Leicester Riders secured their first victory of the season on Friday, beating the Plymouth City Patriots 88-81.
Here’s what we can take from the fixture.
Riders have heart
The Riders had to dig deep in the game, coming back from a double-digit deficit to get one in the win column.
The score was 61-51 in the visitor’s favour with five minutes remaining in the third, before Miryne Thomas’ three kick-started a run that would see Leicester take their first lead since the opening quarter two minutes into the fourth.
It was a closely fought encounter down the stretch, as the Riders demonstrated their composure in the clutch to see the game out.
After having difficulty putting the ball in the hoop through the first three quarters, Leicester captain Kimbal Mackenzie found form when it mattered, leaning on his experience to see out the win from the free-throw line.
Head Coach Rob Paternostro’s side demonstrated their ability not only to fight back into a game but to see it out in the clutch.
Success attacking the basket
During the comeback, the Riders found success in close, driving and attacking the hoop to get points on the board. In the fourth quarter, 18 of their 29 points came at the rim, and eight at the free throw line.
High-flying Blake Bowman set the tone, using his speed and athleticism to find a way to the teeth of Plymouth’s defence and finish strong. The Riders have players up and down the roster who can find holes in defences, opening them up with dribble penetration.
Combined with the post-play of Samuel Idowu, Bralen Bridges and TJ Lall, who allowed Leicester to dump the ball down low and let them go to work, the Riders found consistent methods of keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
Asberry’s impact
Making his professional debut, Caleb Asberry returned to the gameday squad after missing the season opener through injury.
Asberry made his presence known, playing a pivotal role in the lineup that got the Riders back into the game.
Subbing in with 3:52 left in the third, the Riders went 26-15 until Asberry’s exit from the tie with 3:12 left in the game. His layup early in the fourth cut it to one, and his ability to hunt down loose balls and secure rebounds was on full display.
The 6’3” guard grabbed four rebounds in 13 minutes of action, injecting the energy and effort the Riders needed to come back and win the tie.
“I thought Asberry gave us some really good minutes. He hasn’t played in a while, and defensively he was really solid,” said Paternostro after the game.
“Caleb adds a lot. He’s quick, and he wins the ball. When the ball is loose, he has a talent for finding it. He can really shoot and make plays on the other end. He was in the lineup that turned the game around.”
Leicester Riders secured their first win of the season, beating the Plymouth City Patriots 88-81.
Here’s what Head Coach Rob Paternostro and game MVP TJ Lall had to say postgame.
Coach Rob- “It wasn’t perfect, but we showed a lot of character.”
The Riders found themselves down nine going into halftime, having given up 35 points in the second quarter to their opponents.
They responded in the second half, and were able to overcome the deficit.
“We had to play better defence in the second half and be a little tougher,” said Paternostro.
“The challenge I set at halftime was for the guys to give it their all on the defensive side of the ball, and we held them to 29 in the second half.
“We did a really good job defensively, and that was important. When we’re getting stops, we can run in transition, which is where we’re strong.”
The return of rookie guard Caleb Asberry from injury lit a spark in the Riders backcourt. His gritty performance led to six points and four rebounds in 13 minutes of action.
“I thought Asberry gave us some really good minutes. He hasn’t played in a while, and defensively he was really solid.
“Caleb adds a lot. He’s quick, and he wins the ball. When the ball is loose, he has a talent for finding it. He can really shoot and make plays on the other end. He was in the lineup that turned the game around.”
It was a gutsy win for the Riders, bouncing back from their defeat to the Cheshire Phoenix on opening night. It was important, in a lot of ways, to get a win on the board.
“It wasn’t perfect, but we certainly showed a lot of character to be able to come back and get the win. We have to understand that we’ve only been together a few weeks. We have to have patience. We have a lot of bodies, and we need to get as healthy as we can.
“A game like tonight will give the team some confidence that they can win a game in the fourth quarter.”
“That’s what was impressive for me. It was a tough loss last week, and no one felt good going into practice. We had a good week of practice, but then we went into halftime down nine.
It was a challenge at halftime to come out and show some mental toughness to get the job done. We have a lot of work to do, but hopefully, we can keep getting better and better.”
TJ Lall- “It was good to get our first win.”
Canadian wing TJ Lall was named MVP after putting up 14 points, four rebounds and two blocks in a well rounded performance.
Lall showed to the Riders faithful his ability to do what is needed to secure a victory. He battled on the glass, contested shots and put the ball in the basket when it counted.
“It was a hard-fought game,” said Lall. “We struggled on defence early, but in the second half, we turned it up, and good things happened for us. It was good to get our first win.”
He got most of his points in the first half to keep the Riders in it, but made clutch free throws down the stretch with the game in the balance.
Lall was bright throughout, but the team’s intensity left room for improvement following the first half.
“Our energy wasn’t where we wanted it to be. We needed to communicate better and rebound to close out possessions. It really helped us once we improved our standard in those areas.”
“We really picked up the ball pressure near the end of the third quarter and forced some turnovers. That got us some easy transition points and we could see the game out from there.”
The Riders claimed their first victory of the 2023/24 British Basketball Championship with an 88-81 defeat of the Plymouth Patriots.
An all-action fourth quarter, that saw Rob Paternostro’s men outscore their opponents 29-16, secured the win over a Plymouth team that led by nine points at halftime.
TJ Lall dropped a team-high 14 points for the Riders in an efficient display which saw him hit 66% from the field.
The Ontario native was joined in double figures by Xavier Pinson, Jaren Holmes and Braelen Bridges as the Riders’ showed their ability to spread the scoring.
A particularly pleasing aspect of Leicester’s win was their hustle on the boards, limiting the visitors to just eight offensive rebounds.
The Patriots did put up a stern test with some promising performances – TJ Atwood scoring 20 in the first half alone.
But Leicester responded well in the second half, shutting Atwood’s offense down to help towards a well-earned victory.
An end-to-end first half started well for the Riders, who utilised quick ball movement to create openings in the paint.
Bridges and Lall benefitted early, both dropping five points in the first quarter which pushed the Riders into an 18-17 lead.
Supported by a hard-working Samuel Idowu and the debuting Caleb Asberry off the bench, Leicester entered the second quarter looking to build on their narrow lead.
Despite showing a marked improvement on the defensive glass, limiting Plymouth to just a couple of offensive rebounds, an inspired ten-minute spell by the Patriots’ Atwood helped them to build a lead.
Atwood, who dropped 17 points in round one, finished the first half with six rebounds and four assists to accompany his 20 points.
A crucial three-pointer by Holmes kept the Riders within touching distance, swiftly followed by a deep three from long ball specialist, Asberry.
The half ended with the Patriots 52-43 to the good – a buzzer-beater from guard, Mason Faulkner giving Plymouth a nine-point lead.
Starting the second half as he did the first, Bridges dropped the Riders’ first bucket, igniting an 8-2 run after good hustle on both ends of the floor.
A timely three from Miryne Thomas kept the Riders within striking distance before the home team bridged the gap through multiple trips to the foul line.
The third quarter ended with Leicester facing a 6-point deficit but with their tails up heading into the final ten.
The fourth saw the Riders show the home fans what they can produce in the clutch.
Buckets from Asberry, Idowu and the agile Pinson pushed Paternostro’s team to a 15-3 surge, wiping out the Patriots’ lead and giving the home side a small cushion.
The game hurtled towards an exciting finish full of back-and-forth action, with the Riders able to keep the lead on the back of fearless play by captain, Kimbal Mackenzie.
Next Saturday, the Riders take on their first road trip of the season, travelling to Bristol to face the 1-1 Flyers.
The Riders face off against the Plymouth City Patriots on Friday for their second game of the season, looking to even up their record at 1-1.
Here, we look back at last season’s series between the two sides.
Season sweep
The Riders took the season sweep against the Patriots last year, winning all four of their games against the South Westerners.
Kimbal Mackenzie in particular had success in the matchup, putting up two 20-point scoring nights, including a 23-point and seven-assist performance in late March.
Leicester averaged over 100 points against the Patriots last season, Rob Paternostro’s side finding the holes in Plymouth’s defence consistently.
They concluded the season against Plymouth with a 111-68 win, with Mackenzie putting up 20 points in the game.
Nailbiting finish
The Riders needed every point of Mackenzie’s 23-point outing in March, as the Riders and Patriots played out a game wire-to-wire.
It was a 92-89 Leicester win at the Morningside Arena come the final buzzer, with the game was in the balance throughout.
Mackenzie finished the fixture with a pair of free throws to put the Riders up three, before Elivis Dusha’s three-point attempt was blocked by Marc Loving to conclude the action.
But Plymouth’s Rashad Hassan who put a late scare into his former team with a minute left, making a layup to cut it to one and coming up with a block on the next possession to give the Patriots a chance to take a late lead.
The Riders saw the game out through a clutch steal from Jubril Adekoya and Mackenzie’s free throws, and went on to secure second place in the league table.
Battle of the backcourt
This season featured revamped rosters on both sides, making Friday’s action a different task for the Riders than they faced last season.
The matchup in the backcourt remains the same, however, as Mackenzie faces up against Plymouth captain Elvisi Dusha.
Dusha had a pair of team-leading performances last season, putting up 24 points in the first matchup between the sides and 19 points later in the year.
Both games were in Plymouth, so Dusha will look to see his performances translate to the Morningside Arena floor to challenge Mackenzie in this one.
As the season fast approaches, I wanted to thank you all for your continued tremendous support.
There have been some big changes to our roster, and we’ve worked hard all off-season to make sure we were bringing in the right guys for our club.
This is my 16th season as Head Coach, and while we’re used to having some changes in the roster, you can really feel this season like there’s been a big turnaround.
That said, we’re excited about this group. I loved the team last year, and I really enjoyed being around the guys. But this season, there’s a sense of a fresh start and a blank canvas.
As we’re starting fresh, while on-the-court play is important, we’re taking the off-court things very seriously, especially because we have such a young roster. We want to make sure the guys feel comfortable.
Our fans and sponsors do such a great job of that. Part of the draw of this club is, of course, the winning tradition, but we also have a club that makes you feel like part of a family. That’s the first thing I noticed when I arrived here. It feels great to be embraced by our loyal supporters.
I’ve really enjoyed the energy of this group. The team have had a good time getting to know each other, and that’s the great thing about playing basketball in Europe: you build bonds with guys that last forever, so it’s great to see the start of it now.
You want to have a group that loves being together. We want them to enjoy the work on the court and being together off the court, which can be easier said than done. If you can find that balance, you’re going to have a great opportunity to have a good team.
On the court, the early stages of the season are about trying to learn about the roster. Once we’ve figured out who the players are and how they like to play, we can figure out the best way for the team to play.
Last season, we came back with pretty much the same group; we knew who we were from the jump. This year is completely different, but we’re ready for the challenge.
Looking back on the preseason, while the results don’t matter in the long run, ultimately, you want a team that will play hard and try and win every possession.
Those games were important for getting a feel for the rotation and understanding how to play different lineups. The more preseason games, the better in that sense, and I think it was a successful run of fixtures for us.
We don’t look too far ahead at this stage of the season, other than wanting to be in great condition. We want to be in great shape to deal with the season, and we want to be a group that loves playing basketball.
We always want to grow through the season and be better at the end. We have a great track record of playing our best basketball in the second half of the year. But what jumped out to me straight away is how much speed and athleticism we have out there.
There’s a new League format this season, with no Cup and a month dedicated to the Trophy. That will take some time to get used to, but at the end of the day, basketball is basketball. We’re going to try our best to do well early in the competition and improve along the way.
It’s an exciting time to be a Riders fan. Any time you can check out some new players, it’s exciting, and our fans will really like the guys we have here.
We hope you’re looking forward to the season as much as we are, and we can’t wait to see you out there!
The Riders took the win in their final pre-season game, beating USA Select 105-62 in their return to the Morningside Arena Leicester.
Here’s what the team had to say after the game.
Rob Paternostro
“I loved the way we jumped on them early. We moved the ball well, defensively, we were in gaps, and we had a huge lead. Once we were up big, the game was played a little differently.
“Our conditioning needs to get better. because I thought at the end we were a little gassed. But all in all, we were good.”
Coach Rob was cautious with Xavier Pinson to start pre-season as he recovered from an injury sustained in the CEBL over the summer, but he made his return to the court last night.
“I liked Xavier out there. He’s a natural point guard and he’s so slick with his dribble. His head is always up because he’s such a good ball-handler who doesn’t need to look at the ball. He can get in gaps and make plays, and tonight he did that.”
“The injuries hurt us at the start of pre-season. Losing Xavier and Caleb hurt us because we haven’t got a good look at who we are with a full roster.
“But overall, I like our depth. It’s been great having Mo and Conner back out there, and I also thought Blake has been great this pre-season. He’s been playing consistently well. We’ve got a lot of good guys, and come Friday, we’ll be able to utilise them.
“We’re happy to be home, and we’re looking forward to having a good crowd for our season opener. It’s always exciting on opening night.”
Blake Bowman
Young star Blake Bowman has impressed in his second Riders pre-season, scoring in double-digits in every game.
“I’m feeling great. It’s a good opportunity to get out there and put on a show for the fans. I’ve been working on the three-point shot, and my dribble pull-up to add some range to my game.”
“As long as Coach Rob trusts me, I’m going to be out on the floor. I just need to make winning plays to force him to keep me out there.”
Bowman was perfect from the field in the game, going 7-7 and 1-1 from three.
Xavier Pinson
Upon his return to court, Xavier Pinson impressed. He had 12 points, three rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes of action.
“It was great to be out there with my teammates. I thought we controlled the pace better than we had throughout the pre-season, and we were sharper as a team. For the most part, I was just happy to be on the court.
“I know the level of competition is set to increase, but after the game, I feel like I’m in great shape. I’m ready to show the fans what we can do.
“I feel like we learned a lot about each other, and what Coach Rob wants from us as a team. It’s a great starting point for us to build going towards the season.”
Miryne Thomas
Miryne Thomas once again showed his scoring ability against USA Select, leading the Riders with 19 points and seven rebounds despite only playing 19 minutes.
After picking up fouls battling inside, Thomas says his biggest focus is staying on the court.
“The biggest thing for me is to play without fouling. I got into foul trouble tonight, so I couldn’t play for long stretches.
“I’m in good shape and feel like I can play hard for 40 minutes, so I want to be in a position where I can play big minutes.”
In his first game in front of the Riders’ home crowd, Thomas fed off the energy.
“I loved the energy here at the Morningside Arena. I liked how the fans reacted to everything we did out there, and after the game, they stayed to give us love.”
Also making a return to action this pre-season was American/British big Sam Idowu, who sat out the previous season.
“I had a lot of fun tonight, and it was great to meet all the fans. It’s nice being on the court again because it’s been a long year and some change sitting out.”
“I feel good. I’m in the best shape I’ve been in a long time. The preparation going into the season has been good, and I’ve played consistent minutes.
“Now I’m impatiently waiting for the season to start. I can’t wait to get going!”
Pre-season report: Riders take win against USA Select
The Leicester Riders welcomed a near-sellout crowd to the Morningside Arena tonight as they hosted a USA Select squad in their final game of the pre-season.
The Riders put on an entertaining display of offence to win 105-62 against a battling USA Select defence that competed well until the final minute, with 34 of the home side’s points coming on the fast break. It is clear that speed will be a major strength for the Riders this season.
Jaren Holmes put in another impressive performance, knocking down 17 points on 58% shooting as well as dishing four eye-catching assists. The 6’4 guard played solid team basketball as he looked to develop chemistry with fan favourite Kimbal Mackenzie and the exciting Xavier Pinson.
Pinson showed some lovely touches, flashing high-level handling skills on multiple occasions on his way to 12 points.
Second-year forward Blake Bowman also impressed, hitting 15 points at a 100% clip to demonstrate the strides he has made during the off-season.
USA Select benefited from good performances by Vaughn McCall and Braden Young, who scored 17 points each.
Tale of the Game
The Riders’ first possession set the tone of the game as all-action guard Mackenzie sliced his way to the rim for an early layup. Mackenzie was joined in the points column by Miryne Thomas, Holmes and Bowman as Leicester built a 16-point lead.
USA Select defended with endeavour but new Riders’ guards Holmes and Pinson looked too sharp – especially from 3-point range.
Leicester took a 30-4 lead into the second quarter but found scoring a much tougher task in the second as the visitors improved their play. USA Select’s captain McCall led the way, showing hustle on both ends of the court and was rewarded with 12 first-half points.
Despite the stiffer challenge, the Riders found a way to make their class show. Pinson repeatedly caught the eye and drew a rapturous cheer from the home crowd as he hit a devastating spin to shake his defender before calmly hitting the layup.
The half came to an end but not before Samuel Idowu stamped some authority on the game.
Retreating on defence, the 6’8 forward dismissed a layup into the front-row seats before muscling his way into the offensive paint to earn a couple of free throws.
The Riders carried their positive offensive play into the second half, Holmes and Pinson unrelenting in their ability to impress the home faithful.
Idowu once more showed why he could be a wall in the paint this season and athletic forward Thomas was quietly building an efficient stat sheet of 19 points and 7 rebounds.
Passing looked slick, especially on the fast break. One surge down the court saw Thomas receive the ball at speed before slamming a huge two-handed dunk.
The USA Select did still have their moments. Braden Young played a nice second half, hitting 50% of his shots from deep, and Xavier Johnson was active on the boards, pulling down an impressive 9 rebounds.
After a cohesive performance on both ends of the court, the Riders’ Coach Rob Paternostro, will feel happy that his squad are ready for the Cheshire Phoenix in next Friday’s British Basketball League opener.
The Riders return from their Netherlands trip, which they can take lots of positives from. They beat seven-time Dutch champions Donar Groningen 104-75 last Friday to move to 2-0 on their pre-season campaign so far.
It was a confident display throughout. Donar’s only led the game for 15 seconds early in the first quarter, as the Riders took control of the tie. They won all four quarters, and after a Groningen surge to make it 52-51 to get the second half underway, the Riders blew the game wide open.
Kimbal Mackenzie led the team with 17 points, backed up by Jaren Holmes’ 16, the pair dominating proceedings from the backcourt.
“Our depth has been impressive,” said Head Coach Rob Paternostro following the game.
“We played 10 guys, and all of them made a great impact. We know we have a long way to go, but I like where we’re going.
“These are the types of trips where you learn a lot about your team, and because we have so many new players this season, it’s a great opportunity for them to bond on and off the court.”
Now their attention turns to the Morningside Arena, as the Riders are set to make their first home appearance of the season. They are preparing to face a young team of determined talent, looking to make a name in Europe.
USA Select- Making professionals
The Riders’ opponents face them in the midst of a busy European tour, where they play 19 games in 22 days hoping to secure their first professional contracts.
The tour spans four countries and 18 cities, with a newly formed roster made up of players straight out of college.
The programme has produced two British Basketball League head coaches in Sheffield’s Atiba Lyons and Machester’s Brian Semonian, and players such as Derby Trailblazers’ Malcolm Smith.
The Riders are an annual fixture on USA Select’s packed schedule, and the club have built a thriving relationship with the programme over the last four decades.
“Leicester Riders, like so many other clubs in the UK, has been phenomenal for us over the decades, which is why I never miss the UK out on these tours,” said Head Coach and General Manager Sean Kilmartin ahead of the game.
“The club, and its vision in a sport that was always under the radar and never truly appreciated in the UK, has changed the way people look at basketball in the country. Their venue is the first of its kind, and it set the bar for the other clubs in the league.
“When my players can see all that, they see what professionalism looks like. They see how professionals put pride in their job, and their humility when they put their jerseys on for the fans.
“The Riders fanbase is amazing. The love and respect we get from those fans is humbling. They really get it.”
Played for both- Russell Jordan
The Riders are one of many organisations that benefitted from USA Select’s tour. 6’6” forward Russell Jordan was a product of the program that played for the club.
Having played for USA Select in the mid-2000s hoping to secure his first contract, Jordan secured a deal with the Reading Rockets in the EBL with the help of Kilmartin.
Having impressed at Reading, Jordan made the step up and signed with the Riders in 2007, playing 31 games in the 2007/08 season. He put up 5.6 points in 14 minutes per game, shooting 56% from the field and suiting up against the likes of Paternostro in his final playing season for Birmingham Panthers.
Jordan went on to play for Worthing Thunder, Surrey Scorchers and London Capitals, averaging 13 points per game in the 2009/10 season. He is one of the true success stories of the USA Select programme in British Basketball.
Edward Hands and Lewis Solicitors continue sponsorship of Riders
Leicester Riders are delighted to continue their relationship with Edward Hands & Lewis Solicitors.
Edward Hands and Lewis are dedicated to providing top-quality legal services to clients in the East Midlands.
Their team of experienced solicitors is here to assist you with a wide range of legal matters, from conveyancing and wills to personal injury and family law.
Paul Stubbs, director of Edwards Hands and Lewis, commented: “Edward Hands and Lewis Solicitors has been a proud sponsor of the Leicester Riders for many years, and we are to support them again this season.
“Our staff and our clients continue to enjoy their on-court successes and the development of the Morningside Arena and fan experience.”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
USA Select are in the midst of a gruelling European Tour. Over 22 days, they will play 19 games of basketball, on a tour spanning four countries and 18 cities.
The team is made up of rookies straight out of college. For some, it’s an opportunity to showcase their talents on the European stage, hoping to secure their first professional contract. For all, it’s a life-changing life experience.
“It’s brutal, but it’s fun,” explained Sean Kilmartin, Head Coach and General manager of USA Select.
“We don’t frame this as a mental burden, we frame it as an opportunity. They have the chance at an experience that their friends may never receive.”
Kilmartin has personally scheduled each and every camp. He directly organised in excess of 500 games with professional teams all over Europe. He has booked every hotel, flight, train, and bus ride for hundreds of players on tour.
He has personally spoken to each and every one of their players, and helped negotiate every contract for every player signed professionally.
“All the coaching staff have other careers, and the tour costs us money every year. It’s completely self-funded. We take the cost of our trip, divide it by the amount of players, and that’s how much we charge. The coaches pay their own way every year.”
The coaching challenge alone is mammoth. With limited time, Kilmartin and his staff turn a brand new group of young men into a functional team, ready to take on professionals overseas.
And they only have 10 hours of training camp before flying them over the Atlantic. Every player undergoes an intense three-game training camp before the final squad is picked.
Top of the agenda when selecting the team is who will respect the programme’s outstanding reputation. This is taken so seriously that Kilmartin sends coaches to eavesdrop around his camp to decipher who is the right fit for the tour.
“We have three or four people in plain clothes acting like they’re on their phones, but they’re listening to guys between games. How are they acting? How are they talking to their teammates? How are they talking about their teammates? We’re doing character assessments throughout.
“If we think there are going to be issues, it’s just not worth it to us. Our reputation is so much more valuable to us than that. We would never recommend someone to a club that we don’t think will represent us and our values. During our camp, we take the screening process very seriously.”
The process is such that in 25 years, USA Select has never sent a player home for behavioural issues. Every player selected for the tour is a representation of the exemplary standard USA Select sets.
It’s a process that began in Leicester, at the start of Kilmartin’s career.
“The Riders organisation is indirectly the lineage of our first USA select player 40 years ago. When I graduated college, I played in Great Britain. Ricky Pitts was my friend in college, who reached out to me and asked if I could help him play over here.
“I got him in touch with the Riders, and the rest is history. That was in 1987: Our first USA Select player was with the Riders.”
USA Select has been a mainstay on the Riders’ pre-season schedule for a number of years. It’s a thriving relationship between the two organisations, with an immense amount of mutual respect.
“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 Kilmartin, reflecting on the relationship between his programme and the club.
“People sometimes turned their noses up at British Basketball, but it’s a great league, with great athletes and a great fanbase, and people are beginning to recognise that. The league has been better than people have given it credit for a decade. I’ve been saying that publicly for a long time.”
The time playing against professional organisations is invaluable to the USA Select team, as Kilmartin explained:
“Leicester are professionals on so many levels. They have a great youth infrastructure with Loughborough and Charnwood, whose programmes are first-class, and a top educational system through the University.
@RidersBball@RidersMD thanks for a great weekend. Your club and it's incredible history have influenced generations of players in the UK. Good luck in Europe , we are proud of you @BBLofficial pic.twitter.com/Ixl4ylx8yp
“Then you get to the club, and its vision in a sport that was always under the radar and never truly appreciated in the UK. The Riders have 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.”
The relationship between USA Select and the Riders has thrived in no small part thanks to Head Coach Rob Paternostro. Coach to coach, the respect Kilmartin has for Paternostro is evident.
“If there were a backgammon tournament or a thumb wrestling contest, he’d be competitive in that. That’s what I respect about him. From the tip to the buzzer, he’s your mortal enemy, but when the game is over, he’s got your back.
“We always have a player or two that has what it takes, and Rob is always one of the first to make an email or a call or help these guys get a start. A word from him, one of the most respected coaches in the game, can change the trajectory of their lives.”
And changing the trajectory of young people’s lives has been the mission of USA Select for decades. They’ve had great success in doing it.
Two head coaches in the British Basketball League have come through the ranks of the programme: Sheffield’s Atiba Lyons and Machester’s Brian Semonian. They represent just a fraction of those who have gone on to enjoy successful careers.
“Sometimes people think they have to be high-level ballers to join the tour. This isn’t the case. If you want the opportunity to play in high-level professional arenas and experience something new, there’s a place for you here.
“From there, you can go be a good middle-school coach, a good father and a good person. That’s where the real success of our programme lies. The most successful people from USA Select use the experience to close the playing chapter of their lives, and go on to do great things.
“We still get phone calls from guys that did our camp in the 90s telling us how we’ve impacted their lives. That’s empowering. Now we have a history of helping young athletes, so that gives us a tangible, realistic opportunity for these players to build a career.
“A lot of these young men have never been coached at the level as Rob coaches the Riders. Our goal is to develop them along the way, whether they become professional or not. This experience will stay with them their whole lives”
As the Riders welcome USA Select through their doors once again, it will be an experience for the group that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
We are delighted to have Everards as the official beer of the Leicester Riders!
Founded in 1849 as an independent family business, Everards’ beers are available in more than 150 pubs across the East Midlands and are served at our home, the Morningside Arena Leicester.
Erika Hardy, Operations Director at Everards, commented: “Everards of Leicestershire is proud to partner with the Leicester Riders. Connecting with the club has allowed us to deliver fun and enjoyable experiences and corporate hospitality to our business owners and partners.
“Our iconic Tiger copper ale, which is available throughout the Morningside Arena, is much loved across Leicestershire and is the perfect beer to enjoy whilst cheering on your favourite team.”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Kimbal Mackenzie led the team with 17 points, backed up by his backcourt teammate Jaren Holmes’ 16.
It was a confident display throughout. Donar’s only led the game for 15 seconds early in the first quarter, as the Riders took control of the tie. They won all four quarters, and after a Groningen surge to make it 52-51 to get the second half underway, the Riders blew the game wide open.
Their points total, surpassing a century, came from only five three-point makes. The Riders play style leant into their youth and athleticism, outscoring Donar on the fast break 27-4.
An eight-point quarter from Mackenzie got them over the line, the newly named captain continuing his hot form from last season which saw him named to the BBL British Team of the Year.
Following up a 15 point game in the Riders’ pre-season opener, American rookie Jaren Holmes caught the eye once again with another impressive scoring display.
As was the case in Leicester’s pre-season opener against Loughborough University, forward Myrine Thomas led them out the gate with his infectious energy. His seven-point first quarter set the tone from the jump.
Meanwhile, after a 13 point showing against Loughborough, young forward Blake Bowman continued to show the promise of his potential. The East Midlands native had 12 points and five rebounds, leading the game with a +/- of 22.
“I thought we did a really good job,” commented Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
“Our depth has been impressive. We played 10 guys, and all of them made a great impact. We know we have a long way to go, but I like where we’re going.
“These are the types of trips where you learn a lot about your team, and because we have so many new players this season, it’s a great opportunity for them to bond on and off the court.”
Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce the signing of American rookie Marissa Hamilton for the 2023/24 season.
The 6’0” forward played her final college season at Merrimack College, where she put up 13.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and was named to the NEC Third Team.
Just in case you missed the game on Wednesday, here's a hint:
Prior to that, Hamilton spent three years at the University of Buffalo, playing all 31 games as a junior and leading the Bulls in blocks.
Hamilton will play for the Riders while studying at Loughborough University. The club would like to thank the University for their continued support.
Hamilton commented: “I feel blessed to be able to continue my professional career with the Leicester Riders! I’m super excited to get to work and create some fun memories with the new staff and teammates in places I’ve never been!”
The Riders head to the Netherlands to take on Donar Groningen over two games.
Here’s all you need to know:
Fixture information
Leicester Riders at Donar Groningen
Sporthal Wildervanckhal, Wildervank, Netherlands
Friday, September 1, 6:30 pm GMT
Familiar opponents
The sides face off in their annual pre-season meeting, providing a stern test for both outfits ahead of their respective seasons.
Like Leicester, Donar enters this year after falling just short in the BNXT playoffs, losing game five of a best-of-five series to ZZ Leiden in the Finals.
The prestigious organisation has won seven Dutch Championships, seven Dutch Cups and three Dutch Supercups in their history, most recently winning the Cup in 2022.
Last pre-season, the Riders took back-to-back victories against their Dutch opponents, winning 80-75, then 69-61 two days later.
🎥 Coach Rob reflects on the double over Donar Groningen & looks forward to welcoming the Swedish champions on Wednesday, Norrköping Dolphins.
There were two tightly contested games, with a late surge seeing the Riders take a win in the second fixture.
Positive strides in pre-season opener
The Riders enter this game after a win in their first pre-season outing against Loughborough University.
It was a 99-64 win in the annual pre-season “Red vs Purple” fixture. Miryne Thomas led the Riders with 17 points, in a game, backed up by 15 from Jaren Holmes.
Thomas impressed throughout, making highlight plays and showing early aggression to build his points tally in the opening stages.
Another positive was the return of Mo Walker and Conner Washington following their injuries last season. Both put on good showings in positive minutes.
“It was great to have them back,” said Head Coach Rob Paternostro post-game.
“Conner missed a lot of time with a back injury last season. I gave him a lot of minutes tonight, and he was the same old Conner. Mo also missed almost all the season, and he played really well today.”
Played for both: Carrington Love
Former Riders guard Carrington Love joined the team mid-season, after playing the 2019/20 season for Donar.
There, he averaged 13.4 points and 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals, helping Donar to a 17-5 record in his 22 games.
The Leicester Riders Business Club relaunches next month – with sponsors invited to take to the court.
The first event of the season takes place on September 13 – two days before the 2023-24 British Basketball League season starts for Riders at home to Cheshire Phoenix.
Sponsors are invited to bring a senior contact along as their business club guest to showcase what Riders sponsorship offers for local organisations.
Guests will join a basketball session led by coaching staff, enter into a prize draw, and network with other business leaders.
They will be welcomed by Leicester Riders chairman, Kevin Routledge, and get an update on the work of the Leicester Riders Foundation from General Manager Laura Shephard.
There has been increased interest this summer in Riders corporate packages. Player sponsorship has increased 50% year-on-year, the vast majority of last season’s corporate sponsors have renewed, and new businesses joining for first time include Better IT, Abel Alarm, 2XL Commercial Finance, and Griffin Fit.
Next month’s business club is the first of several the club is planning for the 2023-24 season. Each will have a different theme and focus, while providing a look behind the scenes at the Riders, Foundation, and Arena.
Kevin Routledge said: “We’ve been building our business offer over the summer following the arrival of Tracey Hallam as our commercial manager and our partnership with 1284.
“The support of our sponsors is crucial, not just for the Riders but also for our community foundation and the arena itself.”
Loughborough-based 1284 provides award-winning B2B corporate communications to innovative public and private organisations in the East Midlands.
George Oliver, Managing Director of 1284, said: “We’ve been involved for a couple of years now and are really excited about getting more involved with the new-look Riders Business Club.”
The second Riders Business Club meeting of the season will take place on November 20.
It has been arranged to coincide with the Morningside Arena hosting the World Snooker Tour, giving guests a behind-the-scenes look at the Arena’s staging of international tournaments.
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Leicester Riders are thrilled to continue their long-standing relationship with Edmonds & Slatter Opticians.
Edmonds & Slatter is an award-winning independent opticians based in Leicestershire, with practices in Blaby, Glenfield, Kibworth, Lutterworth and Rothley.
They provide the highest level of professional eye care in Leicestershire, and have supported the club for over a decade.
Tim Cole, Director of Edmonds & Slatter Opticians, commented: “We have provided eyecare to the Leicester Riders since 2012. As we enter our twelfth season in this partnership, we are delighted to be able to continue this support.
“Elite athletes like the Leicester Riders understand the need to train to keep their body at peak fitness. Vision is the dominant sense in this sport, so we are proud to contribute to helping the Riders maximise their sporting performance.”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Donar, seven-time Dutch champions, enter this campaign after finishing second in the playoffs last season.
The game will provide key minutes for the newly formed Riders roster, looking to build on-court chemistry for a packed Britsh Basketball League schedule.
Donar has a storied history in Dutch basketball. We take a look back into the prestigious organisation’s past.
Beginnings
Founded in 1951, Donar is one of the original Dutch first-division clubs, entering the league in 1970. 12 years on, they won their first championship with an emphatic 158–58 win against BOB Oud-Beijerland.
The 100-point win has never been repeated in the Netherlands, as Donar wrote themselves into the history books.
Following relegation just one year later, Donar returned to the first division in 1986, where they remained ever since.
Winning ways
The 2009–10 season kick-started Donar’s modern trophy-winning run. They won their third national championship, beating West-Brabant Giants 4–1 in the Finals.
The title-winning squad returned for the next season, and they became the first Dutch basketball team to take part in the qualifying rounds of the new Euroleague.
Star man Jason Dourisseau was named the Dutch League MVP, and the team won a second NBB Cup in 2011, beating WCAA Giants.
They fell just short in the playoffs Finals to Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden, in a historic game seven featuring three overtimes.
The 2013/14 season saw a reshuffled roster, which won the 2014 NBB Cup by beating Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden 79–71. They went on to win their fourth national title, this time emerging victors of a seven-game series against SPM Shoeters Den Bosch.
Dynastic run
In the 2015 offseason, Erik Braal took the role of Head Coach, and became the most successful coach in club history, winning five trophies in six seasons. The first: Donar’s fifth DBL title.
In the 2016–17 season, Donar reached the second round of the FIBA Europe Cup, their best European performance in club history. That season, they won the treble for the first time, winning the Supercup, the NBB Cup and the playoff title.
In 2017, Donar again qualified for the FIBA Europe Cup. They made strides in Europe, progressing all the way to the semi-finals of the playoffs before falling to the defending Italian champion Reyer Venezia, despite winning the second leg at home.
Domestically, the club had success behind star man Brandyn Curry, who was named league MVP. Donar won its third consecutive Dutch title after sweeping ZZ Leiden in the finals.
— Inception Sports (@Inception_Bball) May 11, 2018
The following season, Donar reached the round of 16 in the FIBA Europe Cup for the second time in their history.
BNXT
In 2020, Braal departed the club. A year later, Donar joined the newly formed BNXT League, which merged the national leagues of Belgium and the Netherlands. They immediately added more silverware to their packed cabinet, winning their seventh Cup, and making the playoff finals.
In 2022/23, under Head Coach Andrej Štimac, Donar reached the finals of the Dutch League for the 13th time. In the series, Donar played ZZ Leiden once again and narrowly lost a decisive Game 5, therefore finishing second in last season’s playoffs.
Leicester Riders renew partnership with Everything Branded
Leicester Riders are excited to renew our relationship with our merchandise partner, Everything Branded.
Everything Branded is the UK’s number one for promotional products, merchandise and gifts. Their staff and management team have over 12 years of experience and insight into the worldwide promotional products industry.
Our partnership last season included sponsoring the Leicester Riders pop-up shop in John Lewis.
James Kyte, Commercial Director of Everything Branded, commented: “Here at Everything Branded, we’re delighted to have renewed our partnership with Leicester Riders for a second season.
“As the UK’s leading supplier of branded products, it’s hugely important to us that we partner with organisations who share our passion for innovation and excellence, and it was clear after our inaugural season with Riders that we’ve sponsored a team who clearly embrace these values both on and off the court.
“The hospitality, game night experience and quality of matches have all been fantastic highlights for our team and customers, and we look forward to continuing to supply game night giveaways and an extended range of retail products throughout the 2023/24 season.
“Also – be sure to keep an eye out for some exciting surprises during the mid-game entertainment!”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Here’s what Head Coach Rob Paternostro and Player of the Game Myrine Thomas had to say:
Miryne Thomas
“I feel like I could do it all again!” said Thomas, after a stat sheet stuffing 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. He got 20 minutes of game time, filled with high-flying action.
“I wanted to show the fans, team and organisation that I’m the guy they needed to help win a championship. I just try and prove I’m that guy every day.”
These were important minutes for the team, with seven new players added to the roster this offseason, looking to gel with the returners.
“I really like the team. Every time we made a mistake, we all just wanted to move on to the next play.
“Loughborough scored at the bottom of the shot clock a few times, and that’s what we focused on at halftime. The leaders in the locker room told us we’d be fine if we locked in on our guys and closed out possessions. We did that in the second half, and we were able to increase the lead up to 30.
“Now, we need to look at our game today, fix the mistakes, and take it inch by inch.”
Rob Paternostro
Entering his 16th season as Head Coach, Rob Paternostro has rarely faced the challenge of a significant player turnaround to the extent of this offseason. He recognised the importance of these minutes.
“I thought it was good for us. We’ve only had three minutes in practice 5-on-5 this week, so we really benefitted from the conditioning.”
It was the first look at his new team in a competitive environment, and Paternostro liked what he saw.
“I love the way the guys competed. Defensively, we were really aggressive, and we were able to play a lot of guys and throw a lot of bodies that them.”
Health is key going into the season, and early signs are promising for the Riders. Mo Walker and Conner Washington returned to the floor after sitting out much of last season, as well as Sam Idowu, who looked fresh after recovering from his knee injury.
“It was great to have them back. Conner missed a lot of time with a back injury last season. I gave him a lot of minutes tonight, and he was the same old Conner. Mo also missed almost all the season, and he played really well today.
“Sam has been out for 16 months, so him being out there and making an impact was nice to see. That’s what these games are all about: letting guys get some rhythm and get the feel for being back on the floor.”
On the Riders’ opponents, Loughborough were faced with a mammoth task of professional opponents and put on a good showing. They fought wire-to-wire and held their own for long stretches.
“Loughborough were competitive tonight. Our defence was tough for them at times, but they played hard, and they came right at us. I know Coach Maynard will have them ready to go for the season.”
Paternostro was asked what the focus is for the rest of the pre-season:
“Conditioning, we really need that. And beyond that, putting in some of our sets. We haven’t been able to put in much of our stuff, so we’ve got to keep building and try and get healthy.”
American guards Caleb Asberry and Xavier Pinson sat out as a precaution, to minimise any injury risk ahead of the season.
“We’re missing Caleb and Xavier, and they’’ll certainly make an impact when they come back. We’re excited to see how they can push the pace and impact the game.”
Leicester Riders took a 99-64 win in the annual pre-season “Red vs Purple” fixture against Loughborough University.
Miryne Thomas led the Riders with 17 points, in a game, backed up by 15 from Jaren Holmes.
After a tightly contested opening exchange, with Loughbroough’s Justin Hedley’s five quick points making it 10-8 to the hosts after five minutes, the Riders seized control of the game.
Miryne Thomas made an immediate impression on the Riders faithful with eight first-quarter points, and a highlight throw down from Jaren Holmes’ lob pass.
Leicester leapt out to a double-digit advantage early, with Mo Walker’s five-point burst ending the period 26-14 in the Riders’ favour.
Thomas continued to dominate in the second, rising high to swat away Hedley’s layup attempt. He was backed by Kimbal Mackenzie, who came alive in the quarter for eight points.
Loughborough kept within touching distance for stages, and Elija Bailey entered halftime the game’s leading scorer with 11 points and five rebounds.
But Riders big man Sam Idowu stretched the lead to close the half with a three, followed up with a layup and a block of the next possessions. The teams entered the half with Leicester up 49-32.
Mackenzie and Idowu saw the Riders build on their advantage in the third, finishing as the Riders’ two leading scorers by the end of the period. On the other end, Bailey found the hoop consistently to rack up 16 with a quarter to play.
Leicester won the third quarter 28-16, taking a 77-48 lead into the final period.
The fourth was a case of seeing the game out, which the Riders did professionally. They kept their 30-point lead until the final buzzer, taking home a win from their first preseason game.
This offseason, therefore, is a key chemistry-building period for a new collection of players ahead of an intense British Basketball League schedule.
Among the returners is Kimbal Mackenzie, off the back of a successful summer in the CEBL for the Niagara Rivers Lions, where he made the championship weekend alongside new teammate TJ Lall.
He will play a key role in gelling the team with their Riders’ experience from previous seasons.
“While the results don’t matter in the long run, ultimately, you want a team that is going to play hard and try and win every possession,” said Head Coach Rob Paternostro, when asked about what he looks to get out of this year’s preseason fixtures.
“These games were important for getting a feel for the rotation and understanding how to play different lineups. The more preseason games, the better in that sense.
“We don’t look too far ahead at this stage of the season, other than wanting to be in great condition. We want to be in great shape to deal with the season, and we want to be a group that loves playing basketball.”
Loughborough- continuity is key
It’s been a busy week of announcements for the Riders’ opponents, as they announced their roster for the 2023/24 season.
Among their returners are American guard Elijah Bailey, Welsh international Ben Woog and German-born Justin Hedley.
As confirmed by Head Coach Will Maynard, the majority of these returners enter their final year, and they look to give last season’s BUCS champions a fitting send-off.
“We have four or five guys in their final year, and they’re determined to go out and have a great season,” said Maynard.
— Loughborough Basketball (@lborobasketball) March 22, 2023
“Seeing them flourish and seeing what life after Loughborough holds for them will be super rewarding.”
Accompanying the returns are new additions such as 6’4” guard Pannos Karras, who joins from Notre Dame College, and Torran Phillip out of Central Wyoming College.
They will be met immediately with the stern test of two preseason fixtures against British Basketball League opponents, also taking on the Cheshire Phoenix on September 2.
“It will give us some confidence going into the season, no matter the score,” explained Maynard.
“We know we can’t match their talent, but having the opportunity to go up against professionals before our regular season will tell us where we’re at and what we need to work on.”
Loughborough looks to build on its BUCS glory from last season, and continue to challenge in NBL D1, where they finished with a 15-11 record last season.
Played for both- Conner Washington
Loughborough basketball holds especially fond memories for Riders’ legend Conner Washington, who started his Riders journey at the University.
Alongside Head Coach Will Maynard, he helped Loughborough to their first BUCS title in 22 years, earning Final MVP in the process.
Washington is a shining example of the thriving partnership between the Riders and the University, who have since become a powerhouse in BUCS basketball, winning five of the last six Men’s titles.
In summary…
Following the offseason, preseason games are vital for both sides to get game time in their legs, and chemistry on the court.
Meanwhile for the fans, “Red vs Purple” is a celebration of the thriving partnership between the Leicester Riders and Loughborough University, and always provides great entertainment.
Leicester Riders are thrilled to partner with 1284 for the 2023/24 season.
1284 is a chartered PR agency providing agile corporate communications to innovative public and private organisations in the East Midlands.
The B2B PR agency has deepened its relationship with the Riders and will assist with our business-to-business communications for 2023/24.
In addition, 1284 will sponsor Riders forward Victor Ndoukou for the upcoming season.
George Oliver, founder and director of 1284, commented: “We first went along to the Riders’ hospitality towards the end of the 2021-22 season as guests of one of the other businesses.
“We loved the gameday experience and what the club is about – both on the court and off it through the work being done in our communities through the Leicester Riders Foundation.
“1284 works a lot with social entrepreneurs and innovators we could see those characteristics running through the club.
“The success on the court is used to feed the work done by the Foundation and vice versa. It doesn’t stand still.
“In the middle, there’s this tremendous asset, in the shape of the Arena, which is increasingly being used for world-class events including top-flight snooker and darts.
“We think there’s still much potential for growth here – and that there’s real ambition at the club to push forward and deliver it.
“That’s why we are expanding our investment in sponsorship year-on-year – and why we are also so pleased to now be working with the Riders on their B2B comms for 2023-24.”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Conner Washington has returned for his 11th year in Riders Red! The club legend and fan favourite has helped pack the Morningside Arena trophy cabinet during his time in the East Midlands.
We take a look back through his storied career!
Loughborough University: Where history began
Washington started life in the Riders programme in 2012, finding success with Loughborough University in the BUCS Championship.
He helped win Loughborough’s first BUCS title in 22 years, alongside now Assistant Coach Will Maynard and former Rider Anthony Rowe.
He was named MVP of the BUCS final, leading the University to a historic win.
BBLBreakout year
After lifting the first of his 14 pieces of BBL silverware in 2014, Washington went off for a breakout year in the 2014/15 season.
He was named to the BBL British Team of the Year, averaging 7.3 points per game on the season and shooting a red-hot 40% from three. The Bedford native put up double-digits on eight occasions and scored a season-high of 23 points.
Washington made a name as an integral part of the Riders’ roster going forward.
Double award winner
The following season, Washington’s performances on the season saw him named on both the BBL British Team of the Year and the BBL Defence Team of the Year.
He helped the Riders to the Championship and Trophy titles, the fifth and sixth pieces of silverware for the Riders under Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
Washington scored 13 points in the Trophy Final, putting up four rebounds and four assists and going 4-8 from the field, making his presence known on the big stage.
Winning his first treble
In the 2016/17 season, Washington won the first of his two trebles in his Riders career. The team lifted the BBL Trophy, Championship and Playoff titles, with Washington contributing another 40% three-point shooting season to the team.
His three-point shooting was on full display at the back end of the season, draining five threes on his way to 18 points against the Plymouth Raiders.
Washington was once again named to the BBL British Team of the Year and the Defensive Team of the Year for his performances on the season, now established as one of the League’s best homegrown talents.
2021 league title
On his way to the 2021 BBL Championship title, Washington enjoyed his finest statistical season for the Riders.
He put up 10.4 points per game on 47.4% shooting from the field and 38.4% shooting from three, earning him a spot on the BBL British Team of the Year for the fourth time.
The Riders needed every point from Washington that season, winning the title by two points with a record of 24-6. It was the start of back-to-back seasons with one of the most successful Riders squads in the club’s history.
2022 treble
The following year, Washington won his second treble with the Riders. They took home the BBL Cup, Championship and Playoffs, losing only two games on their way to the trio of silverware.
It was a dominant season, where Washington made an electric impact off the bench behind back-to-back MVP Geno Crandall. He put up 20 points in the second leg of the playoff semi-final, sending the Riders to the O2 Arena.
In the playoff final, Washington drained four threes on his way to 12 points, winning his 14th piece of silverware in his ninth season with the Leicester Riders.
The Leicester Riders are delighted to continue their long-running relationship with B&E Boys.
B&E Boys and the club have partnered for successful projects in the past, most notably the construction of our home, the Morningside Arena Leicester, in 2016.
This season, Leicester Riders are happy to welcome B&E Boys as sponsors for 2023/24.
John Boys, director of B&E Boys, stated: “We built a strong working relationship with Leicester Riders since we started the building project at the Morningside Arena back in Spring 2015.
“We are extremely pleased to continue that relationship and have proudly become a team sponsor. B&E Boys wish the Leicester Riders every success this season.”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
She spent four years prior at Bucknell University, leading the team in scoring for two straight seasons and earning a place on the All-Patriot League First team for 2021 and 2022. The Pennsylvania native averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in her final season with the Bison.
O’Brien also owns Bucknell’s record in the outdoor high jump and was named to the second Team All-Patriot League with a runner-up finish in the 2019 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
“I am so excited to be a part of this organisation, and have the experience of playing professionally for the first time,” said O’Brien.
“I am grateful to be on the Riders, and I’m looking forward to seeing what our team can do this year. I can’t wait to get back on the court!”
Head Coach Ben Stanley added: “We’re thrilled to have Taylor in Riders Red this season.
“We were extremely impressed by her scoring ability both at Bucknell and Floria State, and we’re excited that there is a lot that she continues to add to her game. I’m anticipating her developing a lot with us this year.”
Leicester Riders are thrilled to welcome the return of Conner Washington to their 2023/24 roster.
The Riders veteran holds 10 years of experience in the East Midlands and has 14 pieces of silverware to his name. Washington has been an integral part of the Riders’ successes over the past decade.
Conner has been featured on the British Basketball League all-British team on four occasions and the all-defensive team three times. He is 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.
Playing in his entering his 13th year as a pro, Conner brings a wealth of experience to the Riders roster. His championship pedigree is a vital component of Rob Paternostro’s side.
“I’m excited to be back on the court, and feeling free,” commented Washington.
“It feels great to be back out there again. This season is going to be a memorable one!”
We are proud to offer a number of excellent game night packages, including our corporate hospitality, the 1967 Club, and our Mezzanine hospitality package for you to indulge in during matchday games.
1967 Club
Enjoy the highest quality game night experience as part of the 1967 Club.
Access to the 1967 Club includes:
Exclusive access to the 1967 Club before and after games
Complimentary bar until half-time; to include beer, wine and soft drinks
Two-course meal served before the game
Pre-game presentation from a former player or coach
Courtside/baseline seats for the game
Post-match platter following the game
Reserved Car Parking Space
Opportunity to meet the players in the lounge following the game
Complimentary season guide and game day team sheet
1967 Club Hospitality price: £80 per person + VAT
Mezzanine Hospitality
Leicester Riders offer action-packed entertainment in an electric atmosphere in the very heart of the city.
Our excellent gameday package includes the use of one of our mezzanines overlooking the playing court and provides a unique gameday hospitality experience.
This new hospitality experience provides a panoramic view of the game, catering, and private bar facilities as well as opportunities to meet the Riders team.
The Mezzanine Hospitality includes:
Private use of one of our two mezzanine areas for up to 80 guests
Pre-game hot buffet dishes include; curry lasagne; chilli con carne; all served on the mezzanine
Tickets to watch the game from the mezzanine or in seats
Private cash bar and toilet facilities
Complimentary season guide and game day team sheet
Mezzanine Hospitality price: £39 per person + VAT (Minimum numbers of 30 for private use)
Discounted Mezzanine Hospitality is also available at £25 for our preseason fixture against USA Select.
The British Basketball League released a revamped structure for the upcoming season, featuring best-of-three playoff series, the return of the All-Star game and an all-new Trophy format.
The new structure allows The League to turn its full attention to each competition, dedicating a month of play to the Trophy.
Get to know the new Trophy format.
How does the new format work?
This season in the Trophy, the teams are split into two groups of five. Each team will play the other teams in their group once, determining their standings.
The top two teams in each group progress to the semi-finals. Should you finish top of your group, you earn a semi-final matchup against second place in the other group.
The semi-finals and finals are single elimination knockout, leading to an eventual winner being crowned!
Who will we play?
The Riders’ group features the London Lions, Bristol Flyers, Newcastle Eagles and Manchester Giants.
Our group fixtures are as follows:
Date
Time
H/A
Opponent
Saturday 6th Jan
20:00
H
Bristol Flyers
Sunday 7th Jan
15:00
A
London Lions
Friday 12th Jan
19:45
H
Manchester Giants
Friday 19th Jan
19:45
A
Newcastle Eagles
Where are the games?
Following the group stage, the semi-finals and finals will take place at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham, in a final-four weekend event.
The semi-finals will be played on Saturday, January 27, leading to the final on Sunday, January 28.
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.
He is touted as one of British basketball’s exciting young talents, taking significant leaps every single year.
Blake’s father Barry had a spell in the BBL during his professional career, while his uncle, Marc Hawley played 56 games in two seasons for the Riders between 1997 and 1999.
Bowman continues his Riders family legacy while completing his studies at Loughborough University.
The club would like to thank the university for their support.
“I’m super excited to get back out there,” said Bowman. “I’m ready to compete with a group of new guys, and a few returners.”
“I’m hungry to win, after making two finals last season. That lit a fire in me to compete at the highest level.
“With this new young group, I’m ready to fly up and down the court. I’m excited to enter this new era with the team.”
Leicester Riders are thrilled to continue their relationship with Red Monkey Play for the 2023/24 season.
Red Monkey Play are one of the UK’s leading wooden outdoor play equipment and playground designers for primary schools and nurseries.
The bespoke school playground equipment service offers its expertise with free design and consultancy.
The Leicester-based business creates unique playgrounds for schools and nurseries with excellent design, perfect for any play and learning areas, and children of all ages and abilities.
Red Monkey Play will sponsor Riders forward TJ Lall for the upcoming year.
Simon Winfield, managing director of Red Monkey Play and chairman of the Leicester Riders Foundation, commented: “As proud sponsors of the Leicester Riders Basketball team, Red Monkey Play is thrilled to extend our support for yet another year.
“Our enduring partnership with the Riders family has proven to be immensely rewarding, fuelling our growth and success over the years of collaboration.
“Beyond the courts, what truly inspires us is the remarkable impact that the Riders Basketball and Foundation have on the local community and young people.
“Being able to contribute to such meaningful initiatives aligns with our core values, as we firmly believe in the significance of giving back to the community.
“As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming 23/24 season, we wish the team the very best of luck in their endeavours. Together, we will continue to make a positive difference and build a brighter future for the local community.”
For more information on partnering with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Sport is in Jaren Holmes’ blood. He and his brother were raised with it, and now, they make careers from it. His brother, William, was drafted to the Los Angeles Angels in the MLB, and Jaren has signed his first professional contract with the Leicester Riders.
“I was raised by a single mother, and she always put sports in our hearts,” said Holmes, reflecting on his journey. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a ball in my hand.
“I played baseball too until my freshman year in high school. But when I had to choose, I couldn’t live down the fact my little brother was better than me at baseball! So basketball was my choice.
“I’ve always had a great IQ, my grandfather taught me how to play the right way: making the right play, not being selfish, it’s all about winning. That’s how I was raised.
“Now, when I step on the basketball court, it always feels like home. It feels like I’m supposed to be there. It’s peaceful.”
It wasn’t a straight road to the best conference in college basketball, where Holmes completed his final college year. It all started at Ranger Junior College, under legendary coach Billy Gillispie.
There, he helped them to a berth in the NJCAA Division I championship game, starting all 33 games as a freshman, averaging 12.0 points and winning 31 games.
“Coach G brings a lot out of you as a player. He has a mentality of everyone leaning on each other to get through all his ways of coaching. Playing for him was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life.
“I believe that my body changed in JUCO playing Coach G. The workouts he had us doing were second to none, and prepared my body for D1. I give all the credit to him.
“He moulded me into the player I am today, and I take my body very seriously now.”
And at Ranger, Jaren made lifelong friends. Most notably with Caleb Asberry, who will suit up with him on the Riders roster this season.
“Caleb and I have been really good friends for about five to six years. We started from the bottom at Ranger, and we had to endure a lot of trials and tribulations to get where we are today.
“I hold Caleb and his family close to my heart, and we’ve stayed in close contact. Even our mums are close! It’s come full circle now we can play together again, and I’m super excited about that.
“There was nothing to do at Ranger; the town is literally a petrol station and a Subway. We only had each other, and we became brothers. It’s good to be back with my brother again.”
His work at Junior College brought him to the big leagues. St Bonaventure gave him a shot in the NCAA D1, and he took it, proving he belonged at the top level of collegiate sport.
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.
Holmes transferred to Iowa State in the Big 12 conference for his final year of college and continued to impress. He was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and received an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, playing under Assistant Coach and former Rider JR Blount.
“It was amazing to get to D1—a breath of fresh air. I worked so hard to get to that level: through every no, the doubts and people saying I couldn’t play at that level. After all of the hard work, faith, prayer and sacrifice, it was something I could never imagine. I couldn’t believe it.
“I always thought I was supposed to be at that level. I just had to change my body, become more athletic and become a better ball player. I proved that this year.
“I was able to play in the best conference in the country and not miss a step. I’m tremendously thankful to St Bonaventure and Iowa State for the opportunities they gave me. They both gave me a shot when a whole lot of other teams didn’t.”
But even after all the rejection and upset that led him to this point, Holmes wouldn’t change a thing.
“I’d go through every situation, every heartbreak that I had to endure on this journey to make it here to the Riders. It’s made me a better basketball player and a better person. It helped me understand that life is hard, and you’re going to be disappointed throughout it.
“It doesn’t matter where you want to go, or what you think you deserve. Timing is everything, and I’m a firm believer in waiting for your time and being ready when your name is called. Keep your head down, work and believe in yourself.
“Keep God first, and no matter the situation, the upset and the heartbreak, I keep my head high and move two feet at a time.”
His assistant coach at Iowa State, Blount, helped recruit Holmes to Leicester. Blount played for the Riders in the 2010/11 season, averaging 20.6 points under Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
“JR always talked about his time in Leicester and said it was amazing. He said Coach Rob believed in him and trusted him, and let him play his game. When Coach JR brought this opportunity to me, I would never pass it down.
“I had a great conversation with Coach Rob. We talked everything through and I liked what he said: the way he talked about my game, and how he wanted me to play my role.
“The Riders are the best fit for me because of how they carry their organisation. It’s a well-run club, with a tremendous fanbase.”
Holmes is now ready to build on the success the Riders have had over the last decade.
“I love basketball, and I love to win. And that’s what the Riders do. They win.
“I’m excited and happy to be a part of this great organisation. I can’t wait to see the fans go wild. I’ve watched a couple of games already and the fanbase is crazy! I’m super excited.
“I’ll bring a winning attitude and work ethic, and excitement, laughter and intensity. I’m also committed to working hard in the community of Leicester.
“It’ll be an honour to meet the fans in Leicester. I’m ready to get to work!”
Riders’ new man Jaren Holmes is entering his first professional season following a four-year college career.
The 6’4” guard made a name for himself as an elite scorer and facilitator during his time in the NCAA D1.
Get to know him with some of his best showings.
Career high 38 points
Holmes exploded for a career-high 38 points in just 37 minutes in his second year for St. Bonaventure Bonnies. It was a sharpshooting clinic, as a red-hot Holmes drained eight threes in his team’s 83-57 win against Saint Joseph’s Hawks.
He hit a triple to get the action underway, but it was a 28-point second half that blew the game open. He scored 11 straight points in the half to build the lead and lead the Bonnies to a blowout win.
Holmes dominated the boards as well as the scoring, grabbing 10 rebounds on his way to an emphatic double-double.
The game is tied for eighth all-time for single-game scoring performances in college history.
Back-to-back
You could have forgiven Holmes for a down game after his career-high night against St Joe’s. Instead, he went off for 26 points to lead the Bonnies to a 68-54 win against the Fordham Rams.
Holmes hit the dagger with a 1:30 remaining to seal the win, his hot hand staying hot with another five threes in the game. He went 10-16 from the field in a game where neither team found a rhythm on offence.
The win moved the team to 5-1 to start the season, in the midst of a seven-game winning streak.
Holmes went on to average 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on the season, earning a place on the Atlantic 10 second-team All-Conference honours and was named to the A-10 All-Academic Team for the second year in a row.
Upset on primetime
In a top-25 matchup live on ESPN, Holmes led Iowa State to an upset win against the #5 Kansas State in front of a raucous home crowd.
He had 23 points for the Cyclones in the fight for the Big 12 one-seed, going 8-11 from the field and dishing seven assists.
It was a hard-fought game wire-to-wire, but Holmes cooly knocked down the game-winning free throws, after being sent to the line up two.
A 16-point second half from Holmes saw Iowa State take the win. Holmes led the team to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
Double-double against Coppin State
Playing 37 minutes against the Coppin State Eagles, Holmes went off for 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the Bonnies’ 93-81, going 10-14 from the field and and 3-5 from three.
He made his presence known on both ends, adding two steals and a block to his box score.
The Bonnies won 93-81, kicking off a three-game winning streak as they started Homes’ senior year 4-1.
Playing big minutes was something Holmes became accustomed to that season, as he became one of the national minutes leaders at 38.1 per contest and started all 33 games.
Crashing the glass
Holmes showed he could lead the team in multiple ways by dominating the paint for his career-high in rebounds.
Holmes led the Bonnies in points and rebounds in a 70-54 win against the Marquette Golden Eagles, going off for a 19 and 13 double-double in the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic tournament.
Holmes made just six field goals in the game, but his persistence on the glass and ability to get to the free throw line saw him fill up the scoring column, leading his team to the win.
The win put the Bonnies to a 5-0 start to the season, building early momentum in Homes’ junior year.
Riders revisited: Tony Windless on his Leicester Riders career
“I really enjoyed being here. We have some of the best fans in the league!”
Riders legend Tony Windless reflected on his time with the Leicester Riders, and how the club has grown since his arrival in 2008.
Windless was there for the start of the Riders’ revolution. The 6’5” guard signed to now legendary Head Coach Rob Paternostro’s first Riders roster, having spent time in France and the BBL for the London Lions.
He hit the ground running, putting up 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds in the 2008/09 season. The Riders went 21-12, good for third in the BBL Championship standings and improved from a 10-23 record the season before.
Windless would remain on the Riders roster until 2011 when he announced his retirement from professional basketball.
He is remembered as a key fixture in the team that kick-started the Riders winning culture under Rob Paternostro.
He sat down with us to talk about his Riders career, and the growth of the club.
Leicester Riders are excited to present their rebrand ahead of the 2023/24 season, ushering in a new era of Riders basketball.
The Riders are proud to have innovatively evolved throughout their 56-year history as Britain’s oldest professional basketball club. This rebrand allows the club to continue modernising, 10 years on from the launch of its previous logo.
This marks a fresh start for the club, with a revitalised roster of young talent ready to take the reins and add to the Riders’ rich history.
The updated brand incorporates every facet of the club, from its community work with the Leicester Riders Foundation, its player pathways and development through Charnwood College and Loughborough University, to the first teams in the BBL and WBBL.
The club would like to thank its partners at 5or6 for their support during the rebrand.
Leicester Riders managing director Russell Levenston commented: “It’s been 10 years since the previous logo was created, as we thought it was the fitting moment for us to re-evaluate the Riders brand.
“Looking at how branding has changed over the past decade, we thought it was the right time to refresh ours.
“Thank you for all the work 5or6 has put into supporting the club, both with the rebranding and their continued support through the years. We have worked closely with the team there since they designed the last logo in 2013.
“What is especially pleasing is the new brand’s versatility, and how it can incorporate everything we are about, from our pathways and community work through to the pros.
“These are exciting times for the club, and we look forward to seeing how the brand grows over the coming years. We hope everyone loves it as much as we do!”
In his final year in Missouri, Pinson exploded for 36 points for his career-high in scoring.
The Tigers needed every one of his points to take a 102-98 win against TCU, as Pinson three point eruption took the game over.
Missouri was down eight with two minutes left, but he led a comeback with a deep shooting, making a four-point play to cut it to four, then tying the game with a clutch three with four seconds left, sending it to overtime.
In OT, yet another three-point bomb connected to take the lead with a minute and a half remaining, which the Tigers would see out.
In the game, Pinson hit a career-high eight threes; the Horned Frogs with no answer to Pinson’s hot hand.
They attempted to stem the bleeding by sending Pinson to the foul line, but he cooly knocked down eight of his nine free throws, including at the end of OT to seal it.
The game was one of his five 20-point scoring explosions in his junior year, and his last season at Missouri.
Winning, whatever it takes
Pinson kicked off his season at LSU on a 12-game winning streak, and winning 14 of his first 15 games.
During that time, he was recognised as a player who would do anything to contribute to winning, no matter how that manifested on the stat sheet.
X came to win.
A conversation with @LSUBasketball point guard Xavier Pinson on toughness, leadership, and winning.
Nothing demonstrates that more than Pinson’s seven-steal game, in a 75-61 win against the undefeated Wake Forest.
Pinson had nine points on the game, six of them from the free throw line, he remained engaged and intense throughout. His defensive efforts allowed LSU to get out on the run, in a game where buckets were tough for both sides.
Pinson found a way to impact the proceedings and proved the difference between the sides without lighting up the points column as he so often does.
Pinson’s play for LSU helped set a new culture, centred around suffocating defence leading to transition points.
Hot start for New Mexico’s new man
Transferring to New Mexico State for his final year of eligibility, Pisnon went off for two 20-point games in his first three outings. The highest scoring of the pair was a 25-point game, another three-point explosion for the 23 -year-old.
He drained six threes in a 90-77 win against the University of San Diego. Pinson shot 80% from the field and dished eight assists for the Aggies, dominating all areas of the game.
His explosiveness and quickness made a quick impression on his new team, as he led the game to take New Mexico State’s second win of the season.
Pinson went on to put up five 20-point outings on the season, leading the Aggies in points and assists per game.
Pinson put Missouri on his back for two straight games in his sophomore year, averaging 30 points to lead his team to consecutive wins.
He followed up a 28-point outing against Auburn, where he went 10-12 from the field and 6-8 from the free throw line, with a 32-point explosion against Ole Miss.
Pinson went 4-4 from three and 10-11 from the foul line in a three-point win, where the Tigers needed every point he put up. He went off for 24 in the second half alone.
He hit six free throws in the final minute, and eight of Missouri’s last 12 points to seal the victory, coming up clutch in just his second college year.
The outings broke Pinson’s career-highs in back-to-back games, as he demonstrated his ability to take over proceedings and lead a team to wins.
Freshman’s first 20 point game
Pinson had consistent success against Ole Miss, putting up his first 20-point game against them in his freshman year.
He had 20 points and six assists, pushing the Rebels all the way in a six-point loss. He led the team with his points tally, going 8-12 from the field in just 29 minutes of play.
Missouri entered the game as underdogs, against an Ole Miss side with their eyes set firmly on the NCAA Tournament.
The game was tied with 3:35 to play, but their opponents saw the best of the late momentum to avoid the upset. Pinson impressed on all fronts in the game, setting him up for three successful seasons in Missouri.
#Mizzou guard Xavier Pinson says he's grown a lot throughout his freshman year. He scored 11 points and brought down nine rebounds in the Tigers win over Arkansas last night. The future looks bright for him at PG. pic.twitter.com/1DPNEGN14Y
Leicester Riders are excited to announce the signing of Xavier Pinson for the 2023/24 season.
The 6’2” American guard signs from New Mexico State University, following stints at LSU and Missouri over his five-year college career. The Chicago native averaged 13.3 points and 4.5 assists in his final college season in New Mexico.
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: “I know I’m coming to a legendary organisation, so I want to add to the trophy cabinet. I want a championship. I don’t care about anything else, I just want to win. I want to help my coaches, teammates and organisation to where it should be.
“I’ve worked extremely hard to be the player I am today, so I want to get out there and play well for the fans. My focus is on helping this team in any way possible: whatever anyone needs from me is what I’ll bring to the team. I’m ready to help add more history to the Riders.”
Head Coach Rob Paternostro added: “We are thrilled to sign Xavier. He is an exciting guard who has great quickness and can make plays all over the court.
“He is a guard that can eliminate defenders and put pressure on the defence with his passing and finishing at the rim.
“He has played at a high level and shown the ability to be a dynamic player. It should be exciting to watch him play.”
Leicester Riders are thrilled to continue their long-standing relationship with 360 Autoleasing!
360 Autoleasing is an independent vehicle finance, contract hire and car leasing broker.
They specialise in sourcing the best car contract hire and van leasing special offers for both businesses and individuals from a range of automotive funders and dealers.
360 Autoleasing’s support of the Riders includes the sponsorship of Riders’ guard Caleb Asberry for the 2023/24 season.
Ian Hallam, regional sales director of 360 Autoleasing, commented: “Being part of the Riders family means so much to us and our team, we are really excited for the forthcoming season.
“Aligning our business with a local sports team helps us to demonstrate our commitment to the wider community.
“What the club offers on a grassroots level through its foundation is inspirational, and we would recommend any businesses to consider their support.”
For more information on how to partner with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
It’s been a busy offseason! Both new and familiar names have signed to play in Riders red for the upcoming season!
Here you can familiarise yourself with our roster for 2023/24…
Kimbal Mackenzie- Guard
Kimbal Mackenzie is back for his third season with the Riders. During that time has proved himself one of the League’s best in the backcourt.
After gaining experience in Spain and his home nation Canada, Mackenzie took up a starring role last season, averaging 12.7 points and 3.8 assists per game.
His play earned him a spot on the Molten BBL British Team of the Year, and won him Molten BBL Player of the Month for February.
Kimbal’s college career was spent in the NCAA D1 for Bucknall. He enjoyed a sensational senior year, scoring 17.6 points per game, the seventh-most in a season in college history.
Samuel Idowu- Forward
Samuel Iwodu is a force in the Riders’ frontcourt. The 6’8” forward brings strength and physicality to the paint on both ends of the court.
The New York native is a fourth-year professional, having played in the Netherlands and Denmark. His most recent season for Yoast United was cut short due to injury, having averaged 15.8 points and seven rebounds in his first two years.
Iwodu spent his college career in NCAA division one with Saint Peter’s University. He starred for the Peacocks in helping them win the program’s first-ever national postseason tournament championship in 2017.
Braelen Bridges- Forward
Braelen Bridges is a first-year pro, following four years in the NCAA division one.
He played his first two college seasons at the University of Illinois at Chicago, before transferring to his hometown University of Georgia for his junior and senior years.
Bridges averaged 12.9 points and 5.6 rebounds as a junior. He was the only Bulldog to start all 32 games, and was Georgia’s most efficient scorer in his time there, shooting 56.1% from the field.
Victor Ndoukou- Forward
Victor Ndoukou playing against Finland u20s Ndoukou first joined the Riders in 2019 and is one of GB basketball’s exciting young talents.
He represented GB at the youth level and played for the Loughborough and Charnwood Riders during his time in Leicester.
Ndoukou also represented GB Under-20s this summer in the FIBA European Youth Championships.
He averaged 15.5 points per game for Charnwood College in the 2021/22 season, winning EABL MVP.
Mo Walker- Forward
Canadian-born, British big-man Mo Walker returns for his fourth season with the Riders. Mo graduated from the University of Minnesota, leading the team in rebounds and blocks as the second-leading scorer in his senior year.
Walker signed his first pro contract in the Italian first division. He gained experience around Europe, playing in Latvia, France and the BBL for the Worcester Wolves.
Mo was been a key fixture in the Riders’ treble-winning season in 2022.
TJ Lall- Foward
TJ Lall is a first-year Rider, who has played in the Canadian CEBL for much of his career.
He was selected by the Ottawa BlackJacks as the first overall pick during the 2020 CEBL Draft, and played in Canada for four seasons.
Lall played last season in the Japanese first division for Kyoto Hannaryz, putting up 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
In college, the Ontario native won four national titles with the Carleton Ravens before transferring to Brock University for his fifth college season.
Miryne Thomas- Forward
Miryne Thomas signed in the summer for the 2023/24 season.
The 6’8” forward is in his rookie year after averaging 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds for Kent State in the NCAA Division One last season.
Thomas, a Cleaveland native, averaged double-digit points in his final two college seasons, transferring from Ball State to Kent State for his final year of eligibility.
He averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds over his five-year college career.
Caleb Asberry- Guard
Caleb Asberry signed straight out of college to the Riders’ 2023/24 roster.
The 6’3 spent his final year of eligibility with Oklahoma State in the NCAA Division One. He averaged 9.7 points per game in the Big 12 for the Cowboys, following three seasons with Texas State.
At his home university, the Texas native had back-to-back seasons scoring over 13 points per game. He was the only Bobcat to start all 29 games and led the team in steals and three-pointers made.
Asberry also became the first Bobcat in school history to earn back-to-back All-District honours from the NABC.
Jaren Holmes- Guard
Holmes arrived in Leicester as a rookie, having spent his final season of college eligibility at Iowa State. He led the Cyclones in scoring with 13.3 points per game and was one of two players to start all 33 games.
He was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and received an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Three years at St. Bonaventure University proceeded Holmes’ year at Iowa State.
He scored over 1000 points for the Bonnies, putting up 13.5 points, five rebounds and 3.6 assists in the 2021/22 season. He was named to the Atlantic 10 Second Team All-Conference in 2021.
Blake Bowman- Forward
Blake Bowman joined the Riders for his first venture into BBL basketball last season, establishing himself as one of the UK’s hottest prospects. His high-flying dunks and infectious energy quickly made him a fan-favourite.
Bowman played previously with his hometown Derby Trailblazers, playing through their youth setup. He averaged 19 points, six rebounds and three assists in the NBL, helping to bring silverware to the midlands.
Blake’s father Barry had a spell in the BBL during his professional career, while his uncle, Marc Hawley played 56 games in two seasons for the Riders between 1997 and 1999.
Conner Washington- Guard
During his decade-long tenure with the Riders, GB guard Conner Washington has won everything there is to win in the British Basketball League with 14 pieces of silverware to his name.
Washington is an integral part of the Riders’ successes over the last 10 years. In the 2016/17 season, Conner made the BBL Defensive Team of the Year and British Team of the Year. He developed into a dangerous perimeter threat, averaging over 40% from three in three separate seasons.
Washington is respected around the League as an intelligent veteran, playing to an elite standard on both ends. He has earned Molten BBL Defensive Team of the Year honours on three separate occasions.
Xavier Pinson- Guard
American guard Xavier Pinson signed from New Mexico State University, following stints at LSU and Missouri over his five-year college career. The Chicago native averaged 13.3 points and 4.5 assists in his final college season in New Mexico.
Pinson served as LSU’s starting point guard for the 2021/22 season, averaging 9.8 points, 4.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He helped lead the Tigers to a 14-1 start to the season and an overall record of 22-12
He spent three years prior at the University of Missouri, putting up 10.3 points as a junior. Pinson helped Missouri to an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
Leicester Riders are delighted to welcome Better IT as a sponsor for the 2023/24 season!
Better-IT is a premium supplier of IT services and IT Support for businesses that want their technology to be world-class and ultra-secure.
Better IT will sponsor Riders forward Braelen Bridges for the upcoming season.
David Nicholls, Managing Director of Better IT, commented: “We are delighted to join forces with the incredible Leicester Riders, supporting our local community and being a part of something truly special.
“As a local business, we believe in the power of supporting our community and investing in its growth.
“Joining hands and sponsoring the Leicester Riders allows us to give back and celebrate the amazing talents right here in our city.”
For more information on how to partner with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
Four CEBL teams will compete for the coveted CEBL Championship Trophy at the Langley Events Centre, the River Lions’ Conference Final taking place on August 11.
Mackenzie and Lall showed out in the River Lions’ final game of the regular season.
Lall had an impactful outing with a game-high 18 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists and a block. Mackenzie scored 17 points and dished seven assists to direct the Niagara offence as the starting point guard.
TJ Lall was a very important piece of the puzzle tonight 🧩
“I feel like we’re all together all the time,” Lall said after the game. “Our defence picked up throughout the season, and we’re gaining trust with each other.”
Leicester Riders, Britain’s oldest professional basketball club, was founded in 1967. Our rich history spans five arenas, 19 pieces of silverware and three name changes.
As founding members of the National Basketball League in 1972 and the British Basketball League in 1987, we have forever been staples of the sport in the UK.
Take a look back in time at the club through the decades.
1960s– Loughborough All-Stars
The club, originally known as the Loughborough All-Stars, was founded by students and lecturers at Loughborough University on 26 April 1967.
Vaughan Thomas, a Wales and GB international, created a team that included the best players the East Midlands had to offer.
Pictured is the squad from the 1968/69 season, following a win against the Edinburgh Hornets.
Peter Shaw (#6), was a founding member who played seven seasons with the team.
Shaw became the club’s coach in 1974, and was a fixture of the sidelines for much of the next 15 years.
1970s- National Basketball League founded
1972 marked the founding of the National League, of which the All-Stars were among six competing teams.
Pictured is the Loughborough squad from the 1972/72 season, the first year of the NBL.
The All-Stars finished with a 5-5 record that season, led by Riders legend Carl Olsson’s (#13) 19 points per game.
After a half-decade of the National League, the All-Stars departed in 1979 to become a non-league club.
1980s- Riders are born
Between 1979 and 1981 the club won the Founders Cup (the top honour for a non-league side) during both their seasons out of the top flight.
1981 marked the year that the club moved from Loughborough to its current home, Leicester, as they reentered the National League in Division Two.
The move was backed by Leicester City Council and Leicester City Bus, hence the change in name to “Riders”.
Coached by Shaw, the Riders played their games at the newly refurbished Granby Halls, until its closure in 2000.
The side made light work of Division Two, winning the league undefeated and collecting the National Trophy.
They also tasted their first major final in the mid-80s, but fell to the dominant Solent Stars.
1990s- National Cup Final
Image credit: Mansoor Ahmed
Near the start of the 90s, the Riders made the second National Cup Final of their then 24-year history.
The competition has run since 1936, and this iteration saw the Riders take on the Sunderland Saints at the London Arena.
The Riders lost 88-81, led by Gene Waldron’s 26-point effort, but returned a decade later to win the Cup against the Greater London Leopards in an 84-82 thriller.
They would have to wait a decade to return to the big stage.
2000s- Riders’ first BBL silverware
The Riders kicked off the 2000s with a bang.
They celebrated their move back to Loughborough, this time to the Sir David Wallace Centre, by filling the trophy cabinet immediately.
With their 2001 NTL Cup and BBL Playoff win, they took home their first pieces of British Basketball League silverware, led by legendary Head Coach Billy Mims.
It all started in the Cup Final, where the Riders broke their 30-year duck in major competitions. Their 84-82 win against London was led by MVP Ralph Blalock, who scored 26 in the game.
To end the famous 2000/01 season, the Riders came through to win the BBL Playoffs as the 8-seed, beating the Sheffield Sharks at Wembley Arena (pictured).
Blalock, again, led all scorers with 25, capping off a Cinderella story.
“The Riders were written off as no-hopers at the start of the season, but under the stewardship of former London Leopards head coach Billy Mims, the unfashionable Midlands outfit became a revelation.”
Daniel Routledge
2010s- Dynastic decade
It was over a decade-long wait for the Riders to lift their next trophy, but good things come in threes!
Led by Head Coach Rob Paternostro, now the most decorated coach in BBL history, the Riders were crowned treble winners, winning the 2013 BBL Cup, BBL Championship and BBL Playoffs (pictured).
The Playoff Final was a 68-57 win against the Newcastle Eagles, led by Drew Sullivan’s 24-point dominant display.
The historic season kicked off a dominant Riders run, where they won 10 competitions in six years!
In 2016, they moved into their current home, the Morningside Arena, allowing the Riders to bring British basketball dominance into their own arena.
2020s- Completing a trio of trebles
Having followed up their 2013 treble with another in 2017, the Riders made it three in ten years in 2022.
After winning the league a year prior, the Riders returned with a bang to take home the BBL Cup, BBL Championship (pictured), and BBL Playoffs.
With a 25-2 record, they dominated the league, before beating the London Lions in the Playoff final 78-75, led by back-to-back BBL MVP Geno Crandall’s 23 points, to cap off another historic year.
Riders’ new man Miryne Thomas is entering his first professional season following a five-year college career.
The 6’8” Cleaveland native made a name for himself as an elite scorer during his time in the NCAA D1.
Get to know him with some of his top performances!
11/3/23: 24 points in MAC Championship semi-final
Kent State played in the MAC Tournament Championship in early 2023, attempting to book their place in the NCAA Tournament.
In the semi-final, they came up against the Akron Zips, the third seed in the Mid-American Conference. Thomas came up huge in the game, a 16-point second half seeing Kent State to a 79-73 win.
He attacked the game with killer efficiency, getting his 24 points on 54% field goal shooting, 66% three-point shooting and going 10-10 from the free-throw line.
They went on to win the championship, beating the number-one seed Toledo 93-78. The championship is the seventh in program history and gave the Golden Flashes an automatic bid into the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
1/11/23: 22-point double-double vs number one seed
The Golden Flashes went into the championship game with supreme confidence against Toldedo, having beaten them in the regular season back in November.
Thomas led them to the win, stuffing the stat sheet with 22 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, shooting 7-15 from the field, 4-10 from three and 4-4 from the foul line.
His play saw them beat the Rockets 75-63, the 6’8” forward grabbing seven offensive boards. After halftime, he put the game beyond much doubt, draining three threes early in the second half against the eventual first-seed.
26/1/22: Dominance at Ball State
Thomas played for Ball State before transferring to Kent State for his final year of eligibility, putting up 11.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
His highest-scoring game of the season: a 26-point outing against the Miami Redhawks. Thomas led Ball State to a dominant 81-64 win, blowing the game open in the first half.
Thomas had eight rebounds and two blocks in the win, as he went 9-12 from the field, 4-5 from three and 4-6 from the free-throw line in a red-hot deep shooting performance.
Ball State finished up as the six seed with an 9-10 record in the MAC Conference.
2/12/17: Dominant from the jump
As a freshman, it didn’t take long for Thomas to show his full potential as a dominant forward. Six games into his college career, he led the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to a 74-70 victory over the American University Eagles with a 17-point double-double.
Thomas averaged 11.1 points and led the team in rebounds with 7.8 per game, and was named to the MEAC All-Rookie Team. He Recorded double-figures in rebounds in nine games with a season-high 16 later in the year.
He put up a season-high 21 points in October before transferring to Ball State at the end of the year.
13/12/20- Miryne can’t miss
Having already established himself as an efficient scorer in his three college seasons prior, Thomas’ ability to put the ball in the basket was on full display against the Northern Illinois Huskies in his final season with Ball State.
He led the team with 20 points and seven rebounds, his shooting efficiency number through the roof. Thomas shot 6-7 from the field, 4-4 from three and 4-5 from the free-throw line, missing only one field goal on the way to his points tally.
It was a 78-58 blowout, Ball State taking a 15-point lead into the half and never looking back. Thomas went on to averaged 49.5% from the field and 44.6% from three in a red-hot year.
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.
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,” said Thomas.
“I 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!”
“I can’t wait to see you all!”
“We are excited to work with Miryne next season,” commented Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
“He 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.
“We 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.”
Leicester Riders announce the continuation of their partnership with Vertu Motors and their Leicester dealership – Vertu Toyota Leicester.
The leading automotive retailer’s three-year deal with Leicester Riders, which began last season, involves supplying a fleet of Toyota Hybrid vehicles from their Leicester dealership, branding on the team’s shorts and across the Morningside Arena, plus the provision of match day advertising opportunities.
As well as their local Vertu Toyota Leicester location, Vertu Motors has several additional dealerships in the surrounding area, including Vertu Toyota Loughborough as well as many more throughout the East Midlands area and UK.
Chris Taylor, Group Operations Director at Vertu Motors, said: “Not only are Leicester Riders the most historic professional basketball team in the UK, they are also one of the most successful. This comes from having a true commitment to providing a great environment for players and fans alike, and most importantly a commitment to community basketball and youth development in the surrounding area.
“The club is a credit to Leicester and Loughborough and has a dedicated fan base. This is something we hope to emulate locally with our recently acquired Toyota retailers in Leicester and Loughborough.
“We are very proud to continue our partnership with the Club and look forward to another exciting season ahead.”
Russell Levenston, Managing Director of Leicester Riders, added: “It gives us great pleasure to continue working with Vertu Motors as an Official Partner for the upcoming season. The Riders are committed to working with national brands that have a link to the local community.
“I look forward to growing our relationship on the foundations that we have built. Thank you to all the colleagues at Vertu Motors for all of their support.”
For more information on how to partner with the Riders, please contact [email protected], or read more about our sponsorship opportunities here!
“Hard work beats talent”- Caleb Asberry on his journey to the pros
In 2018, Caleb Asberry came fresh out of Pflugerville High School to play junior college hoops. Through grit, hard work and elite play five years later, he was starting in the BIG 12 for Oklahoma State.
“Hard work beats talent,” Asberry told us. “I had to play super hard to get on the court in college. I have to work hard to prove to people that I belong.”
After a season at Ranger College, putting up 10.5 points per game on efficient 48-43-89 splits, the Texan earned a spot at Texas State in the NCAA Division One.
There, he fought his way into the starting lineup. He started five games as a sophomore, the final 19 as a junior, then became the only Bobcat to start all 29 games in his senior year.
Asberry was named to the NABC All-District 23 Second Team and All-Sun Belt First Team, winning the conference twice. It was then time to take his talents to Oklahoma State.
But once again he had to earn his spot. His early play in the BIG 12 saw him achieve a starting role.
“My proudest basketball moment so far was making my first Oklahoma State start. It was a huge progression from starting in JuCo to starting in the BIG 12. It was a massive deal for me.
“All I could think when I got the call was: ‘don’t mess it up!’”
As he had throughout his college career, Asberry made the most of his opportunity. He scored 9.7 points per game in his final year of eligibility, more than holding his own in the BIG 12 conference and impressing Riders’ Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
“He had a decorated career at Texas State,” said Paternostro. “It was enjoyable to watch him play, and it was impressive how in his final season he went to a new team in the BIG 12 and made a significant impact.”
Having signed for the Riders, he is set to make his first venture into Europe.
“I’ve only been outside America once, so I’m so excited to get over there. I feel so lucky to be able to go over there and play basketball for a living. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and expanding my horizons.”
The 6’3” guard is set to bring his skillset to the BBL.
“I’m going to add energy. I’m a loud person, and I’m going to bring the noise! I can also shoot the ball pretty well.
“But above everything, I’m about defence, defence, defence. That’s something that’s ingrained in me from my coaches in college.
“The pros are a whole new ball game. The speed of the game and the physicality are something that is going to be ramped up, but I’m ready for that.”
As the seventh man named to Paternostro’s 2023/24 roster, Asberry is ready to give everything in Riders red.
“I want to thank the Riders for the opportunity and for taking a chance on me.
“At Texas State, we won conference twice, and we were the first team to miss the tournament as a senior. It has fueled my desire to win even more.
“The Riders are a hugely successful club, and I really want to add to that. To start my career off with some silverware would be incredible.
“Im ready to give everything, and I’m ready to win. I’m excited to meet you all, and I can’t wait for the whole experience. Thank you all for bringing me in, and I’m ready to bring you all in too!”
He averaged 9.7 points per game in the Big 12 for the Cowboys, following three seasons with Texas State.
At his home university, the Texas native had back-to-back seasons scoring over 13 points per game. He was the only Bobcat to start all 29 games and led the team in steals and three-pointers made.
Asberry also became the first Bobcat in school history to earn back-to-back All-District honours from the NABC. He helped his school to the 2022 Sun Belt MMB regular-season trophy and was named to the All-Sun Belt First Team as a senior.
“I want to express sincere gratitude and excitement towards singing with the Riders,” said Asberry.
“It is truly an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to join such an incredible organisation. I understand the weight and responsibility that comes with this new chapter in my career.
“Rest assured, I am fully committed to giving my absolute best, both on and off the court. I’m thrilled to be joining an organisation that shares my values and ambitions!”
“We are thrilled to sign Caleb,” said Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
“He is an exciting player who can really put pressure on the defence. He plays the game with a bounce and energy that teammates and fans can appreciate.
“He had a decorated career at Texas State. It was enjoyable to watch him play, and it was impressive how in his final season he went to a new team in the BIG 12 and made a significant impact.”
“He can shoot the ball from long range both off the catch and off the dribble, and he’s the kind of player that can get hot in a hurry and change the game.”
Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce the signing of 5’11” guard Shahd Abboud for the 2022/23 season.
The Israeli international joins from Maccabi Ramat Gan in the Israeli Premier Division.
She represented her country in the 2021 European Championships, and has regularly played for Israeli senior team since 2018.
In 2018, the Nazereth-native was named the first-ever Arab-Israeli captain of an Israeli Premier League team by Hapoel Petah Tikva.
In college, Abboud suited up for Northwestern State University, averaging 8.4 points per game as a junior while starting 28 games.
“I’m really thankful for the opportunity and excited to be joining the Riders,” said Abboud.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to work with Coach Stanley, getting to know my teammates and building chemistry in order to achieve our goals this season.”
“Shahd is going to be a huge credit to the programme,” said Head Coach Ben Stanley.
“She brings a wealth of experience and determination, and she really knows how to play the right way. She’ll be a fantastic role model for our community with all she’s accomplished so far, and we’re excited to have her here.”
The former GB u20s star spent his three college years in NCAA division one with Saint Peter’s University. Iwodu starred for the Peacocks in helping them win the program’s first-ever national postseason tournament championship in 2017.
Idowu averaged 16.1 pts in his first professional season in Holland with Aris Leeuwarden. His second year he spent in Denmark with Team FOG Naestved, averaging 15.5 pts. He spent his third year with Yoast United, but was cut short due to injury.
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 Badgers’ 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.
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. 🏀
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 “athletic”, “a really good two-way player” and ,” a very good rebounder” 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”.
The Answer, Allen Iverson, was at the NBA Store in London to share his knowledge with some @JrNBA future stars 🤩🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/jRFTTUWzKG
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!
Leicester Riders and Morningside Arena announce the continuation of their partnership with long-standing sponsor, Torr Waterfield.
Torr Waterfield has been a sponsor for eight seasons and have been providing the Riders and the associated companies with general financial advice, as well as their accounting and payroll services, over recent years.
The Leicester accountants’ corporate hospitality and branding arrangements include access to a wide range of sporting and entertainment events at the Arena, and sponsorship of one our the large stands.
Mark Torr, Director and Senior Partner at Torr Waterfield, is delighted to continue working with the Riders and the Arena.
“I first got involved with the Leicester Arena and Leicester Riders through my youngest son’s love of basketball in 2015. As a local business owner, I quickly realised the unique offering of the Leicester Riders’ hospitality being something completely different from competing sports.
“In the last few years, we have bought hundreds of guests and multiple businesses to the corporate hospitality offering at the arena.
“The hospitality experience has significantly widened to incorporate a vast array of sporting events and entertainment, and we have been delighted to not only attend the hospitality offerings but have now entered into a long-term sponsorship agreement.
“We as a business receive numerous positive comments about our involvement and will continue to support both Leicester Riders and the Arena in its activities. In fact, many of our guests are now sponsors and supporters.
“More businesses and individuals need to experience what it has to offer. I’m still amazed when I ask clients to join me that they have never heard of this gem.”
For more information on how to sponsor the Riders, please contact [email protected].
The Leicester Riders are excited to sign 6’7” 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 Riders’ guard Kimbal Mackenzie for the Niagara River Lions.
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 Men’s 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 Winner🏆
The Canadian Player of the Year is given to the best performing 🇨🇦 player of the 2022 CEBL Regular Season.
Leicester Riders tip off their preseason campaign at the Morningside Arena against USA Select.
The game, played on Friday, September 8 2023, tips off at 7:45 pm, with doors open to fans at 5:45 pm.
The Riders host USA Select every preseason during their annual tour of Europe, as they aim to give aspiring professional players exposure to European basketball clubs.
As you all know, I’ve missed some time with injury over the last couple of seasons. It’s been a long road, but God and my girlfriend have helped me mentally. They have been with me every day to help me heal and grow as a person on and off the court.
During my recovery, I enjoyed working with the Foundation. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes and in the community around basketball.
Connecting with the kids was great: helping to motivate and inspire them to get through any difficult times they face.
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 I’m healthy, I can’t wait to get back out there. Expect us to give our best effort every time we step onto the floor. Personally, I expect myself to bring veteran leadership to help the younger players learn and grow.
I know the fans will have our back every game and bring the energy and noise we need in tight spots to get us over the edge.
I’m excited to still be a part of the Riders. I’m grateful to be able to make up for lost time, and I’m looking forward to being back out there with all the fans!
Before last season was cut short due to injury, the University of Minnesota graduate was putting up 10.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, shooting 58.6% from the field.
“I’m excited to still be a part of the Riders!” said Walker.
“Anyone who has followed the club and has watched my journey knows I have lost time in the past due to injury. But I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to make up for lost time, and I’m looking forward to being back out there in front of the Riders fans!”
“We are all looking forward to having Mo back on the court for us next season,” commented Head Coach Rob Paternostro.
“I thought he started off very well last season and was playing good basketball before the injury. He can be very difficult to match up with, can score in different ways and has the ability to put real pressure on the opposing defence.
“Mo has always shown great leadership during his time here and we have valued that on and off the court.”
She was also named to the Women’s NBL Division One British Team of the Year with the Loughborough Riders, putting up 13.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
Last season, Januszewska joined St Francis Brooklyn in NCAA Division One, before returning to the East Midlands for the upcoming year.
“We’re really excited to have KJ back,” said head coach Ben Stanley.
“She knows how our programme works and her experience from a young age at WNBL1, WBBL and National Teams is going to be invaluable.
“She’s got a diverse game that can really help us and she plays hard, and I think that’s going to really help us as we establish our culture.”
“I am excited for the opportunity,” said Januszewska.
“I’m grateful to be able to return home and continue my studies while playing basketball for the Riders, who have had a big part in my journey so far.”
Young Riders’ forward Victor Ndoukou recieved a call-up to captain Great Britain Under-20s for the FIBA European Youth Championships ‘B’ Divison.
Ndoukou will play alongside Charnwood’s Lane Campbell in the competition.
🇬🇧👀 With the Under-20 Men’s side set to take to the court at the FIBA European Youth Championships ‘B’ Division in North Macedonia this week, @KrumeshPatel has announced his roster for the competition.
— Great Britain Basketball (@gbbasketball) July 4, 2023
We sat down with Ndoukou, who told us what representing his country means to him.
Starting on the 7th July, Great Britain will compete in Skopje, North Macedonia, in a group alongside Austria, Hungary, Luxembourg and Portugal.
The group games take place on the following:
Friday, July 7 2023, 8 PM BST – Great Britain vs Austria Saturday, July 8 2023, 3 PM BST – Portugal vs Great Britain Sunday, July 9 2023, 12:30 PM BST – Great Britain vs Luxembourg Tuesday, July 11 2023, 12:30 PM BST – Hungary vs Great Britain
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.
First, let me say that it’s a privilege to be a head coach in this historic club, and I can’t wait to get started.
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind process. I was expecting to stay with Solent for another season, but this was too good of an opportunity to pass up and something I’m thrilled to be doing.
Watching from a distance, this club looked like a great environment where everyone got on. I spoke to Ashley Arlen, who I’ve known since her Nottingham days, and she said this was a great group.
I’ve heard similar things from everyone I speak to. That’s really exciting, and of course, this was a very competitive team last year.
This year, we’re going to be trying to figure out who we are and what our goals are. In the short term we’re going to be focussing on our character and culture.
We still want to win, that’s massively important to me and the club, but we also want to establish who we are as a team.
In the long term we want to be highly competitive in the WBBL. We want to continue to make finals and win things.
It’s essential to me to build a strong culture within this team. Culture is led by the coach, but ultimately it comes from the players. I can guarantee we’ll play hard and play together.
In my role as women’s coach it’s very important to me that the players get the respect that the men get.
They work as hard and they are just as knowledgeable, so it’s very important to me that we grow the women’s game.
I would love to be in a position where we are close to selling out the arena every game. That would be huge for us. That comes from having the right character of players throughout the programme, from juniors to pros.
That includes everything on the court and everything we do in the community as well. I’ll be out there doing everything I can, and the players will support that too.
I’m also delighted to begin my role as Loughborough BUCS head coach!
I played for Brunel just as our rivalry with Loughborough was coming to a close, so it’ll be a little weird having the purple on me for the first couple of games!
But I’m extremely excited about it, and to be a part of that programme with a storied history is something I’m looking forward to.
— Loughborough Basketball (@lborobasketball) March 22, 2023
I can’t wait to get to know the fans! Please come out and support the girls, we’ll have a great on-court product for you next year and I know we’re going to have great people that will be great examples for the youth of Leicester and Loughborough.
Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce the appointment of Ben Stanley as head coach.
Stanley was named NBL women’s Coach of the Year last season after a league-winning campaign with Team Solent Kestrels.
Prior to Solent, Stanley had a near decade-long association with Nottingham Hoods, as a player from 2013 and as head coach until 2022.
Along with coaching the WBBL Riders, Stanley will coach the Loughborough University team in BUCS competition.
“I am incredibly excited to be joining Riders,” commented Stanley.
“The programme has such a history, and to be a part of that is a real privilege. I can’t wait to get started with the Ladies and see what we can build both this season and into the future.”
Managing director Russell Levenston commented: “Ben is an experienced coach that everyone at the club is excited to work with as we continue the growth of our women’s programme.
“We have a lot of work to do and I’m really looking forward to him starting. Ben really bought into the long-term aims and objectives of the club as we continue to improve every day.
“We would like to thank our partners at Loughborough University for their ongoing support. Ben will prove a fantastic coach across both WBBL and Loughborough programmes.”
Ian Knott, Head of Sports Development at Loughborough Sport added: “We are thrilled to welcome Ben into the Loughborough Sport family.
“We are very proud of the achievements of the basketball programme and its longstanding partnership with Leicester Riders. We are very excited for the season ahead with much to do.”
Stanley has been signed to a three-year deal, committing to the team for multiple seasons.
The Leicester Riders are delighted to announce the signing of Braelen Bridges to their 2022/23 roster.
The 6’10″ forward will play in his rookie season, following his time competing in the NCAA division one.
He first suited up for Northwest Florida State College, then played his next two college seasons at the University of Illinois at Chicago. As a senior, he transferred to his hometown University of Georgia.
Bridges averaged 12.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in his senior year. He was the only Bulldog to start all 32 games and was Georgia’s most efficient scorer during his time there, shooting 56.1% from the field.
Braelen Bridges was just named SEC Player of the Week. The senior is a force in the paint.
He stayed for a fifth year of college to complete his master’s, averaging 8.7 points and 4.9 rebounds, before graduating and signing in Leicester.
Bridges is Coach Rob Paternostro’s third summer recruit after the re-signing of point guard Kimbal Mackenzie and the addition of 6’8” forward Sam Idowu.
“I’m excited about Braelen,” commented Riders head coach Rob Paternostro.
“He played in one of America’s best college basketball conferences and was an impact player with Georgia.”
“He’s got great size and touch around the basket, and what excited me was that he’s just scratching the surface. He has more to his game, and his versatility will shine in the professional game.”
“It is an honour to sign with the Leicester Riders,” added Bridges after signing his first professional contract.
“I’m grateful to get the opportunity to continue to play the game I love at a high level.”
He also led Loughborough University women to the BUCS championship.
“It’s been a great year at Riders, and really nice to return to where I started,” said Patel. “I’d like to thank all the staff and players for everything this year!”
“To have a historic season is a credit to them and something I will never forget. Unfortunately, it’s time to move on, but I wish the programme all the best moving forward.”
The club wishes Krumesh well in his future endeavours.
Firstly, I’d like to thank everybody for your continued support. The offseason is an exciting time for us, but we can’t wait to see you back in the stands for our first game!
Looking back, we’re 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. That’s satisfying as a coach.
We just couldn’t get over the hump against London. We had opportunities, but we just weren’t 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. We’re looking at prospective players and putting the pieces together.
We anticipate having to sign a lot of players so we’re trying to see who is the right fit. It’s a change from last season where almost everyone came back. This year is going to be totally different.
It’s a huge task going into the offseason after we’ve 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, he’s 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. He’s going to help immensely with the transition with new guys.
And speaking of new players, we’re 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 he’s not just a traditional big. His versatility will be really beneficial.
He’s a good rebounder and he’s always been a high-field goal percentage scorer, so we have an efficient player with energy and versatility. I’m 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 there’s plenty of games in the BBL, so there are lots of opportunities to compete, and we’re 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!
We are excited to announce new members of our commercial team!
Tracey Hallam- Head of Commercial
We are delighted to welcome Tracey Hallam as the new Head of Commercial. In her role, Tracey will be supporting the three companies, Leicester Riders, Leicester Riders Foundation and Morningside Arena.
Tracey has a wide breadth of commercial experience and is a big Riders fan, having joined from one of Riders’ sponsors, 360Autoleasing. Tracey will provide leadership on sponsorship, marketing, ticketing, corporate communications and sales.
Alejandro Medina- Marketing Executive
Alejandro Medina has also just joined us from the Business School at the University of Leicester, where he was President of the University Basketball Club and a marketing major.
Alex has been liaising with us on a range of interests over the last 3 years while he was an undergraduate and will focus on all aspects of marketing.
Charlie Walker- Corporate Communications Executive
Charlie Walker has joined from the University of Derby, where he received a Sports Journalism degree. Charlie has been working with the club over the last three years and has been a regular contributor to the website, social channels and publications.
Rahul Khanna- Data and Systems Analyst
Rahul Khanna is another new recruit from the University of Leicester, where he was a Mathematics major. He is joining as a data and systems analyst, helping our businesses to really understand all our customers, and our partners, and their engagement with us.
“We are delighted to welcome the new members of our commercial team,” said Riders chairman Kevin Routledge.
“We believe there are great opportunities for us to support Leicestershire businesses, and Tracey will provide the right leadership.”
To learn about the opportunities available, contact [email protected].
International watch: Riders suit up for GB Under-20s
There was Riders’ representation on the international stage this week in preparation for the FIBA European Youth Championships in July.
Victor Ndoukou and Lane Campbell were joined by Charnwood product Ceejay Hanson to represent Great Britain Under-20s, taking on last year’s fourth-placed finishers, Finland, in Helsinki over two games.
🇬🇧🇫🇮 Proud of our three Riders who represented the @gbbasketball U20s out in Helsinki!
“It was a great environment in Finland,” said Riders women’s head coach Krumesh Patel, who was appointed head coach of GB U20’s in March.
“They are a competitive team that got a lot right! The Riders guys did really well over the two games, and we hope that’s something they can use to build towards the Euros!”
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?
Darien’s 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.
“Rob is a reason why a lot of us wanted to stay. He’s been through it, in terms of playing around Europe, so he knows what it’s like in other places.
“He 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 you’ll always do what he asks.”
“I respect that about him a lot because it’s a really hard line to walk.”
But as well as choosing coach Rob, Darien chose Leicester.
“Of 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.”
“In Leicester, I knew my life outside of basketball was going to be quality, and I’m a huge believer that peace of mind will translate to performance on the court.”
How do you reflect on the season played without fans in the arena?
“Any basketball player would tell you it’s weird without fans. They are where we draw our energy from. They’re the backbone and the lifeblood of why you play basketball- for the fans. To not have them there was very strange.”
“On 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.”
“It came down to who was prepared better, who was in better shape, who was running better plays and who was executing better. While we didn’t win any of the tournament competitions, we won the one that. to me, matters most in the league.
“We proved we were the most consistent team in a pure setting, which was pretty awesome looking back on it.”
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.
“Winning 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.”
“When 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.”
“Having 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.”
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!
“He’s a special player. And the main thing for our relationship was that we were both very vocal and very trusting of one another.
“If something went a little differently to the way we saw it, maybe he’d lead me a little too far with a pass, or he’d want me to reset a screen, and I’d roll instead, we would get together and talk it out.”
“We had a very open dialogue which helped us. But he’s so talented I think he could have done it with any big man”, said Darien modestly.
“We both had the desire to win, and his competitiveness gave me the desire to play my heart out, knowing he’s going to do the same.”
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.
“I 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 weren’t helping as much as they used to.”
“I’d finished my masters, and I’m getting married. It just seemed like my life was pointing me in a different direction.”
🎓👏 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?
“I 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.”
“I can honestly say I got so much out of basketball, and it was worth every second I put into it.”
“I’m taking a break from the game for now and taking some well-earned rest, but I’ll be back one way or another and cheering the Riders on from wherever I may be!”
Riders’ new man Samuel Idowu is a three-year professional, with experience playing in the NCAA D1 and across Europe.
The 6’8″ big man brings size and physicality on both ends to the Riders’ frontcourt, capable of going off for big games on any given night.
We take a look at some of the biggest performances in his college and professional career.
December 12, 2020 vs Svenborg Rabbits: Dominating the paint for the win
In a midseason game against Svendborg, Danish outfit FOG Naestved needed every point of Idowu’s monster performance in the paint to see out a hard-fought victory.
In only 25 minutes he put up 24 points and 13 rebounds, shooting a dominant 72% from the field. Naestved entered the game big underdogs, but Iwodu led the team to an upset 86-83 road win.
The big man put in a two-way scoring effort, adding two steals and a block to the box score.
It was one of nine games Iwodu led his side in scoring on the year and his second-biggest scoring tally of the season.
February 19, 2021 vs Randers Cimbria: Idowu catches fire from deep
His highest-scoring performance in his season with Naestved came just a few months later. Idowu went off for 25 points and nine rebounds in 27 minutes, beating Cimbria 83-78.
In yet another efficient showing, Iwodu shot 76.9% from the field, showing his range to go 4-5 from three. His performance led Naestved to a statement win against the eventual league winners.
On defence, the New York native recorded yet another block and a steal, making his presence known on both ends.
During the season, Idowu led the team to a 16-4 record, just a win behind the top spot in the regular season standings. Performances like this went a long way to establishing themselves as a contender.
November 2, 2019 vs Den Helder Suns: Career-high scoring night
Just months into his post-college career, Idowu announced himself on the professional stage with a career-high 30-point performance against Den Helder. He went off for 30 points and 11 rebounds for Dutch side Aris Leeuwarden in just his eighth game as a pro.
The game resulted in a 74-63 loss, but Idowu’s game-leading effort showed his ability to put the scoring load on his back and dominate. He hit the ground running with Leeuwarden, leading the team’s scoring in seven of their first eight games.
Idowu got his points in only 33 minutes, shooting 12-20 from the field. He would go on to be his team’s second-leading scorer in his rookie year, averaging 16.1 points and 7.5 rebounds.
January 31 2019 vs Rider University: Idowu writes his name in college history
Idowu was a defensive force in college, and the record books show as much. He became just the fourth player in St Peter’s history to surpass 100 career blocks. And he did it in style.
Playing against the Rider Broncs, Idowu swatted a monster six shots to get over the century mark. The game remains his career high in blocks for the rim-protecting savant, establishing himself as a top defensive prospect.
With a career-high 6 blocks last night, Sam Idowu surpassed 100 career blocked shots! He moves into 4th all-time at Saint Peter's with 101!#StrutYourPridepic.twitter.com/DrG8qeZf7Q
— Saint Peter's Men's Basketball (@PeacocksMBB) February 1, 2019
Idowu averaged 1.8 blocks per game as a senior with the Peacocks, leading the team with 59 on the season.
December 4, 2019 vs Leiden: Career high on the glass
Idowu grabbed his career-high in rebounds as a rookie for Leeuwarden. He went off for 18 points and 14 rebounds, outmuscling Leiden for a huge 10 offensive boards.
The second-possesions Idowu earned his side kept them in the game, but they ultimately fell 73-62.
Idowu averaged a block per game that season, by far the most on the Leeuwarden roster. His shot-blocking has become a staple of his game. The towering forward has averaged at least a block a game for the last six seasons.
The former GB u20 will look to bring his interior defence to the Riders roster this season.
Riders win big on the road and qualify for the WBBL Cup semifinals
Leicester Riders Women are now 3-0 in the WBBL Cup after a huge fourth quarter push against the Newcastle Eagles.
Both teams went back and fourth with Newcastle taking a two point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Newcastle’s, Alison Gorrell, made sure the game was competitive with her 19 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. However, a layup by Anna Lappenkuper started the Riders 36-9 run to secure the win and reach the WBBL Cup semifinals.
Kate Oliver was unstoppable in the matchup and led the scoring with 29 points on a notable 73% field goal percentage, alongside four 3-pointers. Holly Winterburn also had a dominant near triple-double with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists.
Head Coach Jesper Sundberg commented: “we are very happy about the win and finishing at the top of the group. Newcastle created lots of problems for us on defence. Offensively we made it a high possession game and we had more energy left going into the final quarter.”
Scorers:
Eagles: Gorrell 19, Mcvicar 16, Smith 14, Koop 12, Taylor 4, Bland 2, Oates 2, Chuckwu-Etu 2
Riders: Oliver 29, Holly 18, Hinriksdottir 16, Robb 15, Lappenkuper 10, Gaskin 6, Clark 2.
Riders take on the Cardiff Met Archers next in the WBBL Cup semifinals on the 5th December.
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 Minister’s 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,
“We 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.”
“The 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.”
“We have been advised that the changes have made means the venue is one of the best prepared in the county.”
“So to get this news is devastating, particularly to the people involved in all these works.”
“It 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.”
“We have been advised the Government will consider requests for support, but the challenge will be for Clubs to survive, while negotiations go on.”
“Because 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.”
“Obviously 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.”
“We 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.”
“We don’t 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.”
“Ultimately we are in the hands of Government.”
The BBL’s Chief Operating Officer Andy Web said,
“Following 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.”
“The 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.”
“With 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.”
“We recognise that the Government are taking these measures in the interests of the nation’s health and we fully support them in that.”
“However, 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.”
“The viability of our league, the only professional men’s basketball league in the UK, is predicated on ticket and sponsorship income, as thousands of fans and local businesses show their support each week.”
“Without 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.”
“In the meantime, the BBL is reassessing its options with regards to the new season and will be making further announcements shortly.”
Kyron Cartwright joined the Riders following playing his rookie professional season in Hungary with Alba Fehervar competing both domestically in the Hungarian first division and the FIBA Europe Cup.
Cartwright is a true Point Guard who’s ability to lead the team and distribute the ball was a key part of the Riders offence this season. Kyron’s elite court vision saw him finish second in the BBL Championship in assists with 8.80 per game, first across all competitions in assists with 8.72 per game and included season highs of 30 points and 19 assists.
Coach Paternostro was pleased with Kyron’s performance this past season and noted he had a unique ability to impact games without scoring. “Kyron speed and quickness was something the defence had to prepare for, his ability to see the floor was incredible, his passing was tremendous, he could dominate the game without even taking a shot. We loved what Kyron brought to our team this season”.
Cartwright was also pleased with the season however, admits it was frustrating the season has been postponed as the team was finding their form. “I thought personally and as a team we had a pretty good season, being a second year professional now I definitely felt more comfortable out there on the floor leading the team. As a team I feel like we were starting to play some of our best basketball right when we needed to so it’s a real shame that all our remaining fixtures have been postponed as who knows what we could’ve gone on to do.”
Key Performances
October 26th 2019 v Manchester Giants – BBL Cup
Stat line: 14 points (5/10 FG), 3 rebounds, 12 assists
The Leicester Riders and Manchester Giants did battle in the group stages of the BBL Cup as Kyron Cartwright posted his first double double in a Riders Jersey. Kyron got the Riders off the mark with a tough layup a minute into the contest followed by a trademark midrange jumper off the dribble as the Riders jumped out to an early 6 point led at the end of the first quarter. The Riders continued to assert themselves in the second quarter giving them a 20-44 half time lead with Cartwright running the show contributing 7 points and 7 assists. It was more of the same from the Riders and Cartwright in the second half as they continued to cause the Giants problems, Cartwright handed out another 5 assists and scored 7 points with a variety of crafty finishes around the basket as the Riders took the 57-96 victory to moved to 3-0 on the season.
December 6th 2019 v Plymouth Raiders – BBL Championship
Stat line: 11 points (3/7 FG), 8 rebounds, 19 assists
The Leicester Riders took on the Plymouth Raiders at the Morningside Arena as they opened up their 2019/20 BBL Championship campaign. It was yet another jaw dropping passing display from Kyron Cartwright who handed out a season high 19 assists. Cartwright set the tone early pushing the pace with two sweet dimes on the break before finding Andy Thomson for three to push the Riders out to an early 2 point lead and the end of the first quarter. The Riders came out hot in the second quarter scoring 4 threes in the period with Cartwright running the show dishing out a further five dimes including two flashy no look passes to Darien Nelson-Henry for easy finishes inside. The Raiders fought back in the third quarter winning the period 24-18 to close the gap to just 6 heading into the final period. Cartwright ignited the Riders run at the start of the fourth scoring a jump hook over Raiders guard Josh Wilcher before once again connecting with Nelson-Henry inside for two. Kyron saw the Riders over the line in the closing minutes finding Josh Ward-Hibbert on the break for two followed by Jesse Chuku for a jumper as he totalled 19 assists on the game and the Riders took a 96-79 win.
January 17th v Worcester Wolves – BBL Championship
Kyron Cartwright posted a career high 30 points as the Leicester Riders defeated the Worcester Wolves avenging their BBL Cup Semi Final loss to the Wolves two weeks earlier. Kyron put on his most impressive scoring display of the season causing the Wolves problems all evening. Cartwright got going early pushing the pace and finding lanes to the basket with ease as the Riders jumped out to an early 31-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. Worcester closed the gap in the second quarter winning it by 6 despite still being unable to control Cartwright who found his way into the lane at will. The second half was far closer with the Wolves pulling it back to just an 8 point game heading into the final quarter however it was Cartwright that sealed the deal for the Riders scoring 8 points including three clutch free throws in the final minute to secure a 4 point victory for the Riders.
Leicester Riders Chairman Kevin Routledge has thanked all Riders fans, after an outpouring of support following the postponement of the BBL 2019/20 season.
The BBL announced last Tuesday a suspension of the current season indefinitely, because of the national measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
No date has been set for a possible resumption to the season, with the BBL awaiting updated Government advice.
“These are challenging times for the Riders, and the BBL, in common with other professional leagues and clubs.”
“Indeed the challenges are being faced across a lot of sectors of industry in these unprecedented times, and so we have to be understanding, and keep a perspective.”
“In addition, we are rightly proud of the work in the community of our Foundation, but now their activities will be significantly curtailed, particularly due to the schools closure.”
“We are also extremely proud that we were the first club in the BBL to build their own venue, the Morningside Arena, and that too had to be closed to the public as of last Friday evening, with the most recent announcement by the Prime Minister.”
“The public generally may not be aware, but the Morningside Arena is owned by our charity, the Leicester Riders Foundation, and inevitably, as the largest indoor venue in the city, it has significant overheads.”
“If any of our supporters, or the public, wished to provide further support, donations to our Foundation will greatly assist us continuing with a reduced service.”
“The total loss of revenues to those three organisations, as a result of the suspension and closures, could reach £1 million, depending upon how long the closures continue.”
“This means it will take some time for us to recover.”
“We are exploring every opportunity to continue to make some use of the arena, in line with Government advice and guidelines, during these challenging times.”
“But we have been overwhelmed with messages of support from our players, fans, sponsors, funders and suppliers.”
“We are particularly thankful that we have not yet had a single request for a ticket refund for the advanced sales for the remaining Riders home games, which is hugely helpful to sustaining our businesses through these difficult times, while we find out if the season can resume.”
“In addition, all our sponsors have remained very supportive and are offering their help and expertise.”
“Also, all the players and staff of the Riders, and the staff of our Foundation and Arena, have stepped up and voluntarily agreed short term reductions in wages to help get us through these unprecedented conditions.”
“And we have been delighted with the support from our main suppliers, who have shown great flexibility in terms of payment, notwithstanding some having their own difficulties.”
“We have also had support and advice from the Council, which has been very helpful, particularly recognising that the demands on their leadership and staff are immense in these circumstances.”
“We particularly welcome the announcement by the Chancellor on Friday night, to support keeping people in work. That will be boost for all businesses like ours.”
“We are also aware that the BBL is having conversations with national government to see what support might be forthcoming because of the damage to our sport.”
“The Riders continue preparations so that we can restart to finish the current season, although understandably some of our overseas players like Kyron Cartwright, Corey Johnson and Namon Wright returned to the US, in light of pending or threatened travel bans by American authorities.”
“We will address the strength of our playing squad, once clarity is provided on what happens next.”
“The Riders will also accelerate our preparations for next season, and in that regard we will launch our season tickets offer for the 2020/21 season later this week.”
“Any of our fans who can afford to buy theirs soon would make a huge difference to the short and medium term sustainability of the Leicester Riders.”
“I understand that many of our fans and their families are facing similar financial uncertainty, but even a small contribution could go a long way.”
“Meanwhile everyone at the Club, the Foundation and at the Arena remains resolute, and determined to stay safe, comply with Government guidelines, and get back, in due course, to normal business.”
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 Del’vin 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!
Three Things to look out for this weekend v Giants
The Leicester Riders take on the Manchester Giants this Friday at the Morningside Arena as they look to bounce back from last Weekend’s defeat in Bristol. Here’s three things to look out for ahead of Friday’s game.
Riders aim to move 3-0 on the season against the Giants
In their two meetings so far this season the Riders have had great success against the Manchester Giants overcoming the Giants on both occasions. The Riders have stamped their authority on the defensive end against the Giants in both their previous meetings holding the Giants to 57 points in the first meeting and just 70 points in the second meeting. Although the Giants are yet to win a game in the BBL Championship they have pushed the Raiders, Sharks and Phoenix close in their last 3 games. The Riders will once again need to be locked in on the defensive end of the floor if they are to defeat the Giants on Friday as the Giants have averaged a much improved 86 points per game across those three games.
Improved execution down the stretch
In their defeat to Bristol last weekend the Riders struggled to get their offence going down the stretch, Coach Paternostro mentioned that he was happy with the shots they were getting however they could not get them to drop. Coach Rob mentioned that it is important he sees a reaction from his team this weekend who in previous weeks showed great execution on their way to a 6 game winning streak.
Riders look to get back to winning ways
The Riders were the most impressive team in the league over the month of February winning all four of their games in impressive fashion however, in their last two games the Riders have stumbled falling to the Lions and Flyers. Typically, Coach Rob has his men playing their best basketball right when it matters at the end of the season, and Friday’s game v Manchester provides the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways. The Riders face a busy April with 6 games as the BBL Championship comes to a close with everything to still play for the Riders.
Tickets are still available for Friday’s game, CLICK HERE to purchase yours!
Rob’s Reflections on a tough visit to Bristol and an opportunity to bounce back this Weekend
Leicester Riders Head Coach Rob Paternostro was left frustrated after Riders let another game get away, as Bristol Flyers came from behind to beat Riders for the second time this season 73-69 on Friday night.
Riders had a first half lead of 13 points, and were still up 9 points at halftime, and were 6 points to the good entering the final quarter, but failed to execute down the stretch.
Josh Ward-Hibbert led the way for Riders with 13 points and 7 rebounds and Darien Nelson Henry added 12 points and 7 rebounds.
“We let another game get away from us and it really should not have happened.”
“We controlled most of the game, but struggled to execute when it mattered.”
“This has happened a couple of times too often this season, and we must address it as a team.”
“It was not a matter of their defence, because we got the openings we wanted, and very few of our misses were poor shots which is a positive on the offensive end.”
“We still have a lot of work to do, to get this team to its potential and I will be looking for a reaction this week.”
“Fortunately everyone is dropping games at the minute as the league is so competitive, so we have the chance to recover.”
“The guys now have the perfect opportunity to bounce back this Friday.”
Riders now look to get back to winning ways in the BBL Championship when they take on Manchester Giants this Friday night in an 8pm Tip at the Morningside Arena. Riders have already beaten the Giants twice in the BBL Cup, 96-57 in Manchester, and 102-70 at home. CLICK HERE to purchase 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
6’11 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.
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