Tag: Leicester Riders

Leicester Riders won their fourth League game on the bounce by beating Surrey 89ers on the road 89-72. 

Charles Thompson’s dominant display led the Riders from the frontcourt with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks, locking off the paint from wire to wire with his relentless effort and energy. 

Zach Jackson followed up with 17 points, sealing the deal with a run of buckets in the final period. Meanwhile Riley Abercrombie notched a double-double with 13 and 12, and a three to end the night. 

Leicester’s bench also won the battle of the second units 23-9, led by Ethan Wright’s 8 points.

The Riders won despite shooting 3-7 from the foul line to Surrey’s 17-22. Mervin James led the game with 22 for the 89ers, going 7-11 from the field. 

Thompson leads dominant start

Fresh off his Team of the Week selection last weekend, Thompson scored six straight points to start the game to stamp his authority on the paint. He threw down a monster jam for his third bucket of the game after getting the switch in the pick and roll. 

Thompson has 6 points, 3 rebounds and a big time block in the opening three minutes, his block on Cameron Gooden setting up a Jackson finish on the break. Leicester led 10-2 to start the game. 

Hunter, from the point, played aggressively in the first to get to the teeth of Surrey’s defence. He scored six at the hoop in the first quarter.

Duke Shelton closed the quarter for Leicester with a hard-fought rebound and a post hook over James, but James returned the favour with a closely contested fadeaway over Shelton on the buzzer to make it 17-24 after one. 

Leicester build on lead in the second

Conner Washington checked into the game in the second to hit back-to-back triples off the bench. But James, in rhythm after the end of the first, brought his game tally to 13 with his first three of the game to keep Surrey in contention. 

Thompson re-entered the fray after sitting with two fouls and scored his tenth points immediately, before contesting Dame Adelekun in the post and giving him an empty trip down the court. 

Abercrombie drained his first three of the game to make the score 45-31, and Thompson finished the flurry with a two-handed jam on the break to bring his game tally to 12. James ended the half with a bucket, and the sides entered the break with the Riders up 14. 

Riders respond to Surrey flurry

Hunter led the team out the half with five points, including a tough floater through contact and a three from the wing. Abercrombie followed with a three from the top as Leicester extended their lead. 

A string of Riders turnovers opened the door for a Surrey run, however, with Adelekun scoring on back-to-back possessions on the fastbreak. The second bucket was a finish from a lob pass from Di-Jani Parkinson, and the score was 49-60 with 2:30 left in the period. 

The 89ers momentum caused a Riders timeout from Head Coach Rob Paternostro, as Leicester looked to steal the sway of the game back. Thompson and Jackson combined for 6 points once the team had regathered, rebuilding the lead at the hoop. 

Jordan Hunt shot hope back into the Niners on the buzzer, however, making a miracle three to make the host’s deficit 15 with one left. 

Riders see it out through Jackson

Blake Bowman started the fourth aggressively with a drive inside, euro stepping for two. Wright followed with his second triple from the top as Leicester got off to a hot start in the final period. 

Shelton picked up his fifth foul to see him sidelined for the rest of proceedings, and Surrey scored 4 straight points to chip back into it. 

But Leicester’s leading scorer Jackson took the game over in it’s pivotal stage. He scored 5 points on the bounce by getting his back to basket and finishing through contact repeatedly.  

Thompson and Wright both sent shots away in emphatic fashion late in the fourth, and Hunter sealed the game with a three with a favourable bounce. The 89ers rallied late to cut the score to 13, but it was too little too late for the hosts as Leicester took a professional win.

Trophy semi-final next

The Riders are back in action on Sunday in the Super League Basketball Trophy semi-final against Newcastle Eagles.

Get your tickets here!

Leicester Riders return to action after the international break, hosting Manchester for the first time in Super League Basketball.

The Club looks to return to winning ways after back-to-back losses to the Sheffield Sharks. Building momentum is pivotal ahead of a busy winter schedule, with this weekend’s double header setting up a seven-game December.

Here’s some of the key matchups to look for in Friday’s action…

Makai Ashton-Langford vs Jaylin Hunter

The League’s two premiere assist makers, Jaylin Hunter and Makai Ashton-Langford, go head-to-head from the point in this matchup. 

Hunter, with 8 per game, leads all players in dishes, followed by Ashton-Langford with 7 per game. The two American rookies have quickly made their name in professional hoops as elite playmakers, pulling the strings from the point. 

The Riders’ star guard has been one of the standouts from their start to the season, finding quick chemistry with the rest of the roster to continually generate open looks with his flashy passing and court vision. 

In addition to his playmaking, Hunter’s finishing ability at the rim has led to some mind-bending circus shots in the paint, and his quickness in transition and three point shooting prowess makes him the second-highest Riders scorer on the season with 14.7 point per outing. 

For Manchester, Ashton-Langford has shown similarly impressive passing skills in his introduction to Super League Basketball to rank second in the League in assists, behind Hunter. 

Like Hunter, his pass-first, selfless mentality has generated offence up and down the Manchester roster. He breaks holes in defences by willingly attacking the hoop, before swinging passes to cutting defenders and open shooters. 

With talented scorers at the forward position, he is a weapon in the pick and roll, looking for switches onto bigger defenders where he can take them off the dribble, or draw double teams so he can find the cutter in the lane. 

Slowing down the opposing guard will go a long way for their team’s success for either of these court generals. 

DJ Mitchell vs Riley Abercrombie

Manchester’s leading scorer lines up at the forward position. DJ Mitchell is one of three 20 point per game scorers in Super League Basketball this season, averaging 20 points and 6 rebounds per game over his two league appearances so far. 

His latest outing showcased his ability to get the ball in the basket and dominate the glass, logging a 15 point, 12 rebound double double against a physical Bristol Flyers outfit. 

After starting his professional career in 2021, Mitchell has gained experience in Australia, the Netherlands and Poland to name a few, signing in Manchester from the NBL 1’s Brisbane Bullets. 

Mitchell has a willingness to take shots from every spot on the court, making him a tough cover when pulling up from range at 6 ‘8″. He possesses an ability to take defenders off the dribble from the perimeter and play with his back to basket, making Mitchell a true five level scorer. 

He was an efficient 50% from the field and 43% from three over the summer with Brisbane, and while he hasn’t matched those numbers early in the season, Mitchell is capable of catching a hot hand on any night. 

Matching up vs Mitchell in the power forward position will be Riders’ Aussie Riley Abercrombie, who has experience playing down under over the summer for Illawarra Hawks, where he averaged 23.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. 

Abercrombie’s season with the Hawks featured back-to-back 38 point games, five 30 point outings and six double doubles over 19 games. 

For Leicester, Abercrombie is shooting a red hot 45% from three on his way to 13.7 points per game- third best on the Riders roster. He too can score from all five levels, proving his ability to shoulder the scoring load during his summer in Australia. 

The 6’9” stretch four has established himself as a consistent scorer for the Riders this season, putting up double digit points in every Championship game so far. His matchup against Mitchell will be a fascinating duel between two versatile scorers. 

Nathan Cayo vs Zach Jackson

Rounding off the top three one-on-one battles is the wing matchup between Riders’ leading scorer on the season, Zach Jackson, and Manchester’s CEBL championship winning Nathan Cayo. 

Cayo was a key player for Niagara River Lions this past summer averaging 12.8 points as they went on to win the Championship. The former G Leager now suits up in British basketball for the first time, putting up 14.3 points per game in his first two championship outings. 

His ball-handling and driving ability means he possesses guard-like skills standing at 6’7”. He has natural instinct as the ball handler in the pick and roll, making him able to take on defenders or find passes to the open man.

Cayo has touch with his back to the rim, and likes to rise up in the midrange to knock down shots. He is capable of stretching the defence with his three point shooting, which make shim a multi-faceted weapon for Manchester to utilise. 

Cayo will face off against one of the best two-way players in the British game, Zach Jackson, who has dominated the open stages of the season for Leiecster to average 17 points per game. 

Jackson’s physical attributes make him an elite defender, and will come into the matchup against Cayo with confidence in his ability to stay in front of his opponent, fill the passing lane and slow down Manchester’s offence. 

On the other end of the floor, his top-level scoring ability on all five levels makes Jackson one of the best scorers in the League. Shooting 54% from the field and 40% from three, he has played efficient ball to start the season, and has come up huge in the clutch for Leicester too. 

Jackson starred in the Riders’ overtime win in Bristol, taking over the fourth quarter and overtime with Hunter to lead the game with a season-high 27 points, and his late game heroics against Sheffield, scoring eight straight in the final minutes, made it a one possession game and gave the Riders an chance to send it to overtime with a late comeback. 

Manchester will be keyed in on Jackson from wire-to-wire in this captivating battle from the wing. 

Secure your seat!

Tickets are still available for the game, secure your seat here!

Leicester Riders have been scheduled to play Falkirk Fury away in the first round of the Super League Basketball Cup on Friday, December 13 at 7:50 pm. 

Our home Championship game against Caledonia Gladiators, previously scheduled for December 13, has therefore been postponed, and will be rearranged to an alternate date.

Furthermore, our home Championship fixture against Newcastle Eagles has been scheduled for Sunday, December 15. This game will tip off at 3 pm, instead of our typical Sunday tip-off time of 4 pm.

Tickets to this game are available here.

If you had already purchased tickets to our game on December 13 against Caledonia Gladiators, your ticket will automatically be assigned to the new game scheduled for December 15 against Newcastle Eagles. If you are unable to attend this new fixture, please contact [email protected] to reallocate your ticket to a different Riders home game.

Our Trophy semi-final first leg on the road against Newcastle Eagles has also been scheduled for Friday, December 6 at 7:30 pm, followed by the return leg at home on Sunday December 22 at 5:30 pm.

See the full schedule changes below.

Trophy: Away vs Newcastle Eagles

New: December 6, 7:30 pm

Cup: Away vs Falkirk Fury

New: December 13, 7:50 pm 

Championship: Home vs Newcastle Eagles

New: December 15, 3 pm 

Championship: Home vs Caledonia Gladiators

Original: December 13

New: TBC

Our full December schedule is now as follows:

6/12: SLB Trophy semi-final first leg, away vs Newcastle Eagles, 7:30 pm

13/12: SLB Cup, away vs Falkirk Fury, 7:50 pm

15/12 SLB Championship, home vs Newcastle Eagles, 3 pm

20/12: SLB Championship, away vs Surrey 89ers, 7:30 pm

22/12: SLB Trophy semi-final second leg, home vs Newcastle Eagles, 5:30 pm

27/12: SLB Championship, home vs Bristol Flyers, 7:30 pm

30/12: SLB Championship, home vs London Lions, 7:30 pm

Leicester Riders fell for the first time in 2024-25 on Friday, losing 82-79 at home to Sheffield Sharks. 

It was an electric affair and a heartbreaker come the final buzzer for Leicester, who battled back at the hands of Zach Jackson late in the fourth but fell short by only an inch with his game tying attempt on the buzzer.

The Riders and Sharks have faced off in high-stakes battles over past seasons, but for this new Riders group, there is plenty to take from their first encounter with Sheffield in Super League Basketball.

Big time moments, big time players

Despite the Riders loss, Zach Jackson again showed his ability to put the scoring load on his back in the clutch to will his team into contention. 

His Player of the Game performance saw him bag 20 points, and 8 straight for the Riders to claw them back in it. 

The Riders were down six with three minutes on the clock before back-to-back threes tied it up. Following a Sharks bucket, Jackson putback Riley Abercrombie’s miss to once again level the scores, and his game tying attempt on the buzzer missed by an inch for what would have been his 11th straight. 

Jackson, the league’s leading scorer, demonstrated his late game heroics earlier in the year on the road to Bristol Flyers, where he led the team to an overtime win. Having the American suited up in red when the game gets close breeds late game confidence for the entire Riders unit.

Sheffield’s second unit scorers

The Sharks got their biggest scoring contribution from the bench on Friday, with EC Mathews checking in to log 18 points and 5 rebounds. 

Mathews was a part of the closing unit which got the visitors over the line in Leicester, hitting what proved to be the game winning three with a minute remaining. It was his fourth three of the night- the 6’5” American providing a red hot hand off the bench. 

Backing Mathews in the second unit was Prentiss Nixon, who was a thorn in the Riders’ side in last season’s playoffs. Nixon went for 11 and 4 on the game in 24 minutes, shooting 50% from the field and finishing with a +/- of 7. 

In a three point win, the Sharks’ bench had an average +/- of 5, proving the difference in a game which came down to the thinnest of margins. 

The Riders will have to stay wary of the Sheffield second unit if they want to come away from South Yorkshire with a win. 

Stick to the process 

A back and forth fourth quarter saw big swings of momentum, the Sharks having the best of the late form to win the game. 

But the Riders, after a hot start to the final period, got themselves up double digits for the first time in the game after a Spencer Johnson three, and looked in good position to see it out. 

The Sharks caught fire at a pivotal part of the game to win it, a three from Jacob Groves kick starting a 16-0 run to give them a six point lead. 

But that three minute stretch, which cost Leicester the game, should not take from the Riders’ play which brought them within seven minutes of an 8-0 record to start the season. 

Despite shooting only 40% from the field on the game, the Riders were within a possession of sending it to overtime, so a reversion to the mean and a solid offensive showing should put them in good stead to add a point to the win column this weekend. 

The Riders are back at home on November 29 against Manchester Basketball. You can get tickets here!

Leicester Riders progressed to the semi-finals of the Super League Basketball Trophy with two group games to spare, beating the Surrey 89ers 89-76. 

Blake Bowman led the team’s effort with 14 points, in a game which saw five Riders score in double digits and every player get on the scoreboard.

Jaylin Hunter notched a double-double with 13 points and 12 assists, but it was the second unit that continued to be the X-Factor in close contests with its effort and intensity. 

There was nothing in the game late in the third quarter before Bowman made plays to separate the score. Leicester blew the game open in the fourth and never looked back with made shot after made shot. 

The Riders shot 50% from the field and 38% from three in another solid offensive display. But the difference was in their defence, winning the turnover battle 14-6. 

Surrey played Leicester close for the second straight game, but again couldn’t stay with the Riders in the closing stages. Jalen Ray led the game with 17 points and 4 assists in his side’s effort. 

Battling out the early stages 

The Riders were electric from the off, building on Ethan Wright’s hustle to take a quick lead. Wright was busy on both ends, getting a steal from Josh Steel before attacking hard for an and-one play. 

Zach Jackson took the mantle for back-to-back scores inside, before Charles Thompson’s efforts at both buckets made it 14-9.

Despite the hot start, a cold streak bit the hosts late in the first, allowing the Niners to climb back into the lead of the game courtesy of an and-one from Cameron Gooden. 

Leicester went scoreless over two minutes until Jackson took the lid off the basket, taking a foul in the process for an extra point to close the half, but the Riders trailed 17-20 at the first break. 

Thompson takeover snatched Leicester lead

After hitting only one three in the opening period, the Riders drained four quickly in the second, Spencer Johnson nailing three of them to take a 37-35 lead. 

But Bowman was the story of the second, scoring 7 points with relentless energy in attacking the teeth of the Surrey defence. 

Uncharacteristic defensive lapses kept the 89ers in the game, however, with frequent trips to the foul line and a plethora of offensive boards. Thompson’s introduction into the game midway through the period remedied this with his interior presence, allowing Leicester to take a six point advantage. 

Thompson made the highlight of the half, linking up with fellow American Jaylin Hunter to throw it down in the lane.

Hunter found Thompson twice at the end of the half, bringing Thompson’s game tally to 8, but Surrey’s Jalen Ray finished the second quarter from the foul line to make the score 45-42. 

Tightly contested third

Riley Abercrombie started the second with more sharpshooting from deep, hitting the Riders’ first three of the second half. But Surrey hung around with buckets from Dame Adelekun, Mervin James and Ray, keeping it a close ball game. James hit a three with 6:37 left to tie it. 

It was a one possession game in the third for seven minutes, with swings to the score throughout. While buckets weren’t dropping, Leicester fell back on their defensive prowess to keep the game close as the clock ticked down, their active hands in the lane forcing continual turnovers. 

Bowman was the one to find separation in the score line. He drove hard to the hoop again to take the lead, and nailed a three with Tayo Ogendengbe in his face to make the score 66-61 with one to play. 

Red hot in the fourth

The Riders’ captain, Conner Washington, stepped up with the score close for the second straight game. He hit a three through contact for a four point play to make the Riders’ lead nine, followed by another Johnson three. 

Huge shots fell throughout the fourth, with J’Raan Brooks getting a favourable bounce for a three to drop in, and Hunter beating the shot clock over a heavy contest in the corner. 

Johnson stayed hot with a pair of triples in the fourth- the Riders catching fire at the perfect moment to see off the Niners. Jackson saw the game out with a finish at the rim, and the Riders progress through the group and remained undefeated come the final buzzer.

The Riders are back in action on Friday, taking on Bristol Flyers on the road, before heading home to round off the group phase against London Lions.

The Riders are back in action on Friday, taking on Bristol Flyers on the road, before heading home to round off the group phase against London Lions.

You can get tickets to our Lions game here!

Leicester Riders look to book their place in the Super League Basketball Trophy semi-final with a win against Surrey 89ers. 

It’s the second of back-to-back games against Surrey for the Riders, who took a hard-fought 87-75 win from the south on Saturday to improve to 3-0 on the season. 

The victory on the road means one win from the Riders’ last three group games would see them progress to the next round. Meanwhile, the Niners look to pick themselves up from three losses on the bounce, and keep their slim semi-final hopes alive with a win in Leicester. 

Get your tickets here

Here’s all you need to know about the fixture…

Battle tested in Surrey

Leicester’s hot start to the season has put them in pole position to win the Super League Basketball South Group with three games left. 

Back-to-back road wins in London and Surrey have made it a 3-0 start to the season, the latter proving the toughest task of the year so far for Rob Paternostro’s side.

A two week break from action saw the Riders start slow in Surrey. They were down by as much as 16 in the opening period, before hustle plays from the team’s second unit sparked a comeback in the second half. 

“We knew they’d come out aggressive,” said Head Coach Rob Paternostro following the win. “They’d lost the last two games, and they really put it on us early. 

“The second unit, led by Conner Washington, really turned the game around for us. Their defensive aggressiveness really got us going, and in the second half our defence got better and better. 

“The first group saw their effort and that got them going. We were on our toes to start the second half after starting the game a little flat-footed.” 

Star wing Zach Jackson led Leicester on the game with 21 points, shooting 7-10 from the field. Riley Abercrombie played an aggressive game on his way to 14 points, and Spencer Johnson came off the bench for 11, hitting big shots in timely moments throughout the tie. 

It was the first test the Riders have faced in the clutch this season, and they made the plays to seal the win when the stakes were highest.

“This was a different type of game to the ones we’d played recently,” added Paternostro. “We had to battle back and see it out in the fourth quarter. These guys certainly showed today they had the composure to see it out.”

Niners down, but not out 

Saturday’s result meant Surrey face an almighty task to get out of their Trophy group. They now need to win their remaining group games, and hope that results and points differential swings in their favour to take Leicester’s place in the semi finals.

That journey starts on Wednesday, where the Niners will have to beat the Riders to give themselves a chance to progress. 

They will take some confidence from Surrey after playing the Riders closer than any of their opponents so far this season. Their hot start, led from defensive intensity, saw Surrey dominate the opening stages of the game before the Riders found form and took charge of proceedings. 

Mervin James was their star of the night with 19 points, but it was turnovers that proved the ultimate difference between the sides as four of the Surrey starters gave possession away more than three times. 

But this desperate Surrey side will look to recapture the start of Saturday’s game in this one to keep their Trophy hopes alive. 

Where to watch

Tickets are still available for Wednesday’s game- get down to the Arena to help the team to the semi finals! 

Get your tickets here– kids go for a quid with the code KFAQ!

The game will also be streamed live on DAZN here. 

Leicester Riders, Leicester Riders Foundation and Mattioli Arena Interim CEO Simon Winfield provides an update on the Club’s revised car parking charges.

Dear Supporters,

Following the first two home games of the season, we have conducted a thorough review of the recently introduced car parking fees. As part of this process, we consulted with the official supporters’ club, listened to individual fans, and held internal discussions within the business.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who took the time to provide feedback and share their thoughts. Your input is invaluable to us. Our goal is not only to grow and develop the Club, but also to ensure we continue to recognise and appreciate the tremendous support of our fans. Together, we aim to create a winning team and an enjoyable, memorable game night experience for all.

The majority of feedback we received acknowledged that the introduction of car parking fees is understandable. However, many of you expressed concerns that the initial prices were too high. We’ve listened to those concerns and, in response, have revised our car parking charges for future home games.

The new fees are as follows:

• £6 for parking on Memory Lane, covering the two car parks linked to Leicester College.
• £12 for Premium Parking within the main Arena Car Park.
• £6 for disabled parking in the main Arena Car Park (valid disabled parking pass required).

All revenue generated from car parking fees will be directly reinvested into the Club and its Foundation. These funds help us support the teams, enhance the game night experience and contribute to the many projects run by the Foundation as we continue our commitment to reinvesting back into our community.

Car Parking Passes can be purchased online at the same time as your game ticket- you will need to show your QR code at the time of entering the car park. We strongly advise supporters to purchase in advance in order to make entry to the car park as safe and quick as possible for everyone. This is the only way to guarantee your parking space for the game.

We are conscious that some fans have purchased their car parking for future games, and arrangements will be made to refund any difference in the costs within the next 14 days.

Once again, we truly appreciate your support and feedback, and we look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming games!

Thank you for being part of the Riders family.

Regards,

Simon Winfield

Interim CEO- Leicester Riders, Leicester Riders Foundation, Mattioli Arena

In the interest of improving communications between the Club and its fans, Leicester Riders Basketball Club have engaged in open conversations with its official supporters club and individual fans in recent months.

After listening to your comments and queries, the Club has committed to various changes, and is able to provide answers to some of the specific enquiries that have been made.

Below, you can find answers to some of your most frequently asked questions.

Please note, further comments will be made in the near future regarding our game night car parking arrangements.

We appreciate your feedback, and will look to make additional improvements to your fan experience throughout the season.

Questions and Answers

Q: At the first game of the season we played in a black kit. Will we be playing in this kit at home this season?

A: As shared by Super League Basketball there has been a delay in teams receiving their official kits and an interim solution was put in place. For this season our kit colours will be Red and Black, therefore, once we receive our official kits the vast majority, if not all our home games will be played in our Red kit whilst our Black kit will feature primarily in our away games.

Q: Will we be able to purchase our new kit soon?

A: Once we receive our new official kits we will be able to order the replica kit for fans. Due to the wide range of sizes that will be available we have made the decision for all kit to be available on pre-order. If you want to guarantee your kit and be the one of the first to receive it you can pre-register by emailing [email protected] with your full details and kit size, pricing will be confirmed shortly.

Q: The atmosphere at the game was poor and there was no commentary. What happened and what are the plans for the future?

A: We share your disappointment of the events on Friday night. It fell well short of the standards we aspire to and want to deliver for existing and new fans. Arrangements with our planned commentator fell through with short notice, and while we worked hard to find an alternative on the day and thank our team for stepping up to fill the role last minute, we understand that this had a negative impact on the game night atmosphere. In addition, our musical support faced unexpected in-game restrictions upon request from a game official, all far from ideal. We are focussed on addressing these issue for our next home game and are confident that we will meet expectations of supporters. We appreciate the understanding of those that have been in contact regarding this issue.

Q: Where were the Cheerleaders? Will they be part of the game night experience this season?

A: During the offseason we undertook a detailed review of all our existing arrangements and partnerships. We want our events to reflect the community that we live in and attend the games and bring the multi cultural aspect which is at the heart of Leicester. Following detailed discussions with the Cheerleader representative it was a mutual agreement that they would not form part of the game day experience for this season. We will be bringing a range of pre and half time entertainment this season and will update you as we progress through the season.

Riders forward Zach Jackson has been named to the Super League Basketball Team of the Week for his opening night performance against Bristol Flyers.

Jackson led the game with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals on his way to a 33 +/- in the Riders’ 91-69 home win.

The American returned to Riders red with a bang, the four-time British basketball silverware winner not missing a beat as he took to the floor for his first competitive action of the season.

Alongside him in the Team of the Week are:

Patrick Whelan, Caledonia Gladiators
Dame Adelekun, Surrey 89ers
Cam Christon, Cheshire Phoenix
Josh Ward-Hibbert, Newcastle Eagles

Want to see Zach in action? Tickets are on sale to our next home game against Surrey 89ers!

Get yours here!

Leicester Riders got their 2024-25 season underway with an impressive 91-69 victory against Bristol Flyers.

It was a start-to-finish dominant display led by 22 from returning Rider Zach Jackson, who grabbed 7 boards and 5 steals in an impressive effort on both ends. After a series of fluid offensive performances, the newly formed group played with a sense of togetherness leading to a plethora of open looks from deep which the Riders hit at a 46% clip. 

Jackson was backed by 17 points from rookie point guard Jaylin Hunter making his professional debut, and Ethan Wright went 3-4 from deep for 15 points in total.

On defence, Charles Thompson’s interior protection held Flyers star Kedrian Johnson to five points, locking off the inside wire-to-wire. Rookie guard Trey Tennyson led their efforts with 15 points, as his team shot 36% from the field. 

Starting hot

The Riders flew out the gate to a 10-0 start. Jackson bagged the team’s first Super League Basketball points with a three after free flowing ball movement, before another triple from Riley Abercrombie ended the run to force a Bristol timeout. 

Jackson scored eight in five minutes to settle Leicester into it. The Riders maintained this foundation to lead 23-15 after the first quarter, which Blake Bowman ended with a triple. 

Riders veterans took over in the second, with Conner Washington and Duke Shelton combining for two straight scores to keep the Riders in control. 

Flyers find their feet

The Flyers found form in the middle of the second, making back-to-back scores at the rim- the second from new addition Jaren Sherfield. But Jackson stemmed the tide with his patented hook shot for Leicester. 

A throw down for Jackson on the fastbreak got the fans on their feet, and snatched momentum firmly back. Ethan Wright took advantage of that with a three to force another timeout for the visitors, with the score 38-26. 

Threes from Sherfield and former Rider Evan Walshe started a Bristol surge back into the game as halftime neared. Washe, playing aggressively late in the second, drove to the rim for an and-one finish, cutting the difference to five. 

Abercrombie connected with a three on the other end to maintain the Leicester lead, but the Flyers were back into contention by the break. 

Taking control in the second half

Despite finding a hot streak, the visitors couldn’t make an indent into the Leicester lead to start the third period, as the Riders found joy consistently attacking the rim. Wright made it a double digit lead once again with a layup inside for his 10th points of the night. 

The American made his presence felt on both ends, chasing down Sherfield emphatically with a swat out of bounds. Jackson and Hunter built on the swat with five quick points, and the score was 58-43. 

Jackson caught fire, hitting two triples with the shot clock winding down as Leicester took firm control. 

Seeing it out on defence

Washington, again from deep, kicked off the fourth followed by Jackson’s 22nd of the evening. A circus shot at the rim from Hunter kept the foot on the pedal, and the hosts had a convincing position to see the game out from, leading by 15. 

Wright stringed another three, making it 3-4 on the night for the American. Hunter then rattled on in to make the score 83-64. 

The Riders put the clamps down defensively. Bristol mustered seven points in eight minutes in the final period, suffering from intense ball pressure from the hosts. Charles Thompson, anchoring the defence, was a stifling presence at the rim. 

Hunter put the cherry on top of the performance with a pair of threes, epitomising a hot night from behind the arc.

Hitting the road

The Riders are back in action on Sunday for the first game of a two game road trip. They head to London to take on the Lions at the Copper Box, hoping to make it 2-0 in the Trophy.

Leicester Riders finished pre-season with a professional 86-66 road win against Surrey 89ers.

Jaylin Hunter put in a complete performance from the point with 19 points and 6 assists to lead the game. He took over in the second to build Leiecster’s first meaningful lead, and pulled the strings in a fluid Riders offence all game long. 

He was backed by Zach Jackson’s 17 points and 5 rebounds. The American took over from where Hunter left off in the second half to keep the Niners at arm’s length. Charles Thompson also logged an impressive display with 10 points and 9 rebounds, dominating the paint for 5 offensive boards. 

Missed open looks meant the score failed to demonstrate the level of Leicester’s play through 40 minutes. The Riders shot 9-31 from three and 40% from the field, but will back themselves to connect on those shots on a consistent basis this season. 

The win puts Leicester in good stead going into their season opener against Bristol Flyers next Friday. Despite limited time together, the team played in impressive unison on both ends as they built towards the Super League Basketball season. 

Tight opening stages

Despite the final score, there was little separation on the scoreboard early. 

Jackson started aggressively, getting his head down for a finish at the rim and a pair of free throws following a strong drive to the hole, but Dame Adelekun responded with six points for the Niners, the big man showcasing his versatility with a variety of buckets. It was the Riders, however, who took the early lead through a fastbreak layup from Hunter. 

It was a closely-fought, fast paced affair from the jump. No side built a real advantage throughout the opening period, but with the Riders off on their deep shooting early Surrey edged ahead.

Hunter connected from the corner late, before Blake Bowman spiked away a Niner layup attempt to end the first on a positive sequence, the score 20-19 to the hosts. 

To begin the second, Bowman snatched the lead for Leicester with three trips to the foul line. He made it 27-26 with 6:46 remaining at the half. 

The Niners seized momentum back in response with Jalen Ray and Mervin James making tough shots over good contests to take a five point lead. 

Riders take the initiative 

The lid lifted off the basket for Leicester as the clock ticked towards half. Hunter and Riley Abercrombie hit from three, and the Riders led 42-36 at the break courtesy of Hunter’s foul shots. 

Thompson then got the second half underway from inside, logging seven quick points and a block to extend the Leicester lead. His final score of the stretch was a tough finish at the hoop putting back an Abercrombie missed triple, setting up an and-one play. 

Thompson’s dominance at the start of the third built a double digit advantage for the Riders. He was backed by Jackson, who hit his signature turnaround next time up before drawing an offensive foul. 

Jackson scored seven straight, but it was generated by Thompson who was undeniable on the glass. Three offensive boards in a single possession saw him fly around the court with Rodman-esque physicality, too strong for the Niners frontcourt to handle. 

He put the exclamation point on his third quarter performance with a monster one handed jam to follow a Jackson steal, the duo proving too much on both ends. 

Keeping Surrey at arm’s length 

Three scores for the Niners saw them climb back into contention, making the score 61-51 with two minutes left in the third. But a three from J’Raan Brooks was the final bucket of the period, making it 64-51 with one left. 

Noah Allen found his first triple of the game to start the final period in his first Riders action. Jackson made his way to the rim for another two, and Duke Shelton threw down a thunderous fastbreak slam as Leicester re-extended their lead. 

Shelton, who was fouled on the dunk, made it 74-57 from the foul line with six minutes left. He broke away once again, stealing a loose pass and this time throwing down a windmill on the break emphatically. 

Brooks found a rhythm from deep, connecting with his eighth points with a three with two minutes left. Hunter followed up with another from the corner to make the difference 19 points with his 19th points. 

Thompson finished off the night at the rim and concluded the Riders’ pre-season with a 20-point win. 

Season opener

The Riders are back in action with their season opener next week, taking on Bristol Flyers at home.

Get your tickets here!

Attention, entertainers!

Leicester Riders are seeking game day entertainers for the upcoming 2024-25 season!

In line with the Club’s dedication to investing in and establishing connections with the local community, it will prioritise hiring local talent for game day entertainment throughout the year.

Are you a local dance group, singer, freestyler, or possess any other unique skills? This is your opportunity to showcase your talent and perform in front of thousands at Leicester’s largest indoor arena during a Riders game.

If you’re interested in performing, please contact [email protected] with the subject line “Game day entertainment.”

 Don’t miss this chance to share your talent and add excitement to the Riders game day experience!

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.

A start to finish victory saw a team formed 10 days prior play together, the chemistry forming quickly among the group after one pre-season outing. 

Leicester shot 54.7% from the field and dished 26 assists in the game on their way to a team win. 

Scorers

Riley Abercrombie: 24
Jaylin Hunter: 19
Zach Jackson: 13
Ethan Wright: 12
Charles Thompson: 12
Blake Bowman: 11
J’Raan Brooks: 10
Duke Shelton 7
Conner Washington: 3

Red hot Riders start

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 Leicester’s 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 Select’s 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. 

Building to the half

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 Riders’ 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 Riders’ 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.

Here’s 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. It’s 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 Paternostro’s 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 Riders’ 2022 treble, winning four trophies during his time in the East Midlands.

“It’s been great seeing Coach Rob and some familiar faces on the team again,” said Jackson. “I’ve always loved playing for Rob, and I can’t wait to see the fans again. 

“Everyone 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. 

“We haven’t gone live yet to see how each other plays, but hopefully over the next few weeks we’ll start building chemistry and get to know one another.”

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, J’Raan 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. 

Our opponents: 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. 

“Leicester Riders, like so many other clubs in the UK, has been phenomenal for us over the decades, which is why I never miss the UK out on these tours,” said Head Coach and General Manager Sean Kilmartin.  

“The club, and its vision in a sport that was always under the radar and never truly appreciated in the UK, has changed the way people look at basketball in the country. Their venue is the first of its kind, and it set the bar for the other clubs in the league.

“When my players can see all that, they see what professionalism looks like. They see how professionals put pride in their job, and their humility when they put their jerseys on for the fans.

“The Riders fanbase is amazing. The love and respect we get from those fans is humbling. They really get it.”

Join the cavalry

Tickets are still available for tonight’s action! Standard tickets are £10, courtside seating is £25.

Get yours here!

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. 

Here’s 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 player’s 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, chef’s 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 Club’s 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.

Additional information

Please note, all arena car parking, including accessible parking, must be pre-booked.
Click Here to book parking at the Arena.

See below for the possible parking locations.

Tickets to the game are available here, at £10 for general admission and £20 for courtside seating.

We hope you enjoy the game!

Leicester Riders basketball club is excited to confirm its 2024-25 Super League Basketball schedule!

The highly anticipated debut season of the SLB is nearly upon us, and we can now share our schedule for 2024-25.

We will play across four competitions, starting off with the Trophy at the end of September.

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:

Please note, these fixtures may be subject to change.

Ticket information for our upcoming SLB games will be confirmed in the near future.

It’s with regret that we have taken the decision to defer the Fan’s 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.

We’ll 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.

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 – 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