-throw line.
They went on to win the championship, beating the number-one seed Toledo 93-78. The championship is the seventh in program history and gave the Golden Flashes an automatic bid into the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
1/11/23: 22-point double-double vs number one seed
The Golden Flashes went into the championship game with supreme confidence against Toldedo, having beaten them in the regular season back in November.
Thomas led them to the win, stuffing the stat sheet with 22 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, shooting 7-15 from the field, 4-10 from three and 4-4 from the foul line.
His play saw them beat the Rockets 75-63, the 6’8” forward grabbing seven offensive boards. After halftime, he put the game beyond much doubt, draining three threes early in the second half against the eventual first-seed.
26/1/22: Dominance at Ball State
Thomas played for Ball State before transferring to Kent State for his final year of eligibility, putting up 11.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
His highest-scoring game of the season: a 26-point outing against the Miami Redhawks. Thomas led Ball State to a dominant 81-64 win, blowing the game open in the first half.
Thomas had eight rebounds and two blocks in the win, as he went 9-12 from the field, 4-5 from three and 4-6 from the free-throw line in a red-hot deep shooting performance.
Ball State finished up as the six seed with an 9-10 record in the MAC Conference.
2/12/17: Dominant from the jump
As a freshman, it didn’t take long for Thomas to show his full potential as a dominant forward. Six games into his college career, he led the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to a 74-70 victory over the American University Eagles with a 17-point double-double.
Thomas averaged 11.1 points and led the team in rebounds with 7.8 per game, and was named to the MEAC All-Rookie Team. He Recorded double-figures in rebounds in nine games with a season-high 16 later in the year.
He put up a season-high 21 points in October before transferring to Ball State at the end of the year.
13/12/20- Miryne can’t miss
Having already established himself as an efficient scorer in his three college seasons prior, Thomas’ ability to put the ball in the basket was on full display against the Northern Illinois Huskies in his final season with Ball State.
He led the team with 20 points and seven rebounds, his shooting efficiency number through the roof. Thomas shot 6-7 from the field, 4-4 from three and 4-5 from the free-throw line, missing only one field goal on the way to his points tally.
It was a 78-58 blowout, Ball State taking a 15-point lead into the half and never looking back. Thomas went on to averaged 49.5% from the field and 44.6% from three in a red-hot year.
Want to see Miryne in action?
Get tickets to our home preseason opener against USA Select!
Photo credit: Kent State Golden Flashes
Riders Media - 27th July 2023
2023/24 WBBL Schedule Released
Leicester Riders’ fixtures for the 2023/24 season have been announced.
We host the Manchester Giants on opening night on 21 October.
The WBBL Betty Codona Trophy will take place throughout January, with the draw taking place at a later date.
The new WBBL All-Star game will take place on 17 March, at a venue to be confirmed.
The full fixture list is listed below. Please note that all fixtures are subject to change.
Fixtures
| Date | Time | Competition | H/A | Opponent |
| 21st Oct | 18:00 | Championship | H | Manchester Giants |
| 28th Oct | 17:45 | Championship | A | Oaklands Wolves |
| 4th Nov | 18:00 | Championship | H | Newcastle Eagles |
| 18th Nov | 15:15 | Championship | A | Cardiff Met Archers |
| 25th Nov | 18:00 | Championship | H | Nottingham Wildcats |
| 3rd Dec | 12:00 | Championship | A | London Lions |
| 9th Dec | 16:00 | Championship | A | Essex Rebels |
| 13th/14th Jan | TBC | Trophy Quarter-Final | TBC | TBC |
| 20th/21st Jan | TBC | Trophy Semi-Final | TBC | TBC |
| 28th Jan | TBC | Trophy Final | TBC | |
| 10th Feb | 16:00 | Championship | H | Cardiff Met Archers |
| 17th Feb | 19:30 | Championship | A | Newcastle Eagles |
| 25th Feb | 14:00 | Championship | A | Manchester Giants |
| 2nd Mar | 18:00 | Championship | H | Oaklands Wolves |
| 9th Mar | 18:00 | Championship | H | London Lions |
| 17th Mar | TBC | All-Star Game | ||
| 31st Mar | 17:00 | Championship | A | Nottingham Wildcats |
| 6th Apr | 18:00 | Championship | H | Essex Rebels |
| 13th Apr | 13:00 | Championship | A | Durham Palatinates |
| 21st Apr | 17:00 | Championship | A | Caledonia Gladiators |
| 27 Apr | 18:00 | Championship | H | Sheffield Hatters |
| TBC | Championship | H | Caledonia Gladiators | |
| TBC | Championship | H | Durham Palatinates | |
| TBC | Championship | A | Sheffield Hatters |
Ticket information is to be announced in the near future!
Riders Media - 27th July 2023
Watch: TJ Lall leads the biggest upset in TBT history
TJ Lall led the biggest upset in “The Basketball Tournament” history, as India Rising knocked off number one seed Red Scare 77-67.
Lall hit the game-winning dagger to send the Brown Ballers into the second round.
It was his game-leading 26th points of the night, which he combined with five rebounds and five assists in a stat-sheet-stuffing display.
He caught fire from deep, going 4-9 from three.
India Rising will take on 2019 champions Carmens Crew in the second round, moving one step closer to the $1 million prize money.
Watch the highlights below
Want to see Lall in action?
Get tickets to our home preseason opener against USA Select!
Riders Media - 24th July 2023
Riders sign Asberry
Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce the signing of Caleb Asberry to their 2023/24 roster.
The 6’3” guard comes straight out of college, where he spent his final year of eligibility with Oklahoma State in the NCAA Division One.
He averaged 9.7 points per game in the Big 12 for the Cowboys, following three seasons with Texas State.
At his home university, the Texas native had back-to-back seasons scoring over 13 points per game. He was the only Bobcat to start all 29 games and led the team in steals and three-pointers made.
Asberry also became the first Bobcat in school history to earn back-to-back All-District honours from the NABC. He helped his school to the 2022 Sun Belt MMB regular-season trophy and was named to the All-Sun Belt First Team as a senior.
“I want to express sincere gratitude and excitement towards singing with the Riders,” said Asberry.
“It is truly an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to join such an incredible organisation. I understand the weight and responsibility that comes with this new chapter in my career.
“Rest assured, I am fully committed to giving my absolute best, both on and off the court. I’m thrilled to be joining an organisation that shares my values and ambitions!”
“We are thrilled to sign Caleb,” said Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
“He is an exciting player who can really put pressure on the defence. He plays the game with a bounce and energy that teammates and fans can appreciate.
“He had a decorated career at Texas State. It was enjoyable to watch him play, and it was impressive how in his final season he went to a new team in the BIG 12 and made a significant impact.”
“He can shoot the ball from long range both off the catch and off the dribble, and he’s the kind of player that can get hot in a hurry and change the game.”
Want to see Caleb in action?
Get tickets to the Riders’ preseason home opener against USA Select!
Photo credit: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Riders Media - 22nd July 2023
Watch: Samuel Idowu New York City Interview
We sat down with Riders’ summer singing Samuel Idowu, who spoke about his basketball journey so far, what he will bring to the team and more!
Watch below!
The former GB u20s star spent his three college years in NCAA division one with Saint Peter’s University. Iwodu starred for the Peacocks in helping them win the program’s first-ever national postseason tournament championship in 2017.
Idowu averaged 16.1 pts in his first professional season in Holland with Aris Leeuwarden. His second year he spent in Denmark with Team FOG Naestved, averaging 15.5 pts. He spent his third year with Yoast United, but was cut short due to injury.
Want to see Idowu in action?
Get tickets to our home preseason opener against USA Select!
Riders Media - 14th July 2023
Riders retain Powell
Leicester Riders can confirm the return of Erin Powell for the 2023/24 season.
The 5’10” forward will suit up for the Riders while completing her third year at Charnwood College.
Powell averaged 28.5 points and 18.8 rebounds in the EABL last season and 6.8 points per game in the WBL Division One for the Loughborough Riders.
She also has experience on the international stage, having played for Great Britain Under-18s.
“I’m super excited to get back to playing and learning with the Riders,” said Powell.
“My last two years with the programme have allowed me to progress towards my goals greatly. Hopefully, I can make positive impacts on the floor with my team.
“I love the atmosphere at Riders, and I am grateful to have another year of development with them.”
“I’m really interested to see Erin continue to develop this season with us,” said Head Coach Ben Stanley.
“She’s shown a lot of improvement over the last year and has already impressed me in conversation this summer. This year should be a big jump for her.”
Riders Media - 13th July 2023
Ticket information: USA Select
Leicester Riders tip off their preseason campaign at the Morningside Arena against USA Select.
The game, played on Friday, September 8 2023, tips off at 7:45 pm, with doors open to fans at 5:45 pm.
The Riders host USA Select every preseason during their annual tour of Europe, as they aim to give aspiring professional players exposure to European basketball clubs.
Ticket prices are as follows:
| Ticket type | Price |
| Adult (16+) | £10 |
| Concession (65+ and students) | £7.50 |
| Child (Under 16) | £5 |
| Hospitality | £25 |
All above tickets are unreserved seating and can be purchased with Loyalty Points.
Hospitality information
Our hospitality package includes the following benefits:
- Paid bar
- Access to the Granby mezzanine
- Main meal served prior to the game
- Exclusive courtside seating
- Private toilet facilities
For more information, please contact [email protected].
T&C’s and bookie fees apply
Riders Media - 12th July 2023
A message from Mo
Hello everybody! It’s great to be back!
I’m so happy that the management, coaching staff and fans still believe in me after all that we’ve been through.
I’m grateful to be able to reach and motivate others, sharing the blessings that basketball has allowed me.
As you all know, I’ve missed some time with injury over the last couple of seasons. It’s been a long road, but God and my girlfriend have helped me mentally. They have been with me every day to help me heal and grow as a person on and off the court.
During my recovery, I enjoyed working with the Foundation. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes and in the community around basketball.
Connecting with the kids was great: helping to motivate and inspire them to get through any difficult times they face.
Now I’m healthy, I can’t wait to get back out there. Expect us to give our best effort every time we step onto the floor. Personally, I expect myself to bring veteran leadership to help the younger players learn and grow.
I know the fans will have our back every game and bring the energy and noise we need in tight spots to get us over the edge.
I’m excited to still be a part of the Riders. I’m grateful to be able to make up for lost time, and I’m looking forward to being back out there with all the fans!
Praise God.
Mo Walker
Riders Media - 10th July 2023
Riders re-sign Walker
The Riders are thrilled to announce the return of Mo Walker for the 2023/24 season.
It will be the Canadian/British big man’s fourth season with the Riders, after signing for the 2020/21 season.
Walker was an integral part of the club’s treble-winning success in 2022, averaging 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game that year.
Before last season was cut short due to injury, the University of Minnesota graduate was putting up 10.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, shooting 58.6% from the field.
“I’m excited to still be a part of the Riders!” said Walker.
“Anyone who has followed the club and has watched my journey knows I have lost time in the past due to injury. But I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to make up for lost time, and I’m looking forward to being back out there in front of the Riders fans!”
“We are all looking forward to having Mo back on the court for us next season,” commented Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
“I thought he started off very well last season and was playing good basketball before the injury. He can be very difficult to match up with, can score in different ways and has the ability to put real pressure on the opposing defence.
“Mo has always shown great leadership during his time here and we have valued that on and off the court.”
Riders Media - 7th July 2023
Riders sign Januszewska
Leicester Riders are delighted to announce the signing of Katie Januszewska for their 2023/24 roster.
Januszewska is a Charnwood product, joining the Academy in 2020. She signs a four-year deal, and will study for a degree at Loughborough University.
In 2021/2022, the versatile wing averaged 19.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in the WEABL and made the All-First Team in the Northern Conference.
She was also named to the Women’s NBL Division One British Team of the Year with the Loughborough Riders, putting up 13.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
Last season, Januszewska joined St Francis Brooklyn in NCAA Division One, before returning to the East Midlands for the upcoming year.
“We’re really excited to have KJ back,” said head coach Ben Stanley.
“She knows how our programme works and her experience from a young age at WNBL1, WBBL and National Teams is going to be invaluable.
“She’s got a diverse game that can really help us and she plays hard, and I think that’s going to really help us as we establish our culture.”
“I am excited for the opportunity,” said Januszewska.
“I’m grateful to be able to return home and continue my studies while playing basketball for the Riders, who have had a big part in my journey so far.”
Riders Media - 7th July 2023
Watch: Victor Ndoukou on his GB Under-20s call up
Young Riders’ forward Victor Ndoukou recieved a call-up to captain Great Britain Under-20s for the FIBA European Youth Championships ‘B’ Divison.
Ndoukou will play alongside Charnwood’s Lane Campbell in the competition.
We sat down with Ndoukou, who told us what representing his country means to him.
Starting on the 7th July, Great Britain will compete in Skopje, North Macedonia, in a group alongside Austria, Hungary, Luxembourg and Portugal.
The group games take place on the following:
Friday, July 7 2023, 8 PM BST – Great Britain vs Austria
Saturday, July 8 2023, 3 PM BST – Portugal vs Great Britain
Sunday, July 9 2023, 12:30 PM BST – Great Britain vs Luxembourg
Tuesday, July 11 2023, 12:30 PM BST – Hungary vs Great Britain
You can watch every game on GB Basketball TV.
We’ll keep you up to date on Ndoukou and GB as the action unfolds!
Photo credit: Ville Vuorinen
Riders Media - 3rd July 2023
Riders sign Bridges
The Leicester Riders are delighted to announce the signing of Braelen Bridges to their 2022/23 roster.
The 6’10″ forward will play in his rookie season, following his time competing in the NCAA division one.
He first suited up for Northwest Florida State College, then played his next two college seasons at the University of Illinois at Chicago. As a senior, he transferred to his hometown University of Georgia.
Bridges averaged 12.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in his senior year. He was the only Bulldog to start all 32 games and was Georgia’s most efficient scorer during his time there, shooting 56.1% from the field.
He stayed for a fifth year of college to complete his master’s, averaging 8.7 points and 4.9 rebounds, before graduating and signing in Leicester.
Bridges is Coach Rob Paternostro’s third summer recruit after the re-signing of point guard Kimbal Mackenzie and the addition of 6’8” forward Sam Idowu.
READ MORE: Return of the Mack
READ MORE: Riders sign Idowu
“I’m excited about Braelen,” commented Riders head coach Rob Paternostro.
“He played in one of America’s best college basketball conferences and was an impact player with Georgia.”
“He’s got great size and touch around the basket, and what excited me was that he’s just scratching the surface. He has more to his game, and his versatility will shine in the professional game.”
“It is an honour to sign with the Leicester Riders,” added Bridges after signing his first professional contract.
“I’m grateful to get the opportunity to continue to play the game I love at a high level.”
Photo Credit: Georgia Bulldogs
Riders Media - 3rd July 2023
Krumesh Patel departs as head coach
Leicester Riders can confirm the departure of Krumesh Patel as head coach.
Last season, Patel led the team to three finals for the first time in their history and third place in the WBBL Championship with a 17-5 record.
He also led Loughborough University women to the BUCS championship.
“It’s been a great year at Riders, and really nice to return to where I started,” said Patel. “I’d like to thank all the staff and players for everything this year!”
“To have a historic season is a credit to them and something I will never forget. Unfortunately, it’s time to move on, but I wish the programme all the best moving forward.”
The club wishes Krumesh well in his future endeavours.
Riders Media - 27th June 2023
Meet the new members of our commercial team
We are excited to announce new members of our commercial team!
Tracey Hallam- Head of Commercial
We are delighted to welcome Tracey Hallam as the new Head of Commercial. In her role, Tracey will be supporting the three companies, Leicester Riders, Leicester Riders Foundation and Morningside Arena.
Tracey has a wide breadth of commercial experience and is a big Riders fan, having joined from one of Riders’ sponsors, 360Autoleasing. Tracey will provide leadership on sponsorship, marketing, ticketing, corporate communications and sales.
Alejandro Medina- Marketing Executive
Alejandro Medina has also just joined us from the Business School at the University of Leicester, where he was President of the University Basketball Club and a marketing major.
Alex has been liaising with us on a range of interests over the last 3 years while he was an undergraduate and will focus on all aspects of marketing.
Charlie Walker- Corporate Communications Executive
Charlie Walker has joined from the University of Derby, where he received a Sports Journalism degree. Charlie has been working with the club over the last three years and has been a regular contributor to the website, social channels and publications.
Rahul Khanna- Data and Systems Analyst
Rahul Khanna is another new recruit from the University of Leicester, where he was a Mathematics major. He is joining as a data and systems analyst, helping our businesses to really understand all our customers, and our partners, and their engagement with us.
“We are delighted to welcome the new members of our commercial team,” said Riders chairman Kevin Routledge.
“We believe there are great opportunities for us to support Leicestershire
businesses, and Tracey will provide the right leadership.”
To learn about the opportunities available, contact [email protected].
Riders Media - 12th June 2023
Riders sign Idowu
Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce the signing of 6’8” forward Samuel Idowu.
The former GB u20s star spent his three college years in NCAA division one with Saint Peter’s University. Iwodu starred for the Peacocks in helping them win the program’s first ever national postseason tournament championship in 2017.
Idowu averaged 16.1 pts in his first professional season in Holland with Aris Leeuwarden. His second year he spent in Denmark with Team FOG Naestved, averaging 15.5 pts. He spent his third year with Yoast United, but was cut-short due to injury.
“It’s been a long time, but I can’t wait to come back to England” commented Idowu.
“I’m excited to join the Riders for the new season! I look forward to meeting the team, embracing the fans and the culture as well.”
The New York native, who holds a British passport, becomes Coach Rob Paternostro’s second recruit of the summer having secured the services of fan favourite Kimbal Mackenzie late last month.
Coach Rob commented: “We are really looking forward to working with Sam. He is a versatile big with good experience in Europe, who has shown the ability to score and rebound as a professional.”
“I enjoyed speaking with him, he is an intelligent engaging guy who I think will fit in very well with us.”
Photo credit: Saint Peter’s Peacocks
Riders Media - 5th June 2023
Jelson Homes to continue long-standing partnership
Leicester Riders are delighted to confirm that long-standing title sponsor Jelson Homes have extended their sponsorship and support of the club in what will be our 16th season working together.
“Jelson Homes have been an invaluable partner for the club since its rebirth in 2007. We are under no illusions that their continued support is massive for us. It enables Coach Rob to put out a side that has not only competed down the years but also brought home many trophies,” reflected Managing Director Russell Levenston.
“We can’t thank Robert Jelley and Jelson Homes enough. They enable us to provide outstanding accommodation for our players and have helped finance our progress. They have been a rock for us and one we really appreciate.”
Managing Director of Jelson Homes, Robert Jelley commented:
“Our partnership with Leicester Riders has been a fantastic one since the beginning. Seeing the growth over our time together has been incredible, not only in the success on the court and arena development but also in the growth of their community work.”
“We are delighted to be supporting the club once again next season. We’re all very much looking forward to it.”
Riders would like to put on record their thanks for Jelson Homes’ continued and much valued support.
Riders Media - 15th May 2023
BBL announce new format for 2023/24
Following an epic conclusion to the British Basketball League season at The O2, the league is delighted to share its new formats for the 2023/24 season.
The change of format sees the introduction of an All-Star Game which will take place next March. Additionally the formats for the entire calendar, including the Play-offs, has been revamped to make the league more thrilling than ever before, with three major pieces of silverware up for grabs next season.
The league season will make its return on the weekend of Thursday 14 September with the opening round of fixtures in the Championship season, as rivalries are renewed and new stories are told. This, before a mid-season pause from Championship action, will see clubs turn their focus and attention to compete in the British Basketball League Trophy, which tips off on Thursday 4 January. With a new format, the Trophy comprises of two five team groups formed from British Basketball League clubs before the nail biting action concludes with a Semi-Final to decide who heads to Birmingham to compete in the Final on Sunday 29 January.
The new layout of the British basketball calendar will allow for sole focus on each individual competition, ramping up the excitement for fans throughout the campaign, so they can roar on their teams.
Following the return of Championship action, March will bring a showstopping All-Star game for the first time in over ten years – with more details to follow in due course.
Upon the conclusion of the Championship season, the top eight teams will fight in the Play-offs, which sees an upgraded format of a “best of three” series for both the Quarters and Semi-Finals of the competition, and should a lower seeded team defeat a higher seeded team, that team will assume the seeding of the higher seed team they defeated. As always, the season finale sees the league head to London and The O2 for the pulse-raising Play-off Finals on Sunday 19 May.
Speaking on the new formats, the British Basketball League’s CEO, Aaron Radin said:
“We’re really pleased to be launching new formats for the 23/24 season, which I know will excite British Basketball fans. We wanted to ensure the format of the season was clearer for our clubs, partners and fans to follow, ensuring that all the thrilling action flowed throughout the season.
“The reintroduction of an All-Star game will be an amazing showcase of the sensational talent we have in the British Basketball League and adds another landmark moment into the basketball calendar. It’s been an incredible year for the league and we’re only going to continue to grow in the season’s ahead.”
The Women’s British Basketball League will follow a very similar formats structure as the men’s league, with clubs facing off twice throughout the course of the championship season.
The Women’s British Basketball League Chairman, Jim Saker, said:
“It is brilliant to be working in tandem with the men’s league, so we can all capitalise on the monumental growth the sport continues to see in the UK.”
British Basketball League fans should stay tuned throughout the summer for exciting announcements ahead of the 2023/24 season! Dates for all fixtures will be confirmed during the summer ahead of the return of another thrilling campaign of basketball action.
Riders Media - 14th May 2023
Riders fall just short in Playoff Final
The Riders fell just short in the BBL Playoff Final, losing 88-80 to the London Lions.
A fourth-quarter comeback gave the Riders a chance to win it late, but Marc Loving’s three to cut the game to two fell heartbreakingly short, and the Lions saw out the win.
Zach Jackson went off for 20 points and nine rebounds, giving everything to keep his team in it. He was backed by Carrington Love’s 17 points and seven rebounds, the American guard running the Riders’ offence with electric energy.
It was not to be for Leicester, however, who went 5-24 from three and 21-37 from the free throw line in the loss. Despite the off-shooting night, the Riders aggressive play kept them in contention until late, showing heart in the face of adversity.
London’s Jordan Taylor was named Final MVP, putting up 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
In his final game before retirement, Riders’ captain Darien Nelson-Henry led the out the gates for their first two scores. It was a tightly contested start to the game, but the Lions edged out to and advantage towards the end of the first.
Tarik Phillp’s three made it 22-14 London after one, his eight points off the bench leading the game.
The Riders fought back to start the second. Carrington Love pulled the strings, finding open shots for his teammates and bagging four points in three minutes.
But London responded to carve out their biggest lead of the game. They found their way to the rim on four straight possessions to go up 11.
Continuing to play aggressively, the Riders found their way to the free-throw line to remain in contention. They took 19 in the first half to the Lions’ nine, but made only 11. They were also one for eight from three by halftime. Leicester’s shooting in the first half was a major contributor to their deficit.
But they were down only eight, despite finding themselves off the mark shooting the ball. Kimbal Mackenzie hit a fadeaway at the buzzer to jolt momentum into the team going into the locker rooms.
The Riders could not make inroads in the third quarter, but their timely responses to Lions’ buckets kept them in touching distance going into the fourth. They were down 15 midway through the third, but back-to-back buckets from Carrington Love and Zach Jackson cut into their deficit.
London hit back to close the third, rebuilding their advantage to 14 by the buzzer. Jordan Taylor led the team with 11 points and six assists with one to play.
Scoring the first seven in the fourth quarter, the Riders showed heart to make it a game. Five of those points came from the free throw line as Leicester attacked the teeth of London’s defence.
Midway through the fourth, the teams traded three-point bombs. London had the edge from deep, winning the battle from three to get back out to an 11-point lead.
Leicester continued to show heart. They commenced a 9-3 run to come steaming back, cutting it to five with a minute left. Loving had a chance to cut it to one possession, but his three with 40 seconds left rolled around the hoop and out.
Phillip hit the subsequent free throws, winning it for London.
The game concluded the Riders 2022/23 season. Thank you all for your tremendous support.
Riders Media - 13th May 2023
BBL Playoff Final: Key Player Matchups
Sunday’s BBL Playoff Final between the Riders and the London Lions will be a showcase of the best talent the UK’s premier basketball competition has to offer.
Elite talent on both sides inevitably means great one-on-one battles across the court. Basketball is a team sport at its heart, but just ten players occupying the floor at one time means that beating the opposite man carries a lot of impact.
Here are the individual battles to look out for this weekend.
Carrington Love vs. Jordan Taylor
Carrington Love Stat Line: 7.65 PPG/5.52 APG/1.30 SPG/39.51 FG%
Jordan Taylor Stat Line: 9.04 PPG/5.22 APG/0.74 SPG/44.62 FG%
Look for Love and Taylor – two of the league’s flashiest ball handlers – to dictate the action on Sunday evening.
Both like to dish the ball to open teammates but have the ability to score points of their own, although expect the Lions’ point guard to attempt more shots from deep compared to Love, who typically drives down the lane.
If Love wants to get the better of his fellow American, he needs to maintain the high standard of on-ball defence he’s displayed since joining the Riders.
Taylor is one of the most efficient guards in the BBL when it comes to limiting turnovers, but if Love can pilfer a steal or two, that could be the difference between winning and losing.
Patrick Whelan vs. Aaron Best
Patrick Whelan Stat Line: 13.29 PPG/45.41 FG%/43.75 3P%
Aaron Best Stat Line: 11.86 PPG/48.99 FG%/41.45 3P%
The battle of the sharpshooters comes between shooting guards Patrick Whelan and Lions’ captain, Aaron Best.
The Brit and the Canadian are both hitting over 41% of their shots from three-point range and provide a constant threat from beyond the arc.
There is a chance that Whelan and Best will cancel each other out, but if Whelan can get hot, the impact will carry further than his points total.
The Warrington native has the ability to spread the Lions’ defence, opening lanes for the likes of Mackenzie and Jackson.
If Whelan can make that corner spot his own early, the Riders could build an all-important first-half lead.
Zach Jackson vs. Miye Oni
Zach Jackson Stat Line: 15.86 PPG/5.88 RPG/52.30 FG%
Miye Oni Stat Line: 7.94 PPG/4.17 RPG/39.42 FG%
A quick glance over the stat lines paints a dominant picture in favour of Zach Jackson. The Riders’ wing forward is outperforming his American-Nigerian opponent in every key category, but discounting Oni could be perilous.
The 6’5” guard brings impressive pedigree, winning the 2019 Ivy League Player of the Year as a member of Yale University before playing 80 regular season games and 10 playoff games in the NBA for the Utah Jazz.
On his day, Jackson is one of the dynamite scorers in the BBL, dropping over 25 points in seven games since joining the Riders, but has never scored more than 20 against the Lions.
If there’s a time for Jackson to get one over on his man and shine offensively, it’s now.
Darien Nelson-Henry vs. Josh Sharma
Darien Nelson-Henry Stat Line: 8.07 PPG/6.13 RPG/0.51 BPG/58.65 FG%
Josh Sharma Stat Line: 9.20 PPG/5.12 RPG/1.78 BPG/61.87 FG%
We finally move onto the big men, as 6’11” Riders’ captain, Darien Nelson-Henry faces up against the 7’0” Josh Sharma, voted into the ‘All-British’ and ‘Defensive’ teams of the year.
Nelson-Henry, playing in his final game before retirement, has been a different animal during the playoffs. The tough American has averaged 12 PPG and 7.75 RPG in the last four games, vastly improving on his regular season totals.
Nelson-Henry’s relationship with Love looks to have hit its peak, and his movement into the paint has allowed him to find space for an easy shot where others wouldn’t.
He will need to call upon all of his experience and guile to match the 7-foot brick wall in Sharma.
The Lions’ centre often comes off the bench for London, but his impact is nothing short of seismic. He often puts up more than 10 points in a game and held his own block party against the Giants, knocking down six shots on the way to a big win.
The O2 Arena will be rocking this weekend – from the noise of the crowd and the sheer force between this heavyweight clash.
Kimbal Mackenzie vs. Luke Nelson
Kimbal Mackenzie Stat Line: 12.55 PPG/3.86 APG/46.38 FG%/89.25 FT%
Luke Nelson Stat Line: 10.61 PPG/4.32 APG/42.72 FG%/74.29 FT%
The final matchup that could shape the story of the game comes from two spark plugs off the bench, who may not directly face each other.
Mackenzie and Nelson will both bring energy and impact during the game, and how and when they are utilised by coaches Rob Paternostro and Ryan Schmidt will be interesting to see.
Mackenzie is all-energy and a true leader on the court. He may not start the game, but with his ability to step up in the clutch, be sure that he’ll finish it. Expect to see him play aggressively with the ball in his hands, driving to the basket regularly to force the Lions into foul trouble.
Nelson is a true playmaker who can put up points when he needs to. The British combo guard displayed this in a February win over Cheshire, dropping 21 points on the Phoenix while also handing out nine assists.
The two guards will provide quality play off the bench.
Should the starting line-ups cancel each other out, whoever wins this matchup may decide the outcome of the game.
Riders Media - 12th May 2023
BBL Playoff Final Preview: Riders vs Lions
Here we are.
One game to go.
40 minutes between the Riders and back-to-back playoff glory. A chance for every player in the squad to cement their legacy in the history of the club.
In the way – a London Lions squad that has already beaten Leicester in the BBL Cup Final.
Sunday, May 14, 4:15pm is the tip-off time. The O2 Arena in London is the location.
British basketball doesn’t get any more box office than this.
Opposition Report: London Lions
No team has been tougher to beat this season than the London Lions.
Recently named Molten Ed Percival BBL Head Coach of the Year, Ryan Schmidt, has orchestrated a season of rare dominance that saw the Lions win the BBL Cup before running away with the BBL Championship boasting a commanding 32-4 record.
No team has been able to deal with the Lions who, as well as being the most efficient scorers in the league, are the best defensive team in the UK by far.
The #1 seed Lions have carried their sparkling regular season form into the playoffs, first swatting aside Newcastle before getting the better of the #5 seed Cheshire Phoenix.
Neither the Eagles nor the Phoenix were able to get within eight points of the ruthless Pride, who average an impressive 97.75 in the playoffs.
Perhaps the best example of London’s effectiveness on court came in the semi-final second leg at home to Cheshire.
The Lions’ tenacity on the defensive end of the floor held the Phoenix to a poor 41% from the field, which opened clean looks for London’s sharpshooters as Cheshire began to tire.
Granted, the team from the capital allowed Maceo Smith to romp to 34 points, but when a team is averaging 70% in two-pointers, it’s game over.
Season Matchup
Leicester have suffered a loss in all five of their games against their southern opponents this season, including a 79-70 defeat in the previously mentioned BBL Cup Final.
Game 1 set the tone for the year, the Lions taking an 89-78 home victory in the Copper Box Arena, courtesy of an 18-11 double-double by American star, and league MVP, Sam Dekker.
The next contest didn’t arrive until December 27 and, despite the score being closer, London pulled out a second win over the Riders to quieten the Morningside Arena’s Christmas cheer.
Darien Nelson-Henry tussled manfully with former NBA player Kosta Koufous for supremacy on the boards, but his 13 rebounds weren’t enough, and the Riders lost 81-75.
The third game in the BBL Championship ended in a blowout 102-77 road triumph for the Lions. Teams must be a 100% to match the London side and Leicester were off their game. Seven-footer Josh Sharma was the standout player on court, dropping 17 points to build a +21 +/- differential.
April 7 brought a night of entertainment to the Copper Box crowd as Game 4 produced the closest result of the season between the #1 and #2 seeds – an 83-81 win for London.
A topsy-turvy first half saw the Riders take a one-point lead into the break, but, with both defences clamping down in the second 20, the Lions edged ahead at the death.
The last game of the season series should best represent the play of the final – tense, tight and point-for-point.
The Riders need to put the regular season results behind them and focus on the here and now.
Keys to Victory
Get London in Foul Trouble
The Lions have very few chinks in their armour, but getting into foul trouble might be one of them.
London are the third most prolific team at sending the opposition to the line this season, and the Riders punish free shots better than anyone.
If impact players like Kimbal Mackenzie and Evan Walshe drive to the basket aggressively, the Riders can use that league-leading 79.47 free throw percentage effectively.
Match Their Shooting Percentage
As previously mentioned, London have very few weaknesses. In that case, the Riders need to match one of their opposition’s strengths with a strength of their own.
Both squads are clearly the most efficient in the league when shooting the rock, and the Riders need to be at their 48% best on Sunday evening.
London will manufacture some clean looks – it’s inevitable. Leicester need to take their clear shots each time one presents itself.
Missing open looks will undoubtedly see the Riders fighting an uphill battle.
Overcome Defensive Intensity
The Lions’ defence has been their sharpest weapon all season.
Their defensive rating of 92.98 is nearly ten points better than the #2 team in that category – Sheffield.
Coach Rob Paternostro’s players will be under more pressure when in possession of the ball than they have been all season.
They need to rise above that pressure.
Playing smart, team basketball that stays ahead of the shot clock gives Leicester their best chance.
If the Riders can get the better of London’s defence, the chances of a famous victory skyrocket.
Final Word
Following the treble-winning season of last year, the hunger for silverware is embedded in the clubs’ DNA
The BBL Cup and Trophy titles passed the Riders by.
The Playoff title is still within their grasp.
They are the underdogs after five defeats to the Lions this season. Let’s hope it’s sixth time lucky for Coach Rob’s squad.
Riders Media - 11th May 2023
HOOP HQ opens in Loughborough
The exciting new venue in Loughborough town centre has been created to raise funds for the Leicester Riders Foundation, whilst also inspiring the future generation of British basketball talent
British basketball team, Leicester Riders, has today announced the opening of Hoop HQ, an exciting new venue designed to get more young people off the streets and onto the court.
The new experiential space, which is located in Loughborough town centre on Market Street, has been created to raise funds for the Leicester Riders Foundation, give more local children access to the sport and ultimately cultivate the future pipeline of British basketball talent.
The Leicester Riders Foundation already works with lots of communities all over Leicestershire and the Hoop HQ concept will be used as a model around the country. The area will look to become a community base for everyone to be able to access the game of basketball and connect with like-minded individuals, whether that’s through shooting some hoops or playing 3×3 basketball.
The launch of Hoop HQ comes just days before Leicester Riders battle it out against London Lions at the British Basketball Play-Off Finals. Taking place this Sunday at the O2 Arena in London, the Riders will be looking to defend their title for the second year running.
Commenting on the space, Leicester Riders Managing Director and Riders Foundation Trustee, Russell Levenston said: “The opening of Hoop HQ has been a dream of mine and I’m so excited to see it finally come to life. A huge thank you to Raff, the landlord for offering the shop to the foundation and believing in the project, as well as to the local companies and volunteers who’ve helped turn this into a safe, enjoyable space for the community to use.”
Hoop HQ landlord, Raff Russo said: “Hoop HQ is a fantastic initiative and the Leicester Riders team has worked tirelessly to turn what was the old Blockbusters into a welcoming venue for all the community to enjoy. This is a one-of-a-kind space which will be pivotal in driving awareness for British basketball and help to inspire the next generation of players.”
James Sirrell, Director of EDSB Compliance Solutions, commented: “EDSB Compliance Solutions are proud to support Leicester Riders Basketball team and their new Retail outlet in Loughborough. The EDSB team have worked night and day over the past few weeks to get everything compliant in time for their grand opening and we look forward to partnering up with them for many years to come.”
Hoop HQ will be open to the public from Tuesday 23rd May and will be open 6 days a week from 2pm-10pm on weekdays and 9am-5pm on Weekends.
Riders Media - 7th May 2023
Riders through to the Playoff Final!
The Riders booked their place in the BBL Playoff final, beating the Bristol Flyers 159-156 over two legs.
Entering the leg up seven after winning 84-77 in Bristol, the Riders needed only to lose by six or less to progress. Bristol won the second leg 79-75, Leicester hanging on to win it.
They came back from down five in the fourth to win it, flexing their championship pedigree to get over the hump. Marc Loving proved the hero, scoring a team-high 18 points, including two late free throws to win it.
By no means was it easy. The Flyers’ defence held the Riders to 41% from the floor, and their big names showed out. Big man Malcolm Delpeche bossed the boards with 23 points and eight rebounds to hand Leicester just their second playoff loss since 2016.
But the hosts had enough over two legs, and they earned the right to fight for back-to-back playoff titles.
Carrington Love got the Riders going, making their first three field goals to get the team in rhythm. The start was vital to setting the tone of the game, and a 9-5 Riders’ start settled them into it.
They controlled the early stages from there. Loving found form to score six straight, leading Leicester through the first, which ended 21-18 in their favour.
Both offences stalled in the second, but Bristol found their way onto the score sheet to take the lead four minutes in. Delpeche’s putback made it 25-23 to the visitors, forcing a Leicester timeout.
The response was immediate. Zach Jackson’s three retook the lead in a back-and-forth end to the half. But Bristol’s Tevin Olison’s three ended it, the Flyers up two going into the locker rooms.
They tied the fixture quickly in the third period, starting 5-0. The Bristol momentum set up a tense third quarter as the sides battled for control of the semi-final. And it was the Flyers who took it, snatching the lead with a 7-0 run.
Out of a Riders’ timeout, Mackenzie’s three gave the Riders much-needed points. It stemmed the tide, and the teams entered the fourth with everything in the balance.
The Riders, after falling down five over two legs to start the fourth, fought back hard. They tied it through their captain, who trailed a fastbreak to finish in close.
The sides exchanged blows in the clutch, neither backing down. But it was Leicester who found late form. Their big three, Patrick Whelan, Marc Loving and Jackson, hit huge baskets down the stretch to edge a lead.
Delpeche’s fierce slam with nine seconds on the clock meant the game came down to free throws. Loving, ice in his veins, made both making it a three-point tie. Jelani Watson-Gayle, contested brilliantly by Jackson, missed his attempt from deep, sending the Riders to the final.
The final will be played in London’s O2 Arena, and the opponent will be decided in tomorrow’s semi-final between the London Lions and the Cheshire Phoenix.
Riders Media - 6th May 2023
Five Takeaways From The Semi-Final First Leg
The Riders go into Sunday’s box office clash at the Morningside Arena holding a seven-point aggregate lead over the Bristol Flyers.
After opening a commanding 26-point gap between themselves and their hosts, Leicester resisted a spirited response in the second half to win 84-77 – their first victory at the SGS College Arena this season.
Here are five things to take away from a first-leg high in drama.
Another Fast Start Proved to be the Key
Starting with an earth-shattering slam from Aaron Menzies and ending with a smooth three-ball by Zach Jackson, the Riders surged into a 39-13 lead in the first half.
Much like they did against Sheffield, Rob Paternostro’s squad started the game with purpose.
Marc Loving and Carrington Love matched Jackson with a pair of nice deep balls, and 7’3” Menzies was throwing his considerable size around at both ends of the court.
The Brit was unplayable in the first 15 minutes, blocking shots, hustling to offensive rebounds and scoring with ease around the rim.
In one of his best games as a Rider, Menzies’ stat line read ten points, six rebounds and two blocks.
All of this contributed to a healthy first half lead and, once again, piled pressure on the Flyers to bridge the gap.
Riders’ Spread the Scoring
The Riders finished the game with six players boasting double-digits in points.
Starters Jackson, Patrick Whelan and Darien Nelson-Henry all breached ten points and were ably supported by Menzies, speedy guard Evan Walshe and the ball of energy that is Kimbal Mackenzie.
Mackenzie was the Riders’ top scorer with 14, driving to the basket with pace and always asking questions of Bristol’s defence.
#1 also dished out four of the Riders’ 15 assists on a night where the team displayed its impressive strength-in-depth.
The BBL post-season is bringing out the best in every player on the Riders’ team sheet.
Big Performances off the Bench
With so many points coming from all areas of the Riders’ squad, it’s not surprising that they bested the Flyers in bench points – 39 to 28.
Thursday’s semi-final preview mentioned that (between Leicester and Bristol) the team who wins the battle of the benches wins the game.
Nothing happened on Friday night to buck this trend.
Mackenzie, Menzies, Walshe and Jubril Adekoya all brought their ‘A-game’ to the court, proven by the positive numbers in the +/- column.
Menzies and Walshe both finished with a +13 personal points differential, testament to the physicality and athleticism they inflicted on the Flyers.
The latter’s speed when pushing the ball down the court looked undefendable, perfectly demonstrated by a coast-to-coast bucket in the first half.
If Leicester’s bench continue to bring this ferocity, they will be nearly impossible to stop.
Hitting the Fast Break Hard
Having players with the quickness of Mackenzie and Walshe on the team means the Riders often dominate on the fast break – Friday night was no different.
Leicester outscored their #3 ranked opponents 20-5 in fast break points, often taking advantage of Bristol’s missed shots.
The Flyers have struggled with shooting efficiency all season, and despite their ability on the offensive glass, Leicester’s quick ball-handlers were able to punish enough misses to make it count.
The Riders’ half-court offense couldn’t always break down a very tough Bristol D, so those fast break points, combined with a decent night on the boards, really helped to build the substantial early lead.
Solid Shooting Efficiency
Shooting efficiently is one of basketball’s golden rules. Missed shots just mean more opportunities for the opposition to score.
That’s a mistake Bristol made in this first leg and the Riders didn’t – for the most part.
Leicester finished the game shooting 51% from the floor and 38% from three-point range.
Menzies and Walshe were the team’s most reliable scorers, both hitting all of their shots off the bench, and Zach Jackson had a good day from deep, nailing half of his six attempts.
The 76% free throw shooting could and should be improved for Sunday’s second leg, but again, it was good enough, mitigated by the sheer volume of points the Riders hit from the charity stripe.
The Riders can shoot better, but if they can keep Bristol to a FG% under 40, it may not even matter.
Where to watch
The game tips off at 5:30 pm at the Morningside Arena Leicester.
It will also be shown live on Sky Sports and the Sky Sports youtube channel, starting at 5:15 pm.
Riders Media - 3rd May 2023
Bowman dunks on top of the O2!
The British Basketball League delivered the first of its kind show-stopping basketball dunk competition, brought to you by General Tire, at the top of The O2.
All to celebrate the countdown to the British Basketball League play-off finals, which take place later this month.
Leicester Riders star and high-flyer Blake “The Showman” Bowman headed 52 meters up onto the iconic roof of The O2, with roofwalk attraction Up at The O2 which provides panoramic views overlooking London’s skyline, where he recreated a series of epic slam dunks from this year’s regular basketball season, performing and recreating one iconic dunk for each of the qualifying teams who have made it through to this year’s BBL play-offs. This included Tajh Green’s unbelievable off the backboard dunk for Manchester Giants, Josh Sharma’s jam for the London Lions and Bristol Flyer’s alley-oop spectacular. You can view all eight dunks by clicking HERE.
A judging panel of experts were on hand to cast their verdict on which dunk would be crowned the BBL’s ‘Dunk of the Season’. The panel included WBBL board member Siobhan Prior, Behrad Bakhtiari and Denzel Kazembe from Simply British Ballers and leading basketball reporter Sam Neter from the dedicated British basketball website, Hoopsfix.
After eight outstanding dunk recreations, it was Bowman’s very own windmill jam that came out on top, crowning him champion of the British Basketball League “Now You Know” Dunk Challenge, brought to you by General Tire.
The activity, hosted by British Basketball master of ceremonies Tahir Hajat, celebrates another incredible year for the British Basketball League, continues to showcase the appetite there is for Basketball in the UK, whilst also raising awareness for the season defining play-off finals which take place at The O2 on Sunday May 14th.
An expected capacity crowd of close to 17,000 fans are set to generate an electric atmosphere inside The O2, with the British Basketball League’s flagship event also set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Fans from across the world are also encouraged to vote for their favourite dunk from the season by using the #BritishDunks and #NowYouKnow.
The British Basketball League’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Joe Edwards, said:
“Make no mistake, this season the British Basketball League has made history and we’ve taken the sport we all love to new heights. We wanted to do something to grab the attention of Basketball fans and the general public and celebrate the end of season play-off’s at The O2.
He added: “Whilst a completely crazy idea it might seem, it made complete sense to do this, and we hope Basketball Fans worldwide enjoy what the British Basketball League has to offer. I want to say a special thanks to our partner General Tire, and all of our other partners, the players and our staff for sharing our vision together and making this possible.”
Speaking on the incredible dunk challenge, Peter Robb, Marketing Director at General Tire, said:
“It’s great to work on this project with the British Basketball League, basketball in Britain is really taking off and it was fantastic to be able to support such an innovative idea. The challenge perfectly ties in with our brand’s philosophy of ‘anywhere is possible’, so it was a real privilege to partner with the league and make this incredible idea come to life.
“The British Basketball League has done an amazing job in harnessing the country’s love for basketball and we’re thrilled to be a part of it. As an SUV/off road tyre specialist we stand for adventure and getting out and living life to the full, so hopefully this project encourages people of all ages to get off the sofa and participate in the sport and head down to watch their local British Basketball League team in action.”
British Basketball has never been at such a high – in every sense of the word, after another meteoric year for the league, which has seen incredible progress both on and off the court. The league has had record viewership across its broadcast, fans have packed into arenas across the country each week and the men’s championship champions, London Lions, proudly flew the flag for UK basketball in a record breaking run in the EuroCup.
But the trophy the teams all dream to lift is still up for grabs, as the league’s most sought after championship game, the play-off final is set to thrill a sold out crowd at The O2 on Sunday May 14th.
Just four teams remain standing and fighting for the chance to compete in the play-off finals in ten days time. London Lions face Cheshire Phoenix, whilst Bristol Flyers do battle with last season’s champions Leicester Riders this week to try to book their tickets to the capital.
Tickets for the event are selling fast and fans can grab the last few remaining tickets by visiting https://www.bbl.org.uk/2023playoffs/.
Fans unable to make the finals will be able to tune in live on Sky Sports and the Sky Sports YouTube Channel on Sunday May 14th from 13:00 BST.
Riders Media - 28th April 2023
Riders take lead into second leg
The Riders take a nine-point advantage into the BBL Playoff quarter-final second leg, beating the Sheffield Sharks 79-70 on the road.
Kimbal Mackenzie led the game off the bench with 19 points, going 11-11 from the foul line. He was backed by Marc Loving’s 18 points and 11 rebounds, the Ohio-born forward dominated the glass for a double-double.
Leicester outrebounded the Sharks 46 to 30 in the game, playing with intensity and physicality inside. But Sheffield remains in the tie going back to Leicester, in part thanks to the Riders shooting 6-25 from three.
Bennet Koch led the Sharks with 17 points and five assists. Their defence in the second half saw them climb back into the game after falling down big early in the third quarter.
The Riders exploded to an early lead. A hot 3-6 start from three made it 17-9 in their favour after seven minutes, as Loving’s triple forced a Sharks timeout.
Kimbal Mackenzie’s free throws concluded a dominant Riders first quarter, putting the visitors up 28-17.
Leicester maintained their lead through to the half. They built the lead to as much as 18 after Carrington Love battled for an offensive board and laid in a two.
The Sharks fought back to cut it to 10 going into the locker rooms, the run started by back-to-back dunks from Saeed Nelson and Kipper Nichols.
Sheffield came storming back in the second half, Jalon Pipkins making it a one-possession game with an and-one play.
The Riders found a response, going on a 10-4 run to rebuild their lead. Evan Walshe put his body on the line to end the third, taking a charge on Jordan Ratinho to maintain Leicester’s 13-point advantage going into the fourth.
The fourth was a stalemate, with the lead hovering around double-digits until the buzzer. Loving led the effort with five points in the period. Jubril Adekoya then concluded the action with a air of free throws.
The performance on the road puts the Riders in a strong position going into the home fixture.
The second leg is on Sunday at the Morningside Arena, tipping off at 5:15 pm. The winner will progress to the semi-final, one step closer to the final at the O2 Arena.
Riders Media - 27th April 2023
Golden Ball Treasure Hunt!
The British Basketball League (BBL) has announced the launch of the ‘Golden Ball Treasure Hunt’, a campaign designed to drive engagement and awareness around the end-of-season Play-Off Finals, and give eight lucky individuals the chance to each win a pair of tickets to be at the final.
The treasure hunt begins on Monday 24th April whereupon a golden ball will appear in the each of hometowns of the eight qualifying teams: London Lions, Bristol Flyers, Leicester Riders, Manchester Giants, Caledonia Gladiators, Sheffield Sharks, Cheshire Phoenix and Newcastle Eagles. For the next two weeks, the ball will embark upon a journey across Leicester, visiting schools, local landmarks and many more places. Individuals looking to take part in the fun will need to keep their eye on the Riders social media where they will be sharing clues regarding the ball’s whereabouts.
To enter and be in with a chance of winning the tickets, those who come across the ball will be encouraged to take a picture with the ball and upload it onto either Instagram or Twitter tagging @BBLOfficial and using the hashtags #NowYouKnowRiders and #GoldenBall.
The golden ball will come to a halt at each of the team’s home leg of the quarter-finals, where those attending the game will also have a chance to enter the competition.
Eight winners will be selected at random on Monday 8th of May and the individuals will receive a pair of tickets to attend the BBL Play-Off Finals at the O2 Arena in London on Sunday 14th May.
Commenting on the campaign, British Basketball League Head of Marketing and Communications, Joe Edwards said:
“We are really excited to be launching our Golden Ball activation as we continue to build upon the #KnowOurName and #NowYouKnow campaign and drive continued awareness of the British Basketball League. The purpose of this campaign is to galvanise support in local communities, engage with existing and new audiences, and ultimately reward fans for their support across the season.”
Riders Media - 26th April 2023
Season Tickets 2023-24
Leicester Riders Season Tickets are now on sale for the 2023-24 season. Riders are delighted to announce that the season ticket price has been frozen!
Adults £295
Child £65
Concessions £215
Current season ticket holders have been contacted directly and are able to retain their existing seat if booked before 12th June 2023.
All Season Ticket purchasers will earn Loyalty points. These points will be just part of our new Members scheme, which will provide new benefits to our Season Ticket holders. We intend the launch of the Members scheme in May.
If there are any issues in securing your booking, please contact us on 0116 326 9700, or write to [email protected]
If you are purchasing a season ticket for the first time online please follow this link.
Riders Media - 22nd April 2023
Thank you, Darien!
Darien Nelson-Henry has announced that he will retire from professional basketball following the 2022/23 season.
In three and a half seasons, the Riders’ captain led the club to four pieces of silverware, including a treble last year. He was named to the BBL Team of the Year in 2021 and 2022, following back-to-back league titles.
Nelson-Henry played seven professional seasons after a four-year college career at the University of Pennsylvania. He led Penn in scoring, rebounding and blocks as a senior on his way to an All-Ivy second-team selection.
He led Lake Washington to their best-ever state tournament finish in high school. His successes earned him State 3A Player of the Year and King County MVP to cap off a lucrative senior year.
“As you can all imagine, a lot of thought has gone into my decision to retire after this season,” said Nelson-Henry. “Although my love for the game has not diminished, my priorities have changed, pushing me to seek new challenges.
“I am so very appreciative for the opportunities that the Riders have offered me – not only with playing basketball, but also setting me up for a future beyond the arena. As a player and captain, it has been my pleasure to be a part of the Riders family.
“The staff, the fans, the sponsors, and the community have truly made this a home away from home, and I cannot express my ultimate gratitude enough. Unfortunately, we have not won anything yet this season, but there is still one more on the table!
“Despite that, the success I have shared with my teammates, coaches, and the entirety of Leicester comprise memories that will last my lifetime. Thank you all for everything, and go Riders!”
Head coach Rob Paternostro said: “Darien has not only been a great player for our club but a wonderful ambassador who has made an impact throughout the Leicester community.
“I have really enjoyed working with Darien. His talent, intelligence, and team-first attitude have been a driving force for all our success.”
Managing Director Russell Levenston commented:
“Darien has been a fantastic ambassador for all things Riders basketball. A great player on the court and a tremendous figurehead for us off it.”
“He has represented our club amazingly well and we will miss having him here next season. We wish him all the best for the future and look forward to Darien leading us in the Playoffs this season.”
The club wishes Darien every success in all of his future endeavours. He retires as an integral part of the club’s history, and will forever remain part of the Riders family.
Riders Media - 15th April 2023
BBL Championship Preview: Riders at Giants
The Riders will complete a quickfire weekend turnaround as they travel north to Manchester to face the 17-17 Giants.
Coach Rob Paternostro’s squad haven’t seen Sunday’s opponents since February 17 and will want to make a strong statement against a team they may face in the upcoming BBL Playoffs.
Riders’ Season So Far
Travelling supporters should expect plenty of offensive flair in Manchester as was demonstrated during Friday night’s 111-68 demolition of the Plymouth City Patriots.
The Riders appeared to ball with a freedom that only comes when the entire team is enjoying their basketball – freedom that resulted in every player on the floor scoring points.
A 4th quarter alley-oop to a cutting Blake Bowman summed up Leicester’s performance in one play. Bowman rose weightlessly to the basket and stuck the jam with authority to get the Morningside Arena rocking.
In a game where big individual performances weren’t a necessity, Patrick Whelan and Kimbal Mackenzie stood out.
Whelan took full advantage of some soft defence to drain five three-pointers on his way to 22 points, while Mackenzie came off the bench to record an efficient 20-point game.
Mackenzie appears to be relishing in the sixth man role, bringing energy and leadership off the bench, shown by a +34 plus/minus on Friday night – the highest of any Rider.
No victory comes easily in the BBL, so Leicester will want to bottle this feeling and draw on it throughout the rigours of the playoffs.
The win over Plymouth sits the Riders in second place in the BBL standings, level on 46 points with the Bristol Flyers.
Giants’ Season So Far
Manchester have dipped a little in form recently, going 1-4 in their last five games, which has dropped them to 7th in the standings.
They currently sit level on 34 points with Sheffield and Cheshire, only two points behind Caledonia in 4th.
The mid-table log jam means that every game is crucial for the Giants, who will be hoping to enter the playoffs with as high a seeding as possible. Every team in the lower playoff places will be wanting to avoid a quarter final against the likes of London, Leicester and Bristol.
Friday night’s trip to Sheffield wasn’t a successful one, the Giants falling 80-71 without ever having a lead in the game.
It was an uncharacteristically poor offensive performance by Manchester, who have the most prolific attack in the BBL, averaging 90.14 PPG.
The Giants play fast and rarely miss an opportunity to score the ball early in the shot clock. The Riders will want to tighten up and force ill-advised shots as the 24 seconds runs down.
Defensively is where the Giants show chinks in their armour.
They are currently allowing over 90 PPG to the opposition, the most of any team in the championship.
If the Riders can play like they did on Friday, expect another three-digit scoring output.
Key Players
When game planning for the Giants there are two names to focus heavily on – Dirk Williams and Tajh Green.
A veteran of the BBL, Williams is averaging an impressive 19.46 PPG and is by far the best three-point shooter on his team.
The 28-year-old shooting guard has scoring in his DNA, and has only been held to less than 10 points on two occasions this season.
His 35-point manhandling of the London Lions on April 9 shows how dangerous he can be.
Fresh out of college, Green is a double-double machine, averaging 19 PPG and 9.5 RPG on the season.
A star of Benedict College in NCCA Division 2, the high-flyer has been ever-present for Manchester since he arrived last summer.
Going toe-to-toe with the Giants’ talented duo will be Patrick Whelan and Marc Loving, both supremely gifted in their own right.
The 6’5” Whelan will be there to answer any deep ball Dirk Williams hits with one of his own, matching him on the season with a 44% hit rate from three-point land.
Whelan routinely drops most of his points from downtown, so we could be in store for a heat check battle come Sunday.
Not afraid of the long shot himself is the silky-smooth Marc Loving.
Loving is coming back from a wrist injury sustained a couple of weeks ago, but looked sharp on Friday against the Patriots.
He will have his hands full with the athletic Green, but the former’s guile and experience could see him win that battle.
Back in February, the Riders held Williams and Green to 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Expect more of the same come Sunday evening.
Where to watch
The game will be streamed live on the BBL Official youtube channel, starting at 4:45 pm.
Riders Media - 9th April 2023
Riders win a close encounter
The Riders saw out a hard-fought 87-78 win against the Newcastle Eagles, winning the fourth quarter 27-17 to see it out.
It improves them to 22-10, as they move level on points with the second-placed Bristol Flyers.
Zach Jackson led the game’s scoring with 29 points, leading a comeback after the Riders fell down 10 in the first quarter. The Eagles had two 20-point scorers in the game in Javion Hamlet and David Cohn, but did not have enough firepower to get over the hump.
The Riders shot 48% from the field and 39% from three in an efficient offensive display. They dished 25 assists in a complete team performance, led by 13 from point guard Carrington Love.
The Eagles got off to a better start, building a 10-2 lead from the tip. Four of their starters got on the board early to jump out to an advantage. They carried their lead through the quarter, and led by David Cohn’s six points they were up 23-11 by the buzzer.
Aaron Menzies took charge of the Riders’ scoring load in the second period, sinking back-to-back baskets. He played aggressively throughout the quarter to jumpstart the offence.
The Eagles maintained their double-digit advantage, however. Cohn continued to hit big shots throughout, running the game from the point. They led 49-39 going into the locker rooms, leaving Leicester with work to do.
A 5-0 start to the second half got the Riders straight back in it. Jackson’s three, for his 18th points of the night, got the run underway, setting up the comeback.
The Riders continued their run to take their first lead of the game through Jackson’s turnaround hook shot.
The sides traded baskets to finish off the third, setting up a tightly contested finale. Javion Hamlet concluded the third with free throws to make it 61-60 to the visitors.
The Riders edged ahead in the fourth through Evan Walshe’s five quick points off the bench. His energy fired up the Leicester offence as they pulled away late.
Walshe baskets kicked off a 9-0 run, which Jackson concluded with a banked-in midrange to force an Eagles timeout.
Out of the timeout, Newcastle fought back. Javion Hamlet made free throws to cap off the response, cutting it to a one-possession game.
But the Riders saw the game out in the clutch. They hit back with 10 straight points, kicked off by a bucket from Carrington Love. A Jackson corner three iced it, seeing out a hard-fought game.
The Riders return to action on Friday, facing the Plymouth City Patriots at home.
Riders Media - 28th March 2023
Riders win in the clutch
The Riders saw out a clutch win, beating the Plymouth City Patriots 92-89. Marc Loving led the team with 24 points, and came up with a clutch block to seal the game.
Loving scored eight points in the fourth, taking over when it mattered most. He was backed up by 23 points from Kimbal Mackenzie, who knocked down his late free throws to put the Riders up three with seconds left.
The Patriots made big shots late in the shot clock to stay in it. Former Rider Rashad Hassan put up 21 points in their effort, going 9-14 from the field.
The Riders stamped their authority on the game early. The Riders hit three triples in a minute before Jackson scored five straight to build a lead.
It was an eight-point lead by the end of the first. Marc Loving had eight points, hitting two of the team’s five threes in the quarter.
The threes kept falling in the second. Kimbal Mackenzie got the action back underway with a three from the corner to make it a double-digit lead.
The Riders maintained a lead by the half, but the Patriots went on a 5-0 run to end it, cutting the lead to seven. Mackenzie scored 10 in the first half, scoring and playmaking, dishing three assists.
The visitors continued their run to start the second half. But after Isa Brandon made it a four-point game after two minutes, Loving scored eight quick points to stall their progress, draining two threes.
The lead was seven going into the fourth, the game in the balance.
The Patriots started hot in the quarter, as Ty Gadsden cut it to three with a layup. They tied the game up four minutes in the quarter with another layup by Gadsen, finding joy attacking the rim.
The clutch was a back-and-forth affair. Both sides traded big shots, as Loving scored eight, including two threes to edge the Riders ahead. But the Patriots found responses from deep, and the game came down to the wire.
Loving’s three with a minute left gave the Riders a one-point advantage and Jubril Adekoya’s momentous block on Hassan meant Mackenzie’s subsequent free throws made the lead three.
On the final possession, Loivng blocked Elvisi Dusha’s three to end it, winning it for Leicester.
The Riders play the second of a three-game week on Friday, taking on the Bristol Flyers. Tickets are selling quickly.
Riders Media - 26th March 2023
Riders fall just short in Trophy final
The Riders fell just short of their fourth WBBL Trophy win, losing 81-70 to the London Lions.
They pushed the Lions wire to wire, cutting the game to five with six minutes remaining. Star forward Ashley Arlen led the Riders’ effort with 22 points, and an eight-point start to the fourth quarter from sharpshooter Hannah Robb made it a game late.
It took a monster 33-point effort from former WNBA player Mikiah Herbert-Harrigan to beat Leicester. It was the record for the most points in a WBBL Trophy final, and a well-earned final MVP performance from the brit.
The Riders got off to the perfect start. They scored six points from their first two possessions and edged the early lead through five minutes thanks to threes from Oliana Squires and Arlen.
London found their offensive rhythm in the final stages of the first, jumping out to a 15-8 advantage. Fiona O’Dwyer stemmed the Lions’ run four points to close the quarter, but London scored five points in the last 22 seconds to make it a 10-point game after one.
The Riders came storming back into the tie in the second. O’Dwyer got the second quarter underway from the midrange, getting her sixth points of the afternoon, an eight-point explosion from Arlen made it a one-score affair.
The Lions made attempts to rebuild the lead, getting it back to eight, but the Riders found responses throughout the quarter with big shots dropping from Arlen, O’Dwyer and Robb.
40-36 was the score in London’s favour at halftime.
It took a minute and a half for the Riders to take their first lead since early in the first. Robb followed up Arlen’s midrange jumper with a three, making it 41-40.
The Lions jumped out to a double-digit lead with 10 points from Herbert-Harrigan. The Riders stalled the Lions progress mid-quarter, and Mckenzie Johnston made it a 10-point game going into the fourth.
Robb took over the opening stages of the fourth to chip into the deficit. She scored seven points in four minutes to make it a five-point game with six to play.
But the Lions closed the game out stronger, and the Riders could not get over the crest to win it.
Riders Media - 17th March 2023
Riders see out a close battle
The Riders won a close encounter against the Caledonia Gladiators 84-81. Kimbal Mackenzie took over the fourth quarter with eight points, helping the team see it out in the clutch.
Mackenzie led the game with 25 points, going 12/12 from the line in the game. Off the bench, Evan Walshe put in an energetic performance with 15 points off the bench, sealing the win with his late free throws.
Leicester shot just 35% from the field in the game but attacked the hoop relentlessly and went 25-27 from the free-throw line. Defensively, the Riders’ perimeter defence held the Gladiators to 22% from three, locking down the outside.
For the visitors, David Sloan and Aljami Durham put up 22 points each in the contest, pushing the Riders to the final buzzer. They were shorthanded following the ejections of Fahro Alihodzic in the first half and Jeremiah Bailey in the second. Still, they found themselves with a chance to tie it in the closing seconds.
Durham’s three-point attempt found only air, however, and Leicester found a way to put one in the win column.
The Riders’ looked like they were building a comfortable lead early, leading by six points after 10 minutes. They went on a 6-0 run to end the period led by four points from captain Darien Nelson-Henry, who closed the action with a layup on the horn.
Walshe took over the scoring in the second, putting up eight of the team’s 12 points after four minutes. His fastbreak jam made it a double-digit lead as the Riders grew their advantage.
Despite the early form, the Gladiators pegged the Riders back to end the half with a 9-0 run capped off by a fastbreak bucket from Sloan.
Caledonia then took their first lead of the game following halftime through a dunk from Jeremiah Bailey. Bailey then picked up his fifth personal foul shortly after, seeing him sidelined for the remainder of the game.
The Riders then stemmed the Gladiators’ momentum, and the score continued to swing back and forth. A late run from Leicester, concluded by a Walshe three, saw the Riders edge the lead going into the final period.
The sides once engaged in a back-and-forth battle in the fourth. The score was tied at 70 with five minutes remaining following a Patrick Whelan three.
Mackenzie attacked the rim down the stretch to score four quick points to take the lead. The team battled inside, finding joy near the hoop to generate late offence.
The Gladiators hit big shots, including a Durham three, which took the lead with a minute and a half left.
Mackenzie responded with a floater before making both free throws on the next possession, meaning the game came down to a chance to tie with 10 seconds remaining for Caledonia, who found themselves down three.
Durham took a three early in the shot clock and missed right, allowing the Riders to see out a hard-fought win.
The win sees the Riders improve to 18-18, four points behind the second-placed Bristol Flyers with three games in hand.
They return to league action on Friday, 24 March, taking on the Sheffield Sharks on the road.
Riders Media - 12th March 2023
Riders beat Eagles!
The Riders earned a hard-fought 89-79 win against the Newcastle Eagles, improving their record to 17-8.
Marc Loving led the team with 20 points, scoring 11 in the final quarter to steer them home. Leicester won the fourth 24-17, coming up clutch after the score was within a possession with 10 minutes to play.
Backing up Loving was captain Darien Nelson-Henry who went 7-10 from the field for 16 points. The center led from the front, finding success with his back to the basket and leading the game with a +/- of 13.
After falling to the Eagles just two days ago, the Riders earned payback against their long-standing rivals. They shot well from three, going 41% from behind the arc, and got to the free throw line effectively to go 24-26.
David Cohn led the game with 23 points, despite fouling out in the fourth. The visitors also had a hot shooting night to go 41% from three, but did not have enough late to beat the reigning champions for the second straight game.
The Riders built their early play through their captain, as Nelson-Henry bagged six points in the paint in the opening quarter. They began to stretch their lead six minutes in, as Loving made three free throws to make it 20-14.
They held their six-point lead after one, Zach Jackson leading the game with seven points.
They stretched it to double digits a minute into the second quarter, after Kimbal Mackenzie and Carrington Love scored back-to-back in the opening stages.
The Eagles found a way to get back into contention, cutting the game to five by getting to the free-throw line effectively. The second-best free throw shooters in the BBL this season were off the mark, however, shooting 66% in the quarter.
The score swung back and forth to end the period. The Riders rebuilt their advantage to 10, but the Eagles scored seven points in two plays to end the half, including an and-one off a three-point make, to make it 41-38 at halftime.
The sides continued to trade buckets coming out of the locker rooms as the game balanced on a knife’s edge. Nelson-Henry led the Riders with eight points in the third, playing effectively with his back to the hoop.
The Eagles’ got going from three, making four in the quarter to stay in the game. Cohn’s triple with a minute remaining tied it up at 60.
In response, Evan Walshe scored five points to end the third, making it 65-62 in the Riders’ favour with one to play.
A three from Loving and an and-one play from Blake Bowman started the fourth quarter with a bang for Leicester. They started the period on an 8-2 run to go up seven.
The Riders controlled the game from there, led by 11 points from Loving. An unsportsmanlike foul on Cohn saw him foul out of the game after he stopped Loving in transition, and the resulting play saw Jackson make it a nine-point lead.
With a minute remaining, Mackenzie isolated on the top of the key, finding space in the midrange for two points, sealing a hard-fought win for Leicester.
The Riders return to action on Friday, hosting the Caledonia Gladiators.
Riders Media - 3rd March 2023
Riders fall to Lions
The Riders fell to the London Lions 102-77, in their first game back since the international break.
Fresh off being named Molten BBL Player of the Month for Febuary, Kimbal Mackenzie continued his hot form to lead the team with 18 points and seven assists. He was backed up by Zach Jackson’s 17, who found joy attacking the rim all evening.
Despite a solid Riders start, the Lions found momentum to build their lead to 13 by the half, never looking back. The Riders could not find a bucket from deep in the game, going 4-27 from behind the arc.
The Lions had five double-digit scorers, led by 18 points from former NBA forward Sam Dekker. However, their defence set the tone, holding the BBL’s most efficient offence to 41% from the field.
The result moves the Riders record to 16-7 in the BBL Championship.
Mackenzie took over the early stages with six points and an assist. Mackenzie’s play allowed the Riders to edge an early 8-6 lead.
The Lions fought back, attacking the paint on three straight makes. Vojtech Hruban capped off a Lions’ run with a three, making it 13-8 to the visitors.
Leicester responded with back-to-back threes from Marc Loving and Mackenzie, cutting it close towards the end of the first. It was a six-point end after one, the score 25-19.
London started the second hot, scoring eight straight, including a putback jam from Josh Sharma. They went up 15 four minutes into the period.
The sides traded baskets through to halftime, as the Riders found their offensive rhythm to stay in touch. Jackson’s tough and-one finish made it a ten-point game with a minute left in the half.
A three from Hruban concluded the half, putting London up 48-35. They built on this momentum boost to start the third quarter, commencing a 14-5 run in the first four minutes.
The Riders showed heart to peg the score back, making it a 15-point deficit following free throws from Darien Nelson-Henry.
But the Lions, through the rest of the game, had too much firepower for a Leicester comeback, as they saw the tie out professionally.
The Riders are back on the road next week for the first of a doubleheader against the Newcastle Eagles. The game takes place on Friday, 10 March, tipping off at 7:30 pm.
Riders Media - 21st February 2023
Retro Series 2023 announced
Leicester Riders, Manchester Giants, Cheshire Phoenix and Newcastle Eagles are excited to announce the Retro Series 2023!
Five games involving these four teams in March & April have been selected as special retro games featuring retro kits, old-school tunes and off-court appearances from BBL legends.
Following the success of last season’s retro nights between Riders and Giants, the clubs are bringing back the retro games to allow the fans, players and coaches to celebrate their organisation’s history.
“We’re excited to be part of the Retro Series,” commented Riders Head Coach Rob Paternostro. “We had two entertaining games with Manchester last season, it was really cool to see both sets of fans wearing their clubs’ old jerseys at the games.”
Giants Head Coach Vince Macaulay “It’s great that this year’s Retro games have expanded to four teams. All four teams have a rich history in the BBL and we’re looking forward to celebrating it with our supporters at the games.”
Leicester Riders will sport their 1987 uniform from the first ever season of the BBL. The Cheshire Phoenix will suit-up in the 2001-02 ‘Jet-wash’ uniform, celebrating a clean sweep of trophies.
Newcastle Eagles are throwing it back to the 2004-05 season when the Eagles under legendary player-coach Fab Flournoy first won the BBL Trophy, beating Nick Nurse’s Brighton Bears in the final! Following on from the success of last year’s pinstripes, the Manchester Giants will be back this year with a retro style kit sporting the infamous cartoon Giant logo!
The Retro Series games will take place on the following dates:
March 31: Newcastle Eagles vs Cheshire Phoenix – Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle Ticket Link
April 7: Manchester Giants vs Cheshire Phoenix – National Basketball Performance Centre, Manchester Ticket Link
April 9: Leicester Riders vs Newcastle Eagles – Morningside Arena, Leicester Ticket Link
April 16: Manchester Giants vs Leicester Riders – National Basketball Performance Centre, Manchester Ticket Link
April 23: Cheshire Phoenix vs Leicester Riders – The Cheshire Oaks Arena, Cheshire Ticket Link
Keep your eyes open for more announcements in the lead-up to the games!
Riders Media - 19th February 2023
Riders take big road win
The Riders improve to 16-6 in the BBL Championship after a road win against the Cheshire Phoenix.
Kimbal Mackenzie went off for 31, his highest-scoring tally as a Rider. He went 11-15 from the field and 5-5 from the free throw line in his explosive performance, taking over late with six points in the closing minutes as the Phoenix cut it to 10.
Leicester blew the game open in the second quarter, as Mackenzie’s buzzer-beater to send the teams into halftime gave them their first double-digit lead. From there, they continued to build their advantage in the third, before seeing it out in the fourth in the face of a Phoenix comeback effort.
Carrington Love recorded his first 20-point effort as a Rider after joining last month. He made three threes and dished six assists in his performance, acting as a spark plug off the bench.
This marked the second double-digit win in a weekend doubleheader, as the Riders can take great momentum into a two-week break from action.
For Cheshire, Anderson put up 24 in an attempt to get his side back in it. He scored key buckets late in the third to build momentum, but the Riders made big shots down the stretch to seal it.
Neither side found a significant advantage until the second period. Cheshire edged ahead initially, taking a seven-point lead late in the first through a fastbreak layup from Maceo Jack.
However, the Riders quickly responded, in part thanks to eight points from Carrington Love shortly after his introduction to the game. He hit a three on the buzzer to close the quarter, however, Cheshire went 12-17 from the field to take a narrow lead going into the second.
Mackenzie’s free throws for his ninth points of the evening took their first lead of the game to start the second. He took over at the start of the quarter, scoring five in under two minutes to seize the game’s momentum.
Leicester went 18-10 five minutes into the second period, taking a 44-38 lead. Marc Loving went off for 10 straight points, taking the reigns.
In reverse to the first quarter, the Phoenix were forced to fight back through three threes from Jack, however, on this occasion, the Riders kept the hosts at arm’s length to take an 11 point lead into halftime, following a buzzer-beating Mackenzie heave for three after a scramble for the ball.
Back-to-back buckets from Mackenzie, which made his game tally 20, concluded a 14-8 run through the first five minutes of the third period. Leicester extended the lead built in the second period with intense defensive pressure leading to baskets on the fastbreak, leading to a fast-paced third quarter.
The Riders built a 22 point lead near the end of the third before the Phoneix scored seven points in a minute to cut into the lead going into the fourth. Anderson scored five of these to give his side late momentum.
Despite Cheshire bringing the Riders’ lead down to 10 in the fourth following a free throw from Larry Austin, the Riders saw it out, building off back-to-back tough midranges from Mackenzie with three minutes remaining.
From there, a three from Love and free throws from Mackenzie to get him over the 30 points mark left it beyond doubt.
The Riders have a pause from action for the international break until March 3, when they take on the table-topping London Lions at home. Tickets are expected to sell fast, so get them here to watch the action live!
Riders Media - 18th February 2023
BBL Championship Preview: Riders at Phoenix
The Riders head to Cheshire to take on the Phoenix in the second game of their weekend doubleheader.
They enter the game off the back of a home 104-84 against the Manchester Giants on Friday. It was a resounding win, with the Riders in full control throughout. They shot 58% from the field and 45% from three, scoring 30 points in the third quarter to blow the game open.
READ MORE: Riders record big win at home
Their scoring was typical of the Riders’ season so far, as they are the league’s most efficient scorers. They lead the BBL in field goal, three-point and free throw percentage, and they rank second in the league in scoring putting up 87.5 a game.
As he did against the Giants, Marc Loving leads the way on the season with 16.2 points per game. The Ohio-born forward is putting up career highs in points, assists and rebounds, stepping up into a leading role.
The Riders possess a 15-6 record, good for third in the BBL Championship standings with three games in hand on the second-placed Bristol Flyers.
Back-to-back wins in this weekend’s doubleheader will see them put the pressure on the Flyers as they look to climb the standings to close the year.
Phoenix- Season so far
The Phoenix currently sit midtable in the BBL Championship, after a recent road loss against the Caledonia Gladiators left them under .500 with an 11-12 record. The score was 83-78 in Scotland, despite a 26-point effort from point guard Marcus Evans.
American guard Larry Austin Jr. has led them through the season with 16.2 points per game, an improvement on the 14.4 points he averaged last season with the Phoenix. On the other end, they lead the BBL in steals, playing aggressively on defence.
The Phoenix find themselves in the midst of a Cup run, having reached the semi-final of the BBL Trophy. There, they will face the Sheffield Sharks as they look to retain their silverware from last season.
Until then, the Phoenix looks to level their season record at 12-12 with a win against Leicester, their first since March 2021.
Key matchup
The Phoenix’s leading scorer, Larry Austin Jr., topped his team’s points column with 19 last time out against the Riders. He went 8-13 from the field and dished four assists in an attempt to get his side back into the game.
READ MORE: Riders win big against Phoenix
He’s averaged 20.4 points per game over the last nine league games, Cheshire going 5-4 in those fixtures. Austin Jr. has scored a season-high of 27 on two separate occasions this season, most recently in December vs the Gladiators.
Last season, he scored 23 points in the BBL Trophy final against the London Lions, earning the Final MVP for his efforts. He has been a major piece since his arrival in Cheshire and will be a tough defensive task for Riders’ point guard Kimbal Mackenzie.
Mackenzie’s play this season has earned him a spot on the GB roster, alongside fellow Riders Patrick Whelan and Aaron Menzies. He’s putting up 10 points per game and enters this one off the back of a 16-point effort vs the Giants.
The 6’1” guard is a Bucknall graduate, who averaged 17 points per game as a senior. He’s scored in the double digits on 15 occasions this season, stepping up as a consistent starter.
However, his role on the defensive end against Austin Jr. will go a long way in deciding the outcome of this one.
Where to watch
The game will be played at the Cheshire Oaks Arena, tipping off at 5:30 pm.
It will also be streamed live on the British Basketball League Youtube channel, starting at 5 pm.
Riders Media - 14th February 2023
Kimbal, Patrick & Aaron in GB 24
Riders guard Kimbal Mackenzie has been named in the Great Britain Men’s National Team 24-man roster for the first time for the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers against Belgium and Serbia.
Mackenzie who holds a British passport joins GB regulars Patrick Whelan and Aaron Menzies on the roster for the upcoming window.
GB face Belgium on Friday 24 Feb before travelling to Belgrade to face Serbia on 27 Feb.
24 Man Roster for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifying Window – February 2023
Amin Adamu G 25 6’5″ Kapfenberg Bulls (AUT) 0
Jamell Anderson F 32 6’7″ Cheshire Phoenix (GBR) 15
Michael Belle F 19 6’6″ Espoirs Strasbourg (FRA) 0
Quinn Ellis G 19 6’2″ Monferrato (ITA) 2
Ashley Hamilton F 34 6’7″ Quimper (FRA) 30
Myles Hesson F 32 6’6″ Kagawa Five Arrows (JPN) 54
Noah Horchler F 25 6’8″ Aris B.C. (GRE) 0
Kyle Johnson G 34 6’5″ Newcastle Eagles (GBR) 85
Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye G 26 6’3” Swans Gmunden (AUT) 19
Callum Lawson F 26 6’6″ Valur (ISL) 2
Kimbal Mackenzie G 26 6’1″ Leicester Riders (GBR) 0
Aaron Menzies C 26 7’3″ Leicester Riders (GBR) 2
Ben Mockford G 33 6’2″ Newcastle Eagles (GBR) 54
Luke Nelson G 27 6’3″ London Lions (GBR) 35
Teddy Okereafor G 30 6’4″ Apollon Limassol B.C. (CYP) 53
Gabe Olaseni C 31 6’10” Darussafaka (TUR) 53
Josh Sharma C 26 7’0″ London Lions (GBR) 2
Mo Soluade G/F 27 6’5″ London Lions (GBR) 7
Devon van Oostrum G 30 6’3″ BK Levicki Patrioti Levice (SVK) 50
Jelani Watson-Gayle G 24 6’1″ Bristol Flyers (GBR) 0
Carl Wheatle F 24 6’7″ Pistoia (ITA) 27
Patrick Whelan G 26 6’5″ Leicester Riders (GBR) 11
Jordan Williams F 27 6’8″ Hubner Nyiregyhaza (HUN) 4
Akwasi Yeboah F 25 6’6″ Darussafaka (TUR) 4
Riders Media - 10th February 2023
Riders lose in BBL Trophy Quarter-Final
The Riders fell out of the BBL Trophy at the quarter-final stage, losing 79-78 to the Sheffield Sharks.
The Riders had the chance to win it on the buzzer, but Zach Jackson’s turnaround jumper did not find the net, following an inspired 10 point quarter from the American.
Jackson finished the game with a team-high 18 points and five rebounds, shooting 58% from the field. He came up with big baskets down the stretch to keep Leicester in the tie, but the Riders ultimately fell short.
A 4-23 shooting night from three ultimately cost the Riders, who could not find their deep ball throughout. They also shot just 73% from the free-throw line and will rue missed opportunities for easy points.
Kipper Nichols led the game with 19 points, scoring four points late and grabbing the game-sealing rebound. The Sharks built off an emphatic 15 point first half from bennet Koch, laying the foundation for a rare win in Leicester.
Sheffield started hot, through the hands of Koch, who scored 10 points in the opening five minutes. Koch went five for five from the field before a well-earned rest midway through the first.
Despite the big man’s play, the Riders hung in the game, matching Sheffield’s scoring through the period. Marc Loving led the team with seven, but a 5-0 run in the closing minutes gave the Sharks a 26-20 lead.
The Riders hit back to start the second, as Carrington Love, inserted into the starting lineup in Patrick Whelan’s absence, scored three quick ones to cut the game to a score. A Jubril Adekoya layup two minutes into the quarter then tied the game.
Koch, checking back into the game, maintained his hot hand, scoring four more points for Sheffield to edge his side back ahead. But Leicester maintained their newfound momentum, snatching their first lead late in the half.
The Riders’ defence locked up Sheffield in the second quarter, holding them to just eight points with two minutes left. But the Sharks found offensive form to close it, scoring seven in two minutes.
Loving close the half with a two-handed jam in traffic, making it 44-39 with 20 minutes to play.
In a low-scoring start to the third, a Jordan Ratiho three for the Sharks made it a one point game. After a back and fourth battle, the visitors went on to take the lead following a pair of free throws from two-guard Nichols.
Nichols scored seven to close the third, stretching their lead to four entering the final period.
The Riders swung the scoreline back in their direction but could not get over the hump through the opening minutes of the fourth. Jackson, Adekoya and Walshe found the basket, but the deficit was one point with five to play.
Back-to-back threes from Sheffield, the second from Rodney Glasgow, rebuilt their lead. But the Riders, once again, cut their deficit to two after a pair of Jackson threes in response.
Jackson continued his takeover of the game, stripping the ball from Nichols before Mackenzie drew an unsportsmanlike foul, tying the game from the free throw line.
In the final minute, the Sharks found their way to the free throw line through Saeed Nelson who made one. The Riders had a chance to win it on the buzzer, but Jackson could not find the net.
The Riders remain at home for their next fixture, taking on the Manchester Giants in the BBL Championship. A win would see them improve to 15-6, as they go for three league wins on the bounce.
Riders Media - 9th February 2023
BBL Trophy Preview: Riders vs Sharks
The Riders face the Sheffield Sharks in the quarter-final of the BBL Trophy. A win in this knockout competition would see them progress to the final four as they look to win the competition for the first time since 2018.
The Riders enter the game on a high, after a significant 99-73 win against the Surrey Scorchers. They shot 42% from three and 50% from the field in an efficient display, where five Riders scored double digits.
Marc Loving and Zach Jackson combined for 41 points, led by 21 from Loving. The 6’9” forward finished with eight rebounds, shooting 50% from the field.
READ MORE: Report: Riders see off Scrochers
Loving leads the Riders scoring in all competitions this season with 16.1 points per game, a career-high tally. He went off for 32 in the first round of the Trophy, an overtime win against the Manchester Giants.
It was a hard-fought victory that came down to the wire, but the Riders emerged 114-107 after a dominant extra period.
READ MORE: Report: Riders beat Giants in overtime thriller!
The Riders are one of the BBL’s premier offences, scoring the second-most points per game, and shooting at the most efficient rate from the field and three. They will have their work cut out in this one, however, against of the league’s elite defences.
Sharks’ slow start
While Sheffield ranks second in opponent’s points per game, it has yet to translate to the win column. A 0-4 start to the season left them off the pace, and they currently sit in the final playoff place with an 8-15 record.
They have not found an offensive rhythm, scoring a league-worst 73 points per game and shooting just 43% from the field.
American point guard Saeed Nelson has led the charge to get points on the board for Sheffield, putting up 13.5 points per game. He is one of four Sharks scoring double-digit points this season and applies pressure on the other end, snatching 1.8 steals per game.
This game sees a break from league action, however, as both teams turn their attention to the BBL Trophy. Sheffield last found themselves in the Trophy final in 2018, where they lost to the Riders 90-85.
They’ve won the competition twice, most recently in 2013, where they again met Leicester in the final. This season, they met NBL side the Thames Valley Cavaliers, winning 98-66. The reigning treble winners will be a tougher test for the visitors in this one, but it is a game they will believe they can win to progress to the BBL Trophy third round.
Key matchup
In Sheffield’s previous fixture, a 77-71 loss to the Caledonia Gladiators, Devearl Ramsey led the game with a 23 point performance. It was Ramsey’s first 20 point game in Sheffield in his fifth appearance after signing in January, as he hit three threes and knocked down eight of his nine free throws.
Ramsey is a second-year pro, who spent his rookie season in the NBA G-League. Before this, he spent three years at UC Santa Barbara, scoring 7.7 points per game in his final year. He played his rookie pro season for the Stockton Kings before moving to the BBL this season.
Ramsey is a 6’0” two-guard capable of playing in either wing position. Ramsey is active in the lane, attacking the rim for shots inside or handoffs to his teammates. He has good touch at the rim, and can draw fouls inside to get free ones at the line.
Taking on Ramsey for the Riders will be new addition, Carrington Love. The 29-year-old averaged 16.6 points and 5.8 assists last season in the German division two, playing for Eisbären Bremerhaven. He shot 47.4% from the field and 36.1% from three, finishing the year with a 16-13 record.
Love is a Green Bay graduate, having spent four years with the Phoenix between 2012 and 2016. He showed improvement every year, scoring a team-high 17.3 points per game as a senior.
He’s a sharpshooter from deep, and can breeze past defenders with flashy handles, finishing from all three levels or finding his teammates for assists. He put up eight points and five assists off the bench in his home debut vs the Scorchers, and will look for another solid effort in this one.
Where to watch
This is the Riders’ second straight home game, and tickets are selling fast. Get them here!
The game will also be streamed live on the British Basketball League Youtube channel, starting at 7:30 pm.
Riders Media - 19th January 2023
BBL Championship Preview: Riders vs Phoenix
The Riders return to BBL Championship action on Friday with a fixture against the Cheshire Phoenix. They will host the Phoenix at the Morningside Arena, the game tipping off at 7:45 pm.
Home sweet home
The Riders are 12-6 in the league this season but have lost just one game at home. The Morningside Arena has proved to be a fortress over past years, and the Riders will attempt to continue this trend in their first home fixture in 2023.
They enter the game following an overtime thriller in the BBL Trophy against the Manchester Giants. They battled through to get a 114-107 win on the road, led by a monster 32 points and 13 rebounds from Marc Loving.
Read our report on the action here!
Loving has led the Riders scoring in all competitions this season, putting up 16.6 points per game. The second-year Rider has stepped into a leading role, putting up seven 20-point scoring efforts on the year.
In the league, Kansas-born Zach Jackson has outscored Loving, averaging 15.6 points. Jackson closely pursued Loving’s performance in Manchester, scoring 25 points in the tie.
The Riders’ offence has ranked among the BBL’s best this season, ranking top two in points per game, field goal percentage and three-point percentage. They needed all of their offensive prowess in their recent win in Manchester, and proved they can outscore anyone on any night.
A win to improve them to 13-6 would keep the Riders challenging at the top of the league table, maintaining momentum in their season.
Phoenix season so far
The Phoenix were the only team to beat Leicester to a piece of silverware last year, winning the BBL Trophy during the Riders’ treble-winning season.
They beat the London Lions in the final, securing the fifth BBL Trophy in their history, and their second piece of silverware in 12 seasons.
Over the offseason, Cheshire looked to fellow North Western club, the Manchester Giants, for their most significant acquisition: GB international Jamell Anderson. The former Rider has discovered a new scoring form, putting up back-to-back 20-point games to start the year and logging a career-high scoring average.
The Phoenix are one of four teams over .500 in the league this season, with a 10-9 record. They enter this one off the back of a 129-80 win against the Nottingham Hoods, seeing them through to the second round of the BBL Trophy.
Anderson scored a season-high 30 points in the game, going a red-hot five for nine from deep.
They possess the third-best defence in the BBL, holding teams to 79 points per game, and will look to slow down the Riders’ firepower as they chase a rare win in Leicester.
Key matchup
Leading the Phoenix’s scoring this season is 6’2” American guard Larry Austin Jr, who is putting up 14.4 points per game in his second year in Cheshire.
Austin enters this game after back-to-back 20-point efforts in the league, and an 18-point game in the Trophy against the Hoods. He is shooting 51.7% from the field this season, and is clamping defenders on the other end to average 2.3 steals.
Last season, he scored 23 points in the BBL Trophy final against the London Lions, earning the Final MVP for his efforts. He has been a major piece since his arrival in Cheshire and will be a tough defensive task for Riders’ new man Devonte Bandoo.
Bandoo arrived in Leicester last week, signing from the Saskatchewan Rattlers in his home country of Canada, where he averaged 16.1 points per game.
The Ontario native spent his final two college seasons at Baylor University, after leading Hutchinson Community College to a national championship as a freshman.
He was named the Big 12 Conference Sixth Man of the Year as a senior, helping the Bears to a school-record 23-game winning streak which saw them top the NCAA rankings for five straight weeks.
Bandoo will look to make a positive impact in his first game in front of the Riders’ faithful, as he takes on Austin in the backcourt!
Riders Media - 30th December 2022
Riders see out clutch win against Scorchers
The Riders saw out a 77-72 nailbiter against Surrey Scorchers, improving their record to 12-5.
Marc Loving led the way with 22 points, scoring nine in the fourth to seal a clutch win. His teammate on the wing, Zach Jackson, closely followed with 20 points.
Jackson turned the tide in the third quarter with six points and two steals, earning the Riders a lead they didn’t surrender.
The win makes it 37 undefeated against Surrey, the longest streak against an opponent in the BBL. The Riders’ defence held the Scorchers to 16% from deep, and 44% from the field.
The Scorchers have now lost eight games within 10 points this season. They proved they could hang with the league’s best, but were unable to get over the hump in tonight’s fixture.
Their young star Padiet Wang finished up with 24 points, followed by Quincy Taylor’s 18.
The Riders started hot, jumping out to a 7-3 lead after four quick points from Darien Nelson-Henry.
Surrey hit back via Wang, who scored five in response to take the lead for his side and set the stage for a closely fought first quarter. Wang scored 12 in the first quarter, exploding the rim with his elite athleticism.
Whelan got himself going midway through the period, hitting a three for his first points of the evening. His triple snatched momentum for the Riders, who built a seven-point lead.
Aaron Menzies put an exclamation point on the run, slamming it down one-handed at the rim.
The Scorchers found form in the second, which they started on a 12-2 run. Andrew Lawrence’s back-to-back midrange jumpers took the lead, which Surrey stretched to nine five minutes in.
The Riders halted the visitor’s run, cutting it to six by halftime led by six points from Kimbal Mackenzie.
Jackson got the second half underway with five points in two minutes, hitting a three with Taylor in his grill. He took the challenge of guarding Wang, who scored 18 in the first half. The Omaha graduate quickly came up with two steals, leading the charge on both ends.
Conner Washington’s three tied it up at 53 with two minutes remaining in the period. Whelan then took the lead with a pair of free throws, putting the Riders up going into the fourth.
Loving got the final period underway with four points, cooking defenders with his silky dribble. Jackson followed up his teammate with back-to-back tough finishes at the rim, earning the Riders a seven-point lead.
Loving took the fourth quarter over, scoring nine points in five minutes, concluded by a three from the corner.
The Scorchers fought back, as Wang strung together some buckets to take momentum back for his team. Surrey made it a three-point game with two and a half minutes remaining after Wang’s layup.
However, the Riders saw the game out in the clutch, as Nelson-Henry found Jackson on back-to-back plays to seal an important win.
The Riders are back on the road for their next BBL action. They head to Bristol to take on the Flyers, hoping to build on tonight’s win.
Riders Media - 21st December 2022
BBL Cup Report: Riders through to final!
The Riders booked their place in the BBL Cup final for the second straight season, beating the Caledonia Gladiators89-68 in the semis. The holders have the opportunity to defend their title in Birmingham, meeting the London Lions at the Utilita Arena.
Leicester led wire to wire in the game, seeing off spirited Gladiators’ comeback attempts to seal the win. Marc Loving, Zach Jackson and Patrick Whelan combined for 49 points, Loving leading the trio with 18.
GB big man Aaron Menzies dominated the glass of the bench, putting up nine points and 10 rebounds in 17 minutes of action. Jackson also had a double-digit rebounding effort, going off for a 14-point double-double.
The Riders caught fire from deep in the game, the league leaders in three-point percentage going 13-22 led by Jackson’s four makes. On the other end, they locked down the perimeter to hold the visitors to 25% from three.
Patrick Tape led the Gladiators with 21 points, the first-year pro putting up a season-high effort. Caledonia cut the game to six in the third period, but could not get over the hump to challenge Leicester late.
The Riders came out firing, bolting out to a 15-4 lead after drilling their first three threes. Their defence locked in from the tip-off, holding the Gladiators to just two makes from their first eight attempts as they built an early double-digit advantage.
Marc Loving helped set the tone on defence, sending Jeremiah Bailey’s shot back with authority midway through the first quarter. Loving ended the period with nine points to pair with his block, as the Riders continued their dominance to go up 30-13.
7’3” Menzies got to work on the glass to start the second, coming up with two second-chance baskets inside.
But the Gladiators stalled the Riders’ surge in the early stages of the quarter, cutting the lead to 11, led by eight points off the bench from Jordan Burns.
The Gladiators had momentum through most of the second quarter, but the Riders had the best of the running going into halftime. They exploded with two minutes remaining, scoring 10 straight points to re-establish their advantage, topped off with an Evan Walshe and-one.
In an attempt to get back into the tie, Caledonia came out firing to a 16-5 start to the second half. Tape put up nine points to make his game total 19, the 6’10 center getting to the basket effectively.
The visitor’s run made it a six-point contest midway through the third period, triggering another Riders response. Kimbal Mackenzie led the run, scoring five straight points to get it underway, including a tough three off the dribble.
The quarter ended 66-56 to the Riders, with a Walshe corner three concluding the action.
Leicester carried their momentum through to the final period, scoring seven straight points to get it underway. The points made it an 18-7 after the Gladiators cut it to six in the third.
Having started the fourth the better of the teams, the Riders saw out the game professionally to advance to the final. Derryck Thornton and Zach Jackson’s late threes sealed a hard-fought Riders victory.
The Riders now face a quick turnaround, as they face the Manchester Giants on the road on Friday. A win would put them top of the BBL Championship standings with an 11-4 record.
Riders Media - 5th December 2022
BBL announces Aaron Radin as CEO
Following an extensive recruitment process carried out by the league’s board of directors, Radin’s appointment comes at a crucial moment for the BBL as the league looks to accelerate its growth to achieve its full potential.
Radin moves to the BBL after compiling a successful track record across a 30-year professional career. He has held increasingly senior-level positions at a multitude of sports, media and tech organisations such as the NBA, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal and Meta. His extensive knowledge of the commercial landscape surrounding the sport will help take the league to exciting new heights.
Alongside his professional background, Radin has been significantly involved in his community for over 20 years through volunteering as a basketball coach, and helping to lead a grassroots program which helped generate opportunities for hundreds of inner-city youth to expand their educational and professional opportunities through the sport.
Speaking on the appointment, British Basketball League Director, Lenz Balan said:
“We are thrilled to be welcoming Aaron to the BBL. His professional achievements, and passion for and understanding of the sport, make him the ideal leader to take British Basketball to the next level during this exciting period of growth.
“It has been a truly remarkable year for the league and Aaron’s appointment highlights our commitment to accelerating the commercial growth of the BBL and the longer term success of our clubs, players and partners both domestically and in Europe.”
Speaking on his arrival as the league’s CEO, Aaron Radin said:
“I am thrilled to join the British Basketball League at this critical point in its history. Between the new investment of capital into the league, the creation of new broadcast partnerships and the return to European competition, the BBL is just beginning to deliver on its goal to generate joy for its fans and value for its marketing and distribution partners. I am excited for the challenge to help the league fully deliver on that promise and I look forward to working with our clubs, owners and investors, as we join forces to become one of the most competitive and exciting basketball leagues in the world.
“We are committed to continuing to attract the most talented players to the British Basketball League from across the globe, as well as providing a platform for British athletes to fulfil their potential here in the UK as well as on the global stage.”
Riders Media - 2nd December 2022
Cup Semi date confirmed
Leicester Riders will host Caledonia Gladiators in the BBL Cup Semi Final on Wednesday 21 December, 7.45pm tip.
Riders will be looking to use home advantage with a big crowd, to help take them back to Birmingham after defeating Manchester Giants in last years’ final. This years’ format means that the semi final is one leg with the outcome decided on the night.
Tickets are now on sale via this link.
All home cup games are included for Riders season ticket holders.
In the other semi final, Bristol Flyers host London Lions on Monday 19 December.
Riders Media - 2nd December 2022
Dodici Otto X Riders
Leicester Riders have partnered with fashion brand Dodici Otto to produce a Limited Edition jersey.
The Leicester-based brand launched a similar collab with Chelsea FC earlier this year, but this is their very first venture into basketball.
Each shirt features a graffiti style marking the 19 trophies and all the players from this season on the back.
The shirts were done on a limited run of 10, individually numbered. All the profits raised will go to the Riders Foundation.
Riders Media - 24th November 2022
Riders pop-up shop in John Lewis now open!
Leicester Riders are delighted to partner with John Lewis at Highcross in Leicester, and open a brand new pop-up shop from now until the end of December!
Shoppers will be able to buy all official Riders merchandise including a brand new range of products ahead of Christmas.
Be sure to check it out!
Riders Media - 18th November 2022
Riders take the win against Sharks
The Riders improve their season record to 7-3, after a gritty 71-58 win against the Sheffield Sharks.
A 21-11 fourth quarter saw the Riders win a closely fought contest, where the Sharks’ kept the hosts honest throughout. Zach Jackson led the scoring with 17 points, 11 coming in the final period to see out the game.
The Sharks’ BBL-best defence proved a tough test for Leicester, whose three-point shooting saw them build a lead late. They shot 40% from deep and held their opponents to 27%, which proved the difference between the sides.
Kimbal Mackenzie continued his hot form, providing a hot hand from the bench. He did not miss from the field, scoring 11 points in 15 minutes of action.
The opening stages were closely fought between two great defensive outfits. Both sides struggled to find an offensive rhythm, but the Riders closed the quarter with a 9-0 run, led by four points and an assist from Jackson.
His assist fed new man Aaron Menzies for his first points in Riders’ red, slamming it down with two hands to get the home fans on their feet. They ended the first up 15-10, and with the wind in their sails.
The Sharks fought back in the second, playing tough defence to keep it a low-scoring affair. Bennet Koch got to work down low, scoring 12 of his team’s 32 points by halftime. The Sharks won the second 22-15, to go into the half up 32-30.
The sides fought closely in the third, as the score remained within a score throughout the period. Marc Loving concluded the action in the quarter with a three to put Leicester up 50-47.
The Riders burst out the gate in the fourth, taking the game by the reigns. Jackson’s finish in close made it 54-47 a minute and a half into the final period of play.
The Riders kept their hands in the lane, their intense defensive pressure forcing five Sharks turnovers early in the quarter. They kept the Sharks at arm’s length, as Patrick Whelan’s three made it a ten-point game with three minutes remaining.
Jackson kept the foot on the accelerator, draining another three for his 11th points of the fourth. Darien Nelson-Henry’s putback sealed the deal with half a minute remaining, securing a hard-fought win.
“Defensively, I thought we were excellent tonight,” said coach Rob Paternostro post-game. “Holding them to 58 points, 30 in the second half, is a great effort, and it’s something that’s been a point of focus for us.”
“They played good defence too. They like to play slow-paced games, and the important thing was not to panic. It’s easy for guys to get out of rhythm a bit, but we were solid in the second half, and we’ve got a lot of veteran guys who understand what it takes to get a win.”
The Riders take a trek up north for their next future, heading to Scotland to take on the Caledonia Gladiators for the second time this season. A win would see them improve to 8-3, as they contest the top spot in the BBL Championship standings.
Riders Media - 12th November 2022
Riders sign GB International Aaron Menzies
Riders are thrilled to confirm the signing of Great Britain International Aaron Menzies.
The 7’3” big man will join Riders on a return from International duty after a buy-out deal was agreed with German side Dresden Titans for his services.
Aaron, who spent his college career stateside with Seattle Redhawks and Saint Mary’s Gaels, started his professional career in Spain for Ourense and HLA Alicante. He joined Dresden at the start of the 2022-23 season, averaging 8.6 points a game for the Titans.
“I’m excited to be returning to the UK,” reflected Menzies. “After six and a half seasons playing overseas it’s great for me to play in front of my family and friends again week in and week out.”
“I spoke to Pat (Whelan) and he had nothing but good things to say about the Riders. It’s a great club with a history of success. I can’t wait to get started and continue that success with some silverware before the end of the season.”
Head Coach Rob Paternostro commented:
“It’s an exciting signing for us. He’s a guy that we’ve been paying attention to over the last two years with him being from the UK.”
“He’s had a great start to the season this year. We feel that we’ve added a player with size and an ability to change the game for us. We are all looking forward to having him wear red.”
Menzies will play for Great Britain again on Monday in Latvia, having made his debut on Friday night in Newcastle.
Riders Media - 4th November 2022
Report: Riders beat Phoenix to win three on the bounce
The Riders make it three wins on the bounce, beating the Cheshire Phoenix 89-85. their record is now 5-3, as they climb up the BBL Championship standings.
Patrick Whelan led the team with 16 points, as five Riders hit double-digit points in the win. Kimbal Mackenzie scored a season-high 12 points, scoring eight in the final period to keep the Riders’ offence ticking off the bench.
Leicester needed every one of the points in a closely fought game. It was a one-possession game with 20 seconds remaining before Zach Jackson hit a free throw and came up with a stop on defence to seal it.
For Cheshire, Marcus Evans and Tahjai Teague ran the show off the bench. Evans scored 15 from the perimeter, going 3-3 from deep and 5-10 from the field, while Teague put on a strong showing down low, scoring 14 points and going 5-7 in the paint.
But in a contest which was closely fought wire-to-wire, it was the reigning champs who used their wealth of experience to put one in the win column.
Derryck Thornton picked up where he left off in his last fixture, where he led the team with 21 points. Thornton scored six of the team’s first 12 points, helping them to a stalemate at the end of one.
Jackson also got points on the board early, bagging seven through the first ten minutes.
Little separated the teams through a half, with the biggest lead for either team standing at just four points after the second. The score was 40-38 in Cheshire’s favour, as Maceo Jack drove inside to give the Phoenix the lead to close the period.
By halftime, the Riders had hit just two of their 14 three-point attempts, staying in the game through their offensive rebounding, grabbing seven to Cheshire’s one. On the other end, the Phoenix hit 42% of their threes at the half, with 6’4” sharpshooter Llyod Daniel’s going 2-2.
Jackson got the second half going for the Riders, hitting his second and-one layup of the game. The Wichita native’s play lit a fire under Leicester’s offence, which scored 11 points in the next two minutes to build a seven-point advantage.
The Riders kept the Phoenix at arm’s length for the rest of the third, but their opponents battled to keep in it. Teague and Evans scored 13 between them in the final five minutes of the quarter for the Phoenix, with six of those points coming from the foul line.
But Jubril Adekoya had the final say in the third, nailing a corner three at the buzzer to make it 67-61 in Leicester’s favour.
Three minutes into the fourth, Kimbal Mackenzie snatched momentum for the Riders to stretch their lead to double-digits. Following his layup inside, the Riders forced a turnover off the inbound before Mackenzie hit a tough and-one fadeaway from the corner, sending the Morningside Arena into a frenzy.
Mackenzie scored eight in the final quarter to keep his side ahead, as the Phoenix fought to keep it close. Will Neighbour and Evan’s hit two straight threes with a minute remaining, which cut the lead to three.
Leicester put the ball in Jackson’s hands to seal the game with 20 seconds remaining. He took his defender one-on-one, drew a foul in the lane and hit a free throw to put them up four. He then took up his defensive assignment in isolation, locking up former Rider Jamell Anderson to win it.
The Riders are back in action on Sunday, taking on the Plymouth City Patriots on the road. A win would see them move up to second in the standings with 10 points.
Riders Media - 31st October 2022
Injury update: Mo Walker
Riders are devastated to confirm that Mo Walker has ruptured his achilles and will be out for the rest of the season.
We would like to thank Spire Hospital for their on-going support of our players & programme. Their partnership has enabled Mo to receive the very best care as he prepares to undergo surgery in the coming days.
Everyone at the Riders would like to wish Mo all the best with his recovery.
Riders Media - 30th October 2022
Riders comeback to beat Sharks
The Riders secured back-to-back wins over a weekend of games after beating the Sheffield Sharks 86-72.
In an exceptional team effort, the Riders had four starters score over 15 points in the game. They were led by 21 points from Derryck Thornton, the 6’3” point guard shooting 50% from the field.
Leicester exploded for a 24-13 third quarter, after falling down 15 five minutes into the period. Zach Jackson scored nine points in five minutes to end the third to build the Riders’ foundation to see the game out.
As a team, the Riders shot 47% from the field and 43% from three in a red-hot shooting night. Patrick Whelan led the charge from deep, making four of his seven attempts.
The Sharks enjoyed the better start of the sides, getting off to a 10-0 start. They scored eight points at the basket, finding success attacking the bucket. Following a timeout, the Riders’ found their feet offensively to stall the Sharks’ progress. They won the rest of the quarter 15-14, led by four from Thornton.
Blake Bowman got the second underway, bursting past Kipper Nichols on the baseline before going up strong to throw it down with two hands.
The hosts responded with an 11-3 run, still finding joy in the paint to get another eight points inside.
Thornton put the scoring load on his back to get Leicester back into the tie. He attacked the rim, getting two and-one plays using his speed and athleticism to explode to the hoop. The Riders put their first dent into the Sheffield lead, cutting the game to four following a Patrick Whelan triple.
They rode the momentum into the half, finishing the second with threes from Whelan and Kimbal Mackenzie to enter the locker rooms down 44-43.
The teams traded buckets in the third, with the score remaining within a possession seven minutes in. Zach Jackson attacked the rim with 5:45 left in the period, laying it in with his left to give the Riders their first lead of the afternoon.
Two minutes later, Jackson put two more on the board in explosive fashion. The Riders ran the fastbreak, and Jubril Adekoya threw up a lob from behind the three-point line to Jackson, who rose up high and threw it down.
Jackson took the game over, going on to score seven in 90 seconds to give his side a 10-point lead entering the fourth.
Leicester continued the scoring barrage to start the final period, and Loving and Whelan hit threes to make it 73-57. Whelan scored eight in the final quarter, as the Riders held the Sharks at arm’s length to see out the win.
“We said before the game that we’re tired of this lose one win one stuff; let’s string some together,” said coach Rob Paternostro after the game.
“Our offence has been playing well. Statistically, we’ve been up there in the league offensively. That’s a product of the talent we have, and our unselfishness. We played unselfish basketball today, so I feel good about where that’s at.”
“I thought our second unit did a great job turning the game around. Their impact on the game in the first half allowed us to be in the position in the second half to win.”
The Riders return home on Friday, taking on the Cheshire Phoenix in the hopes of getting their record above .500.
Riders Media - 28th October 2022
Riders bounce back against Bristol
The Riders put one in the win column, improving to 3-3 with a 91-73 victory against the Bristol Flyers. A monster 34-point performance from Marc Loving led a dominant second-half display, as Leicester secured a much-needed win.
Loving’s 34 came in 36 minutes, shooting 13-17 from the field and a red-hot 6-8 from three. The Ohio-born sharpshooter torched the Flyers’ defence all night long, from all over the court in a first-class scoring night.
On the other end, he had two blocks and steals to round off a complete showing, dominating every area of the game. The Riders shot 54% from the field and 46% from field to support their star forward.
The Flyers hung around until late, losing the fourth quarter 27-15. They went 10-21 from three to keep it close, led by a 24-point double-double by VJ King.
The Riders hit their stride early, as Zach Jackson fired out the gate with nine points in the opening five minutes. They jumped out to a 20-12 lead, and Jubril Adekoya forced a Flyers timeout after great defence at the rim leading to his bucket in transition.
The Flyers fought back, as Tevin Olison hit two threes on his way to 10 points in six minutes. The 6’4” guard’s play gave his team the lead two minutes into the second period.
Blake Bowman sparked life back into the Riders’ offence, which stalled momentarily. The first-year pro ran the fast break before rising high and throwing it down over the contesting Brandon Mayhan.
The second quarter was a dunk party, as Loving and Derryck Thornton made their own highlights. Thornton picked Corey Samuels’ pockets before raising the roof with a monster jam, before Loving did a spin move to attack the baseline and put one in with two hands.
Loving tied the game up two minutes later with a three from the wing for his 12th points of the evening. The Ohio State graduate then grabbed a steal on the other end with 24 seconds left, before blocking VJ King at the rim to give the Riders the halftime lead.
He kept his hot hand to start the third, hitting a three from each corner to make it a seven-point lead. He scored 10 straight at the start of the third, torching the Flyers to build the lead.
They held the lead going into the fourth, but Bristol clawed back points to make it close with 10 minutes to play. King, who had 24 points at the end of three, made an and-one play to close the third to make it 64-58 to Leicester.
Conner Washington took the reigns to open the fourth, scoring four quick points to snatch momentum back. Loving checked back in and put points on the board on his first possession, making it a 12-point lead. He made a three a minute later to hit the 30-point mark.
The Riders saw it out professionally, keeping their foot on the pedal to maintain their distance from the Flyers. Evan Walshe concluded the action with a two inside
“Tonight was a really good win for us. Playing at home makes a big difference, and Marc was unbelievable today,” said coach Rob Paternostro after the game. “Any time we needed a bucket, he got it, and he’s been incredible all season. I think he’s one of the most underrated players in the league, and on both ends, he was awesome.”
“I think Jubril Adekoya was very good defensively in the center position. He defended the pick and roll really well, he’s great at that. We love him defensively, he’s one of the best defenders in the league, and he relishes the challenge.”
Playing more minutes in the absence of the injured Mo Walker, Adekoya played tough defence inside all night.
“Rebounding was the focus against this team,” said Adekoya.”They play aggressively, especially on offence, and we knew that and had to take control of it.”
“We needed to get back on track. The way they beat us last time we played left a bad taste in our mouths. We owed them one. It’s still early in the year, but we’ve got to figure out how to start winning these back-to-back games. We’ve got to try and find a rhythm and keep it rolling.”
The Riders are back in action on Sunday, heading to Sheffield to take on the Sharks. A win would put them above .500 for the first time this season.
Riders Media - 21st October 2022
BBL Championship Preview: Riders at Gladiators
The Riders take on the Caledonia Gladiators on the road, for the second game of a doubleheader. They hold a 2-2 record going into the game, as they look to get over .500.
Riders back on track
After starting the season on a three-game road trip, which they finished with a 1-2 record, the Riders returned home for their season opener on Friday. The result was an emphatic 102-89 win against a tough Manchester Giants team, who fought the Riders wire to wire.
“It felt great to be home, especially after spending the first three games on the road,” said Patrick Whelan after putting up 20 points in the win. “We needed to get a good, comfortable win under our belt.”
Joining him with 20 points in the scoring column was Zach Jackson, who returned to the team after missing the last two games through injury.
“He’s such a good team player and competitor’” said head coach Rob Paternostro. “He’s not 100%, but he told me yesterday: ‘I’m going to play.’ You never have any doubts about Zach Jackson.”
The Riders shot the lights out in the game, making 48% of their threes. In an efficient scoring night, they blew the tie open in the third quarter and held on until the final buzzer.
They will look to replicate their performance in Scotland, building on the momentum found against the Giants.
A new era in Glasgow
The re-branded Gladiators host their first game of the season, after starting their campaign with three straight road games. They split the results 1-2, as they look to get back to .500 in this one.
Big news came out of Scotland this offseason, with the retirement of player/coach Gareth Murray, who has taken up full-time coaching responsibilities for the club. The GB sharpshooter’s absence forced Caledonia to move into a new phase of their franchise, without their star man.
In the early stages of the year, it’s first-year pro David Sloan whose taken up the mantle as the team’s leader. He’s averaged a team-high of 14.7 points, scoring 22 in his debut against the London Lions.
Despite Sloan’s efforts, they dropped the game against London despite playing the Lions close. They picked up their only win in Sheffield, beating the Sharks 74-70, before losing big to Cheshire in their previous game. They’ll hope to get one over on the reigning champs to build some momentum in their season.
Key matchup
Rookie point guard David Sloan has hit the ground running in Caledonia, the 6’0” Kentucky native getting points on the board from the get-go. His 22 points in the season opener came with six rebounds and assists, knocking down four threes.
Sloan graduated from East Tennessee State, playing his final two college seasons there. He scored 12.6 points and dished five assists per game in his final season, before crossing the Atlantic for the BBL.
Sloan possesses all the qualities needed to score in the backcourt. He’s a quick, athletic ballhandler with crafty moves and a quick release, keeping defenders alert for all 40 minutes.
Faced with the task of guarding him is Riders legend Conner Washington, who is playing in his 11th season in Leicester. Washington has won everything there is to win in the BBL, with 14 pieces of silverware to his name after adding three more last season.
The Bedford-born guard is respected around the BBL as an intelligent veteran, playing to an elite standard on both ends. He has earned Molten BBL Defensive Team of the Year honours on three separate occasions.
He reached deep into his bag of tricks in the Riders Basketball Champions League clash against CSO Voluntari, leading the team with 14 points and injecting energy into the Leicester offence off the bench.
Washington showed he can still bounce with the best of them and will bring his A-game against Sloan in this one.
Where to watch
The fixture will be streamed live on the British Basketball League Youtube channel; tipping-off is at 5 pm.
Riders Media - 21st October 2022
Riders win home opener
The Riders move to 2-2 after winning their home opener. It was a 102-89 against the Manchester Giants, which they blew open in the third quarter.
The Riders’ wing tandem led them through the game, as GB guard Patrick Whelan and Omaha graduate Zach Jackson scored 20 each. Jackson also grabbed 10 boards, putting up a monster double-double after missing the last two games through injury.
The Riders cooked from deep, scoring 48% of their three-point attempts. They shot 56% from the field in an efficient shooting night. They showed their depth of shooting, as seven players contributed from behind the arc.
The Giants fought from wire to fire, coming back multiple times to keep the Riders on their toes. By halftime, Rahmon Fletcher, William Lee and Tahj Green scored double-digit points, but the visitors could not keep up with Leicester’s offensive effort.
After a slow start, falling into an 11-2 hole, two quick threes from Jackson and Conner Washington clicked their offence into gear. Jackson exploded for seven points in five minutes in his return to the lineup.
Leicester got back into the game from deep, as threes rained for the hosts. They made five in the first, and shot 56% from the field to take the lead with two minutes remaining. The Riders rode the wave of momentum into the second and maintained their shooting form. Back-to-back threes from Jackson and Kimbal Mackenzie stretched the lead to 11.
The Giants fought back, as their leading scorer, Green, strung together some baskets. His putback, which followed a deep three, cut it to one possession. The teams traded buckets before Whelan hit a shot at the buzzer to make it 53-49 at the half.
Three minutes into the second half, Whelan kept firing with his hot hand to drain consecutive triples. He scored eight straight points to rebuild the Riders’ lead, as they look to reestablish their foothold in the game.
They kept their foot on the pedal, continuing to get points on the board to make it a 19-point affair. Three Corey Johson free-throws to close the quarter cut into the Riders’ lead, but they still held a significant advantage after winning the third period 30-18.
The Giants showed heart in the fourth, crashing the glass on every possession to score second-chance points. With five minutes left in the tie, they’d cut the game to 12 points following a Lee jam.
They went to their captain to settle the nerves. Darien Nelson-Henry took the ball down low, backed down Lee and hit a smooth fadeaway at the buzzer to regain control of the game.
After Nelson-Henry’s bucket, the Riders were able to see out the game, going 11-7. Jackson’s midrange jumper rounded off a professional Riders performance.
“It was great to be home. We were all looking forward to playing in our home arena. We’ve had great success here, and the guys were fired up to play,” said coach Rob Paternostro after the game.
On Jackson’s performance, he said “He’s such a great team player and competitor. He’s not 100%, but he told me yesterday ‘I’m going to play.’ You never have any doubts about Zach Jackson!”
The Riders play the second of a doubleheader, heading to Glasgow on Sunday to take on the Caledonia Gladiators. They look to move to a winning record, before returning home next Friday to host the Flyers.
Riders Media - 21st October 2022
BBL Championship Preview- Riders vs Giants
The Riders host their season opener for the 2022/23 season following a three-game road trip to start the season. They take on the Manchester Giants, who have won four of their first five games this year.
Riders back home
After spending their first three games on the road this season, the Riders return to the Morningside Arena to face the Giants. They went 1-2 through the opening three games, and are hoping to get back to .500 in this one.
Their previous game was a close loss to the undefeated Bristol Flyers, which finished up 91-85. The game was within a possession throughout most of the final period, but the Flyers found late momentum to win the tie.
Mo Walker’s 16-point performance was key to the Rider’s successes; the big man made a significant impact down low after a slow Leicester start. Derryck Thornton also enjoyed a 16-point effort, leading the team for the second straight game.
Through three games, the Riders have leant on their offence, scoring the third most points in the BBL. They’ll need to be at the top of their game against Manchester, who have acquired a squad of elite defenders.
A new era in the North West
The Giants saw significant changes to their franchise over the offseason, as they look to take a leap towards challenging for silverware this season.
They made moves for two legends of the British game, as esteemed head coach Vince Macaulay took charge at the helm, and two-time MVP Rahmon Fletcher made the move from Newcastle to run the point.
Joining Fletcher in the backcourt is 16-point-per-game scorer Dirk Williams, who made his name as one of the league’s elite last season with the London Lions.
Some former Riders return to the Morningside Arena, as William Lee and Corey Johnson will suit up in Giants’ colours after winning the league in Leicester in 2021. But it’s American rookie Tahj Green who is setting the tone in Manchester healing into this one, scoring 21.2 points per game and setting the league alight with a monster dunk in his previous game.
Early in the season, the offseason moves have been a rousing success for Manchester, as they won four of their first five games to put them third in the league table. They will hope to continue their red-hot form with a win in Leicester.
Key matchup
The two-time MVP comes to Leicester, as new Giants’ acquisition Rahmon Fletcher will run the Manchester point. The Newcastle Eagles legend traded the North East to the North West this offseason, after leading the BBL in assists last year.
Fletcher spent seven years in Eagles’ colours, winning the MVP back-to-back in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, he put up 20.5 points and 6.6 assists per game, leading Newcastle to the league and playoffs double.
With a plethora of elite options at his disposal, Fletcher has continued to run the show in new colours, dropping 10 assists per game so far this year.
Lining up against him is another new signing, Leicester’s Derryck Thornton, who burst onto the scene in his first two BBL games. Thornton has led the team in scoring in both of his Riders appearances, averaging 18 points per game.
The California native averaged 18.4 points and 5.4 assists per game in the Austrian first division last season, playing for Kapfenberg Bulls. He set the league alight with his flashy handles and electrifying dunks, attacking the rim to set up plays for himself and his teammates.
The battle in the backcourt may end up as the key to the game, as both point guards are capable of exploding for monster performances any given night.
Where to watch
Tickets are available to purchase here, or on the door before the game, but are expected to sell out quickly.
The fixture will also be streamed on the British Basketball League YouTube channel.
Riders Media - 20th October 2022
All you need to know!
With the fantastic expansion of Morningside Arena, and ahead of the first home game of the season this Friday against Manchester Giants – here’s all you need to know…
Tip times
All Friday night home games will now tip-off at 7.45pm. This Friday there is a pre-game event!
Pre-game event
This Friday we open our doors at 6pm – we have a special reveal of the new Mattioli courts with a live band, refreshments and activations. We’d love to see you there!
Arrivals
Our Arena expansion means that access to games will be via the new entrance on Memory Lane. No access via Charter St.
Please use LE1 3UL on your sat nav, car parking is limited but several car parks close by are highlighted on the map below.
Post-game
Live music, meet the players and refreshments available at the Mattioli courts post-game.
Tickets
Tickets are still available for the game via this link. We do expect a bumper crowd so please arrive early!
Riders Media - 15th October 2022
BBL Championship Preview- Riders at Flyers
The Riders conclude their road trip to start the season in Bristol, where they will face the undefeated Flyers. They will hope to secure a win, bringing a 2-1 record back to Leicester.
First win on the board
The Riders secured their first win of the season with a dominant road win last time out. They blew out the Surrey Scorchers 86-67, winning the third quarter by 11 to blow the game open.
The story of the game was the dazzling debut of Derryck Thornton, the American guard going for 20 points in his first time in Riders colours. The California native exploded for 16 points in the first half, having not played since April, exciting Riders fans for his season ahead.
“I feel like as a team we played well collectively. We obviously have things to work on, but overall it was a good game,” said Thornton postgame.
“We came out really aggressive on defence, so maintaining will be important against Bristol. I like to push the ball a lot, so I think the more time I spend with the team, the more we can push it and get easy transition points.”
He was backed up by his backcourt partner Patrick Whelan, who scored 17 points in the game. The Riders shot an efficient 50% from the field and held their opponents to 37% to seal a significant road victory.
Flyers have lift-off
The Flyers are one of two undefeated teams in the BBL this season, starting their league campaign 3-0. Home wins against the Giants, Sharks and Patriots to begin the year have left the South-Westerners with high hopes for the rest of the year.
VJ King has been the standout of a talented Flyers roster, the former NBA G-Leager averaging 16 points and eight rebounds through two games this year. However, it was American two-guard Tevin Olison stealing the show off the bench in their previous fixture scoring 18 points in 21 minutes, draining three threes in the process.
The defence has been the key for the Flyers so far this season, as they boast the best defensive rating in the BBL in the opening stages of the season.
Combine this with their care for the basketball, turning the ball over at the lowest rate in the league, and the Flyers have their template going into the rest of the year.
Key matchup
Facing off against the Flyers’ new man VJ King will be fellow Ohio native Marc Loving, who has enjoyed an electric start to his second Riders season. Loving has averaged 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds through two games, setting up an exciting clash on the wing.
Like King, Loving arrived to the BBL from the NBA G-League, having played for the Delaware Bluecoats and the Agua Caliente ClippersThe 6’7” forward is a versatile scorer and defender, offering a ranged skillset to Rob Paternostro’s side.
In his debut season, Loving’s size and length gave him a strong defensive foundation, while his elite shooting ability combined with his 6’7” frame made him a dangerous weapon on offence.
On the other end, King spent his first two pro seasons with the Westchester Knicks, averaging 7.3 points per game last season. The Louisville graduate’s season high came on his Flyers debut, scoring 19 points against the Sheffield Sharks.
King can score from anywhere and loves to attack the rim with power. He’s an elite rebounder for his position and will give the Riders’ defence a difficult task with his strength and speed.
Where to watch
The game takes place on Saturday, tipping off at 7:30 pm. It will be available to watch on the British Basketball League YouTube channel.
Riders Media - 14th October 2022
Black History Month celebrated at Flyers game
Players of both Leicester Riders and Bristol Flyers will wear warm-up t-shirts to celebrate Black History Month before Saturday’s away game.
Both sides represent multi-cultural cities and have a rich history of welcoming players from all backgrounds. Riders are also offering free advertising space on their big screens to local black-owned businesses for both home games this month. If you are a black-owned business and want to feature then please email details on your business/address and a 16:9 advert to [email protected].
This week Riders’ Jubril Adekoya interviewed Mo Walker on what Black History Month means to him.
Riders Media - 14th October 2022
Kevin Routledge honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
We are thrilled to announce Leicester Riders chairman Kevin Routledge has won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 LeicestershireLive Business Awards.
Kevin’s years of contributions to basketball, the community and business were all recognised, with TV presenter & host Ben Hanlin presenting the award at the King Power Stadium.
All at the Riders would like to congratulate Kevin for winning the richly deserved award!
Riders Media - 8th October 2022
BBL Championship Preview- Riders at Scorchers
For the second of a three-game road trip, the Riders take on the Scorchers at Surrey Sports Park. Leicester look to get their title defence back on track with their first win of the season!
A hard-fought season opener
The Riders were faced with a tremendous task in their first game of the season, taking on the highly touted league contenders London Lions in the capital. Without their newly signed American point guard Derryck Thornton, they played the Lions close throughout but were unable to stage a late comeback.
Read our report from the game!
There were positives to take from the game going into the rest of a long season. Last season’s leading scorer, GB sharpshooter Patrick Whelan, proved he hadn’t lost a step in the offseason, putting up 16 points in the game. But leading the fixture for Leicester was Ohio State graduate Marc Loving, the athletic wing scoring 21 points from 10 shots from the field.
Ahead of their clash with the Scorchers, the Riders hope for an important road win to begin to build momentum for their season ahead.
Scorchers look to bounce back
Surrey will hope for a rebound season after a 2-25 record left them propping up the BBL Championship table last year. A change at the helm was the foundation for a new beginning in Surrey, with the acquisition of former Manchester Giants head coach Lloyd Gardner representing the hope of a step in the right direction for the franchise.
Injury struggles provided the backdrop for last season’s struggles, so Surrey will hope to keep their roster healthy through the opening stages. The squad has been revamped for the start of Gardner’s role, with one of the promising acquisitions making his first leap into professional basketball this season.
Luke Busumbru is a homegrown young talent, who played for NBL D1 side Solent Kestrels for the last three seasons. The 6’3” guard scored 21 points in their season opener against the Cheshire Phoenix, but the team ultimately fell short in an 81-96 loss.
The Scorchers trailed wire to wire in the game, unable to slow down a potent Phoenix offence that shot 46% from deep. They will look to shore up their perimeter against the Riders as they hope to get one over on the reigning champions.
Key Matchup
Starting his season with a bang, sharpshooting stretch four Marc Loving’s 21 points against the London Lions will look to kick on from his emphatic performance in this one. Shooting 70% from the field, London struggled to live with the Ohio-born forward as he attacked the rim all night long.
Loving is a second-year Rider, having signed from the NBA G-League. The 6’7” forward is a versatile scorer and defender, offering a ranged skillset to Rob Paternostro’s side. In his debut season, Loving’s size and length gave him a strong defensive foundation, while his elite shooting ability combined with his 6’7” frame made him a dangerous weapon on offence.
Likely to be a Scorcher who will take on the task of guarding Loving is Kyle Carey, the 6’6” wing who is playing in his third BBL season. Carey played his first two BBL seasons in Cheshire, averaging six points in the North-West last season.
Carey put up eight points and five rebounds in 22 minutes against his former side in his previous game, making two of his four three-point attempts. London-born Carey played his role to great effect last year, scoring an efficient 47.8% from the field and 38.2% from three. He uses his length to fill passing lanes, and his speed and aggressiveness to punish sleeping defences at the rim.
Where to watch
The game takes place on Saturday, tipping off at 6 pm. It will be available to watch on the British Basketball League YouTube channel.
Riders Media - 30th September 2022
Riders fall short in season opener
The Riders tipped off their title defence with an 89-78 loss on the road against the London Lions. Falling in a hole early, the Riders fought resiliently to stay in the game, but fell short of a comeback late on.
Marc Loving led the team with 21 points, the stretch four having an efficiently brilliant night to lead the Leicester performance. He shot 7/10 from the field and made all six of his free throws in a solid scoring effort.
He was backed up by Whelan, the team’s leading scorer last season adding 16 more points to his Riders tally. In the end, however, Leicester could not overcome their early deficit, despite playing the Lions close for the remainder of the contest.
Following a 12-2 Lions start, the Riders pivoted to a big lineup to climb back into the game. Loving, Mo Walker and Jubril Adekoya made up a towering Leicester frontcourt, shoring up the inside and stemming the tide.
Despite the battling big men working down low for Leicester, an 11-4 run midway through the second period saw London take their biggest lead of the night: 41-25.
The champs fought back, responding with a 6-0 run led by four points from Loving, and the teams traded baskets before entering the locker rooms, the score 47-36.
Loving picked up the second half where he left off the first, scoring six quick points to open the scoring for Leicester. The Ohio State graduate came out the gunning, forcing the issue to get points on the board.
The Riders traded baskets with their opponents throughout the third, staying within striking distance going into the final period. Just 11 points separated the sides as the buzzer sounded to end the third quarter.
Whelan got the offence underway in the fourth, nailing a corner three to cut it to single digits. But despite the momentum built from their GB sharpshooter, the Riders could not string together enough scores to come away with a win.
The Riders continue their three-game road trip to start the season, heading to Surrey to take on the Scorchers next week. The game takes place on Saturday 8th October, as the Riders look to bounce back and get themselves into the win column.
Riders Media - 23rd September 2022
RIDERS SIGN O’DWYER
The Leicester Riders are delighted to announce the addition of Irish International forward Fiona O’Dwyer to their WBBL roster for the upcoming season.
Originally O’Dwyer was set to play with the Gloucester City Queens however their decision to withdraw from the league has meant she will now make the switch to the Riders.
O’Dwyer is no stranger to the WBBL as she spent two successful seasons with Team Northumbria between 2014-2016 before going on to play in Italy, Spain and Greece over the past 5 seasons.
Last season with Niki Lefkadas in the Greek A1 league she averaged 13.1ppg, 9.3rpg, 2.3apg & 1.4spg as well as competing in the EuroCup.
Her signing and versatility will give the Riders further options across both forward positions. She has a very rounded game being known for her tough & fierce defence but also with the ability to score in a multitude of ways.
“I am excited to return to the WBBL and play for the Leicester Riders. It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to meeting the team and starting the season.”
Coach Krumesh Patel is delighted at his side’s latest acquisition.
“It is great to have someone of the calibre and history as Fiona join us. She brings a wealth of experience and leadership with her, which will be invaluable to her teammates. She will allow us to be creative with our rotations and brings a totally different type of skill set that has proven to be effective for her in her career. I’m really excited to have Fiona on board at the Riders.”
The Riders open their season tomorrow night against Essex Rebels at 7pm at Loughborough University, to book your tickets click here it will also be live on the WBBL youtube page.
Riders Media - 22nd September 2022
New Zealand-British Forward, Dion Collins Joins The NBL For The 2022-23 Season
Loughborough Basketball announce the signing of 6’8 New Zealand-British Forward, Dion Collins to the 2022-23 roster for the Loughborough Riders Men’s programme. Collins, born and raised in New Zealand with British ancestry is the eleventh player to join the Division 1 team, led by Coach Will Maynard. Collins left New Zealand to attend college in the US, playing for the Culver-Stockton Wildcats in the NAIA. Collins then graduated from college and signed his first professional contract with the Lulea Steelers in Sweden where he continued his academic studies; a masters in International Business. Most recently Collins has be playing out in Australia in the NBL1 with the Goldfields Giants before moving across the globe to the United Kingdom.
On his signing to Loughborough Basketball, Collins is ready to get started and is excited for the season ahead:
“I love the vision Russell and Coach will Maynard have for the club and I am very much looking forward to being a part of it. From our very first conversations they have been extremely professional and welcoming. It was good to get down and meet they guys yesterday after just getting into the country – there’s a great bunch of guys running around who you can tell are eager to compete and from my understanding have played together for some time. Therefore, it’s up to us new guys to assimilate, get used to the team, the structures in place and trust that results will come from that.”
From his previous playing opportunities in the US, Sweden and Australia, Collins brings with him a wealth of experience which will be instrumental to the team over the coming months.
“I think the things you can expect from me are physicality, intensity, communication and leadership on court. Looking at our squad we have a good balance across the board and I’m excited to play with some talented players who I think will complement each other quite well. From there we just need to understand our roles then execute them within the structures that coach has put in place.”
Coach Maynard on his latest recruit:
“Excited to have Dion join us this year. He’s going to be a great addition to the group, not only on the court but also off the court too. He’s another player with some great experience over the last few years and we believe he can really help some of the younger players coming up through the pathway. He’s a big, physical player who adds some more firepower up front to what we already have in place and gives us more depth in the team. I think Dion will fit seamlessly into our style of play this year so we are excited to have him on board.”
Collins will make his debut for the Loughborough Riders this weekend in the Division 1 Kit King Trophy competition against Nottingham Hoods on Saturday evening.
Riders Media - 21st September 2022
Sponsors support Riders in Europe
On the day of our return to European competition, Leicester Riders have highlighted the fantastic support it has received from sponsors for its BCL Campaign, Jelson Homes, Morningside Pharmaceuticals, Lumbers Jewellers and Hilton Leicester.
“Over my time as MD of Leicester, Jelson Homes have been a critical sponsor in support of this club. We have been on a journey with Robert and the Jelson team and we are so thankful for all they do for us.”
“They have been a major part of our success over the last 15 years and we are thrilled to have them on board as we compete in the Basketball Champions League.”
“Morningside Pharmaceuticals, Lumbers Jewellers and Hilton Leicester, are three names that the Leicester fans will know well. Morningside have played a huge role since becoming the Arena’s naming rights sponsor, we are tremendously grateful that this has expanded to support our team.”
“Lumbers Jewellers have been a supporter of our club for many years, and we are delighted to have them on board again for this European adventure.”
“Hilton Leicester, have come on board this season and again are crucial for us to be able to host these high-level teams at the very best of hotel complexes.”
“All our sponsors have made this European adventure possible.”
Managing Director of Jelson Homes, Robert Jelly commented:
“To see the Riders play in Europe again is fantastic for the community of Leicester but also British Basketball as a whole. We are so happy to support the club over the last 15 years and look forward to seeing the club progress.”
Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Chairman of Morningside Pharmaceuticals, said:
“As the named partner of the Morningside Arena, Leicester, we’re very proud of the huge success of the Leicester Riders, who call the venue their home.
“The Riders’ six British Basketball League titles have really put Leicester and the Morningside Arena on the map, so it’s great to also see them competing against the best teams in Europe, as part of this prestigious international basketball tournament.
“From everyone at Morningside Pharmaceuticals, we would like to wish the Team the best of fortune in the European Champions League qualifiers and beyond.”
Managing Director of Lumbers, Dominic Gomersall commented:
“We are delighted and proud to have helped the most successful British Basketball in their quest for European recognition. At a time that patriotic thoughts are at a high – Riders will work hard to wave the Union Jack successfully in this hard fought and ultra-competitive league.”
Director at Valary Hotels, Rajiv Nathwani, owners of Hilton Leicester commented:
“It is a pleasure to support basketball in Leicester and to see The Riders competing in European competition. I wish the team the very best for the upcoming qualifiers and look forward to being a small part of the continuing success on and off the court.”
Tonight’s game against Voluntari will be streamed LIVE on the BBL’s Youtube Channel at 5pm (UK time).
Riders Media - 21st September 2022
BCL Qualifiers Preview- Riders vs CSO Voluntari
The Riders tip-off their European campaign with a trip to North Macedonia for the first round of the Basketball Champions League qualifiers. There, at the Boris Trajkovski Sports Centre, they will take on Romanian side CSO Voluntari in the hopes of progressing to the second qualifying round.
BCL Qualifying format
The Qualification Round is a three-round knockout format, with the winners of four separate tournaments achieving qualification for the BCL regular season. The teams were drawn against each other based on their BCL ranking, and unseeded teams were seeded according to their country ranking.
To qualify for the BCL regular season, the Riders need to win three straight qualifying games against increasingly difficult opposition.
CSO Voluntari- Recent successes
This game marks Voluntari’s first venture into the BCL, having enjoyed the most successful period of the franchise’s history in recent seasons.
They are the reigning champions of the Romanian Cup, an annual cup competition, and finished runners-up in the Liga Națională last season. They entered European competition for the first time in the 2020/21 season, making the second round of the FIBA Europe Cup.
Competing on the continent represented the recent successes the franchise has experienced domestically, allowing them to make the leap into BCL qualification. Voluntari have won two pieces of silverware in their 17-year existence and will hope to continue to build on their highest-ever league finish from last season.
“We have to prepare for a very good Romanian team,” commented head coach Rob Paternostro ahead of the game. “
“They’ve recruited high-level players, and they’re a European team that’s in it for the whole season. We’ve got to come out and continue to play defence. This will be the biggest challenge we’ve had so far.”
Key matchup
American guard Toddrick Gotcher represents the biggest Voluntari threat to the Riders after leading his team with 15 points per game last season. He will face up in the backcourt against Zach Jackson, who impressed in preseason, earning Premier Logistics player of the game versus Dutch side Donar Groningen.
Gotcher is a Texas Tech graduate who led his college to the NCAA Tournament in his senior year. He then spent his first professional season in the prestigious Greek first division and went on to compete in France, North Macedonia and Japan before signing with Voluntari last season.
Gotcher is a sharpshooter from deep, knocking down 39% of his three’s last season. He will need to be guarded closely by Jackson, who established himself as one of the BBL’s elite perimeter defenders last year.
The Omaha graduate averaged 10 points per game last season, shooting 49% from the field while playing elite defence on the other end. Throughout his second Riders’ season, Jackson showcased his ability to take over games, scoring 10 straight points in the playoff quarter-final to see the Riders progress to the semis.
The battle in the backcourt may prove to be pivotal to the game’s outcome, as the two sharpshooters duel it out from deep.
How can you watch?
The game will be available to watch here, on the BBL Official YouTube channel. Tip-off is 5pm UK time, so be sure to tune in to support your Riders!
Riders Media - 20th September 2022
Know our name!
While the Riders are in Basketball Champions League action this Wednesday the domestic league gets underway this Friday.
To celebrate the talent, culture and excitement around the league, the BBL and clubs have launched the “Know Our Name” campaign to ignite fans’ passion ahead of the start of the new season.
After an incredible 21/22 season which saw domestic attendance records broken, the BBL are looking to continue the momentum by launching the beginning of another year of exhilarating basketball action.
With players from across the league striving to be hero figures both on the court and in their local communities, fans are set to support their sides up and down the country, as they strive for glory when the season comes to it’s traditional thrilling end at the play-off finals at London’s 02 Arena on Sunday May 14th 2023.
With new signings making the move to the UK from Europe, American and fellow league rivals, the BBL and there is set to be some passionate and fiery match-ups throughout the season.
The BBL is one of the most culturally diverse league’s in the world, with 70% of its players hailing from BAME backgrounds (*Source: Sport England). Whilst the passion shines through on the court, the respect for the talent on show each week is clear to see from players, fans and coaches alike.
Ahead of the new season, Riders Managing Director Russell Levenston gave his hopes for the new season ahead:
“After returning the majority of our treble-winning roster, this season we have the added challenge of the Champions League Qualifiers. We feel that we’ve pulled together a roster to compete on all fronts with a sustainable approach that has brought us great success over the last 10 years.”
All Riders games throughout the season are available via the BBL’s YouTube channel, Sky Sports and the BBL player, so you won’t miss a minute of the action.
Riders Media - 14th September 2022
Riders unveil new European kits
Leicester Riders today unveiled their brand new kit designs for the 2022-23 season!
With the side entering European competition, Riders have today launched their European Edition featuring sponsors Jelson Homes, Morningside Pharmaceuticals, and Hilton – Leicester.
Fans will get to see the new kits for the first time in person at tonight’s game with the squad sporting the brand new white kit!
Should Riders make it through the Champions League Qualifying the BCL patch will be added to the upper left side of the design.
Riders Media - 9th September 2022
Tonight’s game to be played behind closed doors
Due to the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this evening’s game against Donar Groningen will be held behind closed doors out of respect.
Riders’ second preseason friendly against Donar on Sunday 11th, and their final preseason game against Norrkoping Dolphins on Wednesday 14th, will be played, and the clubs will pay their respect with a 2 minutes silence and wear black bands on their left shoulders.
Any tickets purchased for tonight’s game are transferable to one of the remaining friendly games, but if you already have tickets for these games, please contact us at [email protected] with your name and booking reference number and we will refund your tickets.
We appreciate this may not be the news you wanted to hear but thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.
Riders Media - 8th September 2022
Eadsforth-Yates in Riders Switch
Leicester Riders are pleased to announce the addition of guard Jess Eadsforth-Yates to their roster for the rapidly approaching WBBL season.
Eadsforth-Yates had been expected to be competing for the Gloucester City Queens in the upcoming season, however, a change in circumstances has seen her now sign with the Riders while also studying for her masters at Loughborough University.
She will be no stranger to the Riders set-up or Head Coach Krumesh Patel having previously spent time playing for him while at Charnwood College.
A four-year college stint in the US and last season playing at the Newcastle Eagles have preluded her return to the East Midlands, where she is now eager to get started.
“I am really excited to be back playing for the Leicester Riders, this is like a second home to me. The fact that I get to play under Krumesh and Oli again just adds to my excitement. The girls have been very welcoming and I believe we have a really strong group this year, we are all eager to get started.”
Head Coach Krumesh Patel is delighted to link up again with one of his former players:
“I have gone full circle with Jess, having coached her at Charnwood College. To see her do well over in the states was very rewarding and having the chance to bring her back to study for her masters and coach her again is great. She will fit into the group well, she has good speed and a great ability to shoot. Her ability to play defence up the floor gives us another option and dimension. I am delighted to have her back as a Rider.”
In an unrelated move, the Riders have parted company with forward Jade Compton. The club would like to thank Jade for all her hard work and commitment during her time with the Riders and wish her the very best with her future endeavours.
Riders Media - 1st September 2022
Whelan named in Eurobasket GB roster
Ahead of an eagerly anticipated FIBA EuroBasket 2022 that will see some of the world’s best basketball talent compete for supremacy, Great Britain Men’s Head Coach Nate Reinking has confirmed the 12-man roster selected to represent the team at the showpiece tournament.
Riders star Patrick Whelan has been named in the twelve, alongside former Rider Jamell Anderson.
GB’s Men have travelled to Milan for the Pool Stages of EuroBasket 2022 – set to take place from September 2 to September 8 – where they will face Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Italy and Ukraine for a place in the knockout stages, which will be contested in Berlin.
This will be the Men’s team’s first major tournament outing since the 2017 EuroBasket, and the 12-man roster contains several GB stars who have experienced the biggest stages in basketball, as well as several top British talents sampling the major international tournament for the first time.
This EuroBasket is being hailed as the best continental basketball tournament ever, with a field of teams full of incredible talent, and as such is a testament to GB’s achievement in securing a place at the top table of European basketball.
Speaking ahead of the competition and following the announcement of the final roster, Head Coach Nate Reinking said:
“This is a proud moment for the National Team to be embarking on its fifth EuroBasket competition out of the last six iterations. The team has been on a long journey to get to this point and have shown themselves to be capable of competing with the very best teams on the continent and this EuroBasket provides another opportunity to showcase British Basketball.
“It shouldn’t be lost on people just how much of an achievement this is for our players and staff to be heading to Milan for the competition, but we’re not just going there to compete – we want to win, and make some history for Great Britain.”
Great Britain’s journey to FIBA EuroBasket 2022 qualification began all the way back in November 2018 at the FIBA EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers, before a historic 11-3 run over the course of three years – including marquee wins over European powerhouses France, Germany and Montenegro – secured qualification to FIBA EuroBasket 2022.
All of Great Britain’s fixtures at EuroBasket 2022 can be watched live on FIBA’s streaming platform, Courtside 1891. Head to courtside1891.basketball and use the promo code ‘EUROGB25’ now to get 25% off an annual pass to the platform.
Great Britain Men’s National Team Roster – FIBA EuroBasket 2022
Jamell Anderson
Kavell Bigby-Williams
Dan Clark
Myles Hesson
Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye
Ben Mockford
Luke Nelson
Gabe Olaseni
Ovie Soko
Devon van Oostrum
Carl Wheatle
Patrick Whelan
Riders Media - 1st September 2022
Riders agree partnership with Applied Nutrition
Riders are happy to announce their continued partnership with Applied Nutrition which began in the second half of last season and will see the nutrition brand as an official supplier the 2022-23.
Applied Nutrition are the UK’s fastest growing sports nutrition brand and a trusted and highly regarded player in the category. Riders will use their Informed Sport, batch-tested range of products to support the team pre, during and post games/practice.
“It’s a great partnership for us as it allows us to support our playing staff with the very best of products from a trusted supplier. We enjoyed working with Applied Nutrition last year and we are really happy to be working with them again,” commented Riders Managing Director Russell Levenston.
“The players all loved the products, we believe that correctly fuelling the team with the best nutrition can give us an edge.”
Applied Nutrition currently work with a large roster of international athletes and teams including Fulham FC, Team GB Sprinter Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and UFC superstars Paddy the Baddy and Molly McCann. After a successful partnership last season, Applied Nutrition are back on board to support Rob Paternostro’s team again this year.
Thomas Ryder, Applied Nutrition’s Managing Director said:
“Our products are perfectly suited to the huge physical demands a basketball season can put on players and we are delighted to be continuing our partnership with the Riders.”
“What the team achieved last year was an incredible demonstration of commitment, hard work and an amazing team spirit and we couldn’t be happier to work with such a talented squad of players.”
“We’re looking forward to supporting Russell and the team in both the BBL and Europe this season to achieve even more.”
Riders Media - 30th August 2022
Riders sign CJ Jackson!
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 Media - 26th August 2022
We’re Hiring!
We are looking for a Sales Manager to work with our club partners and on our group ticketing offers.
For more information on the role you can access the job description here.
Riders Media - 22nd August 2022
Riders announce BBL staff structure for 2022/23
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.”
Riders Media - 16th August 2022
Walshe returns to Riders
British guard Evan Walshe has returned to the Riders squad for the 2022-23 season. Walshe, who previously played & studied in America for Barry University, will continue his studies at Loughborough University, undertaking a two-year masters degree.
Walshe was added to the Riders squad last term and as well as enjoying minutes in the BBL, played a pivotal role in Will Maynard’s NBL D1 side. This time around Walshe will add some depth to the Riders BBL roster and be eligible to play in the Loughborough University BUCS side.
“It was awesome to work with Evan last season and we are looking forward to having him back,” commented head coach Rob Paternostro. “He is a talented young player who continues to develop his game. We were very impressed with him as a player and competitor last season.“
“He has good size for the guard position, he can shoot the three and he is a physical player that competes on both ends of the floor. He is a guy that can really get to the basket both in the half court and in transition.”
Last season Riders picked up three major trophies in the League Championship, BBL Cup and Playoff title, Walshe is excited at the prospect of being reunited with his fellow treble-winners.
“It feels great to sign back and to get a full season with the Riders. With all the success of last season, and bringing the majority of the squad back, there is a lot of excitement for the upcoming season,” commented Walshe.
“Working day in day out with Coach Rob last season gave me a taste for his passion for the game and gave me a new wind in my sail so I’m excited to have the privilege of working under the coaching staff again this season.”
“When the masters was offered to me it was really a no brainer, the opportunity to continue my education alongside playing is something I couldn’t turn down. Loughborough is a great University and will allow me further success off the basketball court when it’s all said and done”
Riders would like to place on record our thanks and appreciation for the continued support of Loughborough University in helping to support our players’ education.
Riders Media - 15th August 2022
Riders partner with Vertu Motors
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 Media - 10th August 2022
Riders add Dolphins to pre-season schedule
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 Media - 2nd August 2022
Brown Becomes A Rider
The Leicester Riders are pleased to announce a further addition to their WBBL roster for the 2022/23 WBBL Season with the signing of 6’3” US/Scottish forward Kirsty Brown.
Brown joins the Riders after graduating from Cal Poly where in her senior year she averaged 8ppg, 6.5rpg & 1.1bpg.
With good size, Brown will give the Riders extra strength in the 4 and 5 positions where her post play and wingspan will be of benefit at both ends of the floor. She has the ability to score inside and from midrange as well as being a tenacious rebounder and disruptive defender.
“Leicester felt like home from the first phone call I received. I am so excited and grateful to be given the opportunity to play in England. I can’t wait to meet my teammates and staff and look forward to becoming a part of the community. Let’s get to work on bringing home a championship. Go Riders!”.
Head Coach Krumesh Patel commented:
“It is really nice to be able to add Kirsty to our team as she is something we were missing. Her size and length will fit in well alongside Ashley. She is mobile and quick which will allow us to play in the style that we want to. She’s another player on this roster with ambition and the drive to keep pushing. I think she will be a great fit for this group”.
Riders Media - 1st August 2022
Marc Loving returns!
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.”
Riders Media - 29th July 2022
Crandall departs for Germany
Riders have accepted a bid from German BBL side BG Göttingen to buy BBL MVP Geno Crandall out of his new contract.
Despite signing in July, BG Göttingen’s bid triggered a release in the contract with Crandall that allows him to leave if an exceptional opportunity presented itself.
As such Crandall will now play for the FIBA Europe Cup side in Germany this coming season.
“We always said that if a team came in for Geno, and he wanted to go, we wouldn’t stand in his way, provided the club was compensated,” commented Managing Director Russell Levenston.
“He’s been the MVP in the league for the last two seasons and he was always going to attract attention from bigger European Clubs and leagues.”
“We were hopeful it wouldn’t be the case having recruited the majority of players back from last season.”
“He has tremendous ability and made an immeasurable impact not only on our club but also the BBL as a whole.”
“We wish Geno, Tasha and his young family all the best for the future in Germany and beyond.”
Riders Head Coach Rob Paternostro reflected on Geno’s departure:
“We wish Geno all the best and thank him for a tremendous two seasons. He is a fantastic player and competitor who produced in so many ways.”
“To say it’s a big blow would be an understatement. Obviously, we built this team with the thought that Geno would be back so now we have to adjust.”
“We have a tough resilient group that will be ready to rise to challenge.”
Riders Media - 28th July 2022
Riders Acquire Oliana Squires
The Leicester Riders roster for the 2022/23 WBBL season continues to take shape as the club are pleased to announce the signing of US guard Oliana Squires.
Squires will begin her pro career with the Riders after a four-year college career with Montana State where in her senior year she averaged 11.3ppg, 3.2apg & 1.7spg.
The Colorado native joins fellow new signings Jade Compton & McKenzie Johnston in signing a 2-year deal to combine playing WBBL alongside studying for a masters at Loughborough University.
“It has been a dream of mine to play professionally, and I am so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to play basketball again. I am happy that I have found a team and coach that believe in me and will help me succeed. I look forward to getting back on the court again and having a great season with the Leicester Riders.”
Head Coach Krumesh Patel believes Squires will be a terrific addition for his team:
“Oliana is a great fit for us. She is someone with something to prove. She’s a dynamic guard that can pass and score, so that will complement the other members of our backcourt. She just has a great feel for the game and her personality will fit in perfectly with the Riders.”
Riders Media - 28th July 2022
Riders head to North Macedonia for BCL
FIBA have released the four host venues for the Qualification Rounds – TFT Skopje (MKD), Unicaja (ESP), SL Benfica (POR) and FMP Meridian (SRB), taking place in September.
These four tournaments will determine the last four spots in the Regular Season of BCL’s seventh season. Riders will travel to North Macedonia, the home of Skopje for their games.
Qualification Round Tournament 1 (Group A) – Skopje, MKD – Boris Trajkovski Sports Center
Game days: 21, 23 & 25 September 2022
Participating Clubs: Fribourg Olympic (SUI), Tofas Bursa (TUR), CSO Voluntari (ROU), Leicester Riders (GBR), NINERS Chemnitz (GER), TFT Skopje (MKD)
Quarter-Final 1: Leicester Riders vs CSO Voluntari
Quarter-Final 2: TFT Skopje vs NINERS Chemnitz
Semi-Final 1: Tofas Bursa vs Winner of Leicester Riders/CSO Voluntari
Semi-Final 2: Fribourg Olympic vs Winner of TFT Skopje/NINERS Chemnitz
Final: Winner SF1 – Winner SF2
The four winners of the Qualification Round tournaments will qualify for the Regular Season, joining the 28 directly qualified teams.
Tip-off times will be determined at a later stage.
Riders Media - 20th July 2022
Robb Selected for Commonwealth Games
Everyone at the Leicester Riders would like to wish good luck to Hannah Robb as she prepares to take part in this summer’s Commonwealth Games.
Having played for Scotland at every level from U13’s to the senior national team the GB guard is excited to represent her country at a major games, as she competes in the 3×3 basketball which debuts at this year’s games.
Although only 24 years of age Robb has vast experience with over 140 WBBL games under her belt in 6 seasons, amassing upwards of 1200 points in the process.
She will be joined on the Scottish team by London Lions star guard Kennedy Leonard, Caledonia Pride’s Sian Phillips and former Rider Claire Paxton who steps up to take the place of another former Rider Erin McGarrachan who played during the qualifying wins over Wales and Northern Ireland.
Good luck Hannah!
Riders Media - 19th July 2022
X2 BBL MVP Geno Crandall pens new deal!
Back-to-back BBL MVP Geno Crandall returns to the Riders! ‘The general’ led the Riders to a treble-winning year last season, and will look to help bring yet more silverware to the Morningside Arena.
Winning MVP last season, Crandall became just the fourth player in BBL history to win the award back-to-back. It was one of three individual awards for Crandall this past season, having also picked up the BBL Cup final MVP and the BBL Playoff final MVP.
Crandall led the Riders to their biggest league-winning margin in franchise history, as the Riders concluded the year with a 27-2 record, 16 points clear of second place. He put up his season-high scoring effort to clinch the league title with 25 points against the Plymouth City Patriots.
The Gonzaga graduate finished the season averaging 13.1 points and 6.8 assists, his assist tally ranking in the top five in the BBL. He also ranked second in +/- and top 10 in steals, as his efforts showed up all over the box score.
“We are thrilled to have Geno back in Leicester, he is a proven winner with hardware to back it up,” commented head coach Rob Paternostro.
“He is a guy that has provided an elite level of play from day one. He can do it all on both ends of the floor, his playmaking and ability to eliminate defenders really makes us go on offence, and his athletic ability, ball pressure and intelligence have been valuable to our defence.”
Crandall is looking forward to taking the Riders into Europe: “I’ve always wanted to challenge myself to reach the highest levels I can as a player and entering into European competition gives me the opportunity to do that.”
Geno becomes the seventh player announcement of the summer alongside Darien Nelson-Henry and Blake Bowman, joining multi-year players Conner Washington, Mo Walker, Patrick Whelan and Kimbal Mackenzie.
Riders Media - 18th July 2022
Riders measured approach in Europe
Earlier this month Leicester Riders confirmed they would take part in European competition in the form of the Champions League Qualification rounds again this season.
Managing Director Russell Levenston explains the decision to enter Europe in the Champions League competition this term.
“Our ambitions are to be competing at the top-level of Europe and believe champions league is the right competition for our club. We assessed the merits of us joining the FIBA Europe Cup if we don’t qualify but decided that wasn’t right for us.”
“Each competition comes with its own financial and logistical pressures, and believe the commercial level of the Champions League is the correct one for us.”
“We have to build the foundations, it’s a learning process for us. Our aim is to be competing on the European stage each season, but it’s pivotal that this is done within our means and in a measured and sustainable way to build on our successes.”
“I’d like to thank our sponsors for continuing to support us – particularly Jelson Homes, Morningside, Lumbers Jewellers and Hilton Hotels & Resorts.”
“We are all looking forward to the game against CSO Voluntari, they had great domestic success last season and it will prove a test for us.”
Riders Media - 7th July 2022
Riders play CSO Voluntari in Champions League opener
Riders have been drawn against CSO Voluntari of Romania in the first game of the Champions League Qualifying Rounds.
The game will be played on 21 September with the central venue being confirmed on 20 July.
Should Riders make it past CSO Voluntari, Rob Paternostro’s men then face TOFAŞ Spor Kulübü of Turkey.
The third knockout game would be against one of TFT Skopje (North Macedonia), Niners Chemnitz (Germany) or Fribourg Olympic (Switzerland).
Should the Riders reach the Champions League regular season they have been drawn in Group A alongside UCAM Murcia (Spain), Falco Szombathely (Hungary) and SIG Strasbourg (France).
Leicester Riders last competed in Europe in the 2018-19 season.
Riders Media - 3rd July 2022
Riders sign Bowman!
Riders have signed exciting young British star Blake Bowman on a multi-year deal, his first professional contract! The 20-year-old Derby native has played his last three seasons with his hometown Trailblazers in the NBL, before setting his sights on turning professional.
Bowman averaged 19 points, six rebounds and three assists in the NBL last season, and helped bring silverware to the midlands too. He played a pivotal role in their L Lynch Trophy win, averaging 17 points and 6.5 rebounds through the tournament, and putting up a double-double in the final.
“We are thrilled to have Blake join our club, he is coming off an excellent season for Derby and we are looking for him to come in and display those skills right away,” commented head coach Rob Paternostro.
“I really enjoyed watching him play this season, he is very athletic with good size and length that can really get to the rim. He has a versatility to his game that’s exciting for now and for the future.”
“We have had some very good young players who have studied at Loughborough and played professionally with us. Conner Washington, Jamell Anderson and Josh Ward-Hibbert are players that flourished in that situation both on and off the court.”
Bowman will continue his studies at Loughborough while competing for Leicester in the BBL, the 6’6” wing is excited to get going…
“I’m very excited to be going up against the best players in the country week in, week out. I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing against established pros,” said Bowman.
“The level of competition within the team is the highest in Britain. Competing with these guys everyday in practice will only make it easier come game time.”
Blake’s father Barry had a spell in the BBL during his professional career, while his uncle, Marc Hawley played 56 games in two seasons for the Riders between 1997 and 1999.
The move to Riders has been made possible with the great relationship held between the club and Loughborough University/Loughborough College who continue to support giving the next generation of players opportunities to further their education.
Riders Media - 24th June 2022
Riders to host Donar Groningen in preseason
The Riders will host Dutch outfit Donar Groningen during their upcoming preseason. The games will take place on Friday the 9th and Sunday the 11th of September, both at the Morningside Arena.
Leicester faced Donar home and away in last year’s postseason, the Dutch side proving a stern test for the Riders. The fixtures provided key minutes to the newly formed Leicester squad, setting them up for their treble-winning season.
Donar enters their preseason off the back of a decorated year of their own, finishing third in the BNXT League and emerging victors of the NBB Cup. It was the seventh time Donar have lifted the trophy and secured their third-place league finish with a 14-6 record.
These fixtures accompany the previously announced game against the USA Select, which takes place on Monday the 2nd of September.
Riders Media - 21st June 2022
Four Riders continuing multi-year deals
Four contracted Riders players are returning to Leicester for next season, as Patrick Whelan, Mo Walker, Kimbal Mackenzie and Conner Washington continue their multi-year deals. The quartet played a pivotal role in the Riders’ treble-winning season, and will look to bring further success to the Morningside Arena.
Whelan was named in the Molten BBL Team of the Year, and the Molten BBL British Team of the Year last season! The Warrington-born two-guard led the Riders with 15.3 points per game, and was the BBL’s second-best three-point shooter on the year, averaging 48% from deep.
Mackenzie and Washington combined to create an elite backcourt duo off the bench. They averaged 7.9 and 7.3 points respectively and stepped up in the biggest moments of the season. Washington played big minutes late in the Playoff semi-final and final, scoring 20 points in the semi-final’s second leg, while Mackenzie’s season-high of 15 points came in Leicester’s BBL Cup final win.
Canadian/British big man Mo Walker was dominant down low, averaging 11.6 points and 5.2 rebounds a game. He shot 61% from the field and 71% from the free-throw line in an efficient season, putting up a season-high of 20 points and eight rebounds in March.
“All four players were very influential in our team’s success last season,” commented head coach Rob Paternostro. “They displayed talent, professionalism and team play, and we are thrilled to have them back and look forward to watching them perform.”
Riders Media - 15th June 2022
BBL confirm new format
The British Basketball League (BBL) are excited to reveal new changes to the format of the BBL season ahead of the start of the 2022-23 campaign.
The new season will begin in September with BBL Championship action, with each team now facing each other four times (2H, 2A), playing 36 games across a 28-week league season. Basketball fans will be able to watch weekly action via both official broadcast partner Sky Sports and the BBL player.
The BBL Cup competition will now be a knockout competition featuring all 10 BBL teams. Those teams who placed 1st-6th in the 2021-22 league season will receive a bye into the Quarter Finals with seeds 1-4 receiving a guaranteed home date in the Quarter Finals.
The Semi-Finals will be an open draw. All rounds will be one-legged ties, as teams battle it out to make the final at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena for the final which takes place on Sunday 29th January.
The BBL Trophy will retain the same 16-team knockout bracket format, with the 10 BBL teams joining six invited non-BBL teams, who are to be announced in due course.
Those who made the Trophy Quarter Finals in the 2021-22 season will receive a guaranteed home tie in the First Round of the 2022-23 Trophy, with an open draw determining ties and seeding. All rounds will be one-legged ties.
The BBL Play-offs will retain the same format, with the top eight teams in the BBL Championship standings advancing to the Play-offs.
The BBL’s Chief Operating Officer, Andy Webb, said:
“We’re really excited to be announcing the new format for the 2022-23 season. The changes will help fans stay across all of the action taking place in the BBL Championship, Cup and Trophy, with each competition given precedence across dedicated weekends throughout the season. We’re looking forward to finalising and announcing the full fixture calendar to supporters in the coming weeks as preparations for another thrilling season of action continue.”
Fixtures for next season will be revealed in full later this summer, for further updates please visit bbl.org.uk and the leagues social media channels.
Riders Media - 7th June 2022
Rob Paternostro Testimonial Preview: BBL All-Stars
Coach Rob Paternostro’s All-Star Testimonial game will see the BBL All-Stars take on Riders Legends in a highly anticipated fixture. A collection of some of the greatest talent to grace the BBL will suit up to form a star-studded cast, as the All-Stars will prove a formidable outfit in what is set to be a hotly contested game.
London Lions’ walking bucket Dirk Williams, GB’s most consecutively capped player Teddy Okereafor and Manchester Giants’ sharpshooter Josh Steel represent some of the BBL’s elite set to take the court.
“I’m excited! It’s cool to be named to play alongside all of these other great players,” said Steel, the London-born two-guard who shot 42% from deep last season. “The Riders always put on a good show, so I’m looking forward to a good night and to be able to lace them up with some talented guys.”
Some of the BBL’s all-time greats will don the black and yellow of the All-Stars. Sheffield Sharks’ all-time leading scorer Mike Tuck and the league’s most decorated player Darius Defoe are just two names on a roster stacked with accomplishments.
Mathew Bryan-Amaning is another, the 6’8” forward has played 14 pro seasons, five in the BBL. “The roster that has been put together is excellent, with a lot of active guys who play to a high standard,” commented Bryan-Amaning, who averaged 20 points per game for the London Lions in 2014.
“It should be a good event, and a good day of basketball. The fans don’t get to see these guys playing often, especially all at one time, so it will be a good event to celebrate Rob’s achievement’s so far!”
Among those to recently grace the BBL are electric GB guard Kofi Josephs, who averaged a league-best 21 points for the Plymouth City Patriots last season, and Jordan Williams, who has eight BBL seasons to his name, including last season spent with the London Lions.
Joining them is Surrey Scorcher legend Tayo Ogendengbe, who has competed in the BBL for the last 12 seasons, averaging 17 points in the 2018/19 season.
Completing the squad is 17-year European pro Devon Van Oostrum, who averaged 16 points for the Leeds Force in 2015, and Newcastle Eagles’ legend Charles Smith, the 2014-15 BBL MVP winner who averaged 18.6 points that season.
Coach Rob’s right-hand man, assistant coach Pablo Vazquez, has shared the sidelines with Rob since 2016. He added: “The commitment and hard work since the moment Rob arrived at this club has created a legacy.
“It will be a great event with so many players who have created history in British Basketball. I’m hoping for a great crowd to celebrate Rob’s commitment to the Leicester Riders organisation!”
In anticipation of the game, coach Rob commented:
“I’m so excited about Saturday. Seeing so many friends in one place will make it a night to remember. I feel honoured to be given this testimonial game and I appreciate all the people who have helped put this night together.”
The game should be a high level of basketball, and that’s something I really wanted to have. The rosters are filled with so much talent, so it should be fun watching all those great players go at it.”
Riders Media - 4th June 2022
Testimonial rosters announced
A host of Riders legends and BBL All-stars will be on court at Morningside Arena for Rob Paternostro’s testimonial on 11 June 2022. With a few big name additions still expected to join the current line-ups, the final line-ups will be announced later this week.
The teams will be split along Riders lines with generations of Riders stars to play a BBL All-Stars team.
Riders Legends
Tyler Bernardini
Jorge Calvo
Jay Couisnard
Harrison Gamble
Rashad Hassan
Taylor King
Barry Lamble
Rema Lascelles
Zaire Taylor
Drew Sullivan
Andy Thomson
Shane Walker
BBL All-stars
Matthew Bryan Amaning
Darius Defoe
Kofi Josephs
Tayo Ogedengbe
Teddy Okereafor
Charles Smith
Josh Steel
Mike Tuck
Devon Van Oostrum
Dirk Williams
Jordan Williams
Coaching staff will be announced this week and the line-up for the half-time 3-point contest competitors!
Riders Media - 20th May 2022
Award named after Eric
Tonight sees the End of Season Awards for the Riders BBL & WBBL squads at Morningside Arena. As a special dedication, the club has announced that the Coach’s Player of the Year will be named after Eric Robertson.
Eric, who passed away earlier this year, was a part of the Riders family from 2016 to 2018, making 87 BBL appearances and winning six trophies (x2 Trophy, x2 League, x2 Playoff).
The Coach’s Player of the Year goes to that player who stands for everything a coach would want in a player both on and off court.
It’s an honour for us to recognise Eric’s impact and his legacy through the Eric Robertson Award.
Riders Media - 11th May 2022
BBL Playoff Final Preview- Riders vs Lions
The Riders face off against the London Lions in the BBL Playoff Final at the O2 Arena! The game will take place on Sunday, tipping off at 4:15.
Road to the O2- Riders
After lifting the BBL Cup and winning the BBL Championship by a franchise-record margin, the Riders have fought their way through the playoffs in an attempt to secure the treble. They entered the playoffs on hot form, having lost just two games in the regular season to earn a first-round draw against the eighth-seeded Plymouth City Patriots.
Patrick Whelan led them through the first leg with 19 points, as the Riders earned a 15 point advantage with a 86-71 road win. The Patriots fought back in the second leg, taking an aggregate lead in the third quarter. But Zach Jackson scored 10 straight points in response before Leicester saw out the game to book a spot in the semis.
They faced the seventh-seeded Glasgow Rocks in the semi-final, who came into the tie fresh off the back of an underdog win against the two-seeded Sheffield Sharks. After a closely fought opening half in the first leg, the Riders put one foot in the final by the final buzzer, taking a 21 point lead into the return fixture behind Geno Crandall’s 32 points, 11 assists seven rebounds and five steals.
In the second leg, the Riders sealed the win in a professional display, beating Glasgow 104-78. Crandall led the team with 22 points and eight assists in 25 minutes, and Conner Washington exploded for 10 points in the fourth to log 20 points in the game, the GB guard closing out an impressive win.
Journey to the O2- Lions
London entered the postseason as the third seed, falling short of their title-winning aspirations to finish the season with a 16-11 record. They found form to end the year, winning three on the bounce as they prepared to face the Cheshire Phoenix in the first round.
They started the playoffs with a bang, beating the Phoenix by 16 in the first leg at home, led by 17 from Julian Washburn. In the second leg, Cheshire put a scare into the Lions, exploding out the gate to a 53-24 lead midway through the second. But London regained their composure at the half, fighting back to win the tie by 14 on aggregate.
In the semis, they met the Bristol Flyers, a team who had tested the Lions with close encounters throughout the season. The first leg was no different, as London edged an 85-83 win going back to the Copperbox. There was little between the sides by halftime in the return fixture, before the Lions exploded in the second half to book their place in the final. Star tandem Isaiah Reese and Dirk Williams scored 28 and 26 respectively to lead their team through the game.
One to watch- Riders
To book the Riders’ place in the BBL Playoff final, Conner Washington’s season-high 20 points in 18 minutes put the game beyond doubt. The 11 year Rider shot 50% from the field and 44% from deep, putting on a vintage display for the fans.
“To come out and be aggressive is always my game plan,” commented Washington postgame. “Coming into this game, I didn’t want to hold back. I wanted to play hard defence and find my shot.”
The Bedford born point guard is a spark plug off the bench for Leicester, coming into the game off the bench to provide elite shooting, playmaking and defence. He has earned 12 trophies for the Riders in his career and was named to the BBL All-Defensive and All-British first teams in 2017.
Washington’s championship experience will prove vital at the O2. “In the final, we’ll come out and be aggressive, stick to our principles and do what we do,” said the Loughborough University graduate. “We’ve played the Lions throughout the season and know them really well. It’s going to be a great game to watch, but the main focus for us is to stick to what we’ve been doing.”
One to watch- Lions
After leading the BBL in scoring through the season, London’s star guard Isaiah Reese has been on a tear in the postseason, averaging 23 points a game. His 28 point performance was his postseason highlight so far, stuffing the stat sheet with eight assists, eight rebounds and six steals.
The 6’5” two-guard played two seasons in the NBA G-League before signing with London, scoring 8.3 points per game in his second year with the Santa Cruz Warriors. This came after a successful three-year college career with Canisius College, where he became the 38th player in the school’s history with over 1000 career points.
Reese is a bucket from deep, shooting 39% from behind the arc this season on eight attempts per game. He led the team in points and assists, dishing six a game to demonstrate his ability to score, and get his teammates involved.
Previous meetings
The sides met seven times this season in all competitions, with the Riders taking the season series 5-2. Leicester knocked London out of the BBL Cup semi-finals over two legs in their most high-profile games of the season, and won a 103-67 blowout in their most recent game.
Geno Crandall and Zach Jackson balled out in the win, both scoring 16 points as Leicester shot 55% from three. The Lions endured a difficult shooting night, going 36% from the field and 21.2% from three, as Italian sniper Lorenzo Cugini’s 16 points led them in the loss.
Riders Media - 10th May 2022
Riders Job opportunities
Leicester Riders have some new opportunities to join their programme. We are looking for a Physiotherapist/Sports Therapist, Physiotherapy Internship and four Strength & Conditioning Interns.
Physiotherapist/Sports Therapist
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Physiotherapy Internship
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Strength & Conditioning Work Experience/Intern (x4)
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Riders Media - 9th May 2022
Ceejay Hanson commits to Cape Breton
Manchester-born Ceejay Hanson has committed to Canadian school Cape Breton who compete in the Atlantic University Sport division.
Hanson was a key member of Charnwood College’s team that lifted the EABL championship this season, he is all set to join up with the Capers ahead of the 2022/23 season.
“I’m delighted to have committed to the Capers. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to go and test myself in Canada and I’m excited to take up the challenge”, said Hanson.
“I would like to thank all the Riders staff, coaches and my teammates for an amazing time in the programme. Winning the EABL title was a great way to sign-off.“
Hanson’s announcement follows on from Louie Jordan committing to Weber State and Victor Ndoukou committing to join North Dakota.
Riders Media - 7th May 2022
Riders win first leg blowout!
It is advantage Riders in the BBL playoff semi-final, after they won the first leg 105-84 against the Glasgow Rocks.
After being named the British Journalists’ Player of the Year in the week, reigning BBL MVP Geno Crandall put on a show for the Riders, putting up an astonishing 32 points, 11 assists seven rebounds and five steals. The Gonzaga graduate’s points tally is his season-high, as he led his team a step closer to the final.
It was a red hot performance for the league’s best offence, scoring 105 points by shooting 55% from the floor. In the third, where the Riders began to build their lead, they drained six threes, finishing the game making 54%.
The Rocks took a double-digit lead shortly after halftime, but fell victim to a Riders offensive explosion to which they had no answer. Jordan Harris went blow for blow with Crandall in a battle in the backcourt, leading the team with his season-high 29 points.
It was Leicester who got off to the better start. Back to back threes got the Riders on the board, as they jumped out to an 8-2 lead. They carried their early momentum through the first five minutes, led by eight points from Marc Loving, to force a Rocks timeout up 11.
The Riders exploded on both ends through the first period, which finished 25-17 in Leicester’s favour. They shot 52% through the quarter while holding Glasgow to 33%, flexing their BBL-best offence and defence.
Glasgow fought back into contention to start the second, tying the game courtesy of eight points from first-year pro Harris. Three Leicester turnovers in as many minutes allowed the hosts to build momentum on the fastbreak, as the Rocks started the quarter 12-4.
The score swung back and forth until the half, which Glasgow’s Jordan Johnson concluded with a three at the buzzer to make it 48-43 to the hosts. Crandall had 15 by halftime, the MVP taking the reigns for the Riders, while Harris put up a monster 20 point first-half performance for Glasgow.
In the third, it was Glasgow’s turn to hit two threes to start the half, building their lead to double digits. Johnson nailed both, as the former NBA G-League point guard improved his game total to nine.
The Riders’ response was immediate, as Whelan his team back into the game. The British Journalists’ British Player of the Year scored eight quick points to retake the lead in 90 seconds. Whelan’s play lit a fire under Leicester from deep, as they nailed five threes six minutes into the third quarter.
Zach Jackson scored nine straight in the latter stages of the third, continuing his hot form from the quarter-final where he accomplished the same feat. the Omaha graduate’s play put the Riders up 77-69 entering the final quarter.
Conner Washington kicked off the fourth with five quick points to stretch the Leicester lead. The 11-year Riders put his team in good stead as they looked to close out the tie.
Crandall took over the dying stages of the game, scoring seven points in the final five minutes to stretch the lead to 19. The Riders commenced a 9-2 run late in the tie to consolidate their advantage going into the return fixture. Crandall closed the game with a free throw, making it a 22 point game.
The return leg will take place on Monday, with the game tipping off at 7:45. Should the Riders win over the two legs, they will book their place in the Playoff final at the O2 Arena.
Riders Media - 4th May 2022
Louie Jordan commits to Weber State
Leicester-born Louie Jordan has committed to division one NCAA school Weber State and will travel to America for the 2022-23 season.
Jordan, who has been a key player throughout the Riders pathway, has played for Charnwood College, Loughborough Riders and Leicester this past season.
“I’m excited to commit to Weber State. I have always wanted to go and test myself in the NCAA and I’m really grateful to Weber State for the opportunity to fulfil a dream”, said Jordan.
“Winning the EABL title is the perfect way to leave Charnwood College. I owe a big thank you to the whole Rider programme – the staff and coaches who have supported me in my time here.“
Jordan’s announcement follows on from Victor Ndoukou committing to join North Dakota earlier this week.
Riders Media - 3rd May 2022
Ndoukou commits to North Dakota
EABL Finals MVP Victor Ndoukou has committed to division one NCAA school North Dakota and will start his American college career with the Fighting Hawks next season.
Ndoukou, who came through the Charnwood College programme, played for both Loughborough Riders and Leicester this past season.
“I’m really happy to commit to North Dakota. I’ve had several conversations with Coach Sather and liked what he had to say about the school and the team,” commented the 6’8” forward.
“It’s been a dream of mine to be playing in America and I’m grateful for this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.”
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my coaches and support staff here in the Riders programme for their support.”
North Dakota, the former school of BBL MVP Geno Crandall, currently play in the Summit league where they face Zach Jackson’s former team Omaha.
Riders Media - 3rd May 2022
Crandall, Whelan & Paternostro win BJA Awards
For the second straight season, Leicester Riders guard Geno Crandall has scooped the Player of the Year in the Basketball Journalists Association’s annual awards for the 2021-22 season.
Crandall averaged 13.1 points and 6.8 assists a game this season, shooting an efficient 50 percent from the floor during the regular season, as he led the Riders to a league and Cup double.
“It’s an honour to be recognised by the British basketball media that cover the game,” Crandall said.
“To be rewarded for the work that I have put in not just throughout the season but also during the off-season where I made commitments to better myself and my game certainly means a lot.”
Manchester Giants’ Tyrik Armstrong finished second in the voting with Riders’ Patrick Whelan, third.
Along with Crandall, Leicester Riders Rob Paternostro also won back-to-back awards as he claimed his second straight Coach of the Year accolade.
Thanks to Paternostro’s leadership, Leicester secured a 25-2 record for the season, achieving a BBL record-winning margin of 16 points between them and second placed Sheffield Sharks.
“It’s been wonderful to work with our team this season,” Paternostro said.
“Their talent, togetherness and commitment has been on display since we came together in August.
“It’s been fun to come to work each day, working with the players and staff that we have assembled here. It’s been awesome.”
Lloyd Gardner, who led Manchester Giants to their first final in 21 years and a first playoff spot since 2014 was second in the voting with Sharks coach Atiba Lyons in third.
Completing a hat-trick of awards for the Riders is Patrick Whelan, as he wins the Pete Jacques Award for Best British Player in the BBL.
One of the leading shooters this season, Whelan shot 47.9 percent from three-point range and 54.2 percent from the field, overall, averaging 15.3 points per game.
“From such a strong pool of British players in this league, I’m extremely blessed and grateful to even be considered for this award, let alone win it,” Whelan said.
Manchester Giants’ Dan Clark was second in the voting with Cheshire Phoenix’s Teddy Okereafor in third.
Karlie Samuelson of Spanish side Perfumerias Avenida won this season’s Syd Lipski International Award for top British performer on the global stage.
The Great Britain international reached the EuroLeague Women Final Four for a second straight season and secured a bronze medal in the process.
Samuelson averaged 7.3 points as well as shooting 48 percent from three-point range in Europe’s premier competition with season-high performances of 17 points on two occasions in the regular season.
Temi Fagbenle, who reached the EuroCup Women semi-finals with CBK Mersin, was second in the voting with Myles Hesson of Japanese league side, Saga Ballooners, third.
Riders Media - 30th April 2022
Playoff 2nd Leg Preview- Riders vs Patriots
The Riders face the Plymouth City Patriots in the BBL Playoff quarter-final, the second of two legs. The first leg was played in Plymouth, an 86-71 Riders win. The return fixture is at the Morningside Arena, tipping off at 4pm on Sunday.
Season so far- Riders
The Riders locked up the one-seed with five games to spare, winning the BBL Championship by a franchise-record 16 point margin. Leicester earned their 25-2 record with the BBL’s best offence and defence, making them the third team in BBL history to lead the league in points scored and conceded. They put up 91 points per contest while giving up 72, dominating on both ends.
To tip off the postseason, the Riders put in a dominant away display against Plymouth. Despite a difficult shooting start, Leicester kicked into gear through the final three quarters, shooting 50% from the field and 40% from three in the game.
Patrick Whelan kicked off his postseason campaign with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Geno Crandall’s six-point fourth quarter sealed the first-leg advantage. The win was the Riders’ 37th straight against Plymouth, a streak dating back to December 2012.
Having won the BBL Cup and the league title earlier in the year, the Riders are going for their fourth-ever treble in the playoffs. With a commanding lead going into the second leg, they will look to continue their red hot home form to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Season so far- Patriots
After a 0-8 start to the season, a Patriots’ miraculous turnaround earned them a playoff place, going 12-7 since. A dramatic “win or go home” game against the Newcastle Eagles, with the winner taking the final playoff spot, secured 8th place for Plymouth.
They jumped out to a hot start to their postseason, forcing an early Riders timeout with a 10-2 run to start the game. But they left themselves with work to do in the second leg, as the Riders came back to take a 15 point lead by the final buzzer.
Kent State point guard Troy Simons led the team with 16 points, while his backcourt teammate Anotnio Williams put up 15 points, nine assists and 5 rebounds in a stat sheet stuffing performance. The Patriots’ offence struggled for consistency against the BBL’s best defence, shooting 44% from the field and going 4-16 from three.
A monumental turnaround is needed to get Plymouth back into the tie, as they attempt to make the second round in their first season as a franchise.
One to watch- Riders
Scoring ten straight Riders’ points to end the third quarter, Zach Jackson played a pivotal role in building the Leicester lead in the first leg. The Omaha graduate finished with 14 points, going 5-7 from the field in the win.
Jackson averaged 18 points per game in his senior year at Omaha, before the Kansas born small-forward progressed to the Ukrainian league in his first pro season. Jackson is playing in his second Riders season and averaged 10 points per game this year.
An elite scorer, Jackson is a threat from anywhere on the court, able to make big plays at the rim and score efficiently from deep. He is capable of exploding for monster performances, with a season-high of 28 coming against the Bristol Flyers earlier in the year.
With his defence, scoring and team-first attitude, Jackson is the epitome of what makes Rob Paternostro’s side the BBL’s premier outfit.
One to watch- Patriots
In his third Plymouth season, Rashad Hassan has been on a tear, having averaged a monster 17.3 points and 7.4 rebounds this season. He enters this game after dominating down low in the first leg, putting up 15 points and seven rebounds.
Hassan is a former Rider, who played his first two pro seasons in Leicester. He averaged 18 points a game in his second season, before going on to play for the London Lions and Rueil in the French third division.
Hassan averaged 19.2 points per game in his first two Plymouth seasons and helped them to 21-9 record last year. His contributions towards winning are needed now more than ever for the Patriots, as they look to make a comeback against the league champions.
Riders Media - 29th April 2022
Club Statement
In the third quarter of tonight’s game our Head Coach Rob Paternostro was attacked by a spectator at Plymouth Pavilions.
We would like to thank the medical staff who attended to Rob for their swift response.
Both Leicester Riders and Plymouth City Patriots strongly condemn the actions of the spectator. There is no place for this behaviour in our game.
The matter is currently being investigated by the Police.
Riders Media - 29th April 2022
Riders win Playoff first leg in Plymouth
The Riders tipped off their BBL playoffs campaign with a win in Plymouth, beating the Patriots 86-71 in the first leg of the quarter-finals.
Patrick Whelan led the team with 19 points and seven rebounds in his first BBL playoff game, his strong third-quarter setting the tone for Leicester. The Riders won the third 25-18, building their lead before maintaining their advantage in the fourth.
Reigning MVP Geno Crandall also put up big numbers in the win, scoring 18 points. His defensive efforts also showed in the box score, as the Gonzaga graduate, who finished the season ranking top 10 in steals per game, added another four to his season tally.
After scoring just 12 in the first quarter, the Riders’ BBL-best offence clicked into gear and scored at a 100 point pace the rest of the way. They hit eight threes in three periods after not hitting one in the first, and shot their foul shots at an efficient rate, making 22 of 24.
They held the Patriots to under 20 points in each quarter, despite a 16 point performance from Kent State point guard Troy Simons. Plymouth struggled to lock in from deep, going 4-16 from three, and turned the ball over 14 times.
But it was the hosts who jumped out to a quick start, hitting their first five shots to build a quick 10-2 lead. Leicester endured early offensive struggles, starting 1-6 for two points in five minutes. They hung in the tie through their work on the defensive end, as the Patriots went 1-6 after their hot start. But six turnovers in the quarter meant the Riders trailed 17-12 after the first.
The sides traded buckets to start the second, as Conner Washington got the quarter started with the Riders’ first three of the game, taking the lid off the basket. After former Rider Rashad Hassan responded with two quick Plymouth baskets down low, Washington drained another deep shot to tie the game three minutes into the second.
The score continued to swing back and forth to close the half, which was concluded in style by Crandall. Isolating against the bigger Hassan, he jab-stepped before cooly draining a three in his face, taking a 37-36 lead entering the locker rooms. Crandall scored 10 points in the first half to lead Leicester to a narrow advantage.
Three fouls in two minutes to start the second half sidelined Crandall, so it was Patrick Whelan who stepped up in the third. He scored eight points, including two threes to stretch the lead to eight.
Zach Jackson closed the quarter scoring 10 straight Riders points, as a 10-2 run closed the period to put Leicester up double digits. The Omaha graduate drained a three as the clock ticked down, making it 64-52 in his team’s favour.
Whelan and Jackson continued their form in the final period, scoring a basket each to get the action underway, as the Riders kept the Patriots at arm’s length in the fourth.
Crandall concluded the tie with a tough finish at the rim for his sixth points of the quarter, as the Riders carried a strong advanatge into the return leg.
The Riders look to seal the deal in front of their home crowd on Sunday, as they host the second leg of this fixture. A win on aggregate score would see them advance to the semi-finals, as Leicester aim for the treble.
Riders Media - 28th April 2022
2022 Play-Off tees available Sunday!
Our 2022 Play-off tees are available for collection from 11.30am on Sunday, ahead of the WBBL game against Nottingham Wildcats (at 12pm) and BBL home Play-off Quarter Final versus Plymouth City Patriots (at 4pm).
A huge thank you to our tees sponsors – Jelson Homes, Torr Waterfield, Premier Logistics, Mather Jamie, 5or6, bespoke LED and RDL Technologies for supporting this years’ tees and covering the costs. This generosity means that all donations this year will go to the Riders Foundation.
The tees give a nod to Eric Robertson who sadly passed away this year, with Robertson 22 on the back of the tee.
The club can also confirm that your BBL ticket will also get you into the WBBL fixture. You can buy tickets here.
Riders Media - 27th April 2022
BBL confirm entertainment for Play- Off Final
With just over two weeks of epic action still to take place on the court to confirm the teams that will be contesting the British Basketball League (BBL) Play-off Finals at London’s 02 Arena, the BBL is delighted to announce the special guest performances that’ll take place during the event.
Concluding an epic season of action with this showpiece event in the capital on Sunday, May 15th , it has been announced that UK artist and producer Ayo Beatz will perform during the half-time show during the BBL Final, and UK dance group Flawless will perform during the interval of the WBBL
Final.
Ayo Beatz has produced records for some of the biggest artists in the world, such as Jason Derulo, Labrinth and Wiley, with his recent hits including ‘Habits’ in collaboration with Wes Nelson. Flawless were finalists of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 and have since gone on to develop a leading reputation for their high-energy and exciting performances.
Between both finals will be the BBL Slam Dunk Contest, featuring some of most talented high-flyers in the world, including:
- 2021 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Final Dunk Contest winner, Piotr ‘Grabo’ Grabowski from Poland
- The best dunker in Britain, Joel ’The Royal Guard’ Henry
- Europe’s most promising dunking prospect – 21-year-old Bartek Szwed from Poland
- Leicester Riders’ Chris Yapo, who starred in the BBL Cup Final Dunk Contest
Tickets are continuing to sell fast for this fantastic event in London, and you can get yours at https://bit.ly/3vjdqwO
Riders Media - 20th April 2022
BBL Championship preview- Riders vs Patriots
Season so far- Riders
The Riders conclude their league season against the Plymouth City Patriots, looking to finish their title-winning year with a 25-2 record. A win in this one would maintain their undefeated home record, as they head into the offseason looking for the treble.
Leicester is in the midst of an eight-game winning streak and comes into this game off the back of two straight blowouts. Most recently, the Riders dominated in Glasgow, beating the Rocks 101-86.
Click here to read the match report from the win!
They had 11 different scorers, five putting up double-digit points. Riders’ tandem of Mo Walker and Kimbal Mackenzie combined for 32 points off the bench, with Walker leading the team with 17 points.
The Riders have been the BBL’s premier outfit this year, boasting the best offensive and defensive record in the league. In this game, facing the Patriots will provide crucial intel going into the postseason, as they are a potential first-round matchup in the playoffs.
Season so far- Patriots
After a 0-8 start to the season, the Patriots’ miraculous turnaround has left them in hot contention for a playoff spot. They are 11-6 since, and enter this game after back to back wins against the Surrey Scorchers and Glasgow Rocks.
Three Patriots scored over 24 points, as American big man Rashad Hassan’s 31 points led them to a 115-105 win. They shot 62% from the field and 44% from three in an emphatic offensive effort.
It has been another American native, Antonio Williams, who has led the team this season. The Kent State graduate leads the BBL in scoring with 18.9 points per game, picking up a Player of the Month award in the process.
With this being Plymouth’s penultimate game of the season, a win would place them in a solid position to qualify for the postseason.
One to watch- Riders
Canadian/British big man Mo Walker put on a show down low in his previous game. His 17 points off the bench against the Rocks came in just 15 minutes, as the Minnesota graduate went an efficient 6/9 from the field.
Walker is playing in his third Riders season, having gained previous experience in Latvia, France and the BBL for the Worcester Wolves. Walker averaged a monster 18 points and nine rebounds per game for the Wolves. He led the league in rebounds and was the BBL’s fifth-highest scorer per game.
Standing at 6’10”, Walker dominates down low. His paint presence translates to both ends of the floor, using his size to bully the best big men the BBL has to offer. Walker has given the Riders double-digit points off the bench 13 times this season, as he makes big contributions in limited minutes.
One to watch- Patriots
In his third Plymouth season, Rashad Hassan has been on a tear, averaging a monster 17.6 points and 7.4 assists. He enters this game after his second 30 point performance of the season, and his eight occasion scoring over 20.
Hassan is a former Rider, who played his first two pro seasons in Leicester. He averaged 18 points a game in his second season, before going on to play for the London Lions and Rueil in the French third division.
Hassan averaged 19.2 points per game in his first two Plymouth seasons and helped them to 21-9 record last year. His contributions towards winning are needed now more than ever for the Patriots, as their last two games of the season are pivotal.
Previous meeting
The team’s last met in April, in a significant game for the Riders. They were crowned league champions after beating the Patriots 77-60.
Geno Crandall led the Riders in the game with 25 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals- a stat sheet stuffing performance. Leicester shot 41% from three to torch Plymouth, taking a historic road win.
For the Patriots, Antonio Williams led them in defeat with 20 points and five rebounds. They shot 36% from the field and 20% from three on a tough shooting night.
Riders Media - 19th April 2022
Riders beat Rocks on the road
The Riders won their final road game of the league season, beating the Glasgow Rocks 101-86. Having previously wrapped up the league title, the win is crucial for maintaining the team’s winning rhythm.
Leicester’s tandem of Mo Walker and Kimbal Mackenzie combined for 32 points off the bench, with Walker leading the team with 17 points. Mackenzie’s 15 points and six assists marks his best statistical performance of the season, as Glasgow’s defence found no answer for the Canadian.
The lead rose to as much as 27 points before Glasgow’s late flurry of threes cut the game closer. After taking a double-digit lead in the first half, the Riders controlled the game until the final buzzer.
They shot 54% from the field and dominated the glass, doubling their season average with 14 offensive rebounds. Leicester had 11 different scorers, five putting up double-digit points, as coach Rob Paternostro split the minutes and the offensive load.
The win improves the Riders’ record to 24-2, as they extended their winning streak to eight. The Glasgow loss dents their recent hot form, as the hosts entered the game having won nine of the last ten fixtures, and casts doubt on their playoff hopes in the process.
Glasgow’s Jordan Harris led the game with 19 points in his side’s defeat. The first-year pro out of the University of Georgia went 9-13 from the field and used his elite athleticism to create a multitude of highlights at the rim.
There was little to separate the scoreline through the opening period, as the sides felt their way into the game in the early stages. There were seven lead changes in the first quarter, one just one point in it with eight minutes gone.
The Riders closed out the first with a 9-2 run, earning an advantage to end the period. Walker made the difference off the bench, getting to work down low as his matchup, Vance Johnson, picked up two early fouls.
The Rocks fought back, with Vance Johnson and Jordan Johnson making up 18 of the team’s 22 initial points. Vance Johnson had nine points and six rebounds in a dominant first quarter display.
But the second period belonged to Leicester, as they kept their opponents at arm’s length until the half. BBL MVP Geno Crandall turned up the style, handing-off an audacious 360 dish to Patrick Whelan down low to make it an 11 point affair.
Whelan led the Riders into the locker rooms after a 13-point second quarter. The score was 53-44 at halftime, leaving Leicester in a commanding position.
The Riders started the second half testing a new lineup, playing three guards in Crandall, Mackenzie and Whelan. Mackenzie rewarded his coach’s decision, draining a three to get things underway.
Another three from the Bucknall graduate five minutes into the third gave the Riders a 14 point advantage, their biggest of the night. The Rocks, led by six quick points from Harris, chipped away at the lead, cutting it to single digits. However, the Riders remained in control, responding to Glasgow’s blows with big shots of their own.
Leicester ended the third with a 13-0 run, led by eight more points from Walker. His three ended the quarter with the Riders leading 83-61.
With Leicester up 23 in the fourth quarter, Loughborough and Charnwood’s Louie Jordan and Evan Walshe checked into the game to log key BBL minutes. Both got on the scoresheet quickly, with Walshe driving to the hoop before making a tough finish for two, before Jordan drained a three from the corner.
The Riders return home for the league finale on Friday. They face the Plymouth City Patriots, hoping to maintain their rhythm entering the postseason.
Riders Media - 14th April 2022
Charity game at Morningside Arena for Andi Peel
Morningside Arena will host a basketball game to raise money for research into brain tumours as a local player battles the disease.
Andi Peel, 30, from Groby, Leicestershire, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour in January 2020.
The otherwise fit and healthy Carphone Warehouse manager suddenly started getting strong headaches in August 2019. By January 2020, his headaches became so severe that he had to pull over when driving. On 20 January, he went to Leicester Royal Infirmary and had an MRI scan, which revealed a mass on his brain.
Ross Bland, 34, who has known Andi for 15 years, said: “When I was told he had a GBM, it completely crushed me because I knew the prognosis is not good.
“It was devastating because he’s like my little brother. We met through basketball and we’ve played in many teams together, and we created our own successful team, ‘Ferndale Fury’, together in 2013.
“Andi’s brain tumour has taken over everything. It’s horrible to watch the way he has declined because of it.”
Andi had the tumour removed at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Ross, a product manager, has brought together friends and players from across the basketball leagues who are connected to Andi through the sport. Proceeds from the game on 17 April will go to the Brain Tumour Research charity.
The game will take place at the Morningside Arena, and afterwards, the Leicester Riders will play against the London Lions in the British Basketball League (BBL).
Ross said: “It’s going to be incredible and big thanks go to the Leicester Riders. Everyone’s come together, and it’s all through Andi and basketball.
“Brain tumours are hugely underfunded and more needs to be done. Brain Tumour Research is important to me and I want to do everything I can for them.
“Andi’s been involved in organising the event, and it’s given him a new lease of life.
“We may be too late to save Andi, but we want to help others avoid what he’s going through.”
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK singularly focused on finding a cure for brain tumours through campaigning for an increase in the national investment into research to £35 million per year. It is also fundraising to create a sustainable network of brain tumour research centres in the UK.
Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research said: “We’re really grateful to Ross, Andi, Leicester Riders, and the basketball community as it’s only with the support of people like them that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like Andi who are forced to fight this awful disease.
“Unlike many other cancers, brain tumours are indiscriminate. They can affect anyone at any time. Too little is known about the causes and that is why increased investment in research is vital.”
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.
Riders Media - 4th April 2022
RIDERS 80 – 84 REBELS
Sunday’s 5pm action saw the Leicester Riders taking on the Essex Rebel’s at home. It was an intense back and forth battle but ultimately the Rebels came out on top despite the Riders best efforts.
Star Performers for the Riders include Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus with 16 points and Oceana Hamilton who stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Riders excelled on defense and used their size advantage to dominate the paint, but it was the perimeter shooting of Essex that allowed them to pull ahead and take the win.
In the first the Riders looked dominant. Springing ahead to a quick 16-6 lead halfway through the first. Essex, however, were able to gather themselves and over the next 5 minutes bring the game back to only a 5 point deficit, 30-25 lead for the Riders as the first quarter closed.
The second quarter wasn’t very pretty for the Riders as they went scoreless for the first 5 minutes. However, they were able to rally behind their full-court pressure leading points off of turnovers and scored 16 points in the last 5 minutes of the first half.
However, their drought in the first half of the quarter allowed Essex to gain momentum and take the lead in the half. At Halftime Essex leads by 3, 49-46.
Coming out of halftime both teams seemed rejuvenated on the defensive end, both teams fought for good looks and whenever a team would manage to score it seemed the other would come down and answer with a bucket of their own.
Despite the best efforts of Makana Stone and Oceana Hamilton in the third Essex managed to hold onto their lead as they entered the fourth quarter ahead by 2, 63-61.
In the fourth both teams continued their heated battle. But behind Essex’s Ashleigh Munns’ stellar performance from behind the three-point arc, Essex had brought their lead up to 6 with 2:20 left to play, 78-72.
The Riders called a timeout and came out swinging, behind clutch mid-range shots from Hannah Robb and Anna Lappenküper brought the game within 2 points, but another Ashleigh Munns three-pointer put the Riders down 6 with a minute left to play.
The Riders were forced to intentionally foul and free throws from the Rebels kept their lead at 6 points with 22 seconds to play. The Riders brought the ball down and Makana Stone hit a clutch contested three with 6 seconds left to play bringing the lead down to 3, but it proved too little too late as they were forced to foul and the Rebels put them away at the free throw line. Essex wins 84-80.
An unfortunate loss for the Riders who were right at the brink of taking this game, but unfortunately there’s only so much time on the clock and Essex were able to outlast the Riders. Phenomenal effort from the Riders women as they look to bounce back against the Wildcats on April 9th.
Match report written by Rob Field.
Riders Media - 3rd April 2022
RIDERS 59 – 63 KESTRELS
It was an intense outing and heartbreaking loss for the D1 Loughborough Women, losing 63-59 to the Solent Kestrels in a down to the wire thriller. Both teams put on a phenomenal display of defense and team basketball.
The Rider’s loss means they’ve been eliminated from the playoffs and their season is over. Though their season was nothing to hang their heads on. A phenomenal season by a phenomenal team. It’s just a shame it had to end so soon.
The game started with Robyn Ainge (Riders) and Kristina Karpova (Kestrels) both hitting 2 quick three-pointers to open the game. No team led by more than three points in the first quarter and there were a total of 8 lead changes.
Both teams continued to go back and forth, closing the first quarter out with a score of 22-20 for the Riders. The second quarter commenced and it became clear that the pace of this game was changing quickly.
Both teams turned it up on the defensive end forcing turnover after turnover. Besides a Robyn Ainge layup to open the quarter for the Riders both teams went scoreless for nearly 3 minutes of play time. Both teams exchanged four to five point mini runs.
However, in the last 3 minutes of the first half the Kestrels went on a 7-0 run to put them up 40-33 entering halftime.
The second half was once again headlined by both teams’ ability to force turnovers and slow down their opposition. Though only holding the Kestrels to 12 third quarter points they were only held to 11 of their own and couldn’t manage to bridge the gap made at the end of the second.
So the stage was set, Kestrels led 52-44 with one quarter left to play and the season on the line. The Riders played great. They fought their way back into the game. Robyn Ainge (16 points), Katie Januszewska (16 points) and Erin Powell (6 points 8 rebounds) were difference makers in climbing all the way back to a 3 point deficit, 62-59 with 44 seconds left in the game.
The Kestrels held onto the ball up until the 15 second mark where Katie Januszewska came up with a clutch steal, the Riders ran in transition, dished it out to an open Robyn Ainge on the three point line to tie the game, but her shot didn’t fall. At that point they were forced to foul and free throws put them away.
What a game. What an effort. The ladies truly left it all out on the floor and though it wasn’t the outcome they were looking for they should be proud. Congratulations to Team Solent Kestrels and best of luck to them in their playoff endeavours. Once again well done to the Loughborough Riders and their season. We’re all looking forward to seeing what comes next for this team.
Well fought Ladies.
Match written report by Rob Field
Riders Media - 1st April 2022
Riders make ‘disgusting’ signing
In a shock move for the start of April, Riders are delighted to announce the addition of former Glasgow Rocks star & GB captain Kieron Achara MBE.
Achara, 38, retired in 2019 after a third spell with the Rocks, but has come out of retirement to join the Riders in a last bid to pick up some BBL silverware.
It is believed the Scot will suit up for tonight’s game in Newcastle as well as holding down his media duties for Sky Sports.
“I have always wanted to join the Riders,” commented Achara. “They have secretly been my favourite BBL team and they look on course to win another trophy or two.”
“I spoke to Ali Fraser and he told me about the good old times when he won silverware. I thought I should go get myself some.”
“Some people may call me a glory hunter and they would be right.”
After negotiations with the BBL, the Riders, who have been chasing Achara since 2015, were able to extend the player signing deadline to April 1st.
Riders Media - 24th March 2022
EABL SEMI FINAL: RIDERS 72 – 67 BARKING ABBEY
What a thriller of a game in Charnwood last night! The Charnwood Riders faced off against Barking Abbey in the EABL semi finals in front of a packed crowd. The energy in the building was through the roof and it seemed inevitable that this game was going to be a good one.
The Riders came out scorching hot. Getting stop after stop and after 2 quick triples from Louie Jordan the Riders started the game with a 12-0 run. Barking Abbey however answered with a scoring spurt of their own. Narrowing the gap behind excellent finishing around the rim.
Both teams continued to battle and it became clear that this was going to be a game of defense. Abbey’s zone defense was smothering and forced the Riders to get more creative when it came to attacking the rim. And the Riders smooth switches and communication helped them force several turnovers and shot clock violations in the first.
At the end of the first quarter, the Riders saw themselves leading 21-16.
The second quarter is when the intensity of this game became abundantly clear. Both teams went back and forth at each other. Both teams showed excellent heart on the glass as they’d crash and battle every time a shot was put up.
As the second quarter came to a close the Riders still held the lead but were now not so comfortable with the position they were in, leading 37-36.
The third quarter kept up with the pace of the first hand, chippy defense, runs and tough shots. Both teams remained neck and neck. Exchanging the lead and fighting for each possession. The Riders came up with some clutch steals but seemed to struggle at times to score against Abbey’s zone.
A nice three from Dan Hadley put the riders within 3 points of Abbey’s lead, but a layup as the quarter ended put Barking Abbey up 5 with 10 minutes left to play. Abbey leads 54-49.
The fourth quarter was intense as could be. A quick transition dunk from Zamoku Weluche seemed to give Abbey a burst of energy as they came out looking to extend and extinguish the Riders in the fourth.
It then became a game of ‘big plays’, Victor Ndoukou answered Abbey’s run with a three pointer. Both teams exchanged blows. And with 2:45 left to play the Riders found themselves down 4, 61-57.
Victor Ndoukou ended the Rider’s scoring drought with a heat check three to bring the game within 1 point. After a quick stop the Riders came down and Kanu Gudza hit a three pointer of his own to put the Riders up 63-61 with 2 minutes to play.
2 free throws from Abbey tied the game up at 63 with 1:13 left to play. Abbey brings up the ball but gets stripped by Kanu Gudza who connects on his transition layup to give the Riders a 2 point lead. Abbey hits 1-2 free throws on their next possession and with 35 seconds left it was time for a big moment.
Victor Ndoukou received the ball at the top of the key and proceeded to hit a step back and one three point BOMB. The crowd went wild and that was the dagger that put the Riders over the top. Now leading by 5 Abbey had no choice but to foul and the Riders put them away at the Charity stripe.
It was an absolute thriller in Charnwood which came down to the wire. Playoff basketball is here and it is delivering. It was a phenomenal win for Charnwood as they now advance to the EABL Finals and a fantastic effort from Barking Abbey as the Riders win 72-67.
Match report written by Rob Field
Riders Media - 21st March 2022
COLA 47 – 63 RIDERS
On Sunday the Loughborough Riders took on the CoLa Southwark Pride in London. The teams went back and forth exchanging leads in a gritty defensive minded battle. The Riders managed to pull ahead and run away with a win, tallying a final score of 63-47.
CoLA began the game with a quick 6-0 run over the first 4 minutes, but was immediately answered by a 7-0 run from the Riders. The Riders used their ability to grab offensive rebounds to capitalize on second chance points.
Both teams exchanged defensive stops, layups and extra points at the free-throw line. They remained neck and neck and it was an even showing in the first quarter as they entered the second tied at 12-12.
The second quarter was kicked off by Louise Rouse with 5 quick points. The Riders continued to keep up the defensive intensity, but CoLA weren’t going to go away quietly either. Though the Riders extended their lead to 6 in the second quarter, CoLA closed the gap to one with a score of 24-23 going into the half.
Going into the second the Riders looked more composed, calm and ready to execute their gameplan. The third quarter was led by Katie Januszewska who poured in 12 points in just the third. The Riders were electric on offense as they scored 21 points in the third.
They also held their own on the defensive end. Protecting the paint and stopping CoLA to only 14 third quarter points. Their combined efforts on both ends of the floor helped them to build their first sizable lead of the game as they led 45-37 going into the fourth.
In the fourth the Riders did what they do best, remain calm and execute their gameplan. The Riders again smothered the Pride on defense, holding them to 10 points as they put up 18 of their own. The Riders were dominant on the glass and their hustle stats excelled them to win 63-47.
Louise Rouse, Katie Januszewska and Alia El Shabrawy all poured in 17 points in an excellent display of Riders basketball. They kept their composure and executed on both ends of the court. An excellent win for the team. Well done girls!
Match report written by Rob Field
Riders Media - 21st March 2022
THUNDER 91 – 75 RIDERS
Saturday saw the Loughborough Riders travel to Worthing to take on the Thunder. Both teams fought hard but it was the Thunder who pulled ahead in front of their home crowd and won 91-75.
It was a rough first quarter for Loughborough as the Thunder came out on fire hitting shot after shot as the Riders struggled to find a groove offensively. The Thunder’s defense was clicking and the rim seemed like it had been widened as they stormed ahead to take a 27-9 lead after one quarter of play.
In the second, the Riders came out much hotter than in the first. They poured in 20 second quarter points, but though they were executing on offense the Thunder kept their foot on the gas pouring in 22 second quarter points of their own.
Going into the half the Riders trailed 49-29.
The second half was a battle, both teams came out hot. Milo Gordon hit 2 quick three’s and led his team on a run that saw them bring the game back to an 11 point deficit. The Thunder though answered back with a run of their own.
Both teams poured in 25 points in the third quarter, once again the Riders found themselves behind by 20 points as they approached the fourth quarter. Thunder lead 74-54.
The fourth quarter commenced and again both teams went back and forth, hitting basket after basket. Unfortunately, the Thunder’s lead was too big for the Riders despite the Riders outscoring the Thunder in the fourth quarter.
It was a tough fought match, but the Riders slow start to this game dug them into a hole they couldn’t climb out of. They proved that they were on par with the Thunder as they outscored them from the end of the first till the end of the game.
However, the Thunder’s 5 players with double digit figures and well played team efforts propelled them ahead to win this game. The Rider’s showed their heart and never gave up. Good game boys, onto the next one.
Match report written by Rob Field
Riders Media - 15th March 2022
RIDERS 81-90 NEWCASTLE
Sunday saw the Loughborough Riders take on Team Newcastle in a tough contest headlined by defense, runs and three point shooting. The Riders were led by dominant performances from both Joe Bielak and Harrison Gamble who each had 23 points. But their efforts weren’t quite enough to overcome Team Newcastle who were able to hold the Riders off through a team effort.
The Riders came out fast behind Joe Bielak’s two three’s in the first two possessions of the game. Another three by Harrison Gamble put the Riders up 9-0 two minutes into the first quarter. Newcastle was able to compose themselves and bounce back going on a 9-0 run of their own to tie the game
A common theme of this game began to take place as the Rider’s answered Team Newcastle’s run with another of their own to take a lead that was quickly taken back by Newcastle behind some deep three’s from Brandon Federici to put them up 29-25 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter both teams maintained their fast pace and high octane offense from the first quarter, going back and forth and keeping the lead for Newcastle within 4 halfway through the second. But behind a flurry of three pointers and some bad turnovers for the Riders saw them fall behind by 15 going into halftime with a score of 56-41 for Newcastle
Coming out of halftime the Riders came out ready and instantly began to climb back into the game. Behind a solid team effort the Riders went on a 19-6 run to bring the game back within 2 with five minutes to go in the third quarter. But once again one run was answered with another and Team Newcastle bounced back to extend the gap between them and the Riders, taking a 77-70 lead going into the fourth.
The Fourth commenced and the Riders had to begin to chip away at Newcastle’s lead. They went on yet another run and stormed all the way back to tie the game 81-81 with 3:44 left to play in the game. Unfortunately for the Riders they wouldn’t score a point for the rest of the game and were put away by Newcastle losing 90-81.
It was a good game, the Riders displayed a lot of heart, Harrison Gamble scored 23 while playing through an injury and everytime the Riders fell behind they managed to close the gap. Though it was a tough loss there is nothing to be ashamed of, the Riders never gave up and showed their heart. Well played boys.
Match Report written by Rob Field
Riders Media - 8th March 2022
Rest in peace Eric
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of one of our former players Eric Robertson.
Out with being an outstanding basketball player and all his accomplishments on court, Eric was a stand out human being who’s light shone so brightly. He was a man of family and faith. His infectious smile and energy made him an amazing teammate, a pleasure to coach and a firm fan favourite.
The statistics will show that Eric was a part of the Riders family from 2016 to 2018, making 87 BBL appearances and winning six trophies (x2 Trophy, x2 League, x2 Playoff). He also enjoyed a successful BUCS career representing Loughborough University winning two BUCS golds. In truth his impact on the programme and the people he met transcended basketball and ‘E-Rob’ will forever be etched into our history and remain part of our Riders family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jerica, Luca James and all of Eric’s family and friends. We pray his faith is a comfort to you all at this sad time. Rest in peace Eric.
Riders Media - 4th March 2022
Basketball Stands Together
BBL and WBBL clubs unite to show solidarity in support of Ukraine.
The British Basketball League (BBL) and its 23 Men’s and Women’s clubs will stand together over the next five days in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, showing support at all matches from March 4th-9th.
The thoughts of the British Basketball community are with all of those who have been impacted by the Russian’s invasion of the Ukraine and we unequivocally reject Russia’s actions and wish to show our support for the people of Ukraine
As such the BBL’s Men’s and Women’s teams will all take part in 24 seconds of reflection and a show of solidarity before tip-off at each game between March 4th-9th.
Clubs will also show the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag with the wording ‘Basketball Stands Together’ on screens at their arenas.
This message of solidarity will also be visible to the BBL’s global fanbase across our digital channels, as logos and profiles on those platforms will change to represent the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
Riders Media - 2nd March 2022
Retro Night announced!
Retro kits, top tunes and special guests are all in store for the Leicester Riders & Manchester Giants remaining league games against each other.
Leicester’s trip to Belle Vue, Manchester will have a twist on Sunday 13 March 2022 with both teams playing in a version of a RETRO kit from years’ gone by (tickets available here).
Both teams will also be in RETRO kits for the return fixture in Leicester on Friday 8 April 2022 (tickets available here).
Riders have played a number of games in special kits before having worn a St Patrick’s Day, Diwali and Neon jersey in years’ gone by. This time around Riders will wear a blue and orange number throwing this back to early 2000s!
Watch out for more announcements and the kit reveals soon!
Riders Media - 22nd February 2022
Flyers game now on Sky Sports
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.
