Samuel Idowu – Riders Basketball

Riders Media - 25th January 2024

Trophy by Numbers: Breaking down the stats for the Riders Final Four clash

Leicester Riders are set to take on the Cheshire Phoenix in the British Basketball League Trophy Final Four on Saturday.

Here, we take a look at the numbers behind the matchup…

Locking off the paint

The Riders have invested in the defensive side of the ball, making the paint their own over the Trophy campaign.

They lead the competition in blocks, sending away 6.3 shots per game, with four Riders averaging at least a block per outing. They’re led by Canadian forward TJ Lall, who has denied opponents on six different occasions through the four group games.

TJ says no! ❌

Riders up 20 🔥

📊LiveStats: https://t.co/zycbStmNJ0 pic.twitter.com/K8NXh3hwWH
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) January 5, 2024

Riders captain, Kimbal Mackenzie, said his CEBL teammate over the summer has been an integral factor in the defensive effort:

“TJ is a high-level, all-around threat. He can score the ball to a great standard, he is an underrated passer, and his defence, length and athleticism are special. I’ve gone against him many times in practice, and he can be tough to shake.”

This rim protection will be vital against the Phoenix, who lead the Trophy in points in the paint with 47 per game.

Battle on the boards

No defensive possession is complete until the rebound is pulled down, and the Riders have been closing the possessions to a high standard in recent weeks. They pull down the second-most defensive boards in the Trophy with 30 per game, just 0.5 per game away from the highest-ranked London Lions.

The battle on the boards will be key in this matchup. Cheshire crashes the offensive glass to grab the second most offensive rebounds in the competition with 13.5 per game.

However, their leading offensive rebounder, Ethan Chargois, will be sidelined for the game after suffering a dislocated finger last time out against the Sheffield Sharks.

For the Riders, Lall, again, has been a beast on the boards, grabbing 4.8 defensive rebounds per outing. But it’s big man Samuel Idowu who has rebounded at the highest rate in total, with 7.5 per game, including 2.8 on the offensive glass.

Idowu, who has been recovering from a season-ending knee injury for the previous two seasons, is back to his bruising best. He feels back to 100% fitness and can play with full confidence and athleticism.

IDOWU 😤

Riders leading 43-36 halfway through the second! pic.twitter.com/xJactVkPCG
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) January 10, 2024

“My body has been feeling good,” said Idowu. “It’s finally feeling normal after recovering from an injury for two seasons. I’m not overthinking any decisions on the court and playing how I used to play.

“I feel 100% because I have confidence in my knee again. It doesn’t hold me back from doing what I want to be doing out there when jumping or running, as it did at the start of the season. I’m where I wanted to be when I started my rehab.”

Idowu has ranked second on the team in scoring during the Trophy group, scoring 13.8 points per game after his 17-point explosion against the Newcastle Eagles to help send the Riders to the Final Four.

Track meet in transition

A key to the Phoenix’s success this season has been their ability to get out and run. They lead all teams in points off turnovers (24.75 per game) and fastbreak points (23.5 per game) and take the ball from the other team at the highest rate (21.11 turnover %), leading to the breakaway buckets.

American guard Laquincy Rideau has been a key factor in this, leading the team in steals, and ranking third among all players in that statistical category.

The Riders will have to play clean basketball, which they have done throughout January, turning the ball over the second-least with 11.75 turnovers per game.

TEDDY THROWS IT UP, MIRYNE THROWS IT DOWN 😤 pic.twitter.com/VoAAoOYCgg
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) January 5, 2024

Head Coach Rob Paternostro emphasised the importance of winning in transition:

“We can’t allow easy baskets. We have to take away easy runouts and layups, offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities. We have to make it tough for them to get good looks.

“In these types of games, it’s important to limit offensive opportunities, and if you do that, you put yourself in a good position to win.

“They’re really good in the open floor- they’ve scored the most in transition of any team season. They’ve done a good job of getting second-chance opportunities. That’s going to be vital to stop.

“When we’ve been able to limit those against anyone, we’ve been successful this year.”

Want to see the Riders go for gold this weekend? You can join the Sea of Red and get behind the team!

Get tickets here!

Season series: Leicester Riders vs Sheffield Sharks

Riders speak to BBC Radio Leicester ahead of the playoffs

2024 British Basketball League Playoffs Explained

Ticket information: 2024 Playoffs home opener

Riders Media - 24th January 2024

Sam Idowu looks ahead to the British Basketball League Trophy Final Four

Few have stepped up like Samuel Idowu for the Riders on their British Basketball League Trophy run.

The big man has averaged 13.8 points per game to help the team to the Final Four, the second most on the team, and exploded for 12 points in the first quarter against the Newcastle Eagles to steady the nerves after an 0-7 start for Leicester.

Want to see Sam represent the Riders in the British Basketball League All-Star game?

Vote here!

Sam heating up 🔥 @Motivated_Sam

📺 Tune in: https://t.co/KOtpuwwAYE pic.twitter.com/lr8LMP0zbY
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) January 19, 2024

Idowu has battled back from injury for the last two seasons to get to where he is today, and he’s relishing the challenge.

“The Trophy is something to really compete for,” he said. “It ups the stakes, mentally and physically, and it’s something I’ve been taking seriously. We have a chance to win with the team that we’ve been building, so we’ve all been locked in.

“My body has been feeling good. It’s finally feeling normal after recovering from an injury for two seasons. I’m not overthinking any decisions on the court and playing how I used to play.

Leicester locked in

The Riders have upped their level for the Trophy and went 3-1 through the group phase. Their loss was to the League-leading London Lions, and their three wins came in dominant fashion.

“Our mindset was to win every group game. We didn’t play well in London- we didn’t shoot it well and turned the ball over too much- but for the other games, we handled business.

“I’m proud of the statement we made. We tried to jump out the gate early, and we did a good job of grabbing those wins to get through to the Final Four.”

IDOWU 😤

Riders leading 43-36 halfway through the second! pic.twitter.com/xJactVkPCG
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) January 10, 2024

In front of a raucous home crowd in a win-or-go-home environment, it was important to start quickly in Newcastle and keep the crowd out of the game. Former Eagle Duke Shelton said as much beforehand in his preview of the fixture:

“Everybody is going to be up for the game, and we know it’s going to be rowdy in there. The key is to set the tone early, throwing the first punch and take it from there.”- Duke Shelton before the Riders faced the Newcastle Eagles.

But the Riders failed to do so, and the Eagles game flew out the blocks and forced them to dig themselves out of a hole.

Leicester showed poise and composure, fought back and won in commanding fashion. Idowu thought it said a lot about the team’s strong mentality.

“Being down early against Newcastle showed growth for us. Coach called a timeout, and we knew it would be a game of runs- it always is against them. We just had to stay poised and play our game for the full 40 minutes.

“Just because we went down in the first two minutes didn’t mean we needed to panic. We weren’t down on ourselves. At that point, the confidence throughout the team was there to come back and compete.”

Defence wins championships

After a difficult start to the season, the Riders have hit their stride at the right time as they go for silverware. Idowu discussed the secret to Leicester’s recent success.

“We’ve cleaned up smaller mistakes that plagued us at the start of the season and paid attention to detail. We’re also able to adjust at halftime when we need to fix something. We take pride in our ability to do that going into the second half.

“We’re taking defence personally. That’s from practice to in the games. We’re prideful in our efforts to get stops, so we’re happy to see it translate to the games. If we stay competitive, we’ll get results.

TJ says no! ❌

Riders up 20 🔥

📊LiveStats: https://t.co/zycbStmNJ0 pic.twitter.com/K8NXh3hwWH
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) January 5, 2024

“Our rebounding especially has improved throughout the year, and we know how much that can control the game.”

Chemistry with new teammates

The Riders have seen an improvement in their performances since the addition of star guard Teddy Allen and Idowu’s frontcourt teammate Shelton, who have complimented Idowu’s game and seen him thrive.

“Teddy and I have a great connection on the court, especially in the pick and roll, which has led to a lot of dunks for me.

“He reads the floor really well and sees openings to get me the ball. He’s been great for us, and we’ve found a way to integrate him into our offence. The energy has definitely changed since he arrived.”

Shelton, in particular, is a player that Head Coach Rob Paternostro expects to benefit Idowu’s game.

“Sam’s athleticism on the defensive end has been important,” said Paternostro. “He’s a great teammate, and he’s a guy that plays with a passion out there.

“That can really lift the players around him. Now, playing with Duke, his versatility will be on display even more, because he’ll be able to step outside and hurt teams from inside and out.”

Idowu seconded his coach, adding how much they complement each other’s game and personalities.

“Duke is an immediate energy guy, and he has contributed in a big way. I don’t see anything negative about him being out there. He’s a great rebounder and really athletic.

DUKE!!! 😤

📺 Tune into the second half live on the @britishbasketm YouTube channel#BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/3BinsAhjO6
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) January 19, 2024

“I enjoy playing with him. We communicate really well together and match each other’s energy, and it comes naturally between us. I think that’s helped him adjust at the perfect time going into the Final Four.”

Ready for the big stage

Should the Riders progress on Saturday against the Cheshire Phoenix, it will be Idowu’s first major final as a professional.

As a rookie, playing in the Netherlands for LWD Basket, he made the final of a domestic competition, but it was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This makes the potential of a final all the more exciting.

“I’m looking forward to going to Birmingham. I’ve heard it’s a great city and a great atmosphere. I can’t wait.

“I’ve played in a couple of big arenas and in knockout games in the conference tournament at the end of college seasons. I’m looking forward to embracing an atmosphere like that again.”

Getting one back against Cheshire

But before then, the Riders have to beat a hot Cheshire team, who are one game behind second in the Championship standings and have beaten the Riders three times already this season.

Idowu laid out the keys to success.

“The key for us is to keep doing what we’ve been doing. When we’ve played them we’ve had a different roster and played a different style of basketball, so we’re looking forward to facing them again.

“I’m excited to see the intensity- ours is going to be through the roof knowing we’ve lost to them three times already. We definitely have a chip on our shoulders. We’ve been waiting for this, and we’re hungry for it. We’re not trying to lose them a fourth time when it matters most.”

The moment means everything to Idowu, who has fought to be out of the court in the first place. That’s not lost on him.

“I’ve been through so much in the past two years, so win or lose, I’m grateful for how far I’ve come. I thank god that I’m still able to play the game that I love professionally.

“For everything I’ve gone from recovering from injuries and watching from the sideline to potentially winning a trophy, which would be an incredible feeling.”

Want to see the Riders go for gold this weekend? You can join the Sea of Red and get behind the team!

Get tickets here!

Season series: Leicester Riders vs Sheffield Sharks

Riders speak to BBC Radio Leicester ahead of the playoffs

2024 British Basketball League Playoffs Explained

Ticket information: 2024 Playoffs home opener

Riders Media - 17th October 2023

“Sometimes, I don’t know how I’m still playing.”- Samuel Idowu on battling back from injury

After over a season on the sidelines, Samuel Idowu battled back from injury to take to the court for the Leicester Riders. The American/Brit has returned to the UK after months of dedication to his recovery.

“I surprised myself at what I could endure,” reflected Idowu. “I always knew I was a hard worker, but this was different. From September 2022 to August 2023, I was in rehab at 10 am every day, sometimes until 7 pm.

“It’s not easy, and it gave me a newfound respect for people who have gone through serious injuries that lead to multiple surgeries. I had to do it two years in a row, and it was a massive mental challenge.

“With everything I’ve gone through to get here, I sometimes don’t know how I’m still playing.”

After a dominant two-year stretch to start his professional career in Europe, averaging 16.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in the Netherlands as a rookie, Idowu suffered a ruptured patella in May 2021 and was sidelined for the first time.

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He returned the following season after going through knee surgery, and despite his continued elite play, all wasn’t right with Idowu’s body.

“Something had gone wrong with the first surgery, and while I was able to play, I was told the injury was going to happen again. After months of rehab to get back onto the court, I had to go through the whole process again.

“Luckily, the surgery went well the second time, and I took no chances with my recovery. I spent the whole year out to focus on it.”

For any athlete, sitting on the sidelines is a mental challenge. Despite his calm demeanour, this was no different for Idowu.

“It was new for me. Sitting out was really difficult. I’m a level-headed person and I don’t usually stress or get too anxious, but sitting for a whole year was really hard.

“It wasn’t too difficult at the beginning when I could barely walk. My whole focus was on being able to stand. But once I was out of my brace and I could walk or even run, I started thinking I could play, which was really dangerous.

“My body wasn’t there yet, but my mind was ready. I was shooting a little bit and feeling like I could play, which just made me want to do more.

“That was a seven-month period where it was a battle to keep myself off the court, knowing I wasn’t 100% ready to be back.”

After his second surgery, Idowu didn’t take the court until his first practice in Leicester. Many would be anxious to test their injury, hoping the hard work in rehab had paid off. But Idowu’s love of the game left no room for emotion, barring his itching excitement.

“I couldn’t wait to get back on the court. I wasn’t scared. There was so much emotion that goes into joining a new team, so to get back to it felt great. I missed it a lot, and it feels amazing to be able to trust my body.”

His impact was immediate for the Riders. In his first competitive outing, he was named Player of the Game after scoring 12 points in his debut.

Our Player of the game from the season opener, @Motivated_Sam 🔥#RiderUp pic.twitter.com/TlofIgmE3g
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) September 15, 2023

“I’m seeing the improvements in my game, and I’m starting to get back to the player I was before. Those small improvements meant a lot. I trained myself to think about that during rehab, so I’m appreciating the little gains I can make on the court.”

Idowu finds himself as a veteran on a young Riders team, tasked with helping to guide six rookies through their first season of professional basketball.

In his five years as a pro, he has been on winning teams and losing teams, and understands what it takes to be the former.

“I try to reiterate the fact that in order for us to win, everyone has to buy in. That was an issue with some teams I’ve been on in the past.

“That’s the main thing that excited me about this team. We get along off the court: the chemistry between us is incredible.

“Everyone has bought into winning. Every game, there’s a different Player of the Game. We don’t care as long as we win.

“Of course, guys want to individually play as well as they can, but it’s ultimately about the team goal. It’s about winning the game. I’m excited to be a part of that winning culture.”

Putting on the moves 🕺@Motivated_Sam pic.twitter.com/CgxH0dOkPq
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) October 13, 2023

Part of that buy-in comes from the Riders bench, whose play has earned the team the reputation for having one of the deepest rosters in the British Basketball League. Idowu is an integral part of that unit, which takes pride in the impact it can have later in the game.

“We want teams to look at us like we have two starting lineups. Even though we’re coming in off the bench, we still play to the standard of the starters, so there’s no break for the other team.

“That keeps everyone fresh. Coach Rob likes to play everybody, and that keeps our energy up throughout the game.”

As he continues to get back to his best, Idwou’s impact on the Riders roster has proved his dedication in rehab was well worth the wait. He’s proved an invaluable addition to the Riders since his arrival, and expect much more to come.

Want to see Sam in action?

Get tickets to our next home game!

Season series: Leicester Riders vs Sheffield Sharks

Riders speak to BBC Radio Leicester ahead of the playoffs

2024 British Basketball League Playoffs Explained

Ticket information: 2024 Playoffs home opener

Riders Media - 22nd July 2023

Watch: Samuel Idowu New York City Interview

We sat down with Riders’ summer singing Samuel Idowu, who spoke about his basketball journey so far, what he will bring to the team and more!

Watch below!

🎥🍿🗽 Exclusive NYC Interview with @Motivated_Sam #BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/IlZUX6aBCM
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) July 21, 2023

The former GB u20s star spent his three college years in NCAA division one with Saint Peter’s University. Iwodu starred for the Peacocks in helping them win the program’s first-ever national postseason tournament championship in 2017.

Idowu averaged 16.1 pts in his first professional season in Holland with Aris Leeuwarden. His second year he spent in Denmark with Team FOG Naestved, averaging 15.5 pts. He spent his third year with Yoast United, but was cut short due to injury.

Want to see Idowu in action?

Get tickets to our home preseason opener against USA Select!

Season series: Leicester Riders vs Sheffield Sharks

Riders speak to BBC Radio Leicester ahead of the playoffs

2024 British Basketball League Playoffs Explained

Ticket information: 2024 Playoffs home opener

Riders Media - 29th June 2023

An update from Head Coach Rob Paternostro

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.

🎥 Coach Rob speaks to @cjsportsblog after the Playoff Final #BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/3cR2v1D7qB
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) May 15, 2023

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.

Kimbal. #KingCity #BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/ncmh1Sj3Gk
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) May 14, 2023

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.