Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders got their pre-season underway with a 111-66 victory against USA Select.
It was a convincing first outing for the newly formed Riders roster, in front of a pre-season record attendance at the Mattioli Arena.
Riley Abercrombie led the scoring, putting up 24 points on his Riders debut, backed by Jaylin Hunter who went off for 19 points and 5 assists.
Charles Thompson dominated the paint with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and 12 points and 7 rebounds from Ethan Wright made for a productive evening for the Riders rookies.
Thompson got the game underway with dominance inside. He showed his strength from the jump, battling down low for an offensive board before a hook shot netted him his first points in Riders red, and Leicesterâs first of the 2024 pre-season.
The big man scored two quick buckets in the midst of a 7-2 Leicester start, and blocked Morgan Brown’s layup attempt. Abercrombie also enjoyed a red hot start, connecting with his first two attempts from deep. It was quickly 15-2, as returning Rider Zach Jackson forced USA Selectâs first timeout with a euro-step on the break.
The visitors bit back with two straight buckets halfway into the period, but Abercrombie put an end to any USA Select momentum with an and-one finish, bagging his ninth points of the evening.
A Riders scoring drought did open the door for USA Select on the back end of the quarter, as they found joy on the fastbreak and the offensive glass. A triple saw the score pegged back to 28-21 with a minute remaining.
But they re-found their groove to close the first, and Jackson finished the opening period with a floater to make it 34-23.
Conner Washington picked up from where his teammates left off after the first period. He got the second quarter underway with a triple, the 12-year veteran always a hot hand from outside. He and Abercrombie rebuilt the lead from distance throughout the second, and Hunter effectively pulled the strings from the point.
The Riders, who found difficulty controlling the glass at times early, secured defensive boards consistently in the second to hold their opponents to 12 second quarter points.
In a physical affair, Jackson had multiple trips to the foul line as the half came to a close, knocking down free throws to make it a 20 point Leicester lead. The sides entered the half with the Riders up 57-35.
Out of the break, Hunter got the second half going with a steal and a score, before pulling up in transition on the next play for three. It was a 30 point lead quickly in the third, courtesy of Abercrombie again adding two more on the fastbreak.
USA Select still had no answer for the Australian who brought his game tally to 20 at the foul line with 3:30 left in the third.
A scoring flurry for the visitors saw USA Select maintain the difference at 30 late in the third, draining a three on the buzzer to make it 81-52 with one to play.
Final flourish
Another and-one started the final period, this time Thompson taking the contact inside and connecting with the finish. Hunter followed up with a trip to the stripe next time up, and he made the score 85-52 with 8:42 left.
Hunter was hot in the fourth, and he drained a triple over a hand in his face to add three more to his game tally.
Blake Bowman brought the Ridersâ game score to 100 with a spin move inside, and Abercrombie capped off a player of the game performance and a convincing Leicester win with a three.
The Riders return to action on September 20, taking on Surrey Scorchers on the road ahead of the Super League Basketball season opener on September 27.
Tickets go on sale for the Ridersâ 2024 SLB home fixtures on Monday, September 9, at 12 pm.
Leicester Riders are set to tip-off their 2024 pre-season campaign against USA Select!
The newly built roster, with seven new faces ready to be welcomed by the Riders faithful, looks to find chemistry and understanding in the upcoming pre-season campaign, before for the debut season of Super League Basketball in September.
Their first test: a USA Select team featuring the next generation of American talent, looking to showcase their ability on their way to their first professional contracts.
Hereâs everything you need to know about the fixture.
Fixture information
Fixture: Leicester Riders vs USA Select
Date: Friday, September 6
Tip-off: 7 pm
Leicester basketball is back!
It has felt like a long wait, but Leicester are ready to take to the court for their first action of 2024-25. Itâs a pivotal pre-season for the Riders roster, who make their preparations for the debut season of Super League Basketball.
The seven new additions look to settle into Head Coach Rob Paternostroâs system quickly before competitive action begins, but the roster is blessed with experience to ease that process.
Among the summer signings is returning Rider Zach Jackson. His familiarity with both coach and club will be a valuable asset throughout pre-season. Jackson returned to the Club having spent three seasons with the Riders between 2020 and 2023. He played an integral role in the Ridersâ 2022 treble, winning four trophies during his time in the East Midlands.
âItâs been great seeing Coach Rob and some familiar faces on the team again,â said Jackson. âIâve always loved playing for Rob, and I canât wait to see the fans again.
âEveryone on the team always got along during my time here, which is a big thing in professional basketball. Everyone on this team seems to have good character.
âWe haven’t gone live yet to see how each other plays, but hopefully over the next few weeks weâll start building chemistry and get to know one another.â
This game presents an opportunity for exactly that. It will be the first test for the new team to suit up alongside one another in competitive action.
With four rookies joining the Riders ranks over the offseason, Charles Thompson, Jaylin Hunter, JâRaan Brooks and Riley Abercrombie, that is especially important. These are key minutes early in the professional careers of the rookies especially, as they look to grow quickly accustomed to the team against USA Select.
Leicester Riders meeting with USA Select has become annual tradition, having established a relationship with the programme over previous decades.
USA Select are in the midst of a busy European tour, hoping to secure their players their first professional contracts. The programme has produced household names in British basketball over its 40 year existence, including Sheffield Sharks Head Coach Atiba Lyons.
The Riders have established a thriving relationship with the programme.
âLeicester 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,â said Head Coach and General Manager Sean Kilmartin.
âThe 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.
âWhen 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.
âThe Riders fanbase is amazing. The love and respect we get from those fans is humbling. They really get it.â
Join the cavalry
Tickets are still available for tonight’s action! Standard tickets are ÂŁ10, courtside seating is ÂŁ25.
Leicester Riders basketball club is set to tip-off for the first time in 2024-25, suiting up pre-season against USA Select.
In response to fan feedback, the Club has pledged to improve the game-day experience at Leicester Riders game day. This includes offering various activities and entertainment to ensure an enjoyable evening for all attendees.
The Arena will feature a new food selection, fan zone activations and in game entertainment throughout the season.
Hereâs all you need to know about Leicester Riders game day against USA Select.
Fan Zone in Mattioli Courts
The Fan Zone, located in Mattioli Courts, will open at 5:45 pm before the game. It will feature a range of new entertainment and activities, and an improved food selection.
The Club’s Foundation has worked hard to bring an entertaining environment for its fans and visitors prior to games in Mattioli Courts.
Mattioli Courts will host a “beat the pro” free throw challenge, where fans are invited to beat a Riders playerâs free throw total on ten attempts, a local acoustic duo performance, Bollywood dancing, and the presence of USA Select team.
Our game day sponsors, Gresham Hotel, who have generously hosted the USA Select team for the game, have a stand at the fan zone, along with Edmunds and Slatter and Leicester Riders Foundation, who will explain to fans how they can get involved in basketball through their community sessions.
Doors to the main arena will then open at 6:30 pm, half an hour before tip-off.
Eating at the Arena
Mattioli Arena has introduced a new and improved menu for the 2024-25 season, offering a high-quality array of food options.
The menu includes fish goujons and chips, chefâs bake of the day, Indian snack selection with sauces, and warmed doughnuts served with strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce.
You can see the full menu and pricings below:
In Game Entertainment
As part of the Clubâs commitment to investing in and connecting with the local community, it will focus on employing local entertainment for game days.
For the game against USA Select, the club will showcase Bollywood dancing group, representing Leicester’s Indian community.
Throughout the 2024-25 season, fans can expect a variety of entertainment from local Leicestershire talent.
Those interested in performing on Riders game day can contact [email protected] for more information.
Super League Basketball gets green light to unite elite menâs and womenâs game
Super League Basketball (SLB) has confirmed the unification of Great Britainâs elite menâs and womenâs leagues under one banner.
Following a unanimous vote by shareholders of the Womenâs British Basketball League, both the menâs and womenâs elite competitions will now adopt SLB branding and work together to unlock the sportâs considerable potential across the country.
The Menâs Leagueâs nine member clubs will be joined by 11 counterparts in the Womenâs League, ensuring Super League Basketball is accessible for all, with the inaugural season set to get underway on September 27 2024.
By uniting under a single brand, the leagues will leverage each other’s strengths to create a more cohesive and powerful identity, increasing visibility and commercial opportunities across both men’s and women’s basketball in the UK.
Speaking following confirmation of the partnership, SLB Interim Chair Vaughn Millette said:
“Uniting under the Super League Basketball banner marks a pivotal moment for us. By bringing together the Men’s and Women’s Leagues, we are not just enhancing the visibility and reach of the sport, but also fostering a stronger, more unified community that will drive the growth and success of basketball across the UK.”
Chair of the Womenâs League, Jim Saker, added: “This unification under Super League Basketball represents an exciting step forward for the sport in the UK. We are excited to create a shared platform that amplifies the strengths of both leagues. This collaboration will not only elevate the game but also inspire a new generation of fans and players across the country.”
Fixture information for the Menâs League has already been announced, with tickets now available to purchase via the club websites. Fixture information for the Womenâs League will be announced in the coming days.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders raise awareness of gaming and gambling harms with new charity partnership
Leicester Riders, the UKâs oldest professional basketball club, have announced a pioneering new partnership with Ygam, a charity with a mission to prevent children and young people from experiencing gaming and gambling harms.
This collaboration, a first for any team in British basketball, signifies a major stride in the Ridersâ commitment to the digital safeguarding of all children and young people associated with the Club.
Through its Foundation’s Academy and partnerships with Charnwood College and Loughborough University, the Riders organisation’s commitment to young people extends beyond the basketball court. Collaborating with Ygam further enhances the organisation’s capacity to safeguard and equip young people with essential skills and knowledge to thrive in later life.
Ygam has been appointed Leicester Riders ‘Charity of the Year’ for the forthcoming 24/25 season, alongside the Riders Foundation.
The latest report from the Gambling Commission revealed that 40% of 11- to 17-year-olds have had some experience of gambling over the last 12 months. 1 in 4 have spent their own money on gambling in the past 12 months and 35% of young people have encountered gambling advertisements at sports events. Research from the Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms revealed that basketball has one of the highest gambling participation rates for young people aged 18-24 in the UK, compared to other popular betting sports like football, horse racing, and combat? sports.
Basketball is a growing sport at grass roots level in the UK, with nearly 1.25 million children and young people playing the sport at least once a week, and over 1200 licensed coaches nationwide. Popularity of professional basketball in the UK has also seen immense growth over recent years, where viewership of live and on-demand games across YouTube and Sky Sports has jumped from 1.4 million to over 20 million since the 2022/23 season.
This partnership aims to build greater awareness and educate more children and young people about the potential risks associated with gaming and gambling, both within a sporting context and beyond.
Simon Winfield, Interim CEO of Leicester Riders, said: âWeâre excited to be working with Ygam. We have a deep admiration for their efforts in promoting gaming and gambling awareness among the youth of today.
âThe Riders organisation takes seriously its responsibility to the young people who have entrusted us with their futures, both at Charnwood College and Loughborough University. A large part of that responsibility is ensuring that they are well set up for life beyond the Riders. Through Ygamâs education on the potential risks and dangers associated with gaming and gambling, we are fulfilling our commitment to ensuring their well-being and long-term success.
âWeâre also excited at the prospect of helping to educate thousands of young people across Leicestershire, who we work closely with through the Leicester Riders Foundation. Through this partnership, we uphold the Club’s dedication to its local community, ensuring that we leave a lasting, positive influence on the lives of generations to come.â
Sacha Kent, Programme Lead for Education, Sports, and Youth at Ygam, said: “We are honoured to partner with Leicester Riders for the upcoming season and extend our reach within the sport of basketball. With gaming and gambling so heavily intertwined with professional sports, it is vital that we are doing all we can to safeguard all young people who participate in the sport they love.
âLeicester Riders do fantastic work in surrounding communities, including one of the country’s largest Basketball Apprentice schemes at Charnwood College, and a partnership with Loughborough University. The club’s community programmes also reach nearly 20,000 young people from across the city and wider county, and we are excited to use sport as a vehicle to make a real difference in the lives of young people, helping them navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.”
The partnership will involve key home games dedicated to Ygam and the charity’s work, with awareness raising and fundraising events throughout the season, alongside delivering Ygamâs City & Guilds Assured CPD training to all coaches and staff associated with the club.
More details about the partnership and the initiatives planned for the upcoming season will be announced soon.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
— Leicester Riders | Basketball (@RidersBball) August 28, 2024
Here’s how the season will shape up:
SLB Trophy
The season will begin with the Trophy group phase on Friday, September 27, where we will host Bristol Flyers at 19:45 in our first competitive action of 2024-25.
The group phase is a round robin tournament with the teams split into two groups, the Riders group featuring London Lions, Surrey 89ers and Bristol Flyers, who will be played once home and away.
We conclude our Trophy group phase against London Lions at home on Sunday, October 27 at 16:00.
The winners and runners-up in each group will qualify for the two-legged semi-finals, with the winner of Group A facing the runner-up of Group B and vice-versa.
A single-leg Final will take place in January 2025.
SLB Championship
Our Championship campaign begins at home on Saturday, November 2, against Surrey 89ers at 18:00.
The Championship features all nine SLB franchises playing each other four times (twice at home, twice away from home) over a 23-week season, equating to 32 games per club.
Our final game of the 2024-25 Championship season will be away at Newcastle Eagles on Friday, April 25 at 19:30.
SLB Cup
The SLB Cup will begin at the quarter-final stage, with the Riders’ fixture being played between February 7-9, against an opponent to be decided.
A random draw will take place to draw seven teams straight into the Cup quarter-finals, with the remaining two franchises playing a single-leg qualifier for the chance to join the other seven teams in the next round.
The Cup semi-finals will be two-legged ties, and the single-leg Final will take place in March at a venue to be confirmed.
SLB Playoffs
Following the conclusion of the Championships season, the top eight placed teams from the standings will qualify for the Playoffs.
Both quarter-finals and semi-finals will be played over two legs, with the quarter-final ties assigned by Championship seeding (1st vs 8th, 2nd vs 7th, 3rd vs 6th, 4th vs 5th).
The semi-final ties will be assigned by the highest remaining seed facing the lowest remaining seed and the second-highest facing the second-lowest.
In both rounds, the higher seed has the choice of home leg.
A single-leg Final will take place in London on May 18 with venue information to be confirmed.
You can find our full fixture list below:
Date
Tip-off
Competition
Opponent
H/A
Friday, September 27
19:45
Trophy
Bristol Flyers
H
Sunday, October 6
16:00
Trophy
London Lions
A
Saturday, October 19
18:00
Trophy
Surrey 89ers
A
Wednesday, October 23
19:45
Trophy
Surrey 89ers
H
Friday, October 25
19:30
Trophy
Bristol Flyers
A
Sunday, October 27
16:00
Trophy
London Lions
H
Saturday, November 2
18:00
Championship
Surrey 89ers
A
Friday, November 8
19:45
Championship
Sheffield Sharks
H
Sunday, November 17
16:00
Championship
Sheffield Sharks
A
Friday, November 29
19:45
Championship
Manchester
H
Sunday, December 1
17:30
Championship
Cheshire Phoenix
A
Friday, December 6
19:30
Championship
Bristol Flyers
A
December 6-8
Trophy semi-finals
TBD
Friday, December 13
19:45
Championship
Caledonia Gladiators
H
Friday, December 20
19:30
Championship
Surrey 89ers
A
Sunday, December 22
16:00
Championship
Newcastle Eagles
H
Friday, December 27
19:45
Championship
Bristol Flyers
H
Monday, December 30
19:45
Championship
London Lions
H
Friday, January 3
19:30
Championship
Newcastle Eagles
A
Friday, January 10
19:45
Championship
Manchester
H
Sunday, January 12
17:30
Championship
Cheshire Phoenix
A
Friday, January 17
19:45
Championship
Caledonia Gladiators
H
Saturday, January 25
17:00
Championship
Caledonia Gladiators
A
Friday, January 31
19:45
Championship
Bristol Flyers
H
February 7-9
Cup Quarter-Final
TBD
Thursday, February 13
19:45
Championship
Cheshire Phoenix
H
Friday, February 28
19:45
Championship
Surrey 89ers
H
Sunday, March 9
15:00
Championship
Manchester
A
Sunday, March 16
16:00
Championship
Sheffield Sharks
A
Friday, March 21
19:45
Championship
Newcastle Eagles
H
Friday, March 28
19:30
Championship
Bristol Flyers
A
Friday, April 4
19:45
Championship
Cheshire Phoenix
H
Sunday, April 6
16:00
Championship
Caledonia Gladiators
A
Friday, April 11
19:45
Championship
Sheffield Sharks
H
Sunday, April 13
16:00
Championship
London Lions
A
Thursday, April 17
19:45
Championship
Surrey 89ers
H
Sunday, April 20
16:00
Championship
London Lions
H
Friday, April 25
19:30
Championship
Newcastle Eagles
A
Please note, these fixtures may be subject to change.
Ticket information for our upcoming SLB games will be confirmed in the near future.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Super League Basketball, the new elite basketball competition in the UK, has announced the iconic American sports brand Reebok, as the official kit supplier and basketball sneaker of the league with a multi-year partnership.
A dominant force on the court, Reebok’s legacy is rooted in innovative designs and iconic endorsements by some of the game’s greatest players. The brand has made strides in its re-entry to the sport and appointing basketball legends Shaquille OâNeal and Allen Iverson as President and Vice President of Basketball, respectively.
Partnering with the Super League Basketball reinforces Reebok’s rightful place in the sport.
âWe are thrilled to partner with the newly established Super League Basketball,â said Todd Krinsky, CEO of Reebok. âThis collaboration represents a perfect synergy between Reebok’s storied basketball heritage and the vibrant future of the elite league in the UK. We are excited to bring our innovative designs and high-performance gear to the court, and we can’t wait to see the players and fans embrace the new kits this season.â
Starting in September with the 2024/25 season, all the Super League Basketball teams will be equipped with elite Reebok-designed playing kits, training kits, travel attire and basketball sneakers. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase replica kits for the 2024/25 season, with the unveiling of the new kits scheduled for early September.
Paul Blake, owner of Newcastle Eagles commented: âSpeaking on behalf of all the basketball clubs competing in our newly launched Super League, Iâm delighted that weâve been able to secure this partnership with Reebok. Itâs been a challenging few months for our sport, but to attract a brand of Reebokâs status, heritage and association as we launch our new league is fantastic.â
âIt is perfect timing for this partnership as Reebok relaunches its performance basketball division and we embark on new future as Super League Basketball. Seeing stars like Shaq and Allen Iverson involved in a project that touches our League is incredibly exciting and with them on-board, we look forward to achieving great things both on and off the court.â
Nick Woodhouse, President and CBO, Authentic Brands Group, owner of the Reebok brand said: “We are delighted to witness Reebok’s renaissance in the basketball arena through this collaboration with the Super League Basketball. This partnership blends Reebok’s legacy with the energy of the league’s future, creating a fusion of style and performance that will echo through the courts.”
John Carden, CEO of Sports Hub Group, UK distributor for Reebok said: âBeing able to bring two amazing brands together in Reebok and the League is a real personal achievement, and I canât wait to see this pairing brought to life when the kit is launched next month.â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Itâs with regret that we have taken the decision to defer the Fanâs Q&A Session scheduled for September 19 to an alternative event as soon as possible.
Whilst we are really keen to present our new teams to our loyal fans and have you get to know them better, the changing schedule this season and practice commitments of our top teams mean we have to look for a better date.
Weâll be in touch with those who have already purchased tickets to arrange a full refund and will share details of an alternative event as soon as possible.
The Leicester Riders family apologise for this change of plans, but we look forward to seeing you all for our first pre-season game against USA Select.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Super League Basketball announces four competition formats for debut season
Ahead of a hotly anticipated debut campaign, Super League Basketball announced the four competitions that will make up the inaugural season, which is set to tip off on Friday September 27.
The SLB have introduced four formats for the 2024/25 season which pay homage to the storied history of top-flight British basketball, with Championship, Cup, Playoff and Trophy competitions set to keeps fans on the edges of their seats throughout the year.
Getting underway in late September, the Trophy tournament takes centre-stage from the tip-off as five weeks of group stage action will see SLB fans to the start of November, when the Championship campaign commences.
Utilita Arena Birmingham will host the first major Final in SLB history on January 26, 2025, as the Trophy title will be up for grabs, representing the first in a trio of showpiece events taking place before the end of the season.
Continuing the history of one of British basketballâs most storied competitions, the SLB have established a Cup competition which will take place over six weeks from February ahead of a Final in March at a venue to be confirmed, before the road to the Playoffs resumes with the Championship action concluding on April 27.
The top eight teams in the SLB will qualify for the post-season, battling in two-legged quarter- and semi-finals for a place in London on May 18 in the Playoff Final to compete for the biggest prize in British basketball. Venue information for the Cup and Playoff Finals will be announced in the coming weeks.
Speaking following confirmation of the competition formats, SLB Interim Chair Vaughn Millette said:
âWeâre delighted to be launching our inaugural season with four fantastic competitions for our fans to look forward to. British basketball has a rich history and weâre pleased to pay tribute to that heritage with these competitions, setting the stage for a spectacular SLB season.
âThe excitement for the return of elite level British basketball is evident and weâre delighted to be able to give the fans what they want from September 27, with a full fixture list for all of our competitions to be released in the coming days.â
Leicester Riders prepare for Super League Basketball against USA Select on September 6.
The Leicester Riders are renowned for our game night atmosphere and we are looking for energetic and fun additions to our Game Night Crew to help us bring even MORE entertainment to all those attending the Mattioli Arena ahead of our new season tipping off next month.
Game Night Crew members are responsible for managing our in-game entertainment, delivering birthdays, mascot packages and more, plus ensuring our fans have an enjoyable visit!
Here are a selection of the Volunteer roles we are recruiting for:-
a) Half time : Ensuring our half time entertainers are ready, willing and on time
b) Birthday Parties : Meet, greet and deliver all our amazing birthday party packages
c) Mascots : Meet, greet and deliver our growing number of Mascots on game night
d) Chuck a Duck : a Manic game which requires speed, accuracy and fun! Selling the ducks and then picking them up â all great fun!
e) Guard of Honour: Meet, greet and ensure our Guard of Honour are on time, in place and have a great time!
The above positions are Volunteer only where you will receive a complimentary game night ticket in exchange for your help. Some roles will require a full DBS check.
For more information, or to show interest in these roles, please contact [email protected].
Closing date for these applicants will be 30th August 2024
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders basketball club are excited to welcome JâRaan Brooks to their 2024-25 roster.
The 6â9â American signs from UC San Diego Tritons, where he played his final two collegiate seasons.
Brooks averaged 5.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in his final year with the Tritons. He was named to the Winter Big West All-Academic Team, named Academic All-District by College Sports Communicators for his work in the classroom and on the court and earned NABC Honors Court academic recognition.
Prior to joining the University California San Diego, Brooks played his freshman year at USC, before transferring to the University of Washington. A 2018 graduate of Garfield High School in Seattle, Brooks led Bulldogs to a state championship in his senior year.
Brooks is a versatile offensive threat, able to step outside and shoot from distance (hitting on 38% of his looks in his final collegiate season), pass and score out of the post and finish at the rim.
He is the 11th member of the Riders’ 2024-25 roster, and the sixth American, ahead of the Super League Basketball season.Â
Brooks said: âIâm beyond excited for the opportunity from the Riders and Coach Rob for allowing me to be able to achieve my dream goal of playing ball at the pro level.
âIâve heard nothing but great things about the Club and city, canât wait to get out to Leicester to meet the team and staff, and as well as play in front of the Riders fans. Iâm ready to get to work!â
Head Coach Rob Paternostro added: âJâRaan is a versatile big who can play either the 4 or the 5. He has a skill set that will add something different to the frontcourt players we have on our roster
âHe is versatile defensively: he is a player who can guard multiple positions and who plays with a high IQ. Weâre looking forward to having him on our team this season.â
Your first chance to see J’Raan in action is September 6, as Leicester Riders get their pre-season underway against USA Select.
Leicester Riders are excited to announce the signing of American Noah Allen for the 2024-25 season.
The 6â7â wing is a nine-year pro, who played most recently for Culiacan in the Mexican first division. 2022-23 saw Allen suit up for Club Comunicaciones in Argentina, putting up 14 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.Â
His professional experience has seen him play two seasons in the NBA G-League, and log 10 points and 6 rebounds per game in 2019 for the Capital City Go-Go.
Allen also suited up for WĂŒrzburg Baskets in the German first division in 2019-2020, averaging 7 points and 5 rebounds, played two seasons in the Spanish second division for HLA Alicante and Zunder Palencia, and averaged 11 points per game in the Mexican first division for Soles de Mexicali.
Prior to Allenâs professional career, he spent his first three college seasons with the prestigious UCLA Bruins, before transferring to the University of Hawaiâi. He put up 15.7 points and 5.8 rebounds as a senior in a history-making season.
Allen earned all-Big West first team honours, led the team in points, rebounds and steals, and became the first Warrior in 21 years, and just the fifth in school history, to score 30 or more four times in a season.
Allen said: âIt feels amazing to have the opportunity to play for this organisation! Iâm very grateful and excited to get out there! I hope to see everyone soon!â
Allen is Head Coach Rob Paternostroâs fifth American signing of the offseason, following the additions of Jaylin Hunter, Zach Jackson, Ethan Wright and Charles Thompson previously.
He added: âWe are excited to have Noah for this season . He is a veteran player with good experience in many different leagues.
âHe is a versatile player with good size who can be effective in many different spots on the floor and has shown the ability to defend multiple positions.â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Franchises confirmed for Super League Basketballâs debut season
Super League Basketball (SLB) is pleased to confirm the line-up for its inaugural campaign:
Bristol Flyers
Leicester Riders
Newcastle Eagles
Cheshire Phoenix
London Lions
Sheffield Sharks
Caledonia Gladiators
Manchester
Surrey 89ers
Nine teams from England and Scotland will take to the court on the opening weekend of SLB action at the end of September, with further franchises expected to join this exciting cohort for the 2025/26 campaign.
Speaking on behalf of SLB, Interim Chairman Vaughn Millette said: âWe are pleased to be able to welcome new ownership into the league with Sherwood Family Investment Office securing the Manchester franchise; and Lithuanian tech-group Tesonet, shareholder of leading EuroLeague organisation Ćœalgiris Kaunas, successfully completing the purchase of London Lions.
âOur focus is to strategically grow this league with sustainable and secure partners. The consortium of clubs has been impressed by the international attention we have attracted since being awarded the menâs professional licence by our governing body, the British Basketball Federation.
âThe process for securing franchises for this inaugural season is now complete. We are delighted that there is further competition for franchises for the 2025/26 season, and we will be announcing the formal franchise expansion process during the forthcoming season.
âAll ownership groups have now signed up to SLBâs operating terms and we are delighted that weâve been able to secure the partners that we have thus far. Our clubs are looking forward to getting the new season underway with fixtures and the competition formats to be released in the coming days.
âThank you to all the fans for their patience. We canât wait to welcome you to Super League Basketball.â
Former Great Britain captain, current all-time GB menâs record cap holder, and co-owner of the Surrey 89ers Dan Clark added:
âIt has been an extremely busy off-season and has taken a huge amount of work to get the new league ready for September.
âThereâs a great mix of continued long-term ownership and new investment into the league. Iâve been hugely impressed by the commitment from all the club owners to work collegiately and collaboratively alongside the British Basketball Federation to bring a sustainable and elite offering to the court in the coming weeks.
âI personally canât wait for top-flight basketball to resume. The level of passion and support for our sport is higher than ever and it will be great to see British basketball fans cheering their teams to success.â
Leicester Riders get their pre-season campaign underway on September 6 against USA Select.
To see the Riders 2024-25 roster in action for the first time, get tickets here!
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce the re-signing of Duke Shelton to their 2024/25 roster.
The American, who holds a British passport, first signed in Leicester in January 2024, putting up a productive 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 16 minutes per outing. Shelton brings a wealth of experience to Leicester, having played nine seasons of professional basketball across Europe.
Prior to joining the Riders, Shelton played two seasons for the Newcastle Eagles. The 6â10â forward averaged a double-double in ten games for the Eagles in the 2021/22 season, logging 14.1 points and 10.5 rebounds. The 28-year-oldâs European experience has seen him compete in Israel, Finland and Slovakia.
Shelton is an energetic force in the paint on both ends, using his length and vertical ability to rise and swat away shots, and his relentless hustle to run in transition and lead the charge up the court for breakaway buckets.
His efforts were epitomised by his 14 points and 16 rebounds in 22 minutes of action against the Plymouth City Patriots in March, where he grabbed 6 offensive boards in the Ridersâ double overtime win.
âIâm excited to be back,â said Shelton. âIâm ready for the great atmosphere that the fans bring and Iâm looking forward to playing alongside my teammates. I believe we have a really good opportunity ahead and I canât wait to get started.â
Head Coach Rob Paternostro added: âWeâre really happy to have Duke back with the Riders. Last season we were impressed with his consistent effort in games and in practices. He was a true professional, and he lifted us with his energy.Â
âDuke is a frontcourt player that can run the floor, heâs active on the glass on both ends and he’s someone that plays with passion and emotion.Â
âHe’s a veteran. Duke has been around professional basketball for a while, and hell add veteran leadership to the locker room.â
Want to see Duke in action? Tickets to our pre-season opener against USA Select are on sale now!
The eye of the Tiger: Charles Thompson on his journey to the pros
âHustle.â When asked what defines his game, thatâs how Charles Thompson responded.
This should come as no surprise. Itâs a mentality passed down a generation, from Charlesâ dad, Tony âThe Tigerâ Thompson, who fought for a better life in the boxing ring throughout his sonâs childhood.
Tony Thompson first entered the ring aged 26, turning professional two years later. He went on to have a 40-7 professional career, having fought for the unified world heavyweight titles against Wladimir Klitschko on two occasions.
Not only a fearless fighter in the ring, Tony Thompson was a role model outside of it.
âIt’s how I always knew him,â said Charles Thompson, reflecting on his childhood. âHe was getting up at 4 am, working out, coming back home and working out again three or four times a day.
âThat played a huge role in my development, because I saw what toughness looks like. My dad gave me a great image to look up to.â
From Tony âThe Tigerâ, to Towson Tigers
His dadâs work ethic is evident in Charles, who became Towson Universityâs all-time leader in minutes played.
Thompson showed his heart and hustle from the first tip-off in college to earn himself valuable playtime in his freshman year.
âEven as a freshman when there were people more talented than me on the team, I found a way on the floor. I think that makes me more malleable and versatile, with a willingness to do whatever I need to do to get out there and help the team.â
In his first collegiate year, Thompson had a 17 rebound game. It was tied for ninth best single-game rebounding performance, and the second best by a Towson freshman, in programme history.
Thompson impressed with his effort as a freshman, seeing him in an increased role as a sophomore, which he responded to with a huge jump in production.
After averaging 3.2 points per game a year prior, Thompson put up 9.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game as a sophomore, and earned a place on the CAA All-Defensive Team.
Seeing your own true potential is a skill in itself, and that was the key to Thompsonâs growth throughout his five years at Towson.
âI’ve always seen myself as a better player than I truly am at any point, and feeling that way means Iâm always looking at where I can get better.
âConsistency is what I’ve learned. Nothing happens overnight, improvement happens over months and years of maintaining the same process.â
Defensive mindset
Thompson was named to the CAA All-Defensive team four seasons in a row. He averaged over 1.5 blocks per game in every one of those seasons, making his name as an anchor in the paint and a force at the rim.
But above his 6â8â stature, explosive vertical and lengthy wingspan, Thompson cites his work ethic and commitment as the leading attributes for his defensive talents.
âDefence is just hard work. I believe that everybody has the capability of being a great defender even without the physical tools. A lot of it is mental concentration and physical effort. Anybody can be great on defence. All you have to do is communicate and show effort.
âIf I was playing badly on the defensive end, people would question whether I’m giving max effort. That’s something that I really care about.â
Defence is part of the fabric of Leicester Riders. The greatest teams in Leicester have leaned on their hard-nosed, gritty resistance as the bedrock of their play, and Head Coach Rob Paternostro sees Thompson as the anchor for his 2024-25 defence.
âCoach Rob told me that one of the things he was looking forward to seeing was me leading the defence, anchoring the defence, and being a contributor on that end.
âDefence can give you a spark of life, especially when things aren’t working on the offensive end. Sometimes shots don’t fall, but your defence can be there for you night, in night out.âÂ
âIf you had 13 guys like Charles Thompson, you wouldn’t need coaches.â
Those were the words of Towson Head Coach Pat Skerry, who coached Thompson for his five-year tenure at the University.
His hard work and on-court mentality has won the respect of coaches and teammates alike, building a well-earned reputation of being a true professional.
âEveryone we spoke with talked about what a great leader he is both on and off the court,â said Paternostro following Thompsonâs signing. âWe are thrilled to add him to our locker room.â
— Leicester Riders Basketball Club (@RidersBball) August 4, 2024
The Cavalry will soon get to know Thompson after he lands in Leicester for the upcoming season.
Not only is he set to light up Leicester on the court, but heâll bring the work ethic, mentality and personality seen in the legends who have worn the Riders red before him.Â
Want to see Thompson make his Riders debut? We start our pre-season campaign against USA Select on September 6!
Leicester Riders are excited to announce the signing of 6â9â forward Riley Abercrombie for the 2024-25 season.
The Australian, who possesses a UK passport, signs from the Illawarra Hawks in Australiaâs NBL 1, where he averaged 23.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Abercrombieâs season with the Hawks featured back-to-back 38 point games, five 30 point outings and six double doubles over 19 games.
Prior to Abercrombieâs summer in Illawarra, he played his graduation year with the University of North Colorado. He averaged 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game over his two seasons with the Bears, logging his best statistical season as a senior with 8.2 points per game.
The Wollongong native declared for Boise State as a freshman, before transferring to Rice University for two seasons. At Rice, Abercrombie was a two-time member of the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and was named to the NABC Honors Court in 2021.
At 6â9â, Abercrombie can take defenders off the dribble, use his deep range to knock down shots and can score with his back to the basket. As a three level scorer, he poses a threat from anywhere on the court, and his size allows him to impact the boards on both ends.
Abercrombie said: âIâm extremely excited to be a part of the Leicester Riders this upcoming season. Itâs a great club and with an amazing support system behind it.
âI canât wait to be in England and put on a Leicester Riders jersey!â
Abercrombie is Head Coach Rob Paternostroâs eighth signing of the summer ahead of the 2024-25 season.
He added: âWe are looking forward to having Riley on our team. He has good size and has the ability to stretch defences with his three point shooting. He is also an effective rebounder who has shown the ability to play team basketball.
âHe has had an excellent summer playing in Australia, where he put up some impressive numbers. We are looking forward to working with him this season.âÂ
Want to see Abercrombie in action? 2024-25 season tickets and tickets to our pre-season opener against USA Select are on sale now!
Leicester Riders are excited to welcome back Zach Jackson for the 2024-25 season.
Jackson returns to the Club having spent three seasons with the Riders between 2020 and 2023. He played an integral role in the Ridersâ 2022 treble, winning four trophies during his time in the East Midlands.
During the 2022-23 season, Jackson averaged 16.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, shooting 55% from the field and 43% from three. He led the Riders in points, rebounds and steals during the 2023 Playoffs, making the final at the O2 Arena with 15.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.
Jacksonâs career-high night in Leicester came against the Newcastle Eagles, where he put up 29 points and 9 rebounds and went 10-13 from the field in an 87-79 win. It was one of 11 20-point games during the 2022-23 season for the Wichita native, who went off for 20 points and 9 rebounds in the Playoff Final against the London Lions.
Prior to the Riders, Jackson spent his rookie season in Ukraine for Kharkivski Sokoly, averaging 12 points and 4 rebounds per game. He went on to sign for Shonan United BC of the Japanese B.League last summer, before returning to the Riders for the upcoming season.
The 6â6â wing is respected as an elite scorer, rebounder and defender, and is known for stepping up in the biggest moments and delivering clutch plays.
Jackson said: âIt feels good to be coming back to play for Coach Rob, and play in front of the fans that weâre a part of a very good time in my career.
âI hope to help win some more trophies for the organisation. I look forward to getting back to Leicester and getting to work.â
Head Coach Rob Paternostro added: âItâs fantastic to have a player like Zach back. In his time with the club he was a pleasure to work with both on and off the court.
âHe knows how to win, he has played in a lot of big games and has made so many important winning plays in his time in Leicester.
âZach is a versatile player who is comfortable playing the two through four positions, which should give us many different combinations to use throughout the season.â
Jackson is Paternostroâs sixth addition to the Riders 2024-25 roster, and fourth American following the signings of Jaylin Hunter, Ethan Wright and Charles Thompson.
Want to see Jackson back in Riders red? 2024-25 season tickets and tickets to our pre-season opener against USA Select are on sale now!
Leicester Riders are excited to announce the signing of American forward Charles Thompson for the 2024-25 season.Â
6â8â Thompson will suit up for his rookie season in professional basketball after five seasons with Towson Tigers in the NCAA Division 1.
He averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds as a senior at Towson, and 10 points and 9 rebounds in his graduation year, leading the team to four winning seasons during his collegiate tenure. He graduated with an 87-51 record over five years.
Photo credit: Kenny Storck
Thompson finished his college career as Towsonâs all-time leader in games played and games started, and second in all-time minutes. He is one of three players all-time to score over 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds for the University, and was named to the All-CAA Third Team and CAA All-Defensive Team in 2023-24.Â
He ranks third in all-time in total rebounds and field goal percentage, and fourth in blocks. An efficient scorer and dominant force in the paint, Thompson averaged over 50% shooting from the field in every season for Towson. His physical play on both ends made for a prolific college highlight reel, and he looks to build on that electric portfolio with the Riders.Â
His father, Tony “The Tiger” Thompson, was a heavyweight boxer who retired with a 40-7 record. Tony Thompson had two fights for the unified world heavyweight titles in 2008 and 2012, both times against Wladimir Klitschko.
Tony Thompson fighting Wladimir Klitschko for the unified heavyweight title in 2008. Getty Images
Charles now looks to bring his own heavyweight style of play to British basketball.
Thompson commented: âIt feels great to be signed to the team. I can’t wait to get over there, meet the guys and get my feet on the ground and running. I am excited for this opportunity that I have been given and will surely make the most of it!â
Head Coach Rob Paternostro added: âWe are thrilled to add Charles to our team for next season. He had a highly decorated career at Towson where his team won 20 or more games the last three seasons.
âHe has put up some excellent numbers and is a very impressive defensive player, whose strength, quickness and mobility will be an excellent addition to our team.
âWe are thrilled to add him to our locker room. Everyone we spoke with talked about what a great leader he is both on and off the court.”
Thompson makes the Ridersâ 2024-25 roster six-strong so far, following the signings of Americans Ethan Wright and Jaylin Hunter, the re-signing of club legend Conner Washington and retention of the young British pairing of Blake Bowman and Victor Ndoukou.Â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
The consortium of clubs awarded the licence for menâs professional basketball in Great Britain has today revealed the official trading name as Super League Basketball.
Just two weeks ago the group of clubs were successfully awarded the playing licence by their governing body, the British Basketball Federation, allowing elite level menâs professional basketball to continue in Great Britain this September.
Chris Grant, Chair of the British Basketball Federation commented: âThe arrival of Super League Basketball represents another significant step forward. Considerable credit must go to the clubs for their unified approach and clear focus on delivering the best possible league for fans, players and everyone with an interest in the future of top-level British basketball.â
Speaking on behalf of the clubs, Steve Timoney, owner of Caledonia Gladiators said: âThere has been much speculation over what our new league name would be, and we have unanimously decided that a fresh approach is needed.
âWe hope all our fans are looking forward to the clubs taking to the court in September as part of this new league and we are excited for our future together. It has been a turbulent time for the clubs and our supporters, and we thank all the fans for their continued support and enthusiasm.
âThere is a lot still to do before the season starts, but we are looking forward to sharing news with our fanbase and followers as we count down to the opening weekend of Super League Basketball this September.â
Information on clubs, competition, fixtures and commercial partners will all be revealed in the next few weeks.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders are happy to confirm the retention of Victor Ndoukou ahead of the 2024-25 season.
The 6â8âł forward signed his first professional contract with the Riders in January 2023 to accompany his studies at Loughborough University, committing him to Leicester for  4 and a half years, which will see him signed to the Club through to the end of the 2026-27 season.
Ndoukou is a product of Charnwood Academy. There, he won the 2021/22 EABL MVP award after averaging 11.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in NBL D1, shooting 46% from three that season.
He added another trophy to his cabinet last season with Loughborough Riders, winning the BUCS title after hitting back-to-back clutch threes late in the final.Â
Ndoukou will suit up for another season at Loughborough while playing for the Riders. The Club would like to thank the University for its continued support.
âIâm excited for another opportunity to play this season,â said Ndoukou. âIâm really looking forward to meeting all the guys and getting back to work!â
Head Coach Rob Paternostro commented: âVic is a promising young player who continues to develop in our program. He has good size and skill and an excellent feel for the game.â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Since the announcement of a new professional league in British Basketball, the club consortia have been working diligently to ensure the launch of a new season by the end of August 2024.
To that end we expect to make several key announcements that will satisfy the fanbase up and down the country that a return to topflight basketball is in hand.
It is expected that the new league name will be announced in the coming days and that will be followed by some exciting news on how the league will operate and commercial partnerships as soon as the details are completed.
Further to this, communication will come regarding the direction of the league, the 2024/2025 season, the number of franchises and our new media deal.
As clubs begin to announce new signings, further developments include the commitment to move forward with a strategic growth plan which has been agreed by all parties. The overall desire is to grow the league and the sport commercially and will result in increased franchise areas over a medium-term period.
This new season will not only see the return to elite basketball but a return to European competition for many of our teams with plans to expand that participation in the season to follow.
The club consortia appreciate the patience of their fans during this difficult process, but we look forward to rewarding all with an exciting season ahead.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
“Whatever I can do to support the city I’m ready to do”- Get to know Leicester Riders’ new signing Ethan Wright
Ethan Wright grew up with basketball. As much as he found the game, the game found him.
His mother, Ellen, is one of the greatest players in Princeton University history, and ended her four-year career as the schoolâs second-leading scorer.
A four-time All-Ivy performer, she netted 430 points during the 1983-84 season, the best ever at the time. She currently sits second in program history in rebounds and blocks, and holds the single-game record for blocks in a game with nine.Â
Ellen was Wrightâs coach until eighth grade, but never forced the game onto him.
âShe wasn’t the type of parent to beg you to work out or force you into the gym, but she let me know that if I wanted to have success I had to work for it. She gave me all the help and resources I needed, and having a mum who had been through the entire college process was really helpful for me. Sheâs my biggest basketball resource.â
He quickly followed in her footsteps, declaring for Princeton in 2018.
Playing alongside British forward Tosan Evbuomwan, now of the Detroit Pistons in the NBA, Wright helped the Tigers to a 23-7 record in 2022, winning the Ivy League regular season.
It was the schoolâs best season since 2017, coming back with a bang after the COVID 19 pandemic saw the cancellation of Ivy League play.
As it did for many student athletes, COVID ripped Wright away from the game, making workouts near-impossible for months on end.
But absence makes the heart grow fonder, and that was certainly the case for Wrightâs love of the game coming back from the season-long hiatus.
âIt made me fall in love with basketball again,â said Wright, reflecting on his cancelled year at Princeton.
âWe hadn’t played for a year and we were dying to get out there. For six months I couldn’t even work out. College basketball is a grind, and it gave me a halftime break to let me miss the game.â
British fans will be familiar with Evbuomwan, who came through the Newcastle Eaglesâ youth system.
âTosan was so fun to play with. He was pretty much our point guard, even as a big, so we ran the offence through him. We had one of the best offences in the country, and I was playing with my best friends who Iâd played with for four years.
PIVOTAL PERFORMANCE. @PrincetonMBB grabs a pivotal 81-75 decision at Yale to move into a tie for first place in the standings. Tosan Evbuomwan and Ethan Wright combined for 49 points to pace the Tigers. đżđ pic.twitter.com/emal9JY0Kg
âThat year was the most fun I’ve had playing basketball.â
Rookie in Romania
After playing out his graduation year for the University of Colorado, Wrightâs post-college career started in Romania with CSM TĂąrgu Jiu last season. It was his first time leaving North America, and a big adjustment, as it is for any American rookie playing in Europe.Â
But he adapted quickly to the new environment, and the new challenge of going up against professionals for the first time.
âIt’s definitely a learning curve. Youâre no longer going up against kids, for one. In Romania thereâs great players who are talented and athletic, and while that talent and athleticism was there in college too, the speed of the game in the pros is quicker.Â
âThe shot clock is shorter, and guys are grown men who are really physical. Thereâs a lot of really experienced players who don’t make the same mistakes you see in college.
âBut you have to have confidence in yourself. If you go to a pro team and you don’t have that self belief and competitiveness then it’s going to be difficult for you. I learned a lot from my rookie year.â
Similarly, life off the court presents challenges for rookies.
âWe were in a very rural area in Romania, where there are very few Americans, or even English speaking people. If you don’t get along with your teammates it would have been very isolating. It’s important for your own life and the teamâs success that youâre together.â
Thatâs something that has always come naturally to Wright. In his final collegiate year, Colorado awarded him the Stephen Tebo Family P.A.S.S. Award, for being the player who best exemplified the virtues of Perseverance, Attitude, Selflessness and Success.
The award is a testament to his off-court character and leadership, not only in that season, but throughout his basketball life.
âI’ve always tried to be a good locker room guy. I don’t think I have a big ego at all, and I try to be someone who is fun to be around. With that team at Colorado, there were a lot of young guys who were dealing with things that I’d already gone through. I felt like someone they could go to for advice and talk to when they needed to. I try to do that wherever I am.â
Landing in Leicester
Wright is ready to bring that off-court attitude to the Riders this season, along with his on-court talents.
He put up 11.7 points in 23.7 minutes per game in Romania, logging 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals per outing.
âI think I bring shooting as my best attribute, but I can also attack the rim and make plays. I showed a lot of different things last year, and now that I have that overseas experience I feel a lot more comfortable as a pro.
âI do a lot on defence and with my rebounding, and I’m going to go in and try to be a spark plug for the team. Iâm a versatile player, so however Coach sees my role in the team I can adapt to.â
While itâs his first venture into the UK, Wright is itching to embrace the culture of the country and the city upon his arrival.
âIâm really excited to get to the UK. Iâm especially excited about getting the chance to go to a Leicester City game! I played football for a while, and I’ve always loved watching the game. I canât wait to immerse myself in the culture, get to know what the city and the country is like.
âI’m looking forward to eating the food. I hear Leicester has one of the biggest Indian populations in the country so I’m enthusiastic about engaging with that community and culture too.
âI’m honoured to be signing in a city with such incredible sporting heritage. Everything I hear about the club is the fans are great, and they support the club passionately, so that’s really cool.
âThe city really loves sport, and that makes me really excited to interact with fans, hang out in the community and get to know people. We need the fans’ support, so whatever I can do to support the city and support them back I’m ready to do.
âIf you’re a fan, don’t be a stranger! I’m excited to meet everybody!â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders today announce the signing of American guard Ethan Wright for the 2024-25 season.
Wright signs following his first professional season in Romania, where he suited up for CSM TĂąrgu Jiu. He averaged 12.1 points on 45/37/90 shooting splits, and pulled down 3.1 rebounds per game.
Prior to his rookie year, the Massachusetts native played four seasons of NCAA D1 basketball, initially for Princeton University alongside British forward Tosan Evbuomwan, currently of the Detroit Pistons in the NBA.
Wright helped lead the Tigers to the 2022 Ivy League regular season championship. He was named to the 2022 All-Ivy League and National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Second Team, and was three-time Ivy League Player of the Week in the 2021-22 season. Wright was also named to the NABC Honours Court in 2022.
In Wright’s final year in Princeton, he was his teamâs third leading scorer with 14.7 points per game. His 50% shooting from the field and 39.5% shooting from three ranked third in his conference, and his 6.9 rebounds per game was fourth best among all Ivy League players.
His final collegiate season was spent at the University of Colorado for the Buffaloes. Wright was one of four Buffs to feature in all 35 games, and ranked third on the team in three-pointers made with 29, while hitting 34.9% beyond the arc.
Wright commented: âIt feels great to sign in Leicester. Iâm really excited to be a part of a club and city with so much sporting history, and my goal is to be a big part of continuing that history.
âIâve always wanted to visit the UK, so it is a dream come true to be able to play for Leicester. Iâm ready to do whatever it takes to succeed as a group and I canât wait to get started!â
Wright is Head Coach Rob Paternostroâs second American signing ahead of the 2024-25 season, following the addition of Jaylin Hunter last week.
He commented: âEthan is someone we feel fortunate to pick up. He has one year of pro experience in Romania already, and weâre impressed by his all around play. He plays on both ends with intelligence, and we feel he will fit into our programme very well.
âWhen you look back at his career so far, heâs a very effective shooter, but thereâs more to his game than that. He has good athleticism and a great IQ and feel for the game.â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders announce Rob Jarram as Head of Foundation and Performance Pathway
Leicester Riders are thrilled to introduce Rob Jarram as the new Head of Leicester Riders Foundation and Performance Pathway.
Rob’s role will encompass not only continuing the Foundation’s invaluable charitable efforts throughout Leicestershire, but also allocating resources and attention to the Academy pathway, fostering the growth of youth basketball in the region.
This appointment underscores the Clubâs dedication to developing its youth pathway system. Its connections with Loughborough University, Charnwood College, and its Foundation’s Academy are essential not only for the Club’s future successes, but also for the sustained development of British basketball.
Through its collaborations with local schools and basketball clubs, the Academy plays a crucial role in making the sport accessible to hundreds of children, thereby fostering inclusivity and encouraging participation in basketball.
Rob’s background in sport, particularly his ten years at Loughborough College primarily as Sports Development Manager, make him ideally suited to propel the Academy to the next level of player development.
In the past, his company, Everymind Performance, has collaborated with Leicester Riders, Charnwood, and Loughborough players to enhance their performance and development both on and off the court.
Everymind Performances’ contribution was pivotal in achieving the Club’s mission of not only elevating the on-court performance of players in its youth system, but also equipping them with the necessary tools for a successful transition into adult life.
Rob has familial ties to the Riders. His brother, Mark Jarram, served as Head Coach of Loughborough University Riders for eight seasons. Rob looks to continue his brotherâs legacy of player development in Leicestershire through working with the Leicester Riders Foundationâs pathway.
Jarram commented: âLeicester Riders, by work or by leisure, has been part of my life since I was 14 years old. Iâm extremely excited to be leading areas of the club that make a huge impact to so many young people and adults.
âI want to continue to build on the strengths within our Foundation and Performance Programmes as well as expand our provision and standards of delivery.
âUltimately, itâs all about our community, as a club and as a sport, and the future of British Basketball.â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders are happy to confirm the retention of Blake Bowman ahead of the 2024-25 season.
The British forward will take to the floor for his third season with the Club, having signed a multi-year deal last summer.
High-flying Bowman made big contributions throughout last year, leading the Riders with 15 points against the Caledonia Gladiators in October. Heâs a mainstay on the highlight reel with his play above the rim, and a constant fastbreak threat for opponents.
Bowman will suit up for the Riders while competing for Loughborough University, where he also enters his third year. Bowman has won back-to-back BUCS championships with Loughborough, winning MVP in the Final last season.
The Club would like to thank the University for its continued support.
âIâm super excited to get back going with the Riders,â said Bowman. “Iâm looking forward to the grind of the season and getting back out there in front of our fans.
âAfter a successful BUCS season, we had some key guys graduate, but were hungrier than ever to get another national championship for Loughborough.â
Head Coach Rob Paternostro commented: âWe are happy to have Blake back with us. He is a player that is continually improving and we expect big things from him next season.
âBlake has two BBL seasons under his belt and has gained good experience playing in our league. I’ve been really impressed with the work that he has put in this summer- he is motivated to have a great season.â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders Basketball Club today announced the signing of American Jaylin Hunter for the 2024/25 season.
Hunter, a 6â0â guard, will suit up for his rookie season in professional basketball having spent his final two collegiate years at the Ohio University.Â
He averaged 14 points, 4.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds for the Bobcats in 2023/24, and was named Second Team All-Conference after finishing the year as the MAC assists leader.
The Connecticut native helped Ohio to the MAC Championship semi-finals last season, scoring 17 points in the final four.
Before the University of Ohio, Hunter spent three seasons at Old Dominion University, captaining the team in 2021/22. Starting all 32 games for the Monarchs, he averaged 9.7 points and ranked top 10 in the Sun Belt Conference in assists, steals, assist-to-turnover ratio and minutes played.
Hunter commented: “I’m excited to get to Leicester and join my teammates and the fans to get working on a successful season! Iâm thrilled for this opportunity and can’t wait to get started with the Riders!”
Hunter becomes Head Coach Rob Paternostroâs first American signing of the offseason, and is the second addition to the Riders’ 2024-25 roster following the announcement of the re-signing of club legend Conner Washington on Thursday.
Paternostro commented: âJaylin is a dynamic guard, with an ability to get to the paint, make plays for his teammates and score in different ways. Iâve been impressed throughout the recruitment process with the positive references on his leadership and ability to be a good teammate.
âIâm excited to work with him. He has the characteristics you want from a point guard, and someone with the ball in his hands. His quickness, strength and shooting range make him a really difficult cover.â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders today announce the re-signing of club legend Conner Washington for the 2024-25 season.Â
The GB guard returns for his 12th season with the Riders, having won 14 pieces of silverware during his storied tenure with the Club.
After arriving in the East Midlands in 2011, Washington has been featured on the All-British Team of the Year on four occasions and the Defensive Team of the Year three times He is a dangerous perimeter threat, averaging over 40% from behind the arc in three separate seasons.Â
Paternostro commended: âItâs great to have Conner back. He is a legendary player at the club who has had incredible success in his time with us.
âHe has been one the best three point shooters in club and league history, and he continues to be a threat . His experience on the court and in the locker room has always been valuable to our team.â
Washington added: âI’ve been hooping for 20+ years and I still find myself getting nervous before games – it is a true blessing, the hard work never stops! Iâm excited to get right back to it!â
Washingtonâs re-signing also marks the first signing for interim CEO Simon Winfield.
âIâm absolutely delighted that weâve signed Conner. Heâs proven his worth within the Club for a number of years, and is clearly a fan favourite. For him to be out of contract and choose to stay with us again for another season is really exciting.
âItâs important for him to be here, and mentor the new players coming in. Having spoken to Conner heâs really fired up about next year, not only about playing, but also supporting the organisation however he can.â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Statement: Professional Menâs League License Awarded to âPremier Basketball Limitedâ
The British Basketball Federation (BBF) has today confirmed a three-year license has been awarded to a consortium of British clubs for the professional menâs basketball league in Great Britain.
The BBF revoked the license from Basketball League Limited (the operating company of the BBL) following breaches in the license after the 23/24 Season concluded. The BBF stated it would work with the clubs to try and establish a route for the 24/25 season to go ahead and today confirmed a new license has now been issued.
Chris Grant OBE, Chair of the British Basketball Federation said: âIâm delighted that fans, players, staff and partners can look forward with confidence to the continuation of top-level British club basketball.
âThe fact that weâve been able to move so quickly following the termination of the previous licence is down to the positivity and unity of the clubs, as well as the professionalism and focus of our BBF team and Board.
âThe way weâve worked together bodes well for the ongoing improvement and alignment of our player pathway so that the wealth of British basketball talent can translate to success on the international stage.â
Speaking on behalf of the consortium of clubs, Vaughn Millette, new majority shareholder of Sheffield Sharks, said:
âSince the license was revoked, we (the clubs) have all worked together to sustain the elite professional pathway in the UK. There has been a huge amount of work undertaken in a very short amount of time to enable this to happen.
âWe would like to thank Chris Grant and the team at the BBF for working with us to deliver this solution and reassure our fans that a professional basketball league will get underway this September.
âWe are pleased that the British Basketball Federation has made the decision to award the menâs professional license to our newly formed operating company âPremier Basketball Limitedâ. Our fans will appreciate there is a huge amount still to be done and more details will be released shortly â including the fixture schedule for the forthcoming season.â
Premier Basketball Limited has been established by clubs that previously competed in the BBL. The new League name, club line-ups, start date and fixtures will all be announced in the weeks to follow.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders announce new interim management arrangements as part of an ongoing restructure of their three businesses.
Simon Winfield, Managing Director of Red Monkey Play will, on an interim part-time basis, provide ongoing managerial oversight of the businesses, and support and drive, in particular, the preparations for the new Riders basketball season.
Mark Torr, joint Managing Partner at Leicester accountants Torr Waterfield, will also continue to provide financial oversight of the businesses, while the new structure of the businesses is finalised and implemented.
Simon and Mark are long time sponsors and supporters of the Riders, and Simon is also the Chairman of Leicester Riders Foundation, as well as another well-known Leicester charity, the Furnley House Foundation.
Riders Chairman Kevin Routledge said,
âWe are hugely appreciative of the support and experience Simon and Mark are providing to the businesses over the last number of months, and their commitment to defining a new way forward for the growth and sustainability of the Club.
âWe are all busy making preparations for the new season in September, and these changes will accelerate that process.â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders announce departure of Managing Director Russell Levenston
Leicester Riders announce the departure of Managing Director Russell Levenston.
Russell is moving on to pursue new opportunities, after 17 years with the Club.
Riders wish to thank Russell for his great service to the Club, which covered a period of very significant developments off the court, and exceptional success on the court.
The Board and all the staff and players at the Riders wish Russell well in all his future endeavours.
Leicester Riders Chairman Kevin Routledge commented:
âThank you to Russell for great service over many years, which helped to develop and grow the Club. His work is appreciated by everybody at the Riders, and we wish him luck for whatever is next.â
Please stand by for further communications from the Club, which will be provided in the coming days.
A message from Russell Levenston
Dear Riders Fans, Sponsors, Staff, and Volunteers,
After 17 years, more latterly as Managing Director of the Leicester Riders, it is with a very heavy heart that I must say goodbye. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported me since I joined the club. I have countless stories and fond memories shared with the people whose lives we as a club have impacted.
My journey with the Riders began in 2007 when I moved from Milton Keynes to Leicester as a young British basketball fanatic. Vince Macaulay, my mentor for over 30 years, guided me as I took the bold step of investing in the Leicester Riders. Many thought I was crazy, but I believed in the potential of British basketball to change lives. I am proud to say that belief has been validated by the programsâ successes – the men’s team winning 17 BBL national titles in the past 11 years and the women’s team securing 4 WBBL national titles.
One of my proudest achievements has been establishing pathways for athletes in partnership with Loughborough University, Loughborough College, and Charnwood College. These pathways have allowed aspiring professional athletes to receive high-level education comparable to opportunities in the USA and other countries. The academy’s success in EABL, WEABL, and BUCS is a testament to our efforts.
I would like to extend a special thank you to Robert Jelley for his unwavering support, both personally and financially. Without Robert’s support, the Leicester Riders program would not be where it is today, and I am forever grateful for his contributions. Robert helped lay the foundations and supported a great community program that has changed many lives.
My passion has always been to prove that British basketball can be successful both on and off the court with the right approach. I want to thank every Riders fan, volunteer, player, and staff member who believed in the vision and direction of the club. Your support has been invaluable, especially in those early days.
There are many players and staff I would like to acknowledge, but I must single out Rob Paternostro, who has been a colleague and great friend for the past 16 years. Our journey together has been filled with challenges, but I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else. I have loved every minute of it both the ups and downs!
To the sponsors and partners, thank you for your unwavering support and belief in our vision. Your passion and commitment have been instrumental in our success.
Lastly, I want to thank my family. My parents and brothers, who initially thought I was crazy for leaving my job at Reebok in 2007 to take on this project, have supported me every step of the way. My amazing wife has been my rock, enduring my 24/7 work schedule, and my children, who have become diehard Riders fans. One of my best moments was during the playoffs this year, seeing Noah on the drums and Lydia on the horn, rallying the Riders fans. My family has shared many special moments with me during this journey, and I couldn’t have done it without their support.
As I step away, I am not sure what comes next other than taking some time off to spend with my family. However, I am confident that I will not be far from British basketball for long.
Good luck to all of the Riders family and to Kevin Routledge, who will continue to take the Riders program forward.
With gratitude and best wishes,
Russell Levenston
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Following the announcement by the British Basketball Federation, the governing body of Basketball League Ltd (BBL), to terminate the current operational professional league licence, the BBL Clubs have taken the decision to issue the following statement.
In what has been a very challenging period in recent times, the decision to act by the BBF has been accepted in good faith by the incumbent club members of the British Basketball League, including Leicester Riders.
We understand the decision was not taken without serious consideration of what would be best for the future of professional basketball across the UK.
Furthermore, the BBL Club owners will now begin the task of co-operating with the BBF to ensure there is a topflight menâs professional League operating from September 2024 and to assist British Basketball and its stakeholders in the rebuilding and strengthening of the position for our sport.
The British Basketball League has made a significant impact in the growth of the game in profile, participation, development pathways, performance and especially in new purpose built Arenas and it is our intention to continue these contributions in partnership with the governing body.
Further information will be made available in the near future, meanwhile all existing clubs will continue with their summer preparations for the new season.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders and Leicester Arena Partner with Cyferd to Propel Sports Operations into the Future
Leicester Riders Basketball Club and Mattioli Arena, Leicester, proudly announce a new partnership with Cyferd, a leading innovator in artificial intelligence and digital solutions. Cyferd is set to become the Official AI and Digital Partner for both entities, signalling a significant leap forward in the integration of cutting-edge technology within the sports landscape.
Kevin Routledge, Chairman of Leicester Riders, and Jas Hayer, Global Sales Director at Cyferd, shake hands.
This strategic collaboration aims to enhance the efficiency of operational decisions within the Riders and Arena. Cyferd’s AI-driven platform operates as a centralised hub, offering comprehensive solutions for team management, development, knowledge, and training. The Cyferd Sport Platform is meticulously designed to address the unique operational needs of team sports clubs, providing an integrated ecosystem for streamlined operations.
Ranjit Bahia, CEO of Cyferd, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to join forces with the Leicester Riders and Leicester Arena. Cyferd is dedicated to supporting the local community and bringing innovation to the forefront of sports operations.â
Kevin Routledge, Chairman of Leicester Riders, and Jas Hayer, Global Sales Director at Cyferd, discuss the impact AI can have on sport.
Kevin Routledge, Chairman of the Leicester Riders and Mattioli Arena, emphasised the pivotal role of AI in the future of sports operations, stating, “As someone who focuses on data, I believe that integrating AI into our operations is not just a choice but a necessity. This collaboration with Cyferd signifies our commitment to staying ahead in the sports technology game, ensuring the Leicester Riders and Mattioli Arena are at the forefront of the digital revolution in sports.”
Kevin Routledge, Chairmain of Leicester Riders, discussing how Leicester Riders is leading the way with embracing AI.
The partnership signifies a shared vision for the future, where advanced technology and sports excellence converge. The Leicester Riders and Arena, in collaboration with Cyferd, are poised to redefine the landscape of sports operations, embracing a new era of innovation.
Following the conclusion of Leicester Riders’ 2023/24 season, Head Coach Rob Paternostro reflected on the teamâs playoffs, and the season as a whole.
Playoff series vs Sheffield
The Ridersâ season ended in the quarter-finals of the playoffs, losing 2-1 in a best-of-three series to the Sheffield Sharks.
Leicester took a Game One win, and had a chance to take the lead with seconds left at home in Game Two. But a double-dribble call gave Sheffieldâs Prentiss Nixon the opportunity to hit a game winner with 1.6 seconds left, and a hotly contested no-call on a Miryne Thomas three sent the series back to Sheffield the following day.
âWe knew we had a great opportunity, holding the lead at halftime and then having a chance to take the lead with 25 seconds left,â said Paternostro. âThe double-dribble call was devastating for us, and then Nixon hit a great shot- credit to him.
âIt was a tough loss. As tough as they come. Especially when we had to be back on the road 13 hours later. We had our chance to win the series in Game Two, and next thing we know weâre on the road to Sheffield.â
The Sharks won Game Three convincingly in the second half, after a first half in which missed free throws were the difference between the sides. The Riders were down nine at the half after missing nine foul shots in the opening two quarters.
It was a continuation from the day before, where Leicester shot 66% from the line.
âIn the first half the free throw line hurt us as it did in Game Two. If we made our free throws weâd have been in it, but we couldnât handle Sheffield in the second half. Give them credit. Their home court advantage with the way their crowd was was too tough for us to overcome.â
The Riders were without their captain, Kimbal Mackenzie, for the playoff run. Paternostro addressed the impact of losing the teamâs point guard, who was recently named to the British Team of the Year, had on the series.
âNot having Kimbal for the playoffs was devastating for our chances. He was our leader, and the guy with the ball in his hands in the biggest moments of our season. It was a huge huge loss, but I thought other guys in Game One and Two stepped up to give us an opportunity to win the series.â
The fans
The raucous crowd played a factor in every game, with travelling numbers adding to every atmosphere.
âThe fans were top notch- as good as I can remember in any playoff series. Our fans really got that going on the road in Game One, and their fans came back and were awesome in Game Two.
âOur fans were incredible at home. They played such a big role in driving us on at the end, and the next day they were fantastic again.”
This yearâs British Basketball League playoffs featured a new format, with the first two rounds taking place over a best-of-three series. The new format created an electric environment in the arenas.
âAs someone who has played in these series as a player, I know that theyâre great for the fans. We saw that in this matchup. It really was a positive thing for the League to have that environment.â
Final reflections on the season
The season saw ups and downs throughout, following a large turnaround in players in the offseason.
Paternostro reflected on how it unfolded over the course of the year.
âWe lost so much from the year before, where we were 25-11 in the League. We lost a lot of experienced players, who we knew would move on after some time. We missed them, but we put together a roster that was 4-1 to start the year.â
After the 4-1 start, the Riders fell to 7-10 having lost to the London Lions twice, and Cheshire Phoenix three times over a difficult stretch of fixtures. Leicester made changes to their roster, adding high volume scorer Teddy Allen and energetic big man Duke Shelton to the team ahead of the upcoming Trophy run in January.
âWe were in the mix and trying to find our feet, but hit a tough stretch of games and had to make some changes. When Teddy and Duke arrived, they provided a boost and we started to play some good basketball around the holidays.
âWe put ourselves in real contention for the Trophy, doing a great job to qualify through a challenging group. Then we had an amazing fightback against Cheshire and had the lead with seconds to go. We were trending upwards at that point and with a couple of bounces going differently we would have been in the first final of the season.
Following the Trophy, the Riders faced six double header weekends. They went 2-4 in the second games of double headers after the Trophy, contributing to Leicesterâs fall to .500 come the end of the year.
âWe were like a lot like other teams at around .500, and dealt with injuries at a crucial part of the season with a lot of double header weekends. Our record on those Sundays wasn’t the best and we dropped some games. This league is very challenging with its schedule, and it’s about who can survive the grind of February, March and April.â
2024/25 season tickets on sale now!
As the offseason awaits for the Riders, you can book your spot in the stands by getting your 2024/25 season ticket now!
A message from Leicester Riders Chairman, Kevin Routledge
Dear Supporters,
With the Riders 2023/24 British Basketball League season coming to a premature end last Sunday in Sheffield in the playoffs, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our fans, supporters, commercial partners, staff and volunteers for their unwavering support.
This has been a challenging season for the Riders, with the loss of a significant number of our experienced players in the last off season, and there have been more changes in personnel throughout the season than we would have ideally liked.
The British Basketball League has become ever more competitive each season and maintaining the high standards we have achieved on the court over the last decade or so becomes increasing more difficult.
In addition, our cost base, like many of your own family and business budgets, have come under increased pressure, due to the cost-of-living crisis, and, with our now large overheads, we have had to respond to the pressures and rethink how we do things.
Some of the matters at league level have been very transformational, but other aspects, as many of you know, have distracted from the many good things going on in the British Basketball League, the Club and in British basketball.
But national success has continued in other areas in our Club with our university and college teams.
We are fortunate in the strong support we have received throughout the community and are confident we can build on a stronger base for the future.
We will make the necessary changes in the off-season to make improvements wherever we can and look forward to earning your further support in the future.
Look out for further communications throughout the offseason and look forward to a reenergised Riders when we come back in the new season in September.
Yours sincerely,
Kevin Routledge
Chairman
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Teddy Allen named to 2024 British Basketball League Team of the Year
The British Basketball League announced today that Leicester Ridersâ Teddy Allen has been named to the 2024 Team of the Year.
The American wing was the Clubâs leading scorer this season with 22.7 points per game. He was one of only two players in the League to average over 20 points, and one of three players to rank top 10 in points (2nd) and rebounds (10th), pulling down an average of 6.4. Â
Allen played his first game for the team on December 16, logging 32 points and 6 rebounds in the Ridersâ win against the Caledonia Gladiators. He went on to score over 30 points five times, and over 20 points 14 times in his 23 appearances for the Club.
His performances this year saw him named 2024 All Star captain for team South. He put up 32 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the game to earn All Star MVP.
Allen adds to his growing list of accolades, which include 2023 CEBL MVP, 2022 Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year and 2022 Western Athletic Conference Tournament MVP.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Kimbal Mackenzie named to 2024 British Basketball League British Team of the Year
The British Basketball League announced today that Leicester Riders captain Kimbal Mackenzie has been named to the 2024 British Team of the Year.
The Canadian/British guard finished the Championship season as the Ridersâ second-leading scorer with 13.2 points and leading playmaker with 5.2 assists per game.Â
Mackenzieâs assist average ranked fifth in the British Basketball League among all players. He also ranked fifth in free throw percentage for players who have over 40 attempts on the season, shooting 87.2% from the foul line.
This was Mackenzieâs best statistical season in his five-year professional career. He averaged a career high in points, rebounds, assists and minutes. His performances earned him his first appearance on the British Team of the Year in his third season in Leicester.
Mackenzie scored in double digits in 28 of 39 appearances this season, topped by his 26 points and 15 assists against the Plymouth City Patriots in March. He was a consistent performer in the clutch, taking lead and hitting big shots in key moments late in games.
He was named a 2024 All Star in recognition for his performances this season.
Mackenzie commented: “It’s a huge honour to be named to the British Team of the Year. I’m proud to represent a fast growing league with a tonne of talent.
âCredit goes to the coaching staff and my teammates for trusting me and putting me in a position to succeed.â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Ridersâ season ended in the British Basketball League Playoff Quarter-Finals, after losing to the Sheffield Sharks 86-69 in Game Three.Â
After a closely fought first half, matching the tone set in the opening two games of the series, the Sharks blew the game open in the third with hot shooting, and the Riders couldnât get back in it.Â
Sam Idowu fought hard to chip into the deficit with 13 third quarter points, and led the team in the game with 16. But it wasnât enough to make inroads, and the Sharks advanced to the semi finals.Â
As he did in Game One, Prentiss Nixon led the Sharks with 17 points in 19 minutes of play.
Riders fight back after slow start
Sharks had an electric start, with Malek Green capping off a 7-2 run from the tip-off with a putback jam. Sesan Russell found a response with a three from the top to momentarily quiet the crowd, but Devearl Ramsey and Green combined back-to-back to retake momentum.Â
A shot clock violation from the Riders highlighted their slow offensive start. It was rookie Jaren Holmes whose aggression got them going as he pulled the strings with drive to the hoop. He drew a foul with 4:41 left in the first, his foul shots making the score 11-9, and Mo Walker tied it up at the rim a minute later.
The Riders took their first lead of the game, Teddy Allen hitting his first three off the dribble, but the Sharks had the better of the final minute of the first with Prentiss Nixon banking in a three to end it, the hosts leading 24-21.
Riders run meets Ratinho response
Two Sheffield corner threes started the second quarter to give them a seven point lead. It was quickly double digits through Eytle-Rock on the break, forcing a Rob Paternostro timeout.
A Miryne Thomas three stopped the bleeding, and after Samuel Idowu blocked Kipper Nichols driving to the rim, TJ Lall ran the break for two to cut into the deficit.
As the Riders looked to equal the score, it was Holmes again to lead the charge. His and-one finish followed by a breakaway two cut it to one with 3:06 left in the half.
Threes from Nichols and Jordan Ratinho undid the Riders work, however, and Ratinho hit another on the fastbreak to make the score 46-37 with one possession left in the second. Thatâs how the sides entered the half, as Nixon missed a prayer on the buzzer.
Sharks blow game open in the third
Ramsey got the second half underway with a midrange, followed by three scores from Green, to get the hosts the better start in the third period. They led 53-37 three minutes in.
Idowu ran the pick-and-roll with Holmes to get two points back, but a Marcus Delpeche slam to get the points straight back. Idowu had 13 points in the third, attempting to get the Riders back in it with his work around the rim.
But a rim-rocking alley-oop jam from Green took the roof off the Arena, and the score was 62-46 with 3:22 left in the period.
Sharks see it out
The Sharks caught fire to end the game. Everything Pipkins and Nichols shot found string, allowing them to pull away to a 20 point advantage quickly in the fourth period. Pipkins logged with 12th points to make the score 74-52.
Blake Bowman scored back-to-back for the Riders, using his athleticism at the rim, but Pipkins hit another three on the other end.
The fourth quarter was 17-17, and the Ridersâ season came to a close.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Playoff Preview: Leicester Riders v Sheffield Sharks Game Two
Leicester Riders are set to take on the Sheffield Sharks in Game Two of the British Basketball League Playoff Quarter-Finals.
The Riders enter the game leading the best-of-three series 1-0, meaning a win in the game would see them advance to the Semi-Finals.
Here is everything you need to know about the fixture.
Fixture information
Leicester Riders vs Sheffield Sharks
British Basketball League Playoffs: Quarter-Finals Game Two
Mattioli Arena, Leicester
6:45 pm
Game One Recap
The Riders enter Game Two up 1-0 in the series, after taking Game One on the road 84-81.
Ridersâ rookie duo of Miryne Thomas and Jaren Holmes led the team to the win with a combined 46 points and 14 rebounds, Thomas leading the way with 24/8.
24/8 on your playoff debut đ€Ż Have yourself a night @_1Montana1_ đ„
After a hot start for the Riders, seeing them up double digits within minutes, the Sharks responded through their bench play to take the lead back, which they held until midway through the fourth.
But a late Riders surge saw them bounce back in the clutch, locking the Sharks down with their defence. Teddy Allen sealed the win with two trips to the foul line, meaning Leicester are now one win away from the Semi-Finals.
One to watch
The Sharksâ bench, which scored 59 points in Game One, was led by a game-high 25 points from American guard Prentiss Nixon.
It was a season-high for Nixon, who scored 20 on only two occasions prior this season, both times in December.
Nixon averaged 9.2 points per game over the course of the year, but caught fire early in this one for 11 first quarter points off the bench, and led the hosts in the clutch to keep them in contention late. He went 9-15 from the field and 4-9 from three in 23 minutes of play.
The third-year pro will take confidence into Game Two after his performance on Sunday, potentially providing a spark off the bench for the Sharks.
The Numbers
The Riders went through shooting struggles in Game One despite coming away with the win, shooting 6-26 from behind the three point line.
However, looking back on how the season series played out, Leicester can take confidence back to the Mattioli Arena where they shot 46% from three against the Sharks from three this season.
This is in contrast to the 26% three point percentage in Sheffield. Leicester can expect to produce a more consistent threat from three in Game Two of the series.
Turnover troubles also followed a similar trend. The Riders gave up double digit turnovers in their two road games against the Sharks this season, and another 12 in Game One.
But at home, it was 6 turnovers per game for Leicester, and over 100 points scored on both occasions.
If the numbers are anything to go by, home court advantage is set to play a role in Saturdayâs action.
Where to watch
Only a few tickets remain to the Riders home playoff opener. You can get them here.
DEFEND OUR HOUSE đĄ
We need you behind us on Saturday đ«”
Doors open at 2:15 for our playoff double header!
đ First 1,200 through the door will receive a free Dark Horse T-Shirt.
đ Pack the house. Bring the cavalry. Get tickets here —#DarkHorse
Doors to the Arena open at 2:15, and the first 1,200 fans through the door will receive a free Dark Horse playoff t-shirt thanks to the generosity of the Riders’ sponsors at RDL Technologies, Vertu Motors, Torr Waterfield, Jelson Homes and EverythingBranded.
The game will also be shown live on Sky Sports and Sky Sports YouTube.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
The Riders opened their 2024 Playoff campaign on Sunday with an 84-81 win on the road against the Sheffield Sharks.
Series are won and lost through game-to-game adjustments, therefore Rob Paternostro and the team will pour over film from Game One to find an edge for Game Two.
Here’s what the Riders can take from Sunday’s action.
Riders’ rookies show resilience
If there were any nerves from the Ridersâ rookies, Jaren Holmes and Miryne Thomaswho were both making their professional playoff debuts, it didnât show.
The American pair led the team to the Game One win with a combined 46 points and 14 rebounds, both putting up 20 to pick up the scoring load.
Thomasâ Player of the Game performance saw him go off for 24 and 8, shooting 9-12 and making tough plays and highlights from start to finish.
âI love this environment,â said Thomas post-game. âI love playing hard in competitive basketball, and tonight was a hell of a show.â
Meanwhile Holmes played downhill all game from the guard spot, relentlessly attacking the rim to keep the Riders in the game while they trailed through the second and third quarter. Like Thomas, Holmes relished the bright lights with his aggressive play.
âI was just trying to make the right plays,â said Holmes. âThatâs what I always try to do. I saw lanes and tried to attack, find my teammates and be aggressive. Itâs a big part of my game when Iâm aggressive and try to get downhill and make plays for others.âÂ
Sharks’ second unit shoulder scoring
The Sharksâ bench carried their scoring, going off for 59 points led by 25 from Prentiss Nixon. But 22 points from the starters, and none of the Sheffield starters scoring in double digits, meant the Riders had the best of the beginning and end of the game.
Nixon checked in down 10 in the first quarter and scored 11 points in five minutes. His play cut the hostâs deficit to two by the end of the first period. The Sharks’ bench was responsible for a 20 point swing in the score that saw them leading by seven with one to play.
Rodney Glasgow Jr., also off the bench for Sheffield, led the team in +/- with 12. That tally was bettered only by Mo Walker for Leicester, who recorded a +/- of 15.
The strong bench showing from the Sharks in Game One means the Riders should be prepared for a potential mix up to the Sheffield starting five.
Should there be no changes, the Riders bench will be required to lock in to stop the Sheffield second unit, which has showcased their firepower to start the series.
Defence wins championships
âDefensively is where we made our mark,â commented Head CoachRob Paternostrofollowing Game One, and that was especially true down the stretch.
The Riders held the Sharks to 14 fourth quarter points after giving up over 20 in each of the first three periods, and got big plays from players in the big moments.
The best defence was played in the first half of the final quarter, with Sheffield managing just six points. Sam Idowublocked RJ Eytle-Rock and stole the ball from Jalon Pipkins in that period of play, and Teddy Allenstripped Nixon to set up a Thomas and-one.
The lockdown defence allowed the Riders to run in transition repeatedly, playing to the strengths of their rookie pair of Thomas and Holmes who thrived on the break.
In the closing minutes, Nixon scored five straight to keep Sheffield in it against Leicester, which allowed the Sharks two possessions to go for the win. But the Ridersâ defence stood firm, forcing misses from Pipkins and Malek Green with less than a minute on the clock.
While the Riders entered the game with one of the highest powered offences in the League, they’ll need consistent performances on the defensive end to go all the way in the Playoffs.
In that respect, they’ll be encouraged from Game One.
Shooting struggles
The opening game followed the trend set by the regular season series between these two sides. The two games played in Sheffield this year saw the teams duel out closely fought affairs, with the Riders struggling offensively compared to their performances at home.
In game one of the season series in November, the Riders shot 5-21 from three in a loss, and they suffered an even worse shooting slump in the playoff opener.
It was a 6-26 game from behind the three point line, but the Riders overcame their struggles by generating offence at the rim and in transition.
Game two in December put an end to the Riders’ difficulties from deep. They went 51% in a blowout win. Leicester will hope to see a similar pattern unfold in the playoffs, and be able to rely on their three point shooting at home.
Riders bring the cavalry
The Riders’ travelling crowd got them over the line, packing the stands in Sheffield to get behind the team.
Holmes said post-game that he felt the energy from the stands:
âIt was a huge victory for us, and we wouldnât have done it without the fans,â said Holmes. âThey were tremendous. They fuel us when they come and support us, so to have this many people come out and show up for us truly means a lot to me and the guys in the locker room.â
Paternostro also complimented the away crowd, and called out to Riders fans to bring the same noise to Leicester for Game Two.
âOur fans were amazing today. It was an incredible job from them right behind the bench, and we need more of that at the Mattioli Arena on Saturday!â
The team need the same noise at the Mattioli Arena on Saturday. The Riders host Game Two on May 4, at 6:45 pm.
Tickets are on sale now, and include entry to the womenâs playoff opener against Essex Rebels at 2:45 pm.
The first 1,200 fans through the door will receive a free âDark Horseâ T-Shirt.
11 years ago, Leicester Riders crowned themselves British Basketball League treble winners for the first time in their history, beating the Newcastle Eagles in the 2013 Playoff Final.
The 2012-13 season would kickstart a decade of dominance for Britain’s oldest professional basketball club, where they would win 17 trophies in the coming years.
Here, we re-live the Playoff Final at Wembley Arena…
Setting the scene
Entering the 2012-13 season, the Newcastle Eagles had established themselves as the premiere team in British basketball.
They completed the fourth quadruple in League history a year prior, and the first since they accomplished the same feat in 2006, led by MVP Joe Chapman.
Chapman returned the following season, as did his supporting cast of Charles Smith, the soon to become League MVP in 2014-15, Darius Defoe who would go on to become the most decorated player in League history, and Player/Coach Fabulous Flournoy who had 18 pieces of British Basketball League silverware to his name.
There was no doubt they were the team to beat going into the season.
But of all the teams looking to knock the Eagles off their perch, the Riders were among the most likely. They had pushed the North Easterners all the way in the League, finishing one win behind them in the standings before losing to them in the Playoff Final to end the year.
Andrew Sullivan in the Riders’ 2012 Playoff Final loss to the Newcastle Eagles.
Their roster featured former MVP with the Eagles Andrew Sullivan, who led them to their quadruple in 2006, and the new acquisitions of exciting young guard Jay Couisnard and experienced forward Anthony Rowe, the latter signing with the Riders midseason after playing four seasons with the Plymouth Raiders.
The Riders had next.
Riders take the torch
The promise they had shown in the previous season came into fruition in 2012-13.
The countryâs oldest professional basketball club, with two British Basketball League trophies to their name from a decade prior, established themselves as the Leagueâs best.
Led by young Head Coach Rob Paternostro in his fifth season coaching the team, who was named Ed Pericval Coach of the Year for the second time in his career, the Riders set about winning immediately.
Rob Paternostro celebrating 100 British Basketball League career wins with Riders Managing Director Russell Levenston.
An MVP season from Hall of Famer Sullivan took the Riders to a Cup win, where they beat the Eagles in the Final with a 17 point performance from Couisnard, and the team went on to win the Championship five wins clear of the second-placed Eagles.
Leicester made defence their calling card all season long, and finished the year with the second-best defence in League history. They had defensive difference makers up and down the roster, including Zaire Taylor and Couisnard in the backcourt and up-and-coming star Jamell Anderson on the wing.
Three Riders ended up on the All-Defensive team at the end of the year- Sullivan, Couisnard and Taylor- but Couisnard thought it could have been more.
âI know we had three guys on the All-Defensive team, but I think thatâs because they couldnât have all five of us,” he said after the season.
To further mark their new found dominance over the League, the Riders swept Newcastle 4-0 in the season series on their way to the League win.
The Riders were pipped to the Trophy, losing in the Final 71-69 to the Sheffield Sharks in dramatic fashion, but entered the postseason in search of a historic treble.
Collision course
The sides seemed destined to meet in the Playoff Final from the outset after finishing first and second in the League standings.
“These are the two best teams in the League by a mile,” said London Lions Head Coach Vince Macaulay when asked about the sides. They proved as much.
The Riders engaged in a hard-fought first leg against the London Lions, where they escaped two point winners after finding themselves 14 points down in the tie.
But they took control of the second leg, led by 24 points from Rowe, to progress to the second round.
Rowe was pivotal in Leicesterâs playoff run, scoring a team-high 18 points in the first leg of the semi finals against his former side, the Raiders.
Anthony Rowe playing against the Durham Wildcats in the 2012-13 regular season.
The semi finals saw them sweep aside the Raiders by 40 points over the two legs, making it a professional run to the Final at Wembley Arena.
All in all, it was a comfortable road to the Final for the Eagles, who dispatched the Sharks and Surrey United to meet the Riders at the summit once again.
It was only right these sides should meet in the final showdown of the season, as they did the season prior.
Final words
As the Playoff Final returned to Wembley Arena for the first time since 2002, Flournoy had a visible chip on his shoulder before the action began.
He reminisced in a pre-game interview about the last time he faced Leicester in this Arena- the 2001 Playoff Final where he suited up as a player for the Sheffield Sharks.
He came out on the losing side all those years ago, and was in no mood to fall short this time around.
âItâs fantastic being back after 12 years, but hopefully Iâll do the job in this game,â said a determined Flournoy.
Macauley, on punditry, commented on a visibly fired up Flournoy: “Fab Flournoy is a really proud guy, and very successful as a coach.
“He will be absolutely burning inside that the Riders in particular have taken two of their trophies away from them, and tonight is an opportunity to reset that balance.”
Paternostro, in a seemingly more relaxed mood while clutching his Coach of the Year award, reflected on the year so far with pride.
Rob Paternostro collects his 2012-13 Ed Percival Coach of the Year award before the Final.
“I’ve been lucky to coach these guys this year. You always want to win the last game of your season, and we have the opportunity to go out as winners today.
“But whatever happens on the day I’ll be so proud of these guys and I’ve enjoyed competing with them. I’m excited about today.”
Riders bolt out the gate
The Riders started the game relaxed and composed, and the fixture began exactly how they would have wanted: slow, deliberate and low-scoring from the outset.
Rowe set the tone inside with a monster block on the driving Smith, and the Riders controlled the game with a narrow lead through the first period.
Anderson, making a dream start, scored seven points in the opening quarter with relentless attacks to the rim. He sank an and-one finish against Smith to make it 20-9.Â
Jamell Anderson finishes for two in the first quarter.
On the other end, wherever Smith turned he saw bodies, as he tried to generate some offence against the Ridersâ historic defence. He continually forced the issue, but the interior defence of Rob Paternostro’s side saw shots sent away by Rowe, Anderson and Taylor.
For the first time in the game, Sullivan found a rhythm, spelling trouble for the Eagles. He built the lead to 15 with multiple finishes at the rim, backing down Smith repeatedly. Smith had no answer throughout the first half to Sulivanâs post ability, and the MVP ran up the score.
Eagles chip away
As the half came to a close, the Eagles forged a way back into the game. It was Kareem Maddox who snatched momentum by fighting to the free throw line, getting points on the board to cut it to single digits.
This allowed Smith some isolation for the first time in the game, and he too found a way to the foul stripe after taking on Leicester’s Yorick Williams.
Charles Smith makes an and-one play against Yorick Williams.
But in response, Williams put an end to the run with a finish at the rim, and Taylor blocked Smith next time up the floor. The half ended with the Riders leading 38-26. The game was playing out as the low-scoring affair the Riders wanted.
âWeâre really putting the effort in on defence and the glass,â said Anderson at the half. âWe take pride in our defence, and today weâre showing that.”
Hanging in the balance
The Ridersâ defence, still an immovable object out of the break, kept them in the lead as they couldnât find the bottom of the bucket to start the third period.
The Eagles, simply, had no answer for their size and length, and had no joy driving into the lane from buzzer-to-buzzer.
They did cut the difference to seven emphatically, with Smith throwing up a lob pass which was thrown down two-handed by Defoe in a rim-rocking slam. But Sullivan quieted the noise of the Newcastle fans with a layup next time up the floor.Â
The game seemed on a knife’s edge midway through the third, with neither side able to seize momentum which would turn the game on its head. Instead, they traded the buckets they could find in a defensive affair, and the difference swung from seven to nine.
Zaire Taylor and Drew Sullivan run the pick and roll against Damon Huffman and Joe Ikhinmwin.
Riders seize initiative
After a cagey phase of the game, it was the Riders who took control. The run was started by Couisnard at the rim, and finished by Sullivan who threw down a monster jam on the break to make the score 53-37.
The highlights didnât stop there for Leicester. Sullivanâs miss was followed by Anderson, who rose high for a putback slam to put the Riders in firm control going into the final quarter.
Couisnard made another momentum play three minutes into the fourth with a contested triple late in the shot clock to send the Sea of Red in the crowd into raptures. Newcastle did make inroads, bringing it back to ten via Damon Huffman, but Leicester had built a platform to bring it home.
Leicester Riders fans on their feet, appreciated by the bench.
Riders slam the door shut
The Riders fell back on their defence to see it out. They held the Eagles to seven points in the final six minutes of the game, keeping Newcastle at armâs length as they had done wire-to-wire.
There was no âmomentâ, no shot to end the game. Just an increasing inevitability, through the Riders defensive suffocation, that the Eagles were unable to mount a comeback.
Anderson made the Riders’ final score with a minute left, and the game ended 67-57.
âThe greatest ever season, for the oldest team in British basketball, is going to have a silver and gold liningâ was the call from Daniel Routledge on commentary. It was a homage to the Leicester Mercury headline following the Riders’ 2001 Cup win, which read “SILVER LINING”.
The final buzzer sounded, and the bench flooded the court in jubilance.
Leicester Riders celebrating victory on the final buzzer.
Post game reaction
An emotional Paternostro dedicated the victory to his late grandmother after the game, who had passed away earlier in the week.
âShe was someone who taught me how to compete, and my guys really competed today.â he reflected post-game.Â
âWeâve been committed to the defensive end of the floor, and it culminated in this today. All season itâs been about intensity and competitiveness for 40 minutes across all 94 feet.â
Final MVP, Sullivan, who logged 24 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, echoed his Head Coachâs sentiment on the teamâs competitive spirit and defensive mindset.
Final MVP Drew Sullivan lifts the award.
âMy teammates have been absolutely incredible. They havenât been worried about trophies or titles. They have just wanted to win every single game.
âWe were upset about bad performances, win or lose. We take pride in playing every minute of every game to the best of our ability.â
An elated Rowe, who made his impact felt defensively and on the glass throughout, looked back to midseason where he signed with the team:
“I’m on cloud 9 right now. The first practice I went to this season, it just felt right.
“I think back to my mum, who always tells me to go with my heart, and I’m so glad I did that this season. We have some amazing British players, from our MVP Drew Sullivan to Jamell Anderson who was phenomenal today.
“The future is bright in British basketball.”
Moving forward
That season kick started one of the most dominant stretches of British basketball history. The Riders would go on to win 17 trophies in the next decade, including three trebles.
It was just the beginning of the rivalry between these sides, who would go head-to-head in the biggest games in British basketball in the next ten years.
The would go on to hoist 27 trophies between them, marking an era of fierce rivalry between the Eagles and Riders.
2013 Playoff Final scorers
Leicester Riders
Newcastle Eagles
Andrew Sullivan
24
Darius Defoe
13
Jamell Anderson
13
Charles Smith
12
Jay Couisnard
8
Kareem Maddox
12
Zaire Taylor
8
Damon Huffman
9
Yorick Williams
7
Joseph Chapman
8
Anthony Rowe
4
Joe Ikhinmwin
3
Jorge Calvo
2
Fabulous Flournoy
0
Pavol Losonsky
2
Anthony Martin
0
The Riders are in Playoff action on Saturday May 4, hosting the Sheffield Sharks for Game Two of the opening round.
It’s a double-header for the Riders, whose men’s and women’s teams are playing back-to-back in their respective playoff games.
The first 1,200 fans through the door will receive a free “Dark Horse” t-shirt!
Leicester Riders got their 2024 Playoff campaign underway with a clutch 84-81 win on the road against the Sheffield Sharks.
The Riders came back from behind in the fourth quarter to snatch the win, and made big plays down the stretch to take a 1-0 series lead back to Leicester.
Thomas said the playoff intensity is something he thrives on through his competitive spirit.
“This time last year, I was playing March Madness,â said Thomas, who won the MAC Championship with Kent State in his final collegiate season.
âI love this environment. I love playing hard in competitive basketball, and tonight was a hell of a show.â
The Riders, without their captain Kimbal Mackenzie, stepped up on the road and came through as a unit to take the win. With the words of Mackenzie echoing in their ears, the team put on one of the performances of the season.
âKimbal told us to stay together. Heâs here with us in spirit- heâs our leader and we know heâs in our corner- but the guys we had here came together and said âlet’s get the job done.ââ
Many of the plaudits this season have gone to the Ridersâ leading scorer, Teddy Allen. Allen burst onto the British basketball scene with his incredible scoring performances, earning him the Player of the Month Award in December, but the Riders unit is a deep one, with talent up and down the roster.
Last nightâs win, as has been the case with many wins this season, was a total team effort.
âWe know Teddy is an incredible scorer, but we have to play well for him to play well. If we don’t run in transition and set good screens, he doesnât get good looks.
“This is a team unit, not just one guy running the show. Everybody has a role, and weâre really settling into our identity. We play hard for each other.â
Jaren Holmes: “We wanted it badly tonight.”
Also making his first professional playoff outing was Jaren Holmes, who was the other Rider to log a 20 point performance. He put up 21 points and 6 rebounds, and shouldered the scoring load for long stretches.
âI was just trying to make the right plays,â said Holmes. âThat’s what I always try and do. I saw lanes and tried to attack, find my teammates and be aggressive. It’s a big part of my game when Iâm aggressive and try to get downhill and make plays for others.â
The Riders came back from down seven in the final period to win on the road, holding the Sharks to 14 points in the final quarter. The defence down the stretch was instrumental in getting the job done.
âIt came down to getting stops. That was a huge point of emphasis down the stretch. Then we made some big shots, and got big plays from everybody.
âConner [Washington’s] three midway through the fourth was huge for us. Him coming in and giving us those minutes was so valuable, and it’s going to take a team effort to win these games. It’s the playoffs, which means its a different type of intensity. We wanted it badly tonight.â
The Ridersâ road following got the team over the line, making raucous noise throughout. Holmes felt their presence on the court from the stands, and said as much after the game.
âIt was a huge victory for us, and we wouldn’t have done it without the fans. They were tremendous. They fuel us when they come and support us, so to have this many people come out and show up for us truly means a lot to me and the guys in the locker room.”
Rob Paternostro: “The guys really stepped up.”
After an electric Riders start, the Sharks took initiative in the second quarter and took the lead, which they held until midway through the fourth.
Despite trailing for much of the game, there was no panic from the Ridersâ sideline.
âI felt pretty good about us at that point,â said Head Coach Rob Paternostro when asked about the teamâs mindset while falling behind in the game.
âWe took decent shots and, in the halfcourt, we did a really good job on defence. In the open floor we struggled, so the second half was really important to slow the game down and get back on defence, and I thought we did that.
âWe didn’t feel like the momentum was stolen, we just felt like we needed to do a better job of getting back in transition.â
Without Mackenzie running the point, Paternostroâs team stepped up from top to bottom to come away with a momentous win to kick off the postseason.
âWeâre missing our leader- our point guard with the ball in his hands at the end of the game- but the guys really stepped up to make the plays they needed to.
âMiryne’s energy was excellent all game, he scored the ball really well. Jaren kept us in it with his scoring, TJ Lall was really good on defence and Conner came in and gave us the minutes we needed to settle us down late in the game. His experience was crucial- heâs been here before.
âIt was a total team effort. We are missing our point guard but these guys took on the challenge. A lot of people didn’t think we had much of a chance without him, but defensively is where we made our mark.”
The win means Leicester have stolen home court advantage in this best-of-three series, and return home on Saturday with a chance to end the series and progress to the second round.
Coach called out to the fans to bring the same energy back home that they showed on the road.
âOur fans were amazing today. It was an incredible job from them right behind the bench, and we need more of that at the Mattioli Arena on Saturday!â
Leicester Riders snatched Game One against the Sheffield Sharks in the clutch, winning 84-81 on the road.
Miryne Thomas led the team with 24 points and 8 rebounds, scoring 5 points down the stretch in his professional playoff debut. Fellow rookie Jaren Holmes backed him with 21 points and 6 rebounds.
It was Teddy Allen who sealed the game from the foul line, going 4-4 with the pressure piled high and seconds on the clock. Leicester came back from a deficit of seven in the final quarter to steal home court in the best-of-three series.
For Sheffield, Prentiss Nixon exploded for 25 points off the bench, getting big bucket after big bucket when it got close late. The Sharks scored 59 bench points in the game, but didnât have a starter score in double digits.
The series will go back to Leicester for Game Two on Saturday May 4, tipping off at 6:45 pm, with the Riders having the opportunity to end the series with a sweep.
Riders bolt out the gate
Allen, who averaged 29 against the Sharks this season, wasted no time getting on the board with an and-one for Leicesterâs opening score.
It was an 8-2 start for the Riders, as Jaren Holmes knocked down his first shot of the postseason from the corner, settling any nerves from the visiting camp.
Leicesterâs lightning start forced a quick Sharks timeout, after Thomas threw down a fastbreak jam- the ninth of the night for the Riders to make it 4-14.Â
Holmes made the Ridersâ second and-one play of the game with 2:21 left in the period, as they continued to lead from the front early.
Sharks bite back
The Sharks got back in it at the hands of Nixon, who snatched momentum with five straight points. Nixon scored 11 in the first quarter to lead the game, and bring Sheffield back into it.Â
Jalon Pipkins then cut it to five with a tough fadeaway, before Rodney Glasgow Jr followed with a three for the hosts.
The late surge in the first meant it was 26-28 with one played. And quickly in the second the Sharks took the lead, as Kipper Nichols connected from the corner to make it 31-30.
It was the Ridersâ turn to try to stem the tide with a timeout after Pipkinsâ 11th points. But they only scored 10 in the second quarter in their attempt to take the lead back.
Glasgow got going midway through the second to build the Sharksâ lead to six, and the score was 38-32 by the media timeout. Sheffieldâs leading scorer Malek Green then took the mantle from Glasgow with three quick scores and a big block on Holmes.
The Riders got to the hoop to get their side of the scoreboard ticking over late in the half. Holmes charged to the paint repeatedly to set the tone in that regard, while Thomas got to the foul line after an offensive rebound, and Leicester brought themselves back within five.
But two scores at the rim for Sheffield ended the half with the score 47-38.
Sharks fend off Riders run
The Riders made a run back into the game with Thomas hitting their first three of the half, while Allen took it coast-to-coast to cut it to five once again.
Holmes added another six to his tally, making it 17 on the game midway through the third, and the score was 57-53 to the hosts.
Next time up, Sesan Russell led the fastbreak after a steal. He gave it to Allen, who threw up a lob to Thomas. The American rose high and threw it down with authority, making it a one score game for the first time since late in the opening period.
The Sharks, however, kept ahead with timely scores throughout the third. Jordan Ratinho hit from three with a minute left in the period, and Devearl Ramsey finished inside at the buzzer to make it 67-60 with one to play.
Resurgent Riders win in the clutch
To start the fourth, the Riders were right back in it. Veteran guard Conner Washington hit a transition three two minutes into the period, making it a two point difference. TJ Lall then tied it up with a putback layup, and Allen took the lead with a floater.
For Sheffield, Nixon came up huge in the fourth. He scored nine of the Sharksâ 14 points in the quarter, and hit a three for his 20th points to stop the rampant Riders.
Nixon went back and forth with Thomas, the pair exchanging tough buckets throughout the final stages. The Riders looked in control late after Thomas connected on a fadeaway, but a Nixon midrange jumper and Pipkins three tied the game at 79.
Pipkins had a shot for the lead with 21 seconds left, but he hit the rim and Allen was fouled on the rebound. Allen knocked down both shots, and next time up the floor Green missed a three to win it, and Allen got the rebound again to seal the Riders Game One win.
Taking a win back to Leicester
Tickets are on sale for Game Two of the series at the Mattioli Arena, on May 4 at 6:45 pm.
Tickets also include entry to the women’s playoff opener against Essex Rebels at 2:45 pm, and the first 1,200 fans through the door will receive a free Riders “Dark Horse” t-shirt.
Leicester Riders are set to take on the Sheffield Sharks for Game One of the opening round of the 2024 British Basketball League Playoffs.
The four-seeded Sharks earned home court advantage after their performances in the Championship this season, so the Riders will take the short trip to Sheffield for the first game of a best-of-three series.
The sides have played out some closely fought battles in Sheffield this season. Hereâs everything you need to know about the matchup.
Where to watch
The game will take place at the Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield, tipping off at 4 pm.
The Sharks’ midseason acquisition, Malek Green, hit the ground running in the British Basketball League, and finished the season as their leading scorer.
After going 17 and 7 on his debut in only 16 minutes of action, Green has been a consistent source of boards and buckets for the Sharks, finishing the year with 22 and 14 to lock up home court advantage against the Plymouth City Patriots.
From the wing, Green ranked third among players in rebounds this season, and his 8.7 per game is more than he averaged throughout his five-year college career.
Green averaged 19 and 9 in his two games against the Riders this season, and will pose a true threat throughout this series.
Devearl Ramsey
11.1 points, 4.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds
Devearl Ramsey has protected home court against the Riders this season with two explosive scoring performances.
Typically, Ramsey is the Sharksâ source of playmaking, running the point to lead them in assists this season. But against the Riders the former G-Leager put his scoring ability on full display.
His two highest-scoring games this year have come at home against Leicester, putting up 23 points and 9 assists last time out, and going off for 22 to lead Sheffield to a win in November.
He consistently finds his way to the midrange, where he has shot most efficiently all season, so the Riders will need to be locked into their pick-and-roll defence to stop his drives off the dribble.
Jalon Pipkins
11.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 51.9 FG%
Sheffieldâs second-leading scorer, Jalon Pipkins, has been a consistent source of points for the Sharks this season.
The efficient bucket-getter has scored double-digit points in 25 Championship games, and put up 17 last time he suited up against the Riders.
The 6â5â three-level scorer is a threat from anywhere on the court. Heâs a human highlight reel, showcasing some of the most high-flying throw downs in British basketball over the last two seasons in Sheffield.
The Ridersâ rim protection will be on high-alert when Pipkins looks to rise high on drives to the hoop.
Season vs Sharks
The Riders have faced off against the Sharks four times this season, winning the season series 3-1.
There was, however, a disparity in their performances when playing away compared to their home games. At home, they averaged 106.5 points, turning the ball over only six times per game and knocking down 46% of their threes. In Sheffield, however, it was 86 points per game with an average of 15.5 turnovers.
In games where the Sharks forced over 10 turnovers out of the Riders they beat them by a net score of four, but when Leicester kept the giveaways in single digits they won by an average of 21.
In contrast to Leicesterâs varying performances at home compared to on the road, the Sharks found consistency in their output both home and away. However, their typically stalwart defence didnât find the same success against the Riders as it did the rest of the League.
Their League-best defence made them the only team to hold their opponents to under 80 points per game over the season, but they failed to do so against Leicester in their four meetings. They had no answer for Teddy Allen, who averaged 29 points in his three games against the Sharks.
Sheffield did better their scoring average against the Riders over the series, putting up 86 points per game, but the numbers suggest that Leicesterâs ability to take care of the ball will go a long way in deciding the outcome of the series.
Playoff History: Riders vs Sharks
Sheffield are a familiar foe in the Playoffs for Leicester. This matchups marks the 10th time in the last 23 seasons where the sides have met in the postseason, and the fourth time in the past 10 years.
The previous two postseason meetings have gone the Ridersâ way, most recently last year where Leicester bested them 153-140 over a two-legged series.
2016 was the last time Sheffield beat the Riders in the Playoffs- Atiba Lyons’ men winning 84-77 in the Final.
The Riders have the advantage of unrivalled playoff-winning experience at the reins. Head Coach Rob Paternostro has won the competition five times, the second most of any coach in League history, and four of those wins have come since the Final was hosted at the O2 Arena.
Sharks’ Head Coach Atiba Lyons is no stranger to playoff success himself, winning in 2016 for the second time in the clubâs history. Itâs been first-round exits for Sheffield in the last two seasons, however, and they now look to avoid falling to Leicester in the postseason for the second straight year.
What they said
With the Championship season in their rear-view mirror, the Riders are looking forward to the chance to set the record straight after what they feel was a season with unmet potential.
Hereâs what they had to say ahead of the opening round:
Teddy Allen
âYou never want to go out on a down note in win-or-go-home scenarios,â said leading scorer Teddy Allen.
âWe feel like we could have done a lot better throughout the year, and now is our chance to prove that. We are locked in as a unit, and itâs time for everyone to work towards a common goal.
âWhen asked about the Ridersâ path to a potential Final at the O2 Arena, Allen expressed his confidence in the team to be able to beat anybody in front of them.
âAnybody can get it. Whoever is in our way, we feel confident that we can win.â
TJ Lall
âOur mentality has to change now,â added TJ Lall, when asked about the difference in approach between the Championship season and the Playoffs.
âWe have to be more locked in and in-tune. Weâll see the Sharks multiple times, so we have to adjust and be ready for their adjustments.â
On a similar note to Allen, Lall looks forward to the chance of showing the League what this unit is capable of.
âEveryone here wants to win. We know weâre talented and have not shown our full potential, and were ready to show it during the playoffs. The pressure is good for us. We play better under pressure.â
Duke Shelton
American big Duke Shelton discussed the level of intensity required ahead of a postseason matchup.
âEveryone is going to step up and raise their level of play. Itâs the playoffs, which is almost like a new season where anything can happen.
âItâs a new mindset now. Iâm sure the rest of the team feel the same way, and that also goes for the other teams in the league. Weâre ready to compete.
âThe team thatâs willing to give a little bit more, most of the time, will win. Basketball is a game where the team with the fewest mistakes has a huge edge, so we need to be focussed and ready to play our best ball.â
Rob Paternostro
Having reached the summit of British basketball five times before, Head Coach Rob Paternostro knows exactly what winning in the postseason requires.
He is as eager as ever to fight on the biggest stage, at the O2 Arena.
âOnce you get to the playoffs thereâs so much urgency because if you donât play well youâre going home. Everyone wants to be at the O2 by the end, and weâve been there nearly every year. Itâs wonderful to be there, so thatâs always the goal.
âAt our best we feel like weâre a really good team, and weâre in good shape going into the playoffs.â
Tickets are on sale for our home fixture against the Sheffield Sharks!
Season series: Leicester Riders vs Sheffield Sharks
Leicester Riders tip-off their 2024 British Basketball League Playoff campaign against the Sheffield Sharks on Sunday.
The sides have met on four occasions so far this season, the Riders winning the series 3-1.
Here’s how the games played out…
November 17 Game 1: Sharks 91-84 Riders
Sharks battle from the front to take hard-fought home win
Sheffield drew first blood in the series, winning a closely fought battle late on. The Sharks edged ahead in the second quarter, going into the half up 46-39, and the Riders, despite bringing the deficit to two on multiple occasions, couldnât take the lead back.
The Sharksâ Devearl Ramsey led the game with 22 points, scoring five in the final 2:33 to lead the hosts down the stretch and secure the win. He was backed by 17 points from Jalon Pipkins who went 7-8 from the field in the game.
The Riders made a charge from down 10 to five with four minutes remaining, but couldnât get it over the line. Miryne Thomas led the team with 21 points and 11 rebounds- his first double-double in Riders red.
A key difference in the game: three point shooting. The Riders went 5-21 while the Sharks shot 8-19, Ramsey leading the way with three makes from behind the arc.
But water found its level in game two from deep.
December 30 Game 2: Riders 103-75 Sharks
On-fire Riders torch Sharks from three
The Riders levelled the season series at home in convincing fashion to close out 2023. A 21-4 start blew the Sharks out of the water, and the Riders cruised home to a wire-to-wire win.
Miryne Thomas led the team out the gate with 10 points in five minutes, and logged another 20 point double-double against Sheffield with 22 points and 10 rebounds by the final buzzer.
But it was Teddy Allen, in his third game for the Riders, who led the game with 25 points. He went 4-9 from three on the game spearheading what was a red hot shooting night for the hosts.
In contrast to the first game against Sheffield in November, Leicester shot 51.9% from three point land in the blowout. It was the Sharks who went cold on this occasion, knocking down just 28.6% of their attempts from behind the arc.
Prentiss Nixon had an effective outing for the visitors, bagging 17 points in 22 minutes of play, going 6-12 from the field. But it was a drop in the water against a Riders torrent, and Leicester entered the new year on a high.
February 16 Game 3: Riders 108-94 Sharks
Allen explosion makes it two-for-two at home
Teddy Allen led the Riders for the second-straight game against the Sharks, this time going off for 35 points. It was a 35-12 double-double for Allen, shooting 50% from the field and 44% from three.
The Riders were trailing 53-57 at the break and down by as much as 12 points in the second quarter. But a 12 point third period from Allen led them back into the tie, and another 10 in the fourth got them over the line.
The scoreline was deceptive come the final buzzer, not reflecting what was a one possession affair with three minutes on the clock. Two straight buckets from TJ Lall gave the Riders separation, and they saw the tie out from there.
Malek Green, making his first appearance against the Riders this season, led the Sharks with 19 points and 11 rebounds. He scored two buckets to start the final period, but Leicester were able to stem his scoring down the stretch to see it out.
The game made it two wins at home for the Riders against Sheffield, giving them a 2-1 series lead with one game to play in South Yorkshire.
March 29 Game 4: Sharks 85-88 Riders
Riders survive Sharks surge in final seconds
The game to decide the season series was fought wire-to-wire, Leicester coming away three point victors after Sheffield battled to give themselves a chance as the clock expired.
Allen led Leicester in the first half with an emphatic performance, going off for 27 first half points, and finished with 29/8. But down the stretch, big buckets came from up and down the Ridersâ roster.
Kimbal Mackenzie, Thomas, Duke Shelton and Lall all scored in the final four minutes, giving the Riders an eight point lead with 2:18 left. But a turn of events, including an unsportsmanlike foul called on Shelton, gave the Sharks a chance to tie.
Bennet Koch went one for two from the foul line after Sheltonâs foul, and Ramsey drained a three with nine seconds left to make it a one point game.
Mackenzie was sent to the line, and coolly knocked down both, but Sheffield could send it to overtime with a three. The opportunity fell to RJ Eytle-Rock who fired from the right wing, as Allen closed out but was keen not to foul.Â
Eytle-Rock missed his attempt, and the rebound was pulled down by Thomas to close the season series.Â
Tickets on sale!
Tickets for our home game against the Sheffield Sharks on May 4 are on sale now!
Riders speak to BBC Radio Leicester ahead of the playoffs
BBC Radio Leicester stopped by to speak to the team for their weekly “Game Night” show.
Ahead of the upcoming British Basketball League Playoffs, Riders players and Head Coach Rob Paternostro reflected on the Championship season, and previewed the postseason.
Here’s what they had to say…
Teddy Allen
Riders leading scorer, Teddy Allen, has spent the final weeks of the season getting into playoff shape. Working through injuries intensely has led to the American being in the best health that heâs been in all season, right in time for the postseason.
âI have been dealing with some injuries, but I feel like Iâve got my body right and Iâm ready to get to work in the playoffs,â said Allen.
“The last few weeks I’ve been working closely with our training staff to get my body right. This is the healthiest I have been since I got here in Leicester, and Iâm ready to make a run.”
The Riders enter the playoffs as the fifth seed. Reflecting on the second half of the year, Allen expressed disappointment in how the games fell, but is looking at ways to rectify recent results with his own performances.
âI wish we could have got some more wins down the stretch. I have to look at myself first and think about what I could have done better to help our team win.
âIf it’s points, rebounds, assists or defence, whatever the team needs me to do I just want to go out there and compete.
âNobody wants to lose, but we all left everything out there on the court with our effort and thatâs what weâll continue to do.â
The playoffs represent a fresh start for the Riders, and Allen sees that as an opportunity to set right unmet potential from the Championship season.
âYou never want to go out on a down note in win-or-go-home scenarios. We feel like we could have done a lot better throughout the year, and now is our chance to prove that.
âWe are locked in as a unit, and it’s time for everyone to work towards a common goal. Anybody can get it. Whoever is in our way, we feel confident that we can win.â
TJ Lall
For the Ridersâ end of season awards, TJ Lall was named the Defensive Player of the Year and Playerâs Player to recognise his efforts.
Lall looked back on his performances, and how he grew into the season as it progressed:
âI feel like I’ve played my role all year. Whatever the team has needed I’ve been able to give. The second half was better than the first for me personally. Playing together more, we’ve been a more cohesive unit, which has helped my game.â
Despite a season filled with ups and downs, the Riders showed up with big wins in important spots all year.
A win-or-go-home victory in the Trophy against the Newcastle Eagles springs to mind, as well as wins against the Sheffield Sharks on the road and the Cheshire Phoenix at home down the stretch.
âWe stepped up in some big games this season. But our mentality has to change now. We have to be more locked in and in tune. Weâll see the Sharks multiple times, so we have to adjust and be ready for their adjustments.â
On a similar note to Allen, Lall looks forward to the chance of showing the League what this unit is capable of.
âEveryone here wants to win. We know weâre talented and have not shown our full potential, and were ready to show it during the playoffs. The pressure is good for us. We play better under pressure.â
Duke Shelton
Duke Shelton, an American big who joined the Riders midseason, has stepped into the starting unit in recent weeks.
After an adjustment period where he looked to settle into the team, he feels comfortable in his role going into the playoffs.
âI’ve adapted really well and found my position within the team. I’ve enjoyed my time here so far.
âI feel like I’ve shown flashes of what I can do, but maybe not to my full potential yet. There’s been times where I’ve been consistent but I’m looking forward to what’s to come.
âAnytime you come into a new situation in the middle of the year it can be a little challenging finding your spot. Everyone is comfortable where they are and you don’t want to ruffle any feathers or step on toes. You want to come in, have good energy and try to help the team any way you can.â
Over the course of his nine-year professional career, Shelton has learned that postseason appearances are a valuable commodity, and is looking to make the most of his upcoming run.
âThis is going to be my second time in the playoffs in my professional career. I’m looking forward to the atmosphere weâre going to be playing in. Everyone is going to step up and raise their level of play. It’s the playoffs, which is almost like a new season where anything can happen.â
And with the new season comes a new mentality, where the urgency is ramped up and everything is on the line. Shelton understands as much, and the team is ready to go.
âIt’s a new mindset now. I’m sure the rest of the team feel the same way, and that also goes for the other teams in the league. Weâre ready to compete.
âThe team that’s willing to give a little bit more, most of the time, will win. Basketball is a game where the team with the fewest mistakes has a huge edge, so we need to be focussed and ready to play our best ball.â
Rob Paternostro
Five-time British Basketball League Playoff champion, Rob Paternostro, understands more than anybody what it takes to lift the silverware at the O2 Arena.Â
Since the Playoff Final has been played at the O2, the Riders have been there every year bar one, and Paternostro is keen to continue that trend.
âOnce you get to the playoffs there’s so much urgency because if you don’t play well you’re going home. Everyone wants to be at the O2 by the end, and weâve been there nearly every year. It’s wonderful to be there, so that’s always the goal.â
As was the case for most teams in the League, the gauntlet of the British Basketball League schedule saw ups and downs throughout the season.
But now that the dust has settled, Paternostro feels the team is in a good position to go on a postseason run.
âWe had a tough last couple of games, but weâve been similar to most teams this year on our ups and downs. It’s been a real grind.
âThe changes to our roster had a positive impact for us midway through the season. Of course, injuries hurt us in the second half of the year with Jaren and TJ especially late, but at our best we feel like weâre a really good team, and weâre in good shape going into the playoffs.â
Tickets are on sale for the Riders’ round one home game against the Sheffield Sharks on May 4.
Tickets are 20% off until 11:59 pm on Wednesday, May 24. Get yours here!
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
The 2024 British Basketball League Playoffs will feature a new format, with the first two rounds taking place over a three game series.
The top four in the Championship standings have home court advantage in the opening round, playing two of the potential three games at home.
Those sides have the choice of the structure of those series, opting for game one or two to be their opening home fixture.
Hereâs how the postseason is set to unfold for the RidersâŠ
Riders’ Round One
The Riders secured the fifth seed in the British Basketball League Championship, and will face Sheffield Sharks in round one.
They will open the series on the road on April 28 at 4 pm, host game two on May 4 at 6:45 pm, and if necessary, play a deciding game three in Sheffield on Sunday May 5 at 3 pm.
Tickets are on sale for game two at 5 pm, and thanks to the generosity of the Ridersâ sponsorsat RDL Technologies, Vertu Motors, Torr Waterfield, Jelson Homes and EverythingBranded, the first1200 fans at the Arena for our home game on May 4 will receive a free Dark Horse Riders T-Shirt.
If you are travelling to game one in Sheffield and want a Dark Horse T-shirt, you can contact [email protected] to arrange.
Playoff Bracket
After round one has concluded, the seeding will be restructured so the highest remaining seed will play the lowest.
Therefore, the only scenario where the Riders would have home court advantage in the second round would be if two or more of the higher seeds lost in the opening round.
If one or none of the top seeded teams lose, the Riders will host only one game of the second round series.
The Final
As was the case in previous seasons, the Playoff Final will be a single game to decide the 2024 Playoff champions.
Both Menâs and Womenâs Finals will be played at the O2 Arena on Sunday May 19.
You can purchase tickets here, but if the Riders should make the Final at the O2, Leicester Riders will release ticket allocation for the Riders section of the Arena.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders play their men and womenâs 2024 playoff home openers on Saturday, May 4.
Our menâs home game has been confirmed to be played at 6:45 pm, and will be preceded by our womenâs playoff fixture at 2:45 pm.Â
Tickets will be released on general sale from tomorrow (April 23) at 5pm.
Leicester Riders season ticket holders will receive priority for their usual seats until Friday, April 26, at 11:59 pm.
Tickets include entry to both menâs and womenâs quarter-final playoff games.
Thanks to the generosity of the Ridersâ sponsors at RDL Technologies, Vertu Motors, Torr Waterfield, Jelson Homes and EverythingBranded, the first 1,200 fans at the Arena will receive a free Dark Horse Riders T-Shirt.
Doors will open at the Arena before our womenâs game, at 2:15 pm.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders launch Dark Horse campaign for the 2024 British Basketball League Playoffs
Leicester Riders basketball club are excited to launch their Dark Horse campaign for the upcoming 2024 British Basketball League Playoffs.
The Riders enter the postseason as the fifth seed, and look to start their run to the Finals at the O2 Arena, which take place on Sunday 19 May 2024.
Despite a League campaign which hasnât reached the heights of previous years in Leicester, the Riders are a team that no team wants to face in the postseason, and is capable of knocking off any team in British basketball.
No matter the opponent, seeding, time or place, the Dark Horse is a team that can bounce with the best the British Basketball League has to offer.
The goal, like any season, is to stand under the confetti at the O2 Arena, lifting the silverware. The six time Playoff champions aim to bring what would be their 20th British Basketball League silverware back to the East Midlands.
The all new Playoff format features best of three series in the first two rounds, before the Final in the O2 Arena, London.
The Riders will open the playoffs in Sheffield against the Sharks at 4 pm.Game two of the first round will be played at Mattioli Arena on May 4 at 6pm. If necessary, game three will be played in Sheffield on a yet to be confirmed date.
Leicester Riders Managing Directors Russell Levenston commented: âWe’re excited to launch our Dark Horse campaign ahead of the upcoming playoffs.
âThe postseason represents a fresh campaign and weâre looking forward to getting started. As a club, we always feel confident in our ability to win every competition we enter, and these playoffs are no different.
âThank you to all of our fans for their incredible support this season. Weâll give it everything weâve got to give you another trip to the O2 Arena!â
Tickets for the Riders first round home fixture will be on sale shortly! Stay tuned for ticket information.
Thanks to the generosity of the Ridersâ sponsorsat RDL Technologies, Vertu Motors, Torr Waterfield, Jelson Homes and EverythingBranded, the first1200 fans at the Arena for our home game on May 4 will receive a free Dark Horse Riders T-Shirt.Â
Report: Riders finish Championship season with a win in Surrey
Leicester Riders concluded their British Basketball League Championship season with an 94-88 road win against the Surrey Scorchers.
Teddy Allen led the game with a red hot 30 point performance, going 11-22 from the field. Allen was cooking from deep, going 6-11 from behind the line, and draining back-to-back triples from deep three point range to get the Riders out of a deficit in the second quarter.
But it was Sesan Russell who got Leicester over the line, logging a season-high 20 points with 17 in the second half. His free throws sealed the game late, capping off an impressive display.
The win sees the Riders lock up the fifth seed for the postseason, ensuring they will face the Sheffield Sharks in the opening round of the Playoffs.Â
Scorchers survive sharpshooting Allen
Allen wasted no time in taking it to the Scorchers. A four point play, drawing contact from Abdul Mohamed, gave him 9 points in three minutes as the Riders took an 8-12 lead. He was into double figures quickly after with his third three of the game.
The highlights kept coming in a high-scoring first quarter. Next it was Jaren Holmes on the break, throwing it up for Miryne Thomas who threw it down with authority.
Despite the big plays, they couldnât shake the hosts who had a hot hand of their own: Quin Cooper. He drained three triples early in a back-and-forth start. He stayed hot in the second, hitting from the corner to make it 27-28 with 11 minutes played.Â
Scorchers take initiative
An 8-0 Surrey run, highlighted by a breakaway jam from Tayo Ogendengbe, gave them their first separation of the afternoon.
The Riders responded with an and-one at the hoop from Russell, before Thomas connected on a tough fadeaway on the buzzer for his 12th points.
But a corner three from Mohamed took momentum back, and Cameron Copeland made a layup inside to give the hosts a nine point lead. He then went back up the floor and nailed a contested triple over Holmes, making it a double-digit advantage.Â
Teddy takeover
The Riders, whose high-level scoring to start the game cooled off in the Scorchers run, re-found their rhythm through Allen, who took over once again.
He drove to the rim for two, then drew contact for an and-one to pull the deficit down to eight. Testing his range, Allen went back-to-back from deep emphatically, pulling up from the car park and finding nothing but string.
He cut the game to a single possession as the half came to a close, but Dijiani Parkinson ended the quarter from three to make it 54-48 going into the locker rooms.
On fire out of the half
12 points in two and a half minutes gave the Riders the lead quickly after halftime. Allen got them going by driving inside and dishing to Russell, Thomas followed with an and-one play (his sixth make in as many shots), and Russell then tied the game at 56.
After a Cooper miss, Allen pulled up from the elbow and found the bottom of the bucket to force a Surrey timeout. He then made his tally 27 with a steal and score after the break.
Gooden stopped the Riders’ run with a three, but Leicester were back in it.
Riders win out in the clutch
With Russell shouldering the scoring load with buckets to end the third, Blake Bowman gave the Riders a four point lead with one to play, finishing on the fastbreak, plus the foul.
Leicester started fourth on a run to make it a seven point advantage, Russell staying hot to snatch the ball from Cooper and add another two to his now 13 point tally.Â
Surrey came storming back after stemming the Leicester momentum, however, and Mohamedâs three cut it to a one possession game with 4:52 left.
The Riders seized control, building off the interior defence of Sam Idowu. He sent away Goodenâs attempted layup, and on the other end Russell and Allen hit threes to put Leicester up nine.
Mohamed made an and-one to breathe life into the Surrey cause, but Holmes hit back with a finish inside.
Copeland had a chance to cut the game to four, but dribbled off his knee, and Russell sank his foul shots next time up for his 20th points, sealing the win.
A series with the Sharks
Game one against the Sheffield Sharks will take place on Sunday April 28 at 4 pm, and will be played at the Canon Medical Arena.
Game two, at the Mattioli Arena, will be played at 6 pm on May 4.
Stay tuned for information on game three, if necessary.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders are set to take on Surrey Scorchers on the road in their final game of the 2023-24 British Basketball League Championship.
Here’s some of the key head-to-heads in tomorrow’s action…
Saiquan Jamison vs Duke Shelton
Making a forceful impact in the paint this season for the Scorchers is Saiquan Jamison, who has established himself as one of British basketballâs elite big men.
He ranks second among all players in rebounds per game with 9.9, and has logged 13 double-doubles over the course of the season.Â
Jamison is a weapon in the pick and roll, and is near unstoppable when he receive the ball in motion to the rim. He finishes explosively in close, but can also take defenders off the dribble from the centre position to drive inside, and keep defenders honest from distance with his shooting ability.
Jamison is Surreyâs third leading scorer with 10.5 points per game to his name, and is able to generate his own offence at the rim by consistently pulling down missed shots for offensive rebounds.
Looking to keep him off the glass is Riders centre Duke Shelton. Shelton has stepped into a starting role seamlessly in recent weeks, proving energy and hustle from the centre position.
Three double digit performances in his last five outings has seen the 6â10â American become a reliable source of points, and his 14 points, 16 rebounds double double against the Plymouth City Patriots in late March showed his ability to get on the glass for big numbers.
The Riders will need a similar night on the boards from Shelton against the electric Jamison to control the paint in the final game of the Championship season.
Cameron Gooden vs Jaren Holmes
The Scorchers leading scorer this season, high-flying guard Padiet Wang, is set to miss tomorrow’s game through injury. Therefore, they will once again rely on the services of rookie Cameron Gooden, who went off for Surrey last time out.
The American led his team with 21 points and 5 assists against the League champions, going 5-13 from three as he tried to shoot his team back into the game.
Gooden is averaging 9.4 points in 20 minutes per game, but thrived in an increased role against the Lions.
The shifty guard has elite handles to beat defenders off the dribble, getting to the hole or stepping back and taking midrange jump shots consistently.
Looking to slow down Gooden will be rookie guardJaren Holmes, who is lighting up the League in his first professional season.
Holmes is the Ridersâ second leading scorer this season with 13.2 points per game, and leads the team in steals with an average of 1.2.Â
He led the Riders last time out against the Giants with 20 points, his late three point shooting giving Leicester a chance late.
His work on the defensive end has impressed throughout the year, and he will be faced with the challenge of Gooden in the backcourt in this one. But Holmesâ ability to lock down opponents on defence will put him in good stead to stay in front of his opponent one-on-one.
He has the size to contest Gooden inside when he drives to the hoop, and the offensive skillset to keep him honest on the defensive side of the ball whenever he is in the game. Get ready for a hard-fought head-to-head in this one.
Justin Robinson vs Sesan RussellÂ
To overcome the Scorchers, the Riders will have to contend with a two-time British Basketball League MVP in Justin Robinson from the backcourt.
Robinson won the award back-to-back in 2018 and 2019 for the London Lions, averaging 19.2 points per game in his second MVP season to earn the award.
This year, Robinson has provided valuable experience to the Scorchers roster while putting up 10.8 points per game and shooting 39% from behind the three point arc. He has been a consistent threat from deep over the court of his 12-year professional career, and now is no different.
Faced with the tall task of slowing the experience veteran down is Sesan Russell, who made his first start from the point last time out against the Giants.
Russell’s playmaking has been a key asset for the Riders in recent weeks, and it was no different after his insertion into the starting line-up. He put up 10 points and 6 assists, leading the team through the opening stages of the game.
Two games ago, Russell once again pulled the strings to dish 9 assists against the Bristol Flyers. His court vision has found open cutters to the rim consistently, as he runs the pick and roll from the point effectively with the Riders big men.
Keeping Robinson active in defending the pick-and-roll will go a long way in making his life difficult in the Riders’ last game of the Championship season.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders fell to the Manchester Giants 89-94 in their final home game of the British Basketball League Championship season.
After a quick start, Evan Walshe scored 10 straight in the second quarter to lead the Giants a double-digit lead. The Riders made a run late in the game led by Jaren Holmes, but it wasnât enough to complete a comeback.
Holmes led the Riders with 20 points, going 8-13 from the field, 3-7 from three and grabbing 6 rebounds. He was backed by Teddy Allenâs 19 and Miryne Thomasâ 18.
But leading the game was Walshe for Manchester with 24, sinking the late free throws to end the game.
Early Leicester lead
Thomas got the action underway in style for the Riders emphatically. The lane opened up for him after Mason Bourcier fell in the paint, and Thomas needed little invitation to drive to the hoop and throw down a two handed jam.
Neither side found an edge in the first five, however. Allen and Russell stringed back-to-back threes, but they were offset by Bouricer and Lee from deep as the sides stayed locked.
But out of the media timeout, the Riders found some separation. Allen got to work to snatch momentum, dancing behind the arc before pulling up for a deep three. Next up, he went to the hole on the drive for a two to put the Riders up 26-16.
Giants battle back
Manchester fought back into the game in response, taking the lead early in the second quarter. Former Rider Walshe logged 10 points in as many minutes off the bench to lead the visitors to a 30-28 advantage.
He scored 10 straight to take momentum back, and was followed by Jalen Harris and Callum Jones who connected from within the arc in the midst of the Manchester run.
Russell stopped the run with an and-one, driving to his right and drawing a foul on Harris for three points the old fashioned way. But the Giants led 38-32 by the media timeout.
The Riders mustered just 12 points in the second quarter, unable to take the lead back. Bourcier scored 5 points to end the half, and the sides went into the locker rooms with the score 38-49 in the Giantsâ favour.
All even in the third
Nicholas Lewis found his rhythm in the third, hitting a tough fadeaway and a contested three back-to-back to grow the Manchester lead to 15.
But in response to Lewis, Holmes got his head down to get two on the board at the hoop, before Allen connected from three to peg the deficit to 10, and force a Giants timeout.
Homes drew an offensive foul out of the timeout, before Thomas hit from deep- the Riders recapturing their early form.
Lewis responded to take back the big lead with back-to-back threes, but next time up, Holmes made a four point play by connecting on a three through contact, keeping the Giants within touching distance.
But the score remained there until the fourth, Manchester leading 63-74 with one to play.
Giants respond to Riders run
Holmes sparked life into the team to start the final period, driving to the hoop to get it underway, then throwing a lob to Shelton who threw it down two-handed.
The quick scoring brought it to a five point difference quickly in the final period, as TJ Lall added three more points from the foul line.
But Walshe rebuilt the Manchester lead with a three from the corner and a layup inside, taking away the Riders work to start the quarter.
It was 72-81 by the media timeout, with 4:49 left to play.
Riders give themselves a chance late
A barrage of threes went down for the Riders to give them a late chance. Thomas connected first, before finishing off a fastbreak from a Russell three, then Holmes and Allen caught fire.
The Giants kept their side of the scoreboard ticking, Walshe, Lewis and Nick Stampley combining for seven points, but Holmes fired away from the corner with 52 seconds left to make it a three point game.
The Riders got their stops, Walshe then Stampley missing, but the Giants crashed the offensive boards, getting three possessions and forcing Leicester to foul. Walshe made both from the line to make it a five point difference.
Thomas couldnât hit from three in response, and the Giants dribbled the game out.
Riders return to action on Sunday, hitting the road to take on the Surrey Scorchers. A win will see them lock up home court advantage for the 2024 postseason.
Stay tuned for playoff ticket information.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
The Riders take on the Manchester Giants in their final home game of the 2023-24 British Basketball League season.
It’s an important weekend of action for the Riders in their final two games of the Championship, needing two wins to secure home court advantage for the postseason.
Here are the key matchups as the Riders take on the Giants…
Nicholas Lewis vs Kimbal MackenzieÂ
The Riders will need to zero in on their opponentâs leading scorer this season, Nicholas Lewis. Lewis is putting up 14.9 points per game this season, 11th among all players, and comes into this one on good form.
He has three 25+ scoring games in his last 10 appearances, his best outing being a 27 points, 7 assists and 4 steals game against the Cheshire Phoenix. Lewis played all 40 minutes for the third time this season in the game, putting a high workload on his back to carry the scoring effort.
The American is a shifty guard who makes his money driving inside, and can step back and take consistent twos from the midrange, finish at the hoop, or kick to teammates for open looks after the defence collapses.
Lewis leads his team in assists with 4.5 per game, pulling the string while leading the scoring for the Giants.
Looking to go back and forth with Lewis is Riders captain Kimbal Mackenzie, who is enjoying the best statistical season of his career. The Canadian is averaging a career high 13.2 points and 5 assists per game, and has led the team through the biggest moments of the season with his clutch play.Â
He made a go-ahead and-one in the Trophy final four with seconds left, and took over late to see the Riders past the Caledonia Gladiators on the road. In the absence of Jaren Holmes and Teddy Allen, he played 45 minutes in a double overtime win against Plymouth City Patriots and hit the game-tying shot to send it to overtime. Â
Mackenzie can match Lewisâ scoring and playmaking, making the head-to-head at the point guard position an interesting proposition going into the game with the Ridersâ captain facing up against the Giantsâ leading bucket getter.
William Lee vs Miryne Thomas
High-flyer and former Riders William Lee patrols the sky for the Manchester Giants, making huge plays on both ends around the rim.
The âAlabama slammerâ is playing in his second season in Manchester having won the League in Leicester in 2021.
Lee is best known for his aerial ability. The human highlight reel throws down monster jams and swats away shots emphatically on a game to game basis. But Lee has a versatile game, and can knock down shots anywhere on the court.
Heâs scoring 13.4 points per game, and pulling down the third most rebounds of any player with an average of 8.3. From outside, the 6â9â forward is shooting 38.5% from three, the second best on his team.
Meeting him in the frontcourt will be Riders forwardMiryne Thomas, who has composed an electric highlight reel of his own in his rookie season.Â
Putting up 12.4 points and 6.1 rebounds, the Cleveland native has come up huge for the Riders this season to lead the team to wins. He has scored double digit points in six of the last eight League games, including a 21 point and 15 rebound double double against the Newcastle Eagles.
Thomas is always a threat above the rim, but defenders, like Lee, need to respect the three where he can get hot on any given night. Last month against the Patriots, Thomas went 4-5 from three on his way to 19 points in 22 minutes, demonstrating his threat from anywhere on the court.
The frontcourt matchup between the two athletic fours is sure to get fans out of their seats.
Evan Walshe vs Jaren Holmes
Another former Riders, Evan Walshe, is enjoying his best statistical season of his professional career in his first season with the Manchester Giants.
The Brit, who suited up in Riders red between 2021 and 2023, is putting up 11 points per game with the Giants this season.
Walshe caught the attention of the League from the off this year by putting up 16.5 points per game in his opening two fixtures. He has taken over games for the Giants with seven 20 point performances to his name.
The 6â4â wing is aggressive on offence. Heâs quick to get his head down and drive to the hole, but has shown his ability to step outside and knock down shots to keep defenders honest, going four for five from three against the Plymouth City Patriots earlier in the month.
Walsheâs real threat comes in transition, however, where his speed and aggression takes him coast to coast consistently for scores on the fastbreak. He shares this in common with Ridersâ guard Jaren Holmes, who made his return from injury last time out.
Holmes was an All-Star in his rookie season after graduating from Iowa State University. He has lit up the league with his energy and effort this season, and is the Ridersâ second leading scorer on the season.
Call his nameđ€
Jaren is ready to light up the Copper Box for Sunday's @britishbasketm All-Star game đ„
Michigan-born Holmes is averaging 13.4 points per game this season, and his 1.3 steals per game has led to a multitude of fastbreak opportunities where he is extremely effective. His speed is transition and vision when driving at pace makes him a dual threat to score and pass, in the half court and on the break.
The fastbreak battle between Holmes and Walshe will be fought at an electric pace, and paired with the highlight plays from Thomas and Lee, expect a flurry of highlights from the Riders final home game of the Championship season.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Key Storylines: The final weekend of Championship action
Leicester Riders are fast approaching their final weekend in the 2023-24 British Basketball League Championship.
They face pivotal fixtures in determining their seeding for the postseason, with home court advantage hanging in the balance.
Here are the key storylines for the Riders going into their final two games…
Home court in our hands
The Riders hold pole position for home court advantage in the postseason with two games to go. Wins against the Manchester Giants and Surrey Scorchers would secure fourth place, as the Riders possess the tiebreaker against the Newcastle Eagles and Sheffield Sharks.
This scenario would see Leicester finish the season in fourth with a 19-17 record, and could potentially see all three contenders for home court advantage finish on the same number of wins.
The Sharks hold the season series against the Eagles, meaning if all three teams win out it would be Riders vs Sharks in round one of the 2024 Playoffs.
But above anything, the Riders need to handle business in their final two games, and secure home court with two momentous wins.
Riders look to build late form
Wins are not a given for the Riders in the two games, who enter this weekend having lost two on the bounce.
The first was a 91-96 loss to the Eagles in a game where Leicester could have essentially locked up home court after beating the Sharks two games prior. The narrow loss, however, did mean Leicester secured the tiebreaker against their North Eastern rivals.
Most recently, the Riders fell to the Bristol Flyers 77-89, a big result for Bristol in their mission to secure the seventh seed.Â
After a weekend off, and a chance to recover, the Riders will look to lock in, bounce back and build their form going into the postseason.
Healthy Holmes
The week away from action was significant for the Riders, who can heal any bumps and bruises and get fresh ahead of an important Playoff campaign.
Head Coach Rob Paternostro echoed that sentiment while looking to the remaining two games of the Championship season.
âThese last couple of weeks are really significant,â he commented. âWe want to make sure weâre healthy, and that we understand what our strengths are going into the playoffs. When we have everyone available we have a lot of weapons that can cause huge problems.â
Jaren Holmes, in particular, will benefit from the added recovery time, having spent a number of weeks away from action through injury.
He returned to the roster in limited minutes last time out, and will look to build back into game shape in the final two games before attacking his first postseason campaign of his professional career.
Having Holmes back is a major boost, and Leicester will look to maintain a healthy roster in their final two fixtures.
âIn any sport, the healthiest do well in the postseason,â added Paternsotro. âWeâre happy to be able to spend some time recovering.â
The last few tickets remain for our final home game of the Championship season against Manchester Giants.
Leicester Riders are thrilled to be working with LivingWell Health ClubsLeicester as its official health club provider.
LivingWell Health Club prides themself on being Leicesterâs friendliest health club, providing a welcoming and comfortable location to both exercise and relax.
They offer a range of facilities including a swimming pool, spa pool, sauna, steam room, air conditioned gymnasium, pro-shop and relaxation area.
Sam Ford, Health Club Manager at LivingWell Leicester, commented:
âLivingWell Leicester are delighted to be working in partnership with Leicester Riders basketball as their official health club provider, which brings together the power of fitness and athleticism to promote a healthy lifestyle and community engagement.
âWe very much look forward to welcoming both the Menâs and Womenâs first teams into the club, and building further relations within the community.â
Interested in joining the Riders family? For more information read our corporate brochure here.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Andrew Sullivan named to British Basketball League Hall of Fame
Leicester Riders legend Andrew Sullivan has been named as one of the first 10 inductees of the British Basketball League Hall of Fame.Â
Sullivan played five seasons of his 13-year professional career with the Riders, helping to bring nine pieces of silverware to Leicester, including two trebles in 2013 and 2017.
He suited up for Leicetser from 2011-2014, before re-signing for two more seasons in 2015.
He was named British Basketball League MVP for the second time in 2013, averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
A serial winner, Sullivan won 20 pieces of British Basketball League silverware and two MVP awards.
Internationally, Sullivan was capped 100 times for Great Britain, and captained his country in the 2012 London Olympic games. He also won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in 2006 in Melbourne.
Sullivan’s services to basketball earned him a place in the League’s Hall-of-Fame, amongst legends of the Men’s and Women’s League, from players, coaches, officials and those who have demonstrated invaluable services to the Legaue.
You can read the full list of inductees to the British Basketball League Hall of Fame here!
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders fell 108-71 on the road to the Bristol Flyers, making their record 15-14 in the British Basketball League Championship.
The Flyers led convincingly wire-to-wire, hitting shots consistently all afternoon. Tevin Olison went off for 31 points, and was one of three Flyers with over 20 points.
Jaren Holmes led the Riders with 20 points and 3 rebounds. Despite their All-Star guardâs play, Leicester lost the turnover battle 17-9, and shot 39% to the Flyersâ 49% in the defeat.
The sides exchanged jabs through the first few minutes, the Flyers building a narrow advantage going into the first media timeout. They found joy getting to the rim, generating eight points in four minutes in close, giving the hosts an 11-7 lead with 4:41 left in the opening quarter.
Bristol went on a run out of the break to stretch the difference to nine. An Olison and-one followed by a Levi Bradley long two sparked the run, allowing the Flyers to lead 32-20 after one.
The momentum continued in the second quarter, the hosts building their lead to 16 midway through the period. Miryne Thomas and Jaren Holmes, with 10 and 9 points respectively, led the attempted comeback, but the Flyers had three scorers in double digits 15 minutes into the game in an offensive onslaught.
The Flyers won the second 29-16, led by Tevin Olison who had 25 points at the half. Bristol shot 13-20 from the foul line in the first to the Riders 3-5, turned the ball over four times to the Riders eight, and shot 50% from the field to the Riders 36%.
Leicester trailed 61-36 at the half.
The Riders chipped into the deficit in the third, but the Flyers hit big shots throughout to maintain their hefty advantage. Back to back Flyers’ threes rebuilt their lead, and an Olison corner triple made it 30.
It was 92-57 with one to play, Blake Bowman ending the quarter from the foul line.
The final quarter was a formality, with the game proving out of reach for the Riders. The Flyers won the fourth 16-14 to seal their win.
Leicester returns to action after the All-Star break, hosting the Caledonia Gladiators on March 22.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
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.
Itâs a group effort on the boards, despite Greeneâs 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 Idowuâs 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 Bristolâs 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.
Leicester Riders are set to take on the Bristol Flyers on the road, in their last game before the 2024 British Basketball League All-Star game.
Here are the key battles to watch in the game…
Brad Greene vs Sam Idowu
The Riders face the challenge of taking on the Leagueâs leading rebounder in Brad Greene. The American, who was named the All-Star starter for the centre position, has averaged a double double this season with 12.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
Greene is a force on the offensive boards. He leads all players in offensive rebounds with 3.9 per game, on a team that grabs the most rebounds of any team this season.
The 6â11â California native went off for 19 points and 17 rebounds against the Riders in December, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds.
In the rematch, however, in January, Riders big man Sam Idowu was his equal. Greene was held to 7 points, while Idowu muscled his way to 15 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks, pulling down 5 offensive rebounds going against Greene.Â
Idowu has been a physical force inside the paint off the bench for the Riders this season, . He has the size, the physicality and the hustle to contest Greene on the boards, and limit the Flyersâ second chance opportunities.
Trejon Jacob vs TJ Lall
Despite his teamâs loss, Trejon Jacob led the Flyers in a spirited performance last time against Leicester, scoring 16 points with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
He scored 10 points in the third to keep Bristol in the game, but the visitors couldnât capitalise on the offensive momentum, and Leicester kept their opponents at armâs length.
Jacob has averaged 17 points in the last two games against Leicester, finding joy putting points on the board. The American is putting up 12.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game committing to the glass from the wing.
Tasked with helping to slow Jacob down will be Canadian wing TJ Lall, who is coming off the back of a Team of the Week selection for his performance against the Cheshire Phoenix.
With leading scorer Teddy Allen and captain Kimbal Mackenzie ejected from the game, Lall stepped up in the fourth against the Phoenix to lead the team to a win. He scored seven to start the quarter, bringing his game tally to 22 points and 7 rebounds.Â
Lall has made his name as an elite two-way wing, able to impact every facet of a contest. His size and length, combined with his playmaking and shooting ability, makes him a versatile threat on the offensive end.
On defence, Lall can pick up all five positions, and will feel comfortable going up against Jacobâs scoring threat from the wing. Should Jacob get hot again in this one, Coach Rob Paternostro will feel confident in Lallâs ability to stem the tide.
Tevin Olison vs Jaren Holmes
Alongside Greene, Bristolâs other All-Star on their roster is Memphis-born guard Tevin Olison, who is shining in his second season as a pro.
Olison is Bristol’s leading scorer, averaging 15.8 points per game on 46.5% shooting from the field. Heâs taken a step up from his rookie year, where he averaged 10 points as a rookie for the Flyers.
Olison missed the previous two fixtures against the Riders through injury, but played at home against Leicester at the start of the season. He scored 17 points on 37.5% shooting from three, leading his teamâs scoring in a 92-74 Riders win.
Going face to face with Olison in the backcourt will be Leicesterâs own All-Star, Jaren Holmes, who has been playing elite hoops of late.
He went off for 15 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in the game, stepping up alongside Lall. Holmes has gone off for big performances throughout the year, and is the Ridersâ second leading scorer on the season.Â
Michigan-born Holmes is putting up 13.2 points and 4.4 rebounds from the backcourt, and can go toe-to-toe with any guard in the League on both ends of the ball.
Expect a battle between the two All-Star guards in Bristol.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Teddy Allen named British Basketball League Player of the Month for February
Teddy Allen has been named February’s British Basketball League Player of the Month.
Allen averaged 28.6 points and 7.6 rebounds during February, including back-to-back 35 point performances.
He became the first British Basketball League player to score 35 in consecutive Championship games since 2012, and the second player to post 35 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists since 2008.
The Phoenix-born wing is the League’s leading scorer this season, putting up 24.8 points per game, and the Riders’ leading rebounder, pulling down 6.6 per game.
Leicester Riders are the back of a 1-1 weekend, where they faced the top two ranked teams in the British Basketball League Championship standings.
They kicked off with a hard-fought 101-93 victory against Cheshire Phoenix, handing them their first loss in 2024.
On Sunday, they headed to London to face the league champion Lions, falling 105-89.
Riders All-Star guard Jaren Holmes reflected on the weekend of playâŠ
Overcoming adversity
The Riders pulled out the win against Cheshire in the face of adversity. They fell in a 20-2 hole to start the game and battled back to tie it in the second quarter.
Their leading scorer, Teddy Allen, then picked up a double technical foul as the game approached the half, and their captain, Kimbal Mackenzie, picked up a second unsportsmanlike foul in the third quarter.
Despite all of that, playing against a team they were yet to beat this season, they rallied to grind out a win.
âIt shows our competitive nature,â reflected Holmes, who went off for 15 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in the game.
âWe had to have a next man up mentality, and we have a great group of guys that love to play the game and compete. It showed that night.
âWhen Kimbal and Teddy were ejected, we took a breath and continued to play our game. Guys stepped up and it showed in those moments. We have a lot of talent on this team.â
Despite falling in a big hole early, the home crowd willed their team to the win with infectious energy all night.
âThere was a great energy in the building, and our team really fed off it,â said Head Coach Rob Paternostro after the game, and Holmes seconded that sentiment.
âThe crowd had a huge impact. They willed us to it. They kept getting louder and louder, and bringing that positivity. It truly helped me throughout the entire game. It was an exciting game overall, and they made it fun. They were world-class.
âI think it was our best win of the year so far.â
Battling in the capital
The second quarter is where the damage was done against the Lions. They lost the second 33-14, heading into halftime down 19.
âPlaying London, you have to hit shots and get back in transition. We missed a few shots in a row and they ended up with two threes. Those are swings you can’t have when you come up against a team that talented,â said Holmes.Â
Despite the loss, the Riders won the other three quarters by five, fighting wire to wire despite the heavy deficit.
âThere are always positives to take from games. Kimbal had to sit out in the second quarter, and Conner [Washington] stepped up to lead the point.
“It showed his ability to step up in the big moments. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but we didn’t skip a beat. The offence continued to flow, we played hard until the end.
âWe were up against a good team who are in the playoffs of the EuroCup. There are moments where anyone can be beaten, so if you keep knocking on that door, itâs going to open.â
Ready to bounce back in Bristol
The Riders are back in action on Sunday, heading to Bristol to face the Flyers.
The last time the sides met in Championship action, the Flyers took an 87-81 win in Leicester. The Riders took revenge in the next meeting, winning 95-74 in the British Basketball League Trophy.
âTheyâre a great team, coached well with dynamic players,â commented Holmes on his next opponent.
Theyâre up in your face and they press most of the game. We have to take care of the ball because they thrive in transition, and then limit their three-point opportunities in the half-court.â
The Flyers lead the league in rebounds per game in the Championship this season and pull down the most offensive boards in the League as well. Their All-Star centre, Brad Greene, leads all players in rebounding with 10.2 a game and is averaging a double-double this season.
âThey rebound extremely well, especially on the offensive end,â said Holmes. âWe have to keep them off the glass. Rebounding is absolutely the emphasis this week.
Itâs not just Greene, They all crash and help him, so we have to find ways to create two-on-one against him and take him out of the play when the ball comes off the rim.â
The sides play at opposite ends of the spectrum in regards to their play style. Leicester play at the fastest pace of any team this season, and Bristol at the second slowest.
Holmes says it’s important to establish the game at Leicesterâs tempo.
âWe have to trust in the work we have, not change who we are regardless of who is in front of us. We want to push the pace, get up shots and play together as a team.â
The game tips off on Sunday, March 10, at 2 pm. You can watch the action live here, on the British Basketball League Youtube channel!
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicetser Riders lost 105-89 to the London Lions on the road, to fall to 15-13 in the British Basketball League Championship.
The sides were squared at 27 after one, but an explosion in the second quarter from the Lions gave them a 20 point advantage which the Riders were unable to overcome in the second half.
Leicester won the final three quarters by 5, but couldnât find enough to get back into it.
Teddy Allen led the game with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals, continuing to establish himself as the Leagueâs premier scorer. He was backed by Miryne Thomas, who scored 10 in the third quarter on his way to 17 points to get the Riders offence back in rhythm.Â
But the issues were on the defensive end. The Lions had five double digit scorers, led by 17 points from Sam Dekker, and the team shot 58% from the field.
The Riders burst out to a 9-2 start, attacking with authority led by four from Kimbal Mackenzie out the gate. London hit back in minutes to tie it at 11, but the Riders established their offence early to go toe to toe with the hosts.
Allen scored seven in the first five minutes, getting buckets on the board early. A minute later, he drove the length of the floor on the fastbreak for the second time in the game, scoring his second and-one play.
Dekker, in his return to the roster from injury, got to work to close the first. He scored seven straight points to take the lead for London. But the first ended 27-27 led by 9 points from Allen.
London started the second quarter 6-0 to extend out to a lead. They found success at the rim, as the Riders did early, scoring their first five buckets of the period in close to force a Rob Paternostro timeout.
Tarik Phillip scored six points in three minutes for London on their run. They made it a double digit lead through David Nwaba, who was found on a backdoor cut to make it 41-30.
The onslaught continued through to the half, the Lions winning the second quarter 33-14 to take a 60-41 advantage, led by 12 from Dekker at the break.
The Lions picked up in the third quarter where they left the second, scoring six straight to grow their lead. Thomas found joy for the Riders to score 10 points in three and a half minutes, but visitors couldnât slow down Londonâs scoring to break into the deficit.Â
The Lions won the third 28-23 to lead 88-64 with one to play.
The Riders went bucket for bucket to start the fourth, once again finding success at the hoop. Blake Bowmanâs free throws made it an 8-6 start to the period.
But London saw it out late, having built enough of a lead early to secure the win.
The Riders return to action on Sunday, staying on the road to face the Bristol Flyers.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Riders are set to take on the London Lions in their second game of the weekend. They will face the League champions for the final time in the British Basketball League Championship, heading to the Copper Box for the second time.Â
Here, we take you through what to expect from our opponentsâŠ
Shooting efficiency
London have operated with killer efficiency on the offensive end this season. They lead the League in field goal, three point and free throw percentage, their effective field goal percentage sitting at 58% on the season, 4% more than the second ranked Riders.
The Lions attack the hoop to generate offence. They lead all teams in points in the paint and free throw rate, getting easy buckets at the rim and putting their opponents in foul trouble consistently.
While their leading scorer, Matthew Morgan, is the second highest scorer in the League with 19.4 points per game, the Lions share the ball to great effect to lead all teams in assists.Â
The Riders offensive production is close to matching the Lions on the season, scoring just one point less on average in their games, but theyâll have to lock in on the defensive end to find success in this game, especially because of the quality London has on the other side of the ball.
Stifling defence
While some of the Lionsâ defensive success can be credited to their high field goal percentage, preventing opponents getting easy looks on the fastbreak, they have ranked among the Leagueâs best in their score stopping.
The Lions are the best at stopping transition buckets, allowing only 15.4 fast break points per game, they also hold their opponents to the worst field goal percentage of any other team at just 41%.
In addition, London close possessions consistently, allowing few second looks at the basket. Their 31.69 defensive rebounds per game is best of any team. Their defence is a contributing factor with that number, forcing their opponents into more misses and getting more opportunities for defensive rebounds.
Another aspect of Londonâs stifling defence is their rim protection. Led by the league-leading rim protector Josh Sharma, who sends away the most shots of any player with 1.7 per game, London tops the blocked shots charts also.
The Ridersâ high powered scoring will need to be at its best to overcome Londonâs defence.
Giveaways
An area of weakness in the table toppers is their tendency to give away possessions.
The Lions turn the ball over 15.69 times per game, the most in the League. This leads to them giving up the third most points off turnovers per game at 13.86 per game.
While their shooting efficiency means London doesnât give up many fastbreak points, but the Riders will look to take advantage of any Lions turnovers to generate good shots against Londonâs defence.Â
Report: Riders grind out gritty win against Cheshire
Leicester Riders pulled off a gritty 101-93 win against Cheshire Phoenix, snapping the visitorâs undefeated streak in 2024.
The entire Riders unit stepped up after the Leagueâs leading scorer, Teddy Allen, and Leicesterâs captain Kimbal Mackenzie were ejected from the game.Â
TJ Lall topped the teamâs scoring off the bench with 22 points, backed by Miryne Thomas’ who had 19 and exploded out of the half following Allenâs ejection.
Leicester were red hot from three, shooting 47% from deep on the game led by Lall and Thomas who combined for six.
Aaryn Rai led the game with 28 points, fighting wire to wire in his teamâs effort. But they couldnât overcome a spirited Riders effort, backed by a raucous home crowd.
Starting slow
Leicester werenât just faced with the adversity of two ejections. They started slow, falling in a 20-2 hole in the first quarter.
Rai scored 8 points to start the game, and Leicester turned the ball over four times in three minutes in a stuttering start.
Thomas took the lid off the basket with a score at the rim to make it 20-4. One score was all it took for the Riders to find form, and Lall sank a corner triple to make it 20-9 with 4:10 left in the first.
Bouncing back
The Riders rallied, going on a 15-3 run to end the first. Big man Duke Shelton ended the first with a drive to the hoop to make it 23-17, getting Leicester right back in it.
The surge continued in the second, and Sam Idowu grabbed the Riders the lead, as the hosts continued to attack inside.
The sides were locked in a back-and-forth towards halftime. Jaren Holmes put up seven points in the second quarter to shoulder the scoring load, hitting a corner triple after an Allen behind-the-back pass.
But the big moment in the game came minutes later, as Allen picked up a quick double technical which saw him ejected from the game. With the Leagueâs leading scorer out of the tie, the Phoenix ended the period on a 4-0 run to make it 42-42 at the half.
Gunning out of the break
Thomas drained a three to settle the Riders into the second half. Leicester started the quarter in a 7-0 run, after three Skyler White misses on the other end. Thomas came out hot, hitting two quick triples to put Leicester up 55-48.
He brought his game tally to double figures with 3:55 left in the quarter, sinking a tough and-one finish over White.
Up 10, Leicester battled hard to close the third to keep their opponents at armâs length. But to close the quarter, Riders captain Mackenzie picked up an unsportsmanlike foul after incidental off ball contact, which saw him out of the game with Allen.
Battling it out late
The third ended 70-62, the Riders needing heart and hustle to see it out.
Holmes attacked the hoop for two to start the final quarter, followed by Lall who put Leicester up 12. Lall hit a corner three, assisted by Holmes, before Miryne came down and nailed a triple of his own as the Riders ran away with the tie late.
Cheshireâs star guard LaQuincey Rideau was the third player thrown out of the game, picking up his fifth and final foul in the fourth.
On the other end, Ridersâ veteran Conner Washington stepped up in the absence of Mackenzie and Allen, taking a charge on Cam Christon and finishing a layup through heavy contact with four minutes remaining.
Lall put the exclamation point on the performance with an explosive one handed jam, sending the Riders fans into raptures and sealing the win.
The Riders are back in action on Sunday, heading to London to take on the table topping Lions.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Mackenzie is one of the League’s premier playmakers, ranking top 10 in assists per game on the season. He is scoring 13 points per game from 44.9% shooting, and has been the team’s go to man in the clutch of late.
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.
— British Basketball League (@britishbasketm) October 7, 2023
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.
đ€Ż CAM CHRISTON! Hustlin' his way to beat the buzzer and put @CheshireNix up after 10 minutes against @Cal_Gladiators.
— British Basketball League (@britishbasketm) January 5, 2024
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 Leagueâs leading scorer Teddy Allen who pulls down a team-high 6.7 boards per game, to the Ridersâ 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
Cheshireâs 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 teamâs 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. Raiâs 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 Raiâs drives to the rim will be tasked with the Riders premier perimeter defenders, who are in for an intense night to limit Raiâs effectiveness.
We need you there!
The team need your help to get over the line in this one!
Key matchups: Leicester Riders vs Cheshire Phoenix
Leicester Riders take on the Cheshire Phoenix on Friday, in an important clash for the team.
The star-studded fixture features three All-Star starters, and some of the best talent the League has to offer going head to head.
Here, we take a look at the key matchups in the game…
Aaryn Rai vs Teddy Allen
Last seasonâs NBL Player of the Year, Aaryn Rai, has established himself as one of the Leagueâs best in his step up to the British Basketball League.
The Canadian wing ranks top five in scoring (17.38 points per game), sixth in rebounding (7 per game) and top 10 in field goal percentage (56.47%), as well as knocking down his threes at a red hot 41% rate.
Rai leads the League in three point percentage from the top of arc, finding success pulling up in transition and losing his defenders at the top of the three point line.
He has also relentlessly attacked the rim all season long, and his willingness to push the tempo in transition has been key to Cheshireâs high-paced, fastbreak offensive approach.
Rai has exploded for huge games this season, the biggest of which was a 32 point outing against the London Lions. But heâll be faced with the tall task of keeping up with the Leagueâs leading scorer- Teddy Allen.Â
Allen enters this game after back-to-back 35 point performances. Only two players have scored more points in their first eight Championship games. Allen has averaged 26.4 points per game in the League so far, and will look to continue to rack up the points in an attempt to overcome the Phoenix.
Laquincy Rideau vs Kimbal Mackenzie
Laquincy Rideau was instrumental to Cheshireâs Trophy success, hitting the game winning layup against the Riders in the Final Four, and winning Final MVP with 25 points and 10 rebounds against London Lions.
He has been the Leagueâs true point guard, leading all players in assists (6.8 per game) and steals (3 per game), making his impact felt on both ends of the ball.
Rideau pulls the strings for Cheshire, and has logged double digit assists seven times this season. This has contributed to his seven double doubles so far, three of which coming against the Riders.
He battled down the stretch with Riders captain Kimbal Mackenzie in the Trophy, Rideau having the final say on that occasion, but Mackenzie has stepped up consistently in the clutch for the Riders over the past few seasons, and will look to again when his number is called.Â
He led the team down the stretch in a clutch win against Caledonia Gladiators, scoring six points in the final two minutes, and has hit a rich vein of form of late.
Mackenzie had scored 15+ in his last three games, earning Player of the Game with his 21 point performance against the Gladiators.
The Canadian has been a killer from midrange, getting to his sports consistently and connecting on over 50% of his looks. Expect a back-and-forth between him and Rideau from the backcourt in this one.
Skyler White vs Sam Idowu
A Cheshire weapon that has been effective against the Riders this season has been stretch four Skyler White, who has put up big numbers from behind the arc.
Two of his best games of the season were against the Riders, the first a 22 point outing on opening night, and 23 points in the Trophy Final Four.
White hit a combined 13 threes in those games, and chucked up 31. His high volume of three point attempts mean the Riders have to close out when he drifts to the perimeter.
Sizing him up in the front court will be Sam Idowu, a versatile forward who is more than comfortable stepping up to the outside.
Idowu has a versatile game on both ends, capable of hitting the three, taking defenders off the dribble and working in the post down low. He has the size to challenge White when he goes to work in the paint, and the athleticism and perimeter defence to follow him out to the three point line and contest his three point attempts.Â
Idowu has enjoyed good form over the last few months, and went off for 20 against Plymouth City Patriots on February 9. The matchup at the forward position has been a significant factor between the sides this season, and it could be no different in this one.
We need you there!
The team need your help to get over the line in this one!
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Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Riders duo named to 2024 British Basketball League All-Star Team
Leicester Riders duo Teddy Allen and Jaren Holmes have been voted 2024 British Basketball League All-Star starters.
They will suit up for the South, alongside London Lions guard Matthew Morgan and forward Sam Dekker, and Bristol Flyers center Brad Greene at the Copper Box Arena on March 24.
Allen is the Leagueâs leading scorer, and has been named captain after amassing the most votes of any player in the South. Since signing with the Riders in mid-December, heâs putting up 26.4 points and 6.7 rebounds, while shooting 47.6% from the field and a red-hot 46.5% from three in the Championship.
Allen commented: “It always feels good to be recognised for what you do, in any light. Thank you to all the fans who took the time to vote!”
Holmes was the highest-voted player in the guard position in the South. He is logging 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game in the Championship this season, impressing in his rookie year.
Holmes commented: “It’s an honour to be voted an All-Star. I’m grateful to my teammates for putting me in the situations to be successful, and to the coaching staff for believing in my abilities day in and day out.
“Thank you the fans for voting me in, especially with this being my rookie year. I’m super excited to be making memories that will last a lifetime. I can’t wait to be there, and have a good time with the rest of the players.”
The full starting fives for the All-Star game are as follows.
Position
North
South
Guard
Larry Austin Jr. (c) –Newcastle Eagles
Matthew Morgan- London Lions
Guard
Jordan Johnson- Newcastle Eagles
Jaren Holmes- Leicester Riders
Forward
Aaryn Rai- Cheshire Phoenix
Teddy Allen (c)- Leicester Riders
Forward
Tajh Green- Newcastle Eagles
Sam Dekker- London Lions
Center
Ethan Chargois- Cheshire Phoenix
Brad Greene- BristolFlyers
The remainder of the team will be chosen by the two head coaches, Caledonia Gladiatorsâ Gareth Murray for the North and London Lionsâ Petar Bozic for the South.
The Riders fell on the road 109-93 to the Plymouth City Patriots.
A second-straight 35-point performance from Teddy Allen wasnât enough to overcome a red-hot shooting night from the Patriots.
The hosts went 12-26 from three, led by 33 points from Tyrell Green who went from 8-10 distance on the night.
The Riders fall to 14-12 in the British Basketball League Championship, faltering in their pursuit of the Caledonia Gladiators and Cheshire Phoenix above them in the table.
The Riders came gunning out the gate, with Mo Walker and Allen combining for their first 17 points. Allen made the highlight of the first, pulling up from near the logo and banking in a three to make the score 17-10 with 4:20 left in the first.Â
The Patriots came into the game as the worst three-point shooting team in the League, but caught fire from deep to cut into their early deficit. They hit three straight to cut the difference to three points, Green connecting back-to-back.
The Patriots tied it up at the hands of Jules Dang-Akodo from deep with less than a minute left in the period, but Allen ended the quarter with his 12th points, making it 26-24 after one.
The hosts found their groove in the second, riding the hot hand of Green for 6 points and starting the quarter 14-5. Green hit his fourth three with a contest in his face, making it a double-digit advantage at 41-31.
The Riders came storming out of the following media timeout with eight straight points, Allen pulling up from deep once again for his 18th points to make it 41-39 within a minute.
It took another three minutes to tie the game up, and it was Shelton who did it with a putback layup. It was the last score of the half, and the sides entered the break tied at 46.
Allen got the second half underway with a finish at the rim to get Leicester the lead back. The sides exchanged buckets to start the third quarter, both attacking the rim relentlessly.
Both teams couldnât miss to start the third. They combined for 36 points through six minutes, Kimbal Mackenzie making the last score before the media timeout to make the score 65-63 in the Ridersâ favour.Â
But the Patriots were the team to find some separation, Green staying hot to knock down his sixth three from seven attempts. Dusha stole the following inbound and beat the buzzer at the end of the period to make it 82-73.
Green hit another to start the fourth to help build the hostâs lead to 14. Allen then responded with a three in transition and a spin move in the lane to get five points back. Next time up the floor, he hit a stepback three to complete an 8-0 run on his own. Out of the following timeout, Allen drained yet another triple for 35 points.Â
The Patriots responded with two straight scores, Cam Copeland with the second at the rim. With the newfound momentum they scored eight straight points, Jacob Wileyâs fastbreak jam off a lob pass forcing a Riders timeout.
Green hit a three out of the timeout, making the difference 14. The Riders couldnât overcome that deficit and fell to the Patriots on the road.
The Riders return to action after the international break, hosting the Trophy champions Cheshire Phoenix on March 1.Â
Leicester Riders are set to play the Plymouth City Patriots on the road for the first time this season after beating their opponents twice at home so far this year.
A win would see the Riders improve to
Here are three things to look out for in our game in the South West…
Close games
The Patriots have featured in 10 games that finished within single digits in the Championship this season. Their record in those games is 2-8, including three losses that finished within a single score.
Two games ago, they lost another heartbreaker against the Surrey Scorchers 94-92. Should they have secured a defensive board following Saquon Jamisonâs deliberately missed free throw with five seconds left, theyâd have had a shot for the win.
Plymouth are 0-2 against the Riders this season, and they remained in both games until late. The first was an 88-81 Leicester win, and the game was within two points with less than two minutes remaining. The Riders saw it out late, led by four points from Mackenzie.
Mackenzie has put the Riders on his back this season and scored six points in the clutch against the Caledonia Gladiators last week to secure an important win.
Should Plymouth keep it close once again, the Riders may look to their captain to get over the line. But the Patriots will expect these close games to bounce their way later in the season, as they look to step it up in the clutch.
TJ Atwood
Plymouthâs leading scorer this season, and a player who has been in hot contention for a place on the British Basketball League starting five, is American TJ Atwood.
Atwood went off for 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists last time he suited up against Leicester, and has been one of the Patriotsâ most effective players all season.
He is putting up 15.26 points per game from an efficient 52% from the field this season, leading the team. His 6.74 rebounds per game is second most on the Patriots roster, and he also leads them in steals with 1.44 per game.
Atwood doesnât need much of the ball to do his damage. He ranks eighth on his team in usage rate at just 18.85%, meaning the Riders will have to remain aware through 40 minutes of his presence on the court off the ball.
If theyâre not, he can go off for 30 as he did earlier in the year against the Bristol Flyers.
Offensive rating
Despite the firepower of Atwood, the Patriotsâ offence has struggled for rhythm this season, ranking last in offensive rating with 99.95. They score 78.46 points per game, one more point than bottom-ranked Sheffield Sharks, but rely on their offensive rebounding for second-chance opportunities.
Their lack of consistent deep threat has been a contributing factor to this, as they shoot the lowest percentage from behind the arc in the League at 28.67%. From two-point range, they rank fifth, finding success attacking the hoop.
In addition to their shooting percentages, the Patriots have struggled to take care of the ball. They rank second in turnover percentage, giving the ball away on 16.04% of their possessions.
The Riders will need to maintain pressure on the ball to force mistakes while limiting chances within the arc and pulling down defensive rebounds to hold Plymouth to their season trends.
đŻ 14 points đȘ 4 rebounds âïž 2 blocks
TJ did it all in our September win against @PlymCityPatriot đ„
Leicester Riders made it four wins on the bounce with a 108-94 win against the Sheffield Sharks.
The win improved their record to 14-11 in the British Basketball League Championship, one win behind the Caledonia Gladiators in third.
Here’s how the Riders reacted to the win…
Teddy Allen- “Pressure is a privilege.”
Star guard Teddy Allen went off for his highest-scoring night in Riders red so far, exploding for 35 points and 12 rebounds.
It was one of only two such performances in the last 15 years in the British Basketball League, as the leading scorer continues to take the League by storm.
He put the scoring load on his back when the team needed him most last night.
âPressure is a privilege,â said Allen, when asked how he handles the scoring responsibility when the Riders need a basket.
âI’m happy my teammates put me in those positions and that I could deliver for them when my opportunities arose. Iâm just happy to get this win at home with my team.â
The Riders found themselves in a double-digit hole in the first half, and gave up the highest-scoring half in the Sharksâ season so far. Defence was the priority for the Riders to come back.
âWe had to lock in on defence. Youâre not going to win many games if you give up 57 in a half. We did that in the second half, and Iâm proud of my guys.â
Allen has hit the ground running with the Riders since signing in December. He spoke about how his relationship with Head Coach Rob Paternostro has allowed him to succeed.
âWe have a lot of trust in each other. He has never got on me for a shot- he just wants me to play my game, and he trusts me in those moments. I can do nothing but thank him and be appreciative to have a coach like that.â
Rob Paternostro- “He’s worth the price of admission!”
Coach Paternostro repaid the compliment from Allen, signing the Americanâs praises after the win.
âHe’s worth the price of admission! He was awesome tonight. He had two quick fouls, but we rode him for a while, and he did a good job of not fouling.
âWhat’s impressive about Teddy is his stamina. He has the ball a lot and takes a lot of shots, but he doesn’t get tired. He can stay on the floor for a long time without me needing to give him a break. He came up big tonight.”
After a tough start to the game, unable to stop the Sharksâ scoring onslaught, Paternstro made adjustments at the half to slow Sheffield down.
âTo give them credit, they were really shooting the ball well, and we struggled to guard them in the first half. But we knew if we were in the game after they shot like that, then this one could be ours.
“We had to do better in transition and stop second chance points, and we were much better defensively after halftime.â
The Riders saw it out in the clutch for the second straight game, after they beat the Caledonia Gladiators in the final minutes on the road last weekend.
Getting wins out of close games has given the group confidence in those situations.
âIt was an entertaining game! Anyone who was here tonight enjoyed that. We really made the big plays late in the game, which weâve been doing as of late. We played really well in the second half.
âOur guys were really confident late in the game. When itâs tight, we feel like we can see the game out, and earlier in the year, we didn’t have the same confidence after we lost a couple of close ones.â
Itâs a quick turnaround for the Riders, who head to Plymouth to take on the Patriots on Sunday afternoon. Rest and recovery is the priority for the Riders.
âRest is our biggest focus now. We know Plymouth can be a difficult opponent and challenging on the road. It’s our first time there this season, so we have to go down here and have a solid game to finish the weekend right.â
The Riders return to the Mattioli Arena on March 1, taking on the Cheshire Phoenix.
The Sharks started hot, scoring 57 points in the first half, their most in any half this season. But the Riders overcame it, ending the third quarter on an 11-0 run and seeing out a win in the clutch.
Sheffield was led by Malek Green who put up 19 points and 11 rebounds. They entered the game as the lowest-scoring offence in the League, but caught fire from the off to challenge the Riders throughout.
A slow start for the Riders, with them struggling to find the bottom of the basket despite generating good looks, saw them fall into a 10-3 hole after 5 points from Sharksâ forward Jordan Ratinho.
It became 15-6 after Green spilt out onto the fastbreak for an easy two, which forced a Riders timeout after 3:24.Â
The Sharks poured in the points in the first quarter. Green was firing from the jump to put up double digits in six minutes, and he made it a double-digit lead at 22-12 with a triple. Sheffield found joy on the glass to snatch 5 offensive rebounds until the Riders closed in to end the period.
The insertion of Duke Shelton into the game saw the Riders clean up the glass and get back into the game. An 8-2 end to the first meant they trailed 30-27 after one.
The high-scoring start didnât stop in the second quarter, with each of the teams scoring on their first two possessions. Sheffield rebuilt their lead to 10 as Rodney Glasgow Jr pulled up from midrange- the visitors continuing their offensive hot streak.Â
But again, Leicester found form as the clock ticked down. They went on an 11-2 run, capped off by a triple from Mo Walker, to bring it back within a score with two minutes left in the half.
The Sharks bit back, bringing it back to an eight-point game with a pull-up from three in transition by Glasgow Jr, but Holmes ended the second period with a three-point heave, taking a foul for another point at the foul line to make it 57-53 at the half.Â
Leicester quickly tied it up to start the second half. Allen and Samuel Idowu scored four quick points to even the score and set the stage for the remainder of the tie. They took their first lead of the game a few minutes into the half, and Allen pulled up from deep to find separation with the score 64-59.
Leicester had momentum in the final few minutes, Allen lighting the spark after pulling up on the dribble from deep. He drew an unsportsmanlike foul on Jalon Pipkins after they tangled legs on the break, and Shelton followed his subsequent free throws with a monster two-hand jam.
The Riders entered the final period leading 82-71.
Allen made his mark on the start of the fourth, pulling up from the car park for his fourth triple. But the Sharks stayed in the game, finding runs to the rim to chip into their deficit. They started the fourth 12-5, RJ Eytle-Rock cutting the game to five at the foul line.
It was a tie game with five minutes left, as Devearl Ramsey pulled up from midrange to lock the teams at 88. They took the lead next time down through Bennet Koch, the Sharks holding all of the momentum.
Kimbal Mackenzie took it back with a corner three, off the back of his clutch performance last time out in Caledonia. He was followed by Holmes, who fought his way to the free-throw line and put Leicester up 94-90.
Lall was the next to be sent to the foul line, and rebounded his own miss and made the putback as the Riders found form in the clutch. Idowu scored a layup next time up the floor to put Leicester up seven with 1:37 left, and the Riders saw the game out from there.
The Riders return to action on Sunday, heading to Plymouth to take on the Patriots on the road.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Basketball returns to the Mattioli Arena this Friday as the in-form Riders host a B. Braun Sheffield Sharks squad that have only won once in 2024.
Rob Paternostroâs team have recently pushed beyond .500 after carrying their strong British Basketball League Trophy form into the League Championship and sit comfortably in the top half of the standings.
The Riders enter Round 19 of Championship play brimming with confidence after claiming one of the most impressive wins of the season â a 97-93 defeat of the high-flying Caledonia Gladiators on their home court.
Success for the Riders was crucial to maintain their current momentum and to avenge an agonising one-point loss in Glasgow towards the end of October.
As predicted, Leicester had to put in a strong performance for the entire 40 minutes to bag a 12th win of the season, coming through in the clutch after the home side took a narrow lead with less than a minute left on the clock.
Kimbal Mackenzie put in a captainâs performance, going 8-12 from the field for a total of 21 points â including six down the stretch â and dishing out five assists on the night.
The powerful Jaren Holmes also had a nice night, making his presence felt all over the court to the tune of 15 points and nine rebounds for a near double-double.
The most eye-catching plays, however, came from the palms of Teddy âBucketsâ Allen, who delved deeply into his box of tricks to drain 28 points on the Gladiators, including four deep balls, two of which were taken from a different postcode.
The standout performances from the Ridersâ backcourt trio allowed the rest of the squad to play solid team basketball, and Sundayâs victory over a good opponent demonstrates how far this team has come.
More strong opposition presents itself this Friday in the form of Sheffield. Ridersâ fans wonât know which trio will take the game by the scruff this time but should be confident that every player on the roster has the skills to shape victory.
Struggles in the New Year
The Sheffield Sharks currently sit in strong playoff contention in the League Championship with an 11-13 record and well clear of the bottom two.
An impressive November saw Fridayâs visitors go five of six, including a 91-84 home win over the Riders where they utilised the fast break to great effect.
The Sharks boast a league-leading defence, conceding just 79.1 points per game while holding opposing teams to under 32% from three-point range.
A large contingent of Sheffieldâs roster possesses fast hands on defence, especially American guard Terrell Allen and dunk artist Jalon Pipkins. The aggressive defenders 1.4 and 1.3 steals per game respectively, forcing teams to think twice about taking them on the dribble.
However, tenacious defence does have its drawbacks, and for the Sharks, it comes in the form of opposition free throws.
Earlier in the season, Atiba Lyonsâ charges were getting away with giving up the ninth-most free shots in the League Championship, but a 2024 littered with tight losses has magnified the consequences of not matching the opponent at the line.
The Riders are the second most accurate charity stripe shooting team in the league â hitting at a cool 77.3% – and get to the line nearly 21 times a game.
The Sharksâ recent losses average a losing margin of ten points. This could be flipped on its head if Sheffield can figure out a way to avoid fouls while defending determinedly.
Key Matchup
A large number of matchups catch the eye this Friday as one of the leagueâs most prolific offenses battles against the leagueâs stringiest defence, but the key matchup will be between guards, Jaren Holmes and Jalon Pipkins.
#5 Pipkins is a true entertainer of the league. The Americanâs most desirable trick is his ability to almost levitate in the air before jamming home a satisfying dunk. The guard has serious hops.
Pipkins experienced a short stint of play in Finland after graduating from the Fort Wayne Mastodons and found his eventual home in Sheffield last season.
The high-flyer is having a decent season, averaging 11.8 points per game and going nearly 60% from inside the arc.
The true test for Holmes will be to penetrate Pipkinsâ defence which is some of the best the British Basketball League has to offer.
The Leicester man has mostly been excellent this season and uses his size and strength excellent to get the better of both smaller and bigger opponents.
A star of the Big-12 NCAA conference, Holmesâ rookie campaign with the Riders sings to the tune of 13.3 points per game â second on the roster â 4.3 boards each night and a couple of assists to boot.
Ridersâ fans will know that despite being a primary offensive weapon, Holmes is also good on the defensive side of the ball, snagging 1.2 steals per game.
The back-and-forth contest between these two athletic guards should be fun to watch. One thing is for certain â win or lose, Holmes and Pipkins will create more than a few highlights along the way.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Riders recap: What we can take from a winning weekend
The Riders recorded two wins in a crucial doubleheader weekend, beating the Plymouth City Patriots at home, and the Caledonia Gladiators in the clutch on the road.
Here’s what we can take from the weekend of action…
Multiple scoring threats
In both games over the weekend, the Riders had three players score over 15 points and two score 20.
Different games are for different guys, and only two players, Jaren Holmes and leading scorer Teddy Allen, put up double digits in both games, but the Riders showed they can rely on multiple players to step up and put the ball in the basket when their name is called.
Last time, he pulled up from midrange with 10 seconds to go to put the Riders up one, but the Gladiators found a response to win it at the hands of Clifton Moore Jr.
Two weeks ago, Mackenzie had a clutch outing in the Trophy Final Four, where he drove to the bucket for an and-one score to put the Riders up one with 20 seconds left.
But this time, he led Leicester to a win with his performance late. The Canadian took over with a minute and a half left and scored six straight points, including two go-ahead buckets to put the scoring load on his back.
Mackenzieâs play earned him the Player of the Game, and secured an important win for the team in a doubleheader weekend.
Turning a corner
Leicester entered the weekend with a .500 record, with an important pair of games awaiting them as they hoped to climb the Championship standings. On Sunday night, they improved to 13-11, and now sit fourth, just a game behind the Gladiators in third.
The Riders have won four on the bounce in the Championship, a run which started at home against the Sheffield Sharks with a 103-75 win on December 30. They have a chance to make it five with the same fixture on Friday.
Their game against the Sharks marks the first of another doubleheader, with a trip to the Plymouth City Patriots awaiting them on Sunday. Itâs another vital run of games for Rob Paternostroâs side, and they need you behind them.
Teddy Allen led the gameâs scoring, however, exploding for 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals.
The Gladiators, led by Lukas Palyzaâs 17, were down big in the fourth but fought back to take the lead with less than a minute left. They didnât have enough to secure the win however, and the Riders improved to 13-11 on the season.Â
Leicester endured a slow offensive start, which found them in an early hole. They started 1-7 from the field, and the Gladiators ran out to a 9-3 start led by 4 points from Fahro Alihodzic.
Allen took the lid off the basket with a three from the top of the arc to cut the difference to a score. The Riders found some rhythm from there, and the sides exchanged baskets going up and down the court.
Caledonia had the better of the final stages of the first quarter. They crashed the offensive glass for second-chance points, and led 24-15 after one led by 6 points from Whelan.
Allen got the second quarter underway with a triple to claw some points back. But the Gladiators kept pouring on the points, getting to the foul line consistently to keep their scoreboard ticking over.
The Riders came storming back midway through the period. TJ Lall and Allen hit threes back to back, Allen pulling up in transition to make it 34-31. He exploded in the quarter, scoring 13 to bring his game tally to 17 by halftime.
The hosts threatened to pull away, rebuilding their lead to eight, but a 7-0 Riders run to end the half, finished off by a buzzer-beating three from Holmes, to make the score 48-47.
Mackenzie ran in transition to start the second half to take the Ridersâ first lead of the game. The Riders kept the Gladiators at armâs length for the start of the third, finding consistent offence to contrast their start to the game.
Miryne Thomas connected from deep with a big three to put the Riders up nine going into the media timeout. Out of the break, Mackenzie ran the floor for a tough finish inside to make it a double-digit difference.
Allen stayed hot, putting in 7 points in the third, and the Riders entered the fourth up 75-67.
But the Gladiators came out into the fourth with two straight scores to make it a four point affair.
Mackenzie hit back, draining a three to stop the run of momentum, and Holmes built off the triple, making two buckets at the rim to keep the Gladiators at bay. Allen followed him up with two finishes of his own, responding to Caledoniaâs trips to the foul line.
But the hosts did find a way back, and Palyza hit a big three with 2:49 left to make the score 87-90. Clifton Moore Jr hit back-to-back baskets to take the lead with 1:35 left.
Mackenzie hit back with a three from the top of the arc, putting the Riders up two. With the ball going the other way, Holmes rejected Whelan, but Bothwell found the bottom of the basket after the subsequent rebound to tie the game at 93.
Mackenzie struck again with a midrange pull-up with 52 seconds left, and Palyza missed a three on the next possession. With 30 seconds left, Mackenzie made one of two free throws to make it a three-point lead.
Bothwell had a chance to tie it for Caledonia but missed from three, and Idowu put the game beyond doubt from the foul line with eight seconds left, securing an important win for the Riders.
Leicester returns to action on Friday, hosting the Sheffield Sharks.
Sunday evening sees the 12-11 Riders take the tough trip north to face the 14-9 Caledonia Gladiators and wrap up Round 18 of the British Basketball League Championship.
The game is sure to be a battle of attrition after both teams played in competitive matches on Friday night as part of a weekend doubleheader.
Rob Paternostroâs squad will travel to Glasgow high in confidence after Fridayâs 102-81 defeat of the Plymouth City Patriots gives them a chance to extend their League Championship winning run to four games.
The Riders didnât have it all their own way against the Pats, but a devastating 33-point fourth quarter saw them through to the impressive double-digit win.
Fridayâs 102 points was the fifth time Leicester reached triple-digits in the past nine games, and history dictates that when they breach that total, they win.
Teddy âBucketsâ Allen took Player of the Game honours in the victory, yet again making 20 points look easy with a cool 25 on 58% shooting from the field.
The prolific scorer had an off night from three-point range â dropping just one of his six attempts â but displayed elite adaptability, pulling from an extensive bag of tricks on multiple occasions to finish at the rim.
Big Samuel Idowu also turned heads with a 20 point â 12 rebound double-double from the bench in what is becoming a familiar sight of dominance.
Idowu is proving to be a nightmare for defences, often imposing his will inside before sliding quietly out to the arc to splash from deep, currently hitting around 30% of his three-pointers.
The introduction of Allen and the emergence of Idowu is also allowing captain Kimbal Mackenzie to play a more well-rounded point guard role without the burden of being the rosterâs primary scoring option.
The Ridersâ leader can still shoot the ball â often in clutch situations â but 11 assists against the Patriots demonstrate his increased role as a distributor as the trust between the squad improves with each game.
Solid shooting, good distribution and trust are three things the Riders will need if they are to best the Gladiators on home court. On recent form, they have all three in abundance.
A Tough Return to Championship Action
The Gladiators have been enjoying a fantastic season so far, sitting third in the League Championship standings and making it to the semi-finals of the League Trophy competition.
Gareth Murrayâs men play safe, solid basketball predicated on stingy defence and hustle on the boards.
It is a tactic that has worked well throughout the season, however the return to championship play has been a tough one.
A low-scoring home victory over the Bristol Flyers started February off in winning fashion, however this was followed by a double-digit defeat in Newcastle on Friday night.
The biggest concern for the Gladiators was allowing the Eagles to dominate the fourth quarter after beginning the final stanza just three points adrift.
Former Rider Patrick Whelan scored 21 points to continue the season as Caledoniaâs primary scorer. Leicester supporters will be familiar with Whelanâs pinpoint accuracy from three-point range, currently hitting at an impressive 43% clip.
The Scottish side also boast a trio of impressive forwards â Lukas Palyza, Princeton Onwas and Fahro Alihodzic posing a formidable front court arsenal, boosted by true centre Clifton Moore Jnr coming off the bench.
Caledonia are a team without any glaring weaknesses for the Riders to exploit, however their aggressive defence does give up more fouls than most teams.
The Riders are one of the best free throw shooting teams in the League, so if the likes of Allen and Mackenzie can repeatedly get to the line, they could keep the scoreboard ticking over, making like difficult for the Glaswegians.
Key Matchup
There will be entertaining battles all over the court on Sunday, however the most crucial may come between a pair of bench big men: Samuel Idowu and Clifton Moore Jnr.
Standing at 6â10â, Moore Jnr is an imposing figure inside the paint. The young centre â in his rookie season after five years playing college ball â uses his length well to finish at a high clip while also blocking shots at the other end.
The former La Salle Explorer is averaging 9.8 points per game from the bench on over 57% from the field and leads the Gladiators in blocks per game with 1.5.
Moore presents a tough problem to solve for any big man in the League, however in current form, the Ridersâ own second unit big man will be up to the task.
Standing at 6â8â, Idowu gives up a bit of size to his younger opponent but makes up for it with bulk, experience and shooting range.
The four-year veteran is a bruiser on the inside, using his strength to force missed shots near the rim before motoring down the other end of the court to forge a scoring opportunity.
The Brooklyn-native averages 8.2 points per game currently, but with four double-doubles since the turn of the year, those numbers are consistently on the rise.
Idowu also brings range to the Ridersâ offense, averaging nearly three deep balls a night, so expect to see him dragging Moore out to the perimeter to open up inside space for a cutting guard.
Sundayâs game could be the perfect end to Round 18 between two well-matched teams.
The starting lineups could well cancel each other out, so bench points will be crucial. How effectively Idowu and Moore Jnr use their minutes could decide which set of supporters go home happy.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
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 Paternostroâs 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 âBucketsâ 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 Jamesâ Patriots side showed plenty of positive flashes throughout the game and won on the offensive glass, pulling down 18 to the Ridersâ 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 âand oneâ play after a lovely dish from Mackenzie and â following a transition three from âBucketsâ â 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 wasnât 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 couldnât have started any differently than the first as both teams struggled to get into an offensive rhythm, perpetuated by a rare Mackenzie turnover.
Holmes didnât 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 Thomasâ 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 â his first of the night â 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.
Atwoodâs 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 âBucketsâ Allenâs 23rd point of the night.
Paternostroâs 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 Ridersâ faithful home happy.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Leicester Arena becomes Mattioli Arena in recognition of charitable trust
Leicester Riders’ home venue, Leicester Arena, will now be known as the Mattioli Arena.
The Ian & Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust has accepted naming rights to Leicester Arena, the largest indoor arena in Leicester.
The venue – previously the Morningside Arena – is now being rebranded.
The Trust has donated funds to the Leicester Riders Foundation, the charity which develops basketball and other sport participation for people of all ages across Leicester and Leicestershire.
The generosity of the Mattioli family has resulted in the Trust being offered naming rights to the Arena in recognition of their continued support.
Recent donations from the Trust are in addition to the ÂŁ500,000 donation made to help fund the Arenaâs extension in 2022.
The Arena will work with the family to create a lasting legacy gifted to communities in Leicester and Leicestershire.
The Trust – established by the Mattioli family in 2016 – works to help enhance the lives and opportunities of local people.
In particular it works with communities and socio-economic groups which are often sidelined and struggle to access opportunities for advancement, personal growth, and to fully participate in society.
Ian Mattioli MBE, Founder of the Trust and CEO of Mattioli Woods, said: âWe are delighted to continue our support of the Arena, and are proud to accept the naming rights.
âThe Mattioli Arena delivers high-quality and high-class events, while at the same time focussing on its community commitments and increasing the profile of the city.
âLeicester has always looked after our family in the very safest of environments and that is why we are delighted to be part of creating a legacy for the diverse communities we support in the City of Leicester and beyond.
âTo also be able to do this through sport and a venue that has the potential to impact so many people is something we will continue to take great pride in, and we hope it will be used by many, many people over coming years.â
Kevin Routledge, Chairman of Leicester Riders, Trustee of Riders Foundation, and a Director of the Arena, said: “Once again, Ian and Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust has shown its commitment to the city and the work of our Foundation, and the Mattioli Arena, and we are hugely appreciative of that.
âThe work of the Riders Foundation, and the demands on the Arena, continue to grow and we are committed to further enhancements to our facilities.
âWe are hugely appreciative to the Mattioli familyâs generous support, which will enable us to deliver an arena, community services, and events that will continue to make the city proud.”
The 3,000-capacity Mattioli Arena stages an increasingly wide range of national and international sports and entertainment events.
It also provides a wide range of community sports opportunities through the Riders’ extensive underage basketball programmes through the Leicester Riders Foundation.
The venue also provides opportunities for Leicester College students, wheelchair basketball users, and other community sport users – making it the largest of its type in the UK.
Last yearâs extension to the Arena is already bringing significant additional revenue to the city. It consists of a standalone, 1,200-metre squared, two-court sports hall, with a new entrance to the arena also completed at the top of Memory Lane.
It also has the largest solar array on any individual building in the city, generating 246 kW(p) of solar power as helping the Arena focus on becoming a net zero business.
The Riders are in action at the Mattioli Arena tonight, taking on the Plymouth City Patriots.
British Basketball League Championship action returns to the Morningside Arena this Friday as the Riders host the 4-18 Plymouth City Patriots.
The home side will certainly be favourites to take victory following impressive winter form, but coach Rob Paternostro will warn his team against complacency after Plymouth ran Leicester close at the start of the season.
After a turbulent first quarter of the season, which resulted in the Riders revamping the roster and sat on a record below .500, the recent upturn in form sees captain Kimbal Mackenzie and his team poised to take a leap into the upper echelons of the league.
After a promising League Trophy campaign and last weekâs 20-point victory in Surrey, the Riders hold a record of 11-11, fifth in the League Championship and only three wins shy of the Caledonia Gladiators in second place.
Mackenzie himself has seen his form improve simultaneously with his squad, taking advantage of the defensive attention dedicated to Teddy Allen to drop double-digit points in five of his last six outings.
The do-it-all point guard has also seen his assist totals spike over the winter, proof that even with Allen and Duke Shelton being relatively new additions, the team is gelling more and more with each passing week.
Allen could certainly be considered the Ridersâ catalyst â the leagueâs top scorer has failed to breach 20 points only twice as a Rider â but speaking to BBC Radio Leicester earlier this week, he stated that the team was prepared for success when he arrived.
âThe team were on a skid when I got here, but we had to pieces to compete. There is a lot of talent in every position, all the way down the bench. I was able to inject some energy into the group, and after that, we rediscovered our form and everyone has been playing well.â
Expect the Riders to maintain that energy heading into tomorrowâs clash with Plymouth. The Patriots have the least potent offense in the league (averaging less than 80 points per game) and if Mackenzie and Allen continue on their current trajectory, 80 points could be surpassed before the start of the fourth.
New Year. New Start.
The end of 2023 was tough for the Patriots. Three losses on the bounce leading up to the break in League Championship play consigned Paul Jamesâ men to bottom of the standings with a 3-17 record.
To compound things, top scorer Taylor Johnson had recently departed the club and it was tough to see who Plymouth could look to for an offensive spark.
However, much-improved performances in the League Trophy and the emergence of Jacob Wiley as a true scoring threat has given them cause to believe that a playoff berth is not out of reach.
The solid Trophy campaign carried forward into the Patriotsâ return to the Championship as they travelled to Manchester and bested the Giants 93-79.
The trifecta of Wiley, Spencer Levi and Mason Faulkner overcame a superb 26-point showing from the Giantsâ William Lee to take the win, Levi particularly impressing with a Miryne Thomas-esque 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Wiley once again displayed his offensive prowess with 20 points and Faulkner was instrumental, running the floor during his 26 minutes from the bench.
The Riders will provide a different challenge than the struggling Giants however, and Fridayâs clash could prove how ready the Patriots are to make a run at the playoffs.
Key Matchup
Fridayâs game is a battle between two teams with in-form, free-scoring, 6â6â wing forwards: Teddy Allen and Jacob Wiley.
Wiley, a veteran who has married his play on the court with his name, has a career that spans at least four continents.
Following college, the 25-year-old suited up for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA before taking his skills to Europe, Australia and Japan.
His impact in the British Basketball League has been felt in the last couple of months after regular outings of 20 points or more.
Wiley isnât a threat from beyond the arc, but his ability to use strength and finishing ability inside makes him a problem for defences, and combined with his tenacity on the boards, he will be a standout on the Morningside Arena court.
Allen will now be familiar to every Riders fan and many supporters across British Basketball.
The CEBL MVP has shown innate ability to score from anywhere, whether thatâs slicing into the lane for a quick two or executing a nasty step back before splashing on a three-point dagger.
Possibly the least talked about facet of Allenâs game has been his defensive effort, rarely giving up on the cause and seldom getting beaten on the dribble.
Wiley and Allen are currently the primary outlets on offense for their teams, but both provide so much more around the court.
The winner of that battle could decide the winner of this game.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Radio Leicester spoke to the team about their season so far and their mindset going into the rest of the year.Â
Hereâs what they had to sayâŠ
Teddy Allen- âThe team welcomed me with open armsâ
Teddy hit the ground running in Leicester following his arrival in mid-December, winning British Basketball League Player of the Month right off the bat.
He credited his early success to the unselfishness of his new team.
âIt’s hard to come in somewhere and be successful with my teammates being unselfish,â Allen told BBC Radio Leicester.
âThis group is exactly that. I had messages from players even before I arrived, and it was good to feel welcomed to the team. Everybody had open arms for me when I got here. I can’t thank them enough for that.â
The Riders have seen a turn in form since Allenâs arrival, but the American guard said everything was already in place for the group to be successful.
âThe team were on a skid when I got here, but we had to pieces to compete. There is a lot of talent in every position, all the way down the bench. I was able to inject some energy into the group, and after that, we rediscovered our form and everyone has been playing well.”
Basketball is in Allenâs blood, as his younger brother, Timmy Allen, currently suits up for Memphis Hustle in the NBA G-League. Teddy said that growing up in a competitive environment with his brother helped them both become the players they are today.Â
âWeâre only a year and a half apart, so we were always competing growing up, playing with and against each other. When you have a brother is a blessing. You have a competitor and someone to help you get where you want to go, and he’s definitely been that for me.â
Kimbal Mackenzie- âThis group will do anything they can to win.â
Kimbal started off by reflecting on a hard-fought Trophy Final Four battle with Cheshire Phoenix, where the Riders fell just short against the eventual champions.
âIt was a difficult loss in Birmingham- that was a tough pill to swallow. I’ve been on both sides of those types of games, and I hate being on that end of it.Â
âThat said, our team is playing well and with a lot of confidence at the moment, and I think weâre in a good place. We have to keep looking forward, and itâs time for us to move on to League play.â
It was a difficult start to the season for the Riders, but their recent form has seen them rise in the Championship standings, and they look to kick on for the remainder of the season.Â
Mackenzie said the professionalism of the team has helped them turn their play around.
âMy teammates have been great. They’ve been excited to show up and put their best foot forward. This is a group that will do anything they can to win. That’s what I expect of myself, and that’s what Coach Rob expects of all of us.
âEveryone here is professional. At every level you play, you have ups and downs, no matter how good you are, so it’s good to be back on track. We have great coaches and vets around me and it’s a professional group to be around.Â
âWe approach every game to win and put ourselves in a position to lift the title come playoff time. Seeding really matters with the new format, so we have to work hard to be as high as possible in the league going into the postseason.â
Rob Paternostro- âWeâre putting ourselves in a good position for a nice run.â
Head Coach Rob Paternostro has always taken pride in seeing improvements in his teams throughout the season.
Therefore, he has wanted to see the uptick in recent form all season long.Â
âWe always want to have a team that gets better throughout the season. We have had a lot of great teams here, but theyâve always been better in February than they were in January. Everyone is improving. It’s a long season, so you need to have that in your group.Â
âI like the way weâre playing right now. Over the last 10 games, weâre ranked first in offence and second in defence. Weâre putting ourselves in a good position for a nice run.â
Home form has been consistent all season long for Leicester. They have a 9-4 record at the Morningside Arena in all competitions, with two of the losses coming at the hands of the table-topping London Lions.
And Paternostro has been pleased with the recent improvement in play on the road.Â
âAway games always are a challenge in any sport. We went up to Newcastle in a hostile environment a couple of weeks ago and came away with a big win, so it’s clear that weâre getting better on the road. Weâre showing more focus away from home than we did earlier in the season.â
While the start of the season was below the standards Paternsotro has set for this team over the previous decade, the recent improvements to the Ridersâ play has given him confidence in their ability to challenge for playoff silverware.Â
âLet’s let it all play out. We’ve had a run that is unprecedented in any sport in this country, and of course, itâs tough to maintain that. We know there will be highs and lows, but I like how weâre playing.â
Duke Shelton- âThereâs still a lot of basketball to be played.â
Another new signing to the team, Duke Shelton, has also settled quickly into Leicester life. His high-energy play style has been a welcome addition to the roster.
âThis team really likes to get up and down the floor, so I thought it would be a good fit for how I play. Itâs been great playing for Coach Rob, who knows how to get the best out of his players. Heâs a player-coach, and thatâs something different to what Iâve been used to.â
Basketball-obsessed Sheltonâs seamless fit into the team is partly thanks to his dedication to the game off the court.Â
âI started playing basketball when I was 15, so I came to it late, but since then, it’s been my daily regimen. Every day I’ve had something to do with basketball, and it has given me the opportunity to see the world and meet a lot of different people from all walks of life.
âThe game offers a lot more than what you see inside the lines.â
After their Trophy campaign, where the Riders showed signs of high-level play, Shelton sees that there is more to come from his new team.
âWe showed a bit of what we can do in terms of our identity, but thereâs more potential in this roster, and thereâs still a lot of basketball to be played.â
TJ Lall- âWeâve been focused on the end goalâ
With the Trophy in the books, the Riders now apply their full attention to the remainder of their Championship campaign and the playoffs after that.Â
TJ Lall, like the rest of the team, is locked in.
âAll year, weâve been focused on the end goal, but now, with the Trophy done, there’s an extra level of focus on the league and the playoffs.
âIt would mean the world to win the playoffs at the end of the year. Thatâs what weâve been striving for. Weâre here to win, so it would be incredible.â
đŻ 14 points đȘ 4 rebounds âïž 2 blocks
TJ did it all in our September win against @PlymCityPatriot đ„
With big roster changes taking place earlier in the year, players such as Lall, who have been with the team at the start of the season, have had to adapt. But to him, itâs part of playing in professional basketball.Â
âTeams change all the time. You have to adapt and move on; the new guys have improved the team.Â
âWe feel like it’s achievable to win it all. We showed what we can do in the Trophy, despite the loss. We were right there and lost by a point to the team that went on to win it.
âThe emphasis is on getting better every practice, and hopefully, by the end of the season, weâre at our best, and weâll see what we can achieve.â
The Riders are in action on Friday, hosting the Plymouth City Patriots.
The Riders returned to British Basketball League Championship action with a bang, beating the Scorchers 104-84 on the road.
Here’s what we can take from the win…
Strength in depth
The Riders had contributions all the way down the roster, with every player in the game day squad scoring multiple field goals.
From the leading scorer, Teddy Allen, who topped the game’s scoring charts with 20, to Blake Bowman, who attacked the hoop effectively in his 14 minutes of action, Leicester relentlessly scored throughout with multiple lineups.
The Riders bench, led by TJ Lallâs 13 points, outscored Surreyâs 39-27, despite Surreyâs Quin Cooper providing a hot hand off the bench to score 16 and go 4-9 from three.
âWe knew they were coming off a back-to-back, so we wanted to play all 10 guys and get up and down the floor,â said Head Coach Rob Paternostro postgame.
âWe did a really good job of that, especially in the first half.â
Jaren Holmes, who went off for 14 points in the game, praised the group’s effort to get the job done in Surrey:
“We went out and played together and let the ball move. We had a lot of guys in double figures, so it was a good experience. It was fun to be out there- I love playing these types of games, where everyone is moving the ball and scoring.”
Practice makes perfect
Both Holmes and Paternostro reflected on the week of practice, and how intense 5-on-5 action helped prepare them for the Scorchers and lift the mood in camp after last weekend’s Trophy Final Four defeat.
âWe were obviously a little down after the loss in Birmingham, but we had a great scrimmage on Thursday with 10 players playing really well, and that translated on the court today,â noted Paternostro.
“The scrimmage we had this week was intense,” added Holmes. “Coach let us play for the longest we’ve played all season, and everybody was going at it.
“We were competing, getting into it with each other and trying to win, no matter what. That carried over into this game.”
Triple threat
Coming into the game against Surrey, who take the most three-point shots in the League, it was important for the Riders to be able to win the battle from distance.
They did exactly that, and as the most efficient deep shooters in the British Basketball League, shooting 39.5% on the season, they went 14-27 from behind the arc led by three triples from Kimbal Mackenzie.
âWe know theyâre a really good three-point shooting team, and Cooper was exceptional out there. We really wanted to limit those opportunities for them where we could.â
Surrey shot 37% from three on the game, but couldnât match the Riders’ pinpoint accuracy from range.
âWeâre not always looking for the three, but we have a lot of guys that can make it, and they made them today.â
Leicester had six players hit two or more threes in the game, providing deep threat from up and down and roster, everywhere on the court.
Leicester Riders recorded a dominant win on the road, beating the Surrey Scorchers 104-84.
The British Basketball Leagueâs leading scorer Teddy Allen came up with another 20-point game, logging 6 rebounds and 3 assists while leading the game’s scoring.Â
He was backed by his captain Kimbal Mackenzie, who put up 15 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in the wake of his nomination for Januaryâs Player of the Month.
Surrey shoots the most three-point shots in the League, but the Riders hit at a 51% rate from deep in the game to win the battle from behind the arc. In a team display, every Rider scored at least two baskets, and five scored in double digits. Â
The win sees the Riders get back to a .500 record at 11-11 as they look to climb the Championship standings in the back half of the year.Â
The Scorchers made three triples to start the game to take an early lead. Two-time League MVP Justin Robinson took the lid off the basket with back-to-back triples, followed by Padiet Wang who made it 11-9.Â
Wang made the highlight of the first quarter, cutting back the door before taking off to throw down Robinsonâs lob pass emphatically.
The Riders came back to take the lead by the media timeout, Allen faded away for a tough bucket to make it 16-13.Â
With a minute to go in the first, both sides flexed their shot-blocking ability. Wang kickstarted a block party by spiking Blake Bowmanâs layup before Sam Idowu returned the favour next time up the floor by pinning Elliot Baileyâs shot.
Bailey hit back and finished a succession of blocks with a denial on TJ Lall. But it was the Riders who carried a narrow advantage after a quarter, as Washington hit a corner three to put them up 30-25.Â
Leicester blew the game open to start the third with back-to-back threes from Idowu.
Surreyâs GB guard Andrew Lawrence then picked up two quick technical fouls as tensions ran high midway through the second. Leicester took advantage, and Idowuâs finish inside put Leicester up 18.
Scorchers Head Coach Lloyd Gardner was the next to pick up a technical, putting Mackenzie to the line for his 9th point of the matchup.Â
Miryne Thomas exploded to close the half, draining a contested three with a minute left, and ending the quarter with a monster putback off Allenâs missed layup. They entered the locker rooms up 62-40.Â
It was the Ridersâ first 60-point half of the season, as their offence clicked into gear upon its return to Championship action.
Leicester extended their lead in the second half, playing physical ball on both ends and running the break consistently. Jaren Holmes attacked relentlessly, bringing his game tally to 10 with 6:06 left in the period and making the score 72-45.Â
The Riders threatened to make the lead 30 throughout the third quarter, but Surrey kept plugging away to keep their side of the scoreboard ticking over. Wang led the game with 15 points with three minutes left, running the pick-and-roll with Saiquan Jamison effectively.
Allen and Conner Washington combined for triples to quash any Scorchers momentum, finding open looks against Surreyâs aggressive defensive approach. Their threes made it 87-61 with one to play.Â
Lall got the fourth underway for Leicester with his second three of the game. But the Scorchers came flying out in the fourth to cut the Riders’ lead back to 20, finding joy in attacking the hoop.Â
The Riders hit back with a 6-0 run, capped off by a second chance make from Holmes, to take any life left from Surreyâs comeback hopes.
Leicester returns to action next Friday, hosting the Plymouth City Patriots at the Morningside Arena, Leicester.Â
But Cheshireâs Laquincy Rideauâs finish at the rim saw the Phoenix take back the lead with four seconds left, and Miryne Thomasâ Hail Mary three came off the rim to send the Riders home.
âThat was a heartbreaker,â said Head Coach Rob Paternostro postgame.
âIâm proud of how we hung in there and put ourselves in a position to win. It was a heck of a comeback but a disappointing way to go out.â
Trending up
Despite Saturdayâs loss, Leicester have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games in all competitions, seeing them capture some midseason form.
A 3-1 record in the Trophy group phase saw their play rewarded with a trip to the Utilita Arena Birmingham, where they were seconds from toppling the eventual champions.
The Riders currently possess a 10-11 record in the Championship following a 4-1 end to 2023. Their defence and rebounding, which were areas in need of improvement to start the season, became a strength during January.
âWeâre taking defence personally,â said Riders forward Samuel Idowu before the Final Four.
âThatâs from practice to in the games. Weâre prideful in our efforts to get stops, so weâre happy to see it translate to the games. If we stay competitive, weâll get results.
âOur rebounding especially has improved throughout the year, and we know how much that can control the game.â
Surrey Scorchers
Positive steps
Surrey looked set to progress to the Final Four after winning their opening two group games, but after suffering key injuries and running into two of the Leagueâs inform teams in the Caledonia Gladiators and the Phoenix, they finished third in the group with a 2-2 record and failed to progress.
They now turn their attention to the League, where their 7-14 record leaves them in the final playoff place, with two games in hand from the ninth-placed Giants on the same amount of wins.
Surrey started the season 0-5, but responded with a 3-1 run and have picked up important wins throughout the year, including back-to-back victories against the Bristol Flyers in November.
Theyâll look to continue to add to their wins collum on the back stretch and make their first postseason appearance since 2018.
Living by the three
Surrey live and die by the three-point line this season, jacking up the most attempts in the League this season with 30.9 per game.
While they donât connect on the attempts at the most efficient rate, shooting 33.5%, when their shots are falling, the Scorchers become a difficult team to slow down.
— British Basketball League (@britishbasketm) January 6, 2024
The Riders can compete from three, and connect on their deep shots at the highest percentage in the League at 37.8%, so expect the trading of three-point bombs in this one.
Key matchup
Surreyâs three-point philosophy is led by two-time British Basketball MVP Justin Robinson, who takes a team-high 6.3 threes per game.
The 17-year pro enjoyed his best years in British basketball with the London Lions, winning League MVP in 2018 and 2019. He signed with the Scorchers this summer, and leads the teams scoring with 12.2 points per game.
The British point guard has been a lights-out three-point shooter throughout his career, averaging over 40% shooting in the last two seasons.
Meeting him in the backcourt will be Riders captain Kimbal Mackenzie, who comes into this game off the back of two lights-out performances.
In a win-or-go-home game against the Newcastle Eagles in the final round of the group, he led the team with 22 points in an important win.
He followed up with a monster fourth quarter against Cheshire, where he took a charge, hit a three and made a go-ahead and-one play with seconds on the clock to lead the comeback.
The back-and-forth between two of the Leagueâs best point guards will be a canât-miss action!
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.
Itâs a tightly packed midfield in this seasonâs 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.
Theyâve 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.
Final Four Report: Riders bow out of Trophy to Phoenix
The Riders fell short of a dramatic comeback in the British Basketball League Trophy Final Four, losing 92-91 to the Cheshire Phoenix.
Leicester were down 12 with 2:55 left, but led the game with 20 seconds on the clock after a spirited comeback. But the Phoenix had the final say, as Rideau finished a layup through contact to win it.
Miryne Thomas had a shot to win the game, but missed a tough running triple on the buzzer.
Star guard Teddy Allen led the team with 20 points scoring five quick points to trigger the comeback. He was backed by 13 from Mackenzie and Thomas.
Cheshireâs physical wing Aaryn Rai led the game with a monster 27-point, 11-rebound double-double. Stretch big Skyler White went off for 23, hitting six threes in key moments throughout for Cheshire.
Leicesterâs veterans settled the nerves to start the game, as Mackenzie and Mo Walker put up the first seven points of the game. Jaren Holmes followed up with an and-one finish in transition, making it a 10-5 Riders start.Â
Walker had a dominant start on the boards. He grabbed 3 offensive rebounds in the opening five minutes, the third making it 16-9 as he finished for two.
The Phoenix hit back by driving to the hoop for back-to-back and-one plays. Rai had to second of the plays cut it to 16-13.
The first closed at a slower scoring pace, but the Riders had the stronger of it and finished the quarter up 22-18.
The Phoenix tied it up at 24 to start the second, with Maceo Jack running the break and finishing in close. Rideau drove to the hoop next time up the court, and took contact from Leicesterâs Conner Washington for another score, plus the foul, to force a Riders timeout.
Leicester locked in on defence to stem the tide and keep in touch with their opponents. They held the Phoenix to three points in two minutes, keeping them from the hoop with effective perimeter defence.
All of the Riders’ second-quarter points came at the hoop. With their deep shots not falling, they stayed aggressive on both ends.
But Cheshire ended the half with a 10-0 run, led by five from Rai, and the teams finished the half with the score 46-34 to the Phoenix. Rai led all scorers at the break with 13 points.Â
Back-to-back White threes started the second half for the Phoenix, putting them up 18. The Riders started off 0-2 from deep, bringing them to 1-10 from three on the game.
Thomas came up with a monster highlight, throwing down a putback jam off a Mackenzie missed layup.Â
Walker connected to take the lid off the rim as the Riders attempted to claw back into the game. Holmes followed up with two scores to bring it to a 12 point difference. But the Riders efforts had a dent put in them with a Maceo Jack triple for Cheshire.
Allen hit back with his first three of the game, and heated up with an and-one play, fading away from Cam Holden through contact. But Rai hit shots to keep the Riders at armâs length, keeping his team up double digits.
Allen scored seven in the third, but Rai came up with 9 points for the Phoenix. He blocked TJ Lallâs attempted three to end the third, Cheshire up 69-57.
The Riders battled to start the fourth, Duke Shelton cutting it to 10 with a layup over Rai. Thomas quickly made it a single-digit affair on the next play with a score in the post.
Allen drained a tough stepback three, then ran the break with Shelton with 5:41 remaining to bring the score to 79-73. Duke sent back Raiâs attempt in close to keep it to six with 4:52 left.
White responded with a miracle three, pulling up from the corner with Shelton draped over him to snatch momentum back. White kept connecting from behind the arc, and the Phoenix stretched the lead back to 12 with 2:55 left.
Thomas responded with back-to-back buckets to make it 82-89, before Mackenzie took a charge and drained a three to peg the Phoenix back. Holmes followed with a three, making it a one point affair.Â
White got to the foul line with less than a minute left to put the Phoenix up two. The Riders fell back on their captain in the clutch, as Mackenzie came up with a monster and-one play with 20 seconds remaining to put Leicester up one.
But Rideau had the final say, driving to the rim for an and-one of his own to snatch the lead back. Thomas missed a running three on the buzzer, ending the game.Â
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Saturday evening sees the Riders attempting to claim their most important win of the season as they take on the Cheshire Phoenix in the British Basketball League Trophy semi-final.
Rob Paternostroâs young squad will take the trip to Birmingham to face the Group A winners under the lights of the Utilita Arena.
The Ridersâ journey to the final weekend of the Trophy initially looked tough, placed in Group B with the London Lions, Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles, Bristol Flyers, and Manchester Giants â all of whom have scored wins over Leicester this season.
However, with a renewed focus on defence and the seamless introduction of mid-season signings, the Riders finished the group stage with a 3-1 record to finish second behind the Lions.
The Trophy season began on January 5 with the visit of the Flyers to the Morningside Arena, confident after defeating Leicester on their home court in the Championship just a week prior.
The Riders learned from the previous contest that limiting big man Brad Greeneâs effectiveness on the offensive glass was key to victory, and so they did, outboarding the visitors 45-36, led by a physical showing from Samuel Idowu, who bagged 14 rebounds.
The second-unit power forward backed up his glass-eating with 15 points for a maiden double-double, only bested by a spectacular 30-point night from Teddy âBucketsâ Allen.
The CEBL MVP showed against the Flyers that he isnât just a dominant scorer â he can dish an assist, use his 6â6â frame to grab rebounds and make life tough in perimeter defence.
The Riders hit the ground running with a 21-point win, and despite losing 89-74 to the London juggernaut, carried moment into a Wednesday-night tilt against the exciting Manchester Giants.
Paternostro knew that a win would put pressure on both the Flyers and the Eagles playing later that week, and with the Giantsâ leaky defence and lack of Jamell Anderson, the Ridersâ coach sent his team onto the floor to score early and often.
The players responded, buoying the home crowd with 59 first-half points and a double-digit lead going into halftime. The Giants threatened a comeback in the third quarter behind Nick Lewisâ 17, but it proved to be a false dawn after a 29-point fourth quarter from the Riders saw them to a 104-88 win.
The team win treated fans to several excellent performances, but the pairing of Miryne Thomas and TJ Lall stood out from the crowd.
MT from Downtown đ„
Riders leading 21-14 with 3 minutes to play in the first.
Athletic big Thomas hit a near triple-double, rattling the rim for 16 points, collecting nine boards and even laying on eight assists for his team.
Lall also stuffed the stat sheets in 19 minutes from the bench, blocking shots on defence as well as bagging 19 points at the other end in an efficient display.
Sitting at 2-1 and in prime position to make the âFinals Weekendâ, the Riders faced a must-win battle in Newcastleâs Vertu Motors Arena.
Facing the prospect of crashing out of the Trophy with a loss, Paternostro galvanised his squad throughout the night which inspired them to put on a fantastic showing.
After a back-and-forth game of scoring runs, the Riders rose over the typically raucous Newcastle atmosphere to earn a 101-85 win, led by âTeam of the Weekâ point guard, Kimbal Mackenzie (22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists).
Phoenixâs Road to the Semis
After a surprisingly bright first half of the season, Cheshire entered Group A of the League Trophy as favourites to progress through.
The unexpected pressure didnât appear to tell on Ben Thomasâ squad though, as they remained unbeaten through group play and came top with a perfect record.
The trickiest game of Cheshireâs Trophy campaign came in Round One with a long trip north to face the in-form Caledonia Gladiators.
The two teams often play each other tight, and January 5 was no different, with the scores level on points after four quarters and overtime needed to decide the winner.
With a 100-97 lead in the final minute, Cheshire missed a couple of free throws to give the home side a chance to tie the game at the overtime buzzer.
Luckily for the Phoenix, Clifton Moore Jrâs three-pointer missed the mark and Cheshire could ride the wave of a late win into the upcoming rounds.
As he has been throughout January, free-scoring forward Cam Christon made the difference for the Phoenix, bringing 18-points off the bench on an 80% shooting day.
The next two games were a pair of one-sided affairs which showcased the scoring potential of Cheshireâs offense.
First, Christon, Ethan Chargois and Maceo Jack all scored 20-plus points in a 102-74 victory over the Plymouth City Patriots, soon to be followed up with a 105-63 demolition of the Surrey Scorchers, where floor general Laquincy Rideau fed his team with ten dishes.
With qualification all but guaranteed, the Phoenix rotated the squad heavily in their final group game against the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, but despite being down heading into the fourth, role-player EJ Stephens led a comeback to give Cheshire a healthy 78-70 win.
Key Matchups
The Utilita Arena court will be awash with talent this weekend, as two of the leagueâs best offences face off.
The team that advances to the Trophy Final will be the one that can orchestrate their potent attack most effectively, making the point guard battle between Kimbal Mackenzie and Laquincy Rideau the key matchup.
6â1â Florida-native Rideau has been a huge part of Cheshireâs rise in the Championship this season and has continued that form into the Trophy competition.
Known as a dynamic defender, Rideau is displaying his fast hands and timing by averaging over three steals per game, good for second in the league.
The 27-year-old â who has seen his professional career take him to Luxembourg and Ecuador â also has an eye for a pass, feeding out six assists per game including a ten-assist performance against the Scorchers.
 Attempting to unlock Rideauâs defence will be in-form Ridersâ captain Kimbal Mackenzie.
Leicesterâs leader has displayed excellent form during January, saving his best for the crucial victory over the Eagles.
The experienced Canadian is a big game player and Riders fans are accustomed to seeing him come through in the clutch with a dagger bucket.
If the Phoenix threaten to go on a run or the game is tight in the final few minutes, expect to see Mackenzieâs famous stop-and-pop jumper swishing the net.
The all-action point guard is averaging nearly 13 points per game and is +41 in plus/minus in the Trophy.
For the Riders to advance to the tournament final, Mackenzie may need to go over and above the already significant impact he is having on each game.
Report: Riders take convincing win to open pre-season
Trophy by Numbers: Breaking down the stats for the Riders Final Four clash
Leicester Riders are set to take on the Cheshire Phoenix in the British Basketball League Trophy Final Four on Saturday.
Here, we take a look at the numbers behind the matchup…
Locking off the paint
The Riders have invested in the defensive side of the ball, making the paint their own over the Trophy campaign.Â
They lead the competition in blocks, sending away 6.3 shots per game, with four Riders averaging at least a block per outing. Theyâre led by Canadian forward TJ Lall, who has denied opponents on six different occasions through the four group games.
Riders captain, Kimbal Mackenzie, said his CEBL teammate over the summer has been an integral factor in the defensive effort:
âTJ is a high-level, all-around threat. He can score the ball to a great standard, he is an underrated passer, and his defence, length and athleticism are special. Iâve gone against him many times in practice, and he can be tough to shake.â
This rim protection will be vital against the Phoenix, who lead the Trophy in points in the paint with 47 per game.
Battle on the boards
No defensive possession is complete until the rebound is pulled down, and the Riders have been closing the possessions to a high standard in recent weeks. They pull down the second-most defensive boards in the Trophy with 30 per game, just 0.5 per game away from the highest-ranked London Lions.
The battle on the boards will be key in this matchup. Cheshire crashes the offensive glass to grab the second most offensive rebounds in the competition with 13.5 per game.Â
However, their leading offensive rebounder, Ethan Chargois, will be sidelined for the game after suffering a dislocated finger last time out against the Sheffield Sharks.
For the Riders, Lall, again, has been a beast on the boards, grabbing 4.8 defensive rebounds per outing. But itâs big man Samuel Idowu who has rebounded at the highest rate in total, with 7.5 per game, including 2.8 on the offensive glass.
Idowu, who has been recovering from a season-ending knee injury for the previous two seasons, is back to his bruising best. He feels back to 100% fitness and can play with full confidence and athleticism.
âMy body has been feeling good,â said Idowu. âItâs finally feeling normal after recovering from an injury for two seasons. Iâm not overthinking any decisions on the court and playing how I used to play.
âI feel 100% because I have confidence in my knee again. It doesnât hold me back from doing what I want to be doing out there when jumping or running, as it did at the start of the season. Iâm where I wanted to be when I started my rehab.â
Idowu has ranked second on the team in scoring during the Trophy group, scoring 13.8 points per game after his 17-point explosion against the Newcastle Eagles to help send the Riders to the Final Four.
Track meet in transition
A key to the Phoenixâs success this season has been their ability to get out and run. They lead all teams in points off turnovers (24.75 per game) and fastbreak points (23.5 per game) and take the ball from the other team at the highest rate (21.11 turnover %), leading to the breakaway buckets.Â
American guard Laquincy Rideau has been a key factor in this, leading the team in steals, and ranking third among all players in that statistical category.
The Riders will have to play clean basketball, which they have done throughout January, turning the ball over the second-least with 11.75 turnovers per game.
Head Coach Rob Paternostro emphasised the importance of winning in transition:
âWe canât 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.
âIn these types of games, itâs important to limit offensive opportunities, and if you do that, you put yourself in a good position to win.
âTheyâre really good in the open floor- theyâve scored the most in transition of any team season. Theyâve done a good job of getting second-chance opportunities. Thatâs going to be vital to stop.
âWhen weâve been able to limit those against anyone, weâve been successful this year.â
