Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce the retention of Blake Bowman for the 2023/24 season.
The high-flying Brit returns for a second season after making his pro debut last year. Bowman, a Derby native, lit up the league with electric dunks and highlight plays, quickly becoming a favourite among the Riders faithful.
Bowman joins the dunk party with the windmill! đ±
He is touted as one of British basketballâs exciting young talents, taking significant leaps every single year.
Blakeâs father Barry had a spell in the BBL during his professional career, while his uncle, Marc Hawley played 56 games in two seasons for the Riders between 1997 and 1999.
Bowman continues his Riders family legacy while completing his studies at Loughborough University.
The club would like to thank the university for their support.Â
âIâm super excited to get back out there,â said Bowman. âIâm ready to compete with a group of new guys, and a few returners.â
âIâm hungry to win, after making two finals last season. That lit a fire in me to compete at the highest level.
âWith this new young group, Iâm ready to fly up and down the court. Iâm excited to enter this new era with the team.â
Leicester Riders are excited to announce the signing of Xavier Pinson for the 2023/24 season.
The 6â2â American guard signs from New Mexico State University, following stints at LSU and Missouri over his five-year college career. The Chicago native averaged 13.3 points and 4.5 assists in his final college season in New Mexico.
LSU transfer Xavier Pinson is good to go for this season
Pinson served as LSU’s starting point guard for the 2021/22 season, averaging 9.8 points, 4.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He helped lead the Tigers to a 14-1 start to the season and an overall record of 22-12
He spent three years prior at the University of Missouri, putting up 10.3 points as a junior. Pinson helped Missouri to an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
Pinson commented: âI know Iâm coming to a legendary organisation, so I want to add to the trophy cabinet. I want a championship. I donât care about anything else, I just want to win. I want to help my coaches, teammates and organisation to where it should be.
âIâve worked extremely hard to be the player I am today, so I want to get out there and play well for the fans. My focus is on helping this team in any way possible: whatever anyone needs from me is what Iâll bring to the team. Iâm ready to help add more history to the Riders.â
Head Coach Rob Paternostro added: “We are thrilled to sign Xavier. He is an exciting guard who has great quickness and can make plays all over the court.
âHe is a guard that can eliminate defenders and put pressure on the defence with his passing and finishing at the rim.Â
âHe has played at a high level and shown the ability to be a dynamic player. It should be exciting to watch him play.”
It’s been a busy offseason! Both new and familiar names have signed to play in Riders red for the upcoming season!
Here you can familiarise yourself with our roster for 2023/24…
Kimbal Mackenzie- Guard
Kimbal Mackenzie is back for his third season with the Riders. During that time has proved himself one of the League’s best in the backcourt.
After gaining experience in Spain and his home nation Canada, Mackenzie took up a starring role last season, averaging 12.7 points and 3.8 assists per game.
His play earned him a spot on the Molten BBL British Team of the Year, and won him Molten BBL Player of the Month for February.
Kimbalâs college career was spent in the NCAA D1 for Bucknall. He enjoyed a sensational senior year, scoring 17.6 points per game, the seventh-most in a season in college history.
Samuel Idowu- Forward
Samuel Iwodu is a force in the Riders’ frontcourt. The 6â8â forward brings strength and physicality to the paint on both ends of the court.
The New York native is a fourth-year professional, having played in the Netherlands and Denmark. His most recent season for Yoast United was cut short due to injury, having averaged 15.8 points and seven rebounds in his first two years.
Iwodu spent his college career in NCAA division one with Saint Peterâs University. He starred for the Peacocks in helping them win the programâs first-ever national postseason tournament championship in 2017.
Braelen Bridges- Forward
Braelen Bridges is a first-year pro, following four years in the NCAA division one.
He played his first two college seasons at the University of Illinois at Chicago, before transferring to his hometown University of Georgia for his junior and senior years.
Bridges averaged 12.9 points and 5.6 rebounds as a junior. He was the only Bulldog to start all 32 games, and was Georgiaâs most efficient scorer in his time there, shooting 56.1% from the field.
Victor Ndoukou- Forward
Victor Ndoukou playing against Finland u20s Ndoukou first joined the Riders in 2019 and is one of GB basketballâs exciting young talents.
He represented GB at the youth level and played for the Loughborough and Charnwood Riders during his time in Leicester.
Ndoukou also represented GB Under-20s this summer in the FIBA European Youth Championships.
He averaged 15.5 points per game for Charnwood College in the 2021/22 season, winning EABL MVP.
Mo Walker- Forward
Canadian-born, British big-man Mo Walker returns for his fourth season with the Riders. Mo graduated from the University of Minnesota, leading the team in rebounds and blocks as the second-leading scorer in his senior year.
Walker signed his first pro contract in the Italian first division. He gained experience around Europe, playing in Latvia, France and the BBL for the Worcester Wolves.
Mo was been a key fixture in the Ridersâ treble-winning season in 2022.
TJ Lall- Foward
TJ Lall is a first-year Rider, who has played in the Canadian CEBL for much of his career.
He was selected by the Ottawa BlackJacks as the first overall pick during the 2020 CEBL Draft, and played in Canada for four seasons.
Lall played last season in the Japanese first division for Kyoto Hannaryz, putting up 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
In college, the Ontario native won four national titles with the Carleton Ravens before transferring to Brock University for his fifth college season.
Miryne Thomas- Forward
Miryne Thomas signed in the summer for the 2023/24 season.
The 6â8â forward is in his rookie year after averaging 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds for Kent State in the NCAA Division One last season.
Thomas, a Cleaveland native, averaged double-digit points in his final two college seasons, transferring from Ball State to Kent State for his final year of eligibility.
He averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds over his five-year college career.
Caleb Asberry- Guard
Caleb Asberry signed straight out of college to the Ridersâ 2023/24 roster.
The 6â3 spent his final year of eligibility with Oklahoma State in the NCAA Division One. He averaged 9.7 points per game in the Big 12 for the Cowboys, following three seasons with Texas State.
At his home university, the Texas native had back-to-back seasons scoring over 13 points per game. He was the only Bobcat to start all 29 games and led the team in steals and three-pointers made.
Asberry also became the first Bobcat in school history to earn back-to-back All-District honours from the NABC.
Jaren Holmes- Guard
Holmes arrived in Leicester as a rookie, having spent his final season of college eligibility at Iowa State. He led the Cyclones in scoring with 13.3 points per game and was one of two players to start all 33 games.
He was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and received an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Three years at St. Bonaventure University proceeded Holmesâ year at Iowa State.
He scored over 1000 points for the Bonnies, putting up 13.5 points, five rebounds and 3.6 assists in the 2021/22 season. He was named to the Atlantic 10 Second Team All-Conference in 2021.
Blake Bowman- Forward
Blake Bowman joined the Riders for his first venture into BBL basketball last season, establishing himself as one of the UK’s hottest prospects. His high-flying dunks and infectious energy quickly made him a fan-favourite.
Bowman played previously with his hometown Derby Trailblazers, playing through their youth setup. He averaged 19 points, six rebounds and three assists in the NBL, helping to bring silverware to the midlands.
Blakeâs father Barry had a spell in the BBL during his professional career, while his uncle, Marc Hawley played 56 games in two seasons for the Riders between 1997 and 1999.
Conner Washington- Guard
During his decade-long tenure with the Riders, GB guard Conner Washington has won everything there is to win in the British Basketball League with 14 pieces of silverware to his name.
Washington is an integral part of the Riders’ successes over the last 10 years. In the 2016/17 season, Conner made the BBL Defensive Team of the Year and British Team of the Year. He developed into a dangerous perimeter threat, averaging over 40% from three in three separate seasons.
Washington is respected around the League as an intelligent veteran, playing to an elite standard on both ends. He has earned Molten BBL Defensive Team of the Year honours on three separate occasions.
Xavier Pinson- Guard
American guard Xavier Pinson signed from New Mexico State University, following stints at LSU and Missouri over his five-year college career. The Chicago native averaged 13.3 points and 4.5 assists in his final college season in New Mexico.
Pinson served as LSU’s starting point guard for the 2021/22 season, averaging 9.8 points, 4.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He helped lead the Tigers to a 14-1 start to the season and an overall record of 22-12
He spent three years prior at the University of Missouri, putting up 10.3 points as a junior. Pinson helped Missouri to an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
Leicester Riders are delighted to announce the signing of Myryne Thomas for the 2023/24 season.
The 6â8â forward is set to play in his rookie year after averaging 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds for Kent State in the NCAA Division One last season.
Thomas, a Cleveland native, averaged double-digit points in his final two college seasons, transferring from Ball State to Kent State for his final year of eligibility.Â
He averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds over his five-year college career.
“I’m really happy to be part of the Riders,â said Thomas.
âI spoke to Coach Rob, and it sounded like the team was building something really special! I’ll be bringing lots of friends and family to the arena, and I hope to light it up with some dunks and threes!â
âI can’t wait to see you all!”
âWe are excited to work with Miryne next season,â commented Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
âHe is a very talented all-around player who combined athleticism with skill and plays with great confidence and energy on the floor.
“He has great length and is a versatile defender who can defend in the paint or on the perimeter and play in multiple positions on the floor.
âWe really enjoyed watching him play. He is a competitor who plays hard and has played in big games for a very good team last season.â
The former GB u20s star spent his three college years in NCAA division one with Saint Peterâs University. Iwodu starred for the Peacocks in helping them win the programâs first-ever national postseason tournament championship in 2017.
Idowu averaged 16.1 pts in his first professional season in Holland with Aris Leeuwarden. His second year he spent in Denmark with Team FOG Naestved, averaging 15.5 pts. He spent his third year with Yoast United, but was cut short due to injury.
Canadian/British forward TJ Lall has become the sixth member of our 2022/23 roster.
To help you get to know more, here are some things you may not know about our new man:
He ended a 30-year championship drought
In his final college season, Lall led Brock University to their first OUA title since 1992.
In front of a sold-out crowd, Lall put up a game-high 27 points, eight rebounds and five assists on the Badgersâ way to a 95-75 blowout against Queens University.
He dominated, going 11-16 from the field 4-7 from three, getting it done in all aspects of the game to bring long-awaited silverware back to his university.
He was named MVP in college
Lall dominated the OUA in his final college year. His 22 points and 7.9 rebounds per game earned him the honours of First Team All-Canadian, OUA West MVP and OUA West First Team All-Star.
Not only did he lead the Badgers to their first title in three decades, Brock University also made an appearance at the U SPORTS Final 8 Tournament.
Name a better duo than CEBL & @usportsca đđđ
Congratulations to our players who have won awards in their respective U SPORTS conferences.
They posted a regular-season record of 14-1 in the OUA West and won three straight playoff games to make their first appearance at the national championships since 2017-18.
He was the number one pick in the 2020 CEBL Draft
As a 23-year-old, following his college career at Carleton University, Lall was selected number one overall by the newly established Ottawa BlackJacks in the 2020 CEBL draft.
TJ Lall, a six-foot-six forward from Cambridge, Ontario, was the first pick in the 2020 @CEBLeague x @USPORTSca draft by @ott_blackjacks GM Dave Smart.
Lall averaged 7.0 points & 3.4 rebounds in 92 games with the @CURavensBBall. đ
The three-round draft saw 21 players selected from 10 universities across Canada, and Lall was deemed the best prospect of all for a bran new franchise.
Ottawa Head Coach Taffe Charles told the Waterloo Region Record described him as âathleticâ, âa really good two-way playerâ and ,â a very good rebounderâ after their selection.
He was a national champion boxer
Sport runs in the Lall family, as TJ’s dad was a kickboxer.
Lall took up the sport competitively until the age of 15, even winning a national championship!
Lall ultimately settled on hoops over the ring, but remains a huge boxing fan.
His favourite player was Allen Iverson
During the early 2000s, Allen Iverson made waves across the basketball landscape.
His flashy handles and elite scoring captured the imagination of Lall, who greatly admired “AI”.
Along with Tracey MacGrady and Kevin Garnett, he was one of the first to get him into the sport, kickstarting what would become his professional career.
Want to see Lall in action? Buy tickets to the Riders’ preseasonhome opener against USA Select!
The Leicester Riders are excited to sign 6â7â forward TJ Lall to their 2023/24 roster.
The Canadian, who holds a British passport, has played four seasons in the Canadian CEBL, most recently alongside Ridersâ guard Kimbal Mackenzie for the Niagara River Lions.
WOWWWWW đ€đ€đ€ TJ Lall ENDS IT WITH THE SLAMMMM
Lall played last season in the Japanese first division for Kyoto Hannaryz, putting up 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
He was selected by the Ottawa BlackJacks as the first overall pick during the 2020 CEBL Draft, where he had his first taste of professional basketball.
In college, the Ontario native won four national titles with the Carleton Ravens before transferring to Brock University for his fifth college season.
He averaged 22 points and 7.9 rebounds per game and was named First Team All-Canadian, OUA West First Team All-Star and Brock Menâs Basketball Team MVP.
“I’m very excited and grateful for the opportunity to play for the Riders,” said Lall.
“I can’t wait to experience basketball in the UK and get on court to battle with the team!”
2022 Nighthawks Team Award Winnerđ
The Canadian Player of the Year is given to the best performing đšđŠ player of the 2022 CEBL Regular Season.
âWe are thrilled to have TJ for next season,â commented Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
âTJ is a versatile player who can make an impact on both ends of the floor and a guy who plays with the type of energy that can really impact a game.
âHe can do a variety of things: defend multiple positions, score in different ways and as shown the ability to play make for others.
âHe has been teammates with guys we know very well, and theyâve all said great things about him as a player and a teammate.â
As you all know, Iâve missed some time with injury over the last couple of seasons. Itâs been a long road, but God and my girlfriend have helped me mentally. They have been with me every day to help me heal and grow as a person on and off the court.
During my recovery, I enjoyed working with the Foundation. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes and in the community around basketball.
Connecting with the kids was great: helping to motivate and inspire them to get through any difficult times they face.
Mo Walker re-signed for @RidersBball for the 2023/34 @BBLofficial season & will continue working with the Leicester Riders Foundation on his Mo-mentum programme.
Read the full story on our website!
— Leicester Riders Foundation (@RidersBF) July 11, 2023
Now Iâm healthy, I canât wait to get back out there. Expect us to give our best effort every time we step onto the floor. Personally, I expect myself to bring veteran leadership to help the younger players learn and grow.
I know the fans will have our back every game and bring the energy and noise we need in tight spots to get us over the edge.
Iâm excited to still be a part of the Riders. Iâm grateful to be able to make up for lost time, and Iâm looking forward to being back out there with all the fans!
Before last season was cut short due to injury, the University of Minnesota graduate was putting up 10.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, shooting 58.6% from the field.
âIâm excited to still be a part of the Riders!â said Walker.
âAnyone who has followed the club and has watched my journey knows I have lost time in the past due to injury. But Iâm extremely grateful for the opportunity to make up for lost time, and Iâm looking forward to being back out there in front of the Riders fans!â
âWe are all looking forward to having Mo back on the court for us next season,â commented Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
âI thought he started off very well last season and was playing good basketball before the injury. He can be very difficult to match up with, can score in different ways and has the ability to put real pressure on the opposing defence.
âMo has always shown great leadership during his time here and we have valued that on and off the court.â
Leicester Riders can confirm the retention of Victor Ndoukou for the 2023/24 season.
The 6’8″ forward signed his first professional contract with the Riders in January to accompany his studies at Loughborough University, committing him to Leicester for four years.
Ndoukou won the 2021/22 EABL MVP award and averaged 11.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in NBL D1, shooting 46% from three that season.
“It’s an honour to play for the Riders,” said Ndoukou.
“Only the good players play for them, so I’m really grateful to be a part of that, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to sign here.
“Having the trust from all my coaching staff is a big thing for me, and hopefully, coming into this year, I can make strides with my career.”
Head coach Rob Paternostro commented: “Victor is a guy who has been with our programme for years, and we have really enjoyed working with him and watching his game develop.
“He is a skilled player with a high basketball IQ, who makes good decisions out on the floor and possesses good size and strength.”
Ndoukou is in action for GB Under-20s this week for the FIBA European Youth Championships.
Firstly, Iâd like to thank everybody for your continued support. The offseason is an exciting time for us, but we canât wait to see you back in the stands for our first game!
Looking back, weâre coming off a really good season. We improved from the beginning to the end, and I thought we were a better team at the O2 Arena in May than we were throughout the course of the year. Thatâs satisfying as a coach.
We just couldnât get over the hump against London. We had opportunities, but we just werenât able to convert them. But when you look at how we competed against the rest of the league, we had an exceptional record.
This time of year is exciting for coaches. Weâre looking at prospective players and putting the pieces together.
We anticipate having to sign a lot of players so weâre trying to see who is the right fit. Itâs a change from last season where almost everyone came back. This year is going to be totally different.
Itâs a huge task going into the offseason after weâve had the core of our team together for so long, but we have to do our due diligence looking at the players that are out there and trying to figure out the best way to rebuild.
We haven’t ruled out re-signing guys from last season, but we have to understand that our players have put in really good seasons and will be marketable around the world.
Having Kimbal back is a blessing for us. On the court, heâs a really dangerous player to deal with for opponents. His ability to score and get in the lane to make key plays at key moments is really valuable to our team.
Off the court, his leadership and commitment to practice and gameplan are second to none. Heâs going to help immensely with the transition with new guys.
And speaking of new players, weâre delighted to have Sam Idowu on board!
He is versatile, which I really like about him. You can put him in different positions on the floor, so heâs not just a traditional big. His versatility will be really beneficial.
Heâs a good rebounder and heâs always been a high-field goal percentage scorer, so we have an efficient player with energy and versatility. Iâm really looking forward to working with Sam.
It’s almost like unwrapping a gift! So when we get to August, we can’t wait to look at some of these players. It’s one of the parts of the job I look forward to. It’s a challenge, and it’s not a science by any means, but I’m looking forward to it.
We know thereâs plenty of games in the BBL, so there are lots of opportunities to compete, and weâre excited about the challenge ahead.
Thank you all for your patience this offseason, and we have some exciting news down the line for you all!
In his four seasons with the club, Darien Nelson-Henry helped to create ever-lasting memories not only for Riders fans but himself.
As captain, Darien led the team to four pieces of silverware, including back-to-back league titles and a treble. He was also named to the BBL Team of the Year in consecutive seasons.
He took some time to reflect on his tenure at the Morningside Arena.
After joining, what made you want to stay?
Darienâs first season in Leicester was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the initial months at the club left an impression.
They were all he needed to re-sign, committing to the Riders long-term. According to Darien, coach Rob Paternostro had a lot to do with it.
âRob is a reason why a lot of us wanted to stay. Heâs been through it, in terms of playing around Europe, so he knows what itâs like in other places.
âHe knows how to get along with players to where you feel comfortable with him, but is great at keeping his boundaries as a coach to where youâll always do what he asks.â
âI respect that about him a lot because itâs a really hard line to walk.â
But as well as choosing coach Rob, Darien chose Leicester.
âOf course, it was great because of all the similarities to the US. I knew it was a place I could thrive, and I loved enjoying the countryside, the culture, the food and other cities in the UK.â
âIn Leicester, I knew my life outside of basketball was going to be quality, and Iâm a huge believer that peace of mind will translate to performance on the court.â
How do you reflect on the season played without fans in the arena?
âAny basketball player would tell you it’s weird without fans. They are where we draw our energy from. Theyâre the backbone and the lifeblood of why you play basketball- for the fans. To not have them there was very strange.â
âOn the other hand, the basketball was pure. Our COVID season is so special to me because we were the best. With no momentum boost from the crowd and no real home-court advantage, it was all about who the better team was.â
âIt came down to who was prepared better, who was in better shape, who was running better plays and who was executing better. While we didnât win any of the tournament competitions, we won the one that. to me, matters most in the league.
âWe proved we were the most consistent team in a pure setting, which was pretty awesome looking back on it.â
What was it like to play on the treble-winning team?
Winning the league title was not enough for Darien. He and the rest of the team wanted to do it all again (and more) in front of the Riders faithful.
âWinning the treble on the big stage, in front of all the fans in the arena, was really special. But that type of season is typical for this franchise in recent years when the majority of the team returns for another season.â
âWhen that happens, the club usually accomplishes something special. A lot of the plays we ran and our defensive strategy, while Rob does call plays here and there, he leaves the responsibility to us during the game. Once he laid the game plan, it was up to us to execute.â
âHaving spent a year together, we found ourselves all on the same page. It really helped us, having spent all that time together. The stars really aligned that season.â
How would you describe playing with Geno Crandall?
For two straight seasons, Darien and two-time BBL MVP Geno Crandall shared the floor to a devastating effect.
Their relationship on-court seemed near-telepathic at times, leading to the pair winning four pieces of silverware in their time together.
What an assist from Crandall! Nelson-Henry finishes for two!
âHeâs a special player. And the main thing for our relationship was that we were both very vocal and very trusting of one another.
âIf something went a little differently to the way we saw it, maybe heâd lead me a little too far with a pass, or heâd want me to reset a screen, and Iâd roll instead, we would get together and talk it out.â
âWe had a very open dialogue which helped us. But heâs so talented I think he could have done it with any big manâ, said Darien modestly.
âWe both had the desire to win, and his competitiveness gave me the desire to play my heart out, knowing heâs going to do the same.â
When did you know it was time to retire?
Towards the end of last season, Darien revealed the news to the home fans that he would retire.
âI had a feeling I was going to retire going into my final season, I could see the writing on the wall a little bit. My body was starting to ache, I had some nagging injuries that were tough to overcome, and all my attempts at recovery werenât helping as much as they used to.â
âIâd finished my masters, and Iâm getting married. It just seemed like my life was pointing me in a different direction.â
đđ Massive congrats to our captain Darien Nelson-Henry who graduated from his masters in International Business from @lborouniversity today!
How do you reflect on your career, having had some time to look back on it?
âI was able to win multiple titles in multiple countries, achieve personal accolades everywhere I went and meet amazing people who I would otherwise never had the opportunity to meet.â
âI can honestly say I got so much out of basketball, and it was worth every second I put into it.â
âIâm taking a break from the game for now and taking some well-earned rest, but Iâll be back one way or another and cheering the Riders on from wherever I may be!â
Leicester Riders are looking at all options, after the planned start of the BBL season later this week was put on hold.
Riders along with other BBL clubs met late last week online, to consider the Prime Ministerâs announcement that the return of spectators to sporting events was on hold indefinitely, following an increase in Covid-19 cases.
The BBL had planned to announce fixtures for the new season last week, but that announcement has again been delayed.
Riders Chairman Kevin Routledge said the club were particularly frustrated,
âWe had been in continuous discussions with DCMS, and were on track to be the first indoor sports pilot in the country last Friday in a pre-season friendly.â
âThe Morningside Arena has done a huge amount of work to become Covid Secure, with a major investment in software and physical changes to the arena.â
âWe have been advised that the changes have made means the venue is one of the best prepared in the county.â
âSo to get this news is devastating, particularly to the people involved in all these works.â
âIt is going to have a massive impact on all BBL clubs, because there is a huge dependency for all clubs on gate receipts and local sponsors.â
âWe have been advised the Government will consider requests for support, but the challenge will be for Clubs to survive, while negotiations go on.â
âBecause we are one of a few Clubs that have control of our own Arena, we also have amongst the highest overheads in the British game.â
âObviously we want to play games only when it is safe to do so, but all venues are different, and the risks will be very different.â
âWe will be working very hard with the BBL to consider all options and hope to let our supporters and sponsors know very soon the outcome.â
âWe donât rule out playing behind closed doors for a period, but that is not a sustainable way of operating, and it is unclear whether all clubs could even start on that basis.â
âUltimately we are in the hands of Government.â
The BBLâs Chief Operating Officer Andy Web said,
âFollowing the Government announcement on 22nd September that fans will not be allowed back to sporting events for the foreseeable future, the British Basketball League is currently assessing the impact this will have on professional basketball in the UK.â
âThe UK is a great sporting nation and the positive impact that sport has on communities and on physical and mental health can be seen at all levels from grassroots through to elite levels.â
âWith all the BBL clubs firmly rooted in their communities, it is no exaggeration to say that the impact of this decision will be deeply felt by all 11 BBL clubs and the many stakeholders the Clubs and their charitable Foundations work with.â
âWe recognise that the Government are taking these measures in the interests of the nationâs health and we fully support them in that.â
âHowever, to remove the possibility of such a vital source of income only a week before we were due to start our season means the BBL has no option but to call on the Government for support at this crucial time.â
âThe viability of our league, the only professional menâs basketball league in the UK, is predicated on ticket and sponsorship income, as thousands of fans and local businesses show their support each week.â
âWithout their support, there is a risk of the loss of clubs who work in the heart of their communities, as well as the current and future generations of talented sportspeople, many from our most deprived communities.â
âIn the meantime, the BBL is reassessing its options with regards to the new season and will be making further announcements shortly.â
Following defeat on the road in Bristol last weekend the Riders will be looking to bounce back this Friday as they take on the Manchester Giants at the Morningside Arena, here’s all you need to know about the two teams.
About the Giants
Manchester Giants are looking to build for the future after a new ownership group pulled together by former player Jamie Edwards took charge a month ago.
It has been lean pickings since the Giants return to the BBL in 2012, and the new group will look to turn that around, but, with the deadline passed for player signings this season, much of the change is likely to occur in the off-season.
Current Head Coach Danny Byrne is in his third season with the club.
Mancunians Callum Jones and his brother James Jones provide experience in the backcourt, aided by Latvian sharpshooter Ingus Bankevics, Spanish forward Eduard Arques and local guard Jack Hudson. Benson Arogbo and Zak Powell provide support off the bench
Americans Jonathan Mulmore and Delâvin Dickerson have been dispensed with, replaced by Londoner Allie Fullah and Brit David Ulph.
Form Guide
Manchester has yet to win in the BBL Championship, but is showing much improved form in recent weeks. They took Plymouth Raiders to overtime in a home defeat, racked up 80 points away at Sheffield Sharks in a 92-80 loss, and then took Cheshire close last Sunday, before Phoenix prevailed at home, 99-88.
After winning 6 in a row, Riders are now on a 2 game losing streak, after going down away to London Lions and Bristol Flyers.
The teams met twice in the Group stages of the BBL Cup, Riders winning both, 96-57 in Manchester, and 102-70 at home.
Players to Watch
Captain Callum Jones pulls the strings for the Giants from the point guard position, and he had a typical display against Cheshire last time out, scoring 16 points at a highly efficient 80% shooting, as well as dishing out 2 assists in 34 minutes of play.
For Leicester, the ability to get Darien Nelson-Henry engaged in the offence is often key to their performances. He is averaging 13 points and 5 rebounds per game, and shoots over 60% from the floor.
Tickets are still available for Friday’s game, CLICK HERE to purchase yours!
Leicester Riders slipped to a fourth league defeat of the season, going down 73-69 at Bristol Flyers. In a similar pattern to their trophy defeat in the south west, Riders had led for long periods, only for a fourth quarter rally to see the home side over the line.
Jesse Chuku hit a couple of early three pointers before Josh Ward-Hibbert scored eight consecutive points for the Riders as they opened an 18-11 lead.
Levi Bradley pulled his team back into the game, but Leicester would post eight points without reply to lead 28-17 early in the second quarter. Namon Wrightâs back-to-back three-pointers kept Leicesterâs lead in double figures, but Bristol were able to make inroads into the deficit just before half-time.
Corey Johnson was able to send Riders into the interval with a nine-point lead as he connected from behind the arc for the final score of the first half.
The home side then started the second half strongly to trim Ridersâ advantage to only three-points as Lewis Champion got the scoreboard ticking for his team, but Ward-Hibbert and Johnson re-establish a small cushion a 52-44 with twelve minutes to go.
Early in the final quarter, Bristol posted seven points without reply to move 55-54 ahead and for the next five minutes the lead went back and forth. With 2:30 to play, Riders trailed by one-point, but Champion helped the Flyers to a 72-66 advantage.
Andy Thomson halved that with a three-pointer and though he had to more attempts to level the game from behind the arc, neither dropped and Riders slipped to a second consecutive victory against the Flyers.
Riders struggled to find consistency in their shooting and as such whilst they had four players in double-figures, their top score was only 13 from Josh Ward-Hibbert.
The Riders return Home to the Morningside Arena next Friday when they take on the Manchester Giants in the BBL Championship, CLICK HERE to get your tickets!
Last weekend the Leicester Riders defeated the Sheffield Sharks at the Morningside Arena on Saturday Night before falling to the London Lions on the Road the next day, here’s three things we learnt across the two games.
Depth makes the difference
The Leicester Riders continued their impressive form on Saturday Evening as they took down the Sheffield Sharks 87-80 at the Morningside Arena. It was the usual controlled performance on both ends of the floor from the Riders who won each of the first three quarters giving them a 12 point lead heading in to the final period. It was the Riders strength in numbers that got them over the line, with 6 players contributing 9 or more points it the Riders versatility offensively was too much for the Sharks to handle. Kyron Cartwright and Andy Thomson led the way for the Riders contributing double doubles of 10 points and 11 assists and 12 points and 13 rebounds respectively.
Darien Nelson-Henry continues to produce
6â11 American Centre Darien Nelson-Henry has been in fine form for the Riders over recent weeks arguably playing his best basketball since joining the Riders in October. Nelson-Henry is averaging 15.4 points per game on an outstanding 68.2 percent shooting from the floor over his past 4 games which has contributed to the Riders win streak. Darien has been a major presence inside for the Riders using his back to basket playing style to outmuscle defenders on the defensive end but also clogging up the paint on defence making it tough for opponents to score around the basket.
Win Streak snapped at 6 by Lions
Prior to playing the London Lions on Sunday afternoon the Riders were firing on all cylinders on a 6 game win streak in the BBL Championship and playing their best basketball of the season. The defending BBL Champions got off to a quick start and never looked back as their hot shooting kept the Riders at arm length for a majority of the contest. The Riders now have the opportunity to bounce back on Friday Evening against the Bristol Flyers before they return to the Morningside Arena to take on the Manchester Giants on March 13th.
Tickets for the Riders v Giants clash are on sale now, CLICK HERE to purchase yours.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking âAcceptâ, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
