Super League Basketball – Riders Basketball

Riders Media - 27th August 2024

Reebok teams up with Super League Basketball

Super League Basketball, the new elite basketball competition in the UK, has announced the iconic American sports brand Reebok, as the official kit supplier and basketball sneaker of the league with a multi-year partnership.

A dominant force on the court, Reebok’s legacy is rooted in innovative designs and iconic
endorsements by some of the game’s greatest players. The brand has made strides in its re-entry to the sport and appointing basketball legends Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson as President and Vice President of Basketball, respectively.

Partnering with the Super League Basketball reinforces Reebok’s rightful place in the sport.

“We are thrilled to partner with the newly established Super League Basketball,” said Todd Krinsky, CEO of Reebok. “This collaboration represents a perfect synergy between Reebok’s storied basketball heritage and the vibrant future of the elite league in the UK. We are excited to bring our innovative designs and high-performance gear to the court, and we can’t wait to see the players and fans embrace the new kits this season.”

Starting in September with the 2024/25 season, all the Super League Basketball teams will be equipped with elite Reebok-designed playing kits, training kits, travel attire and basketball sneakers. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase replica kits for the 2024/25 season, with the unveiling of the new kits scheduled for early September.

Paul Blake, owner of Newcastle Eagles commented: “Speaking on behalf of all the basketball clubs competing in our newly launched Super League, I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure this partnership with Reebok. It’s been a challenging few months for our sport, but to attract a brand of Reebok’s status, heritage and association as we launch our new league is fantastic.”

“It is perfect timing for this partnership as Reebok relaunches its performance basketball division and we embark on new future as Super League Basketball. Seeing stars like Shaq and Allen Iverson involved in a project that touches our League is incredibly exciting and with them on-board, we look forward to achieving great things both on and off the court.”

Nick Woodhouse, President and CBO, Authentic Brands Group, owner of the Reebok brand said: “We are delighted to witness Reebok’s renaissance in the basketball arena through this collaboration with the Super League Basketball. This partnership blends Reebok’s legacy with the energy of the league’s future, creating a fusion of style and performance that will echo through the courts.”

John Carden, CEO of Sports Hub Group, UK distributor for Reebok said: “Being able to bring two amazing brands together in Reebok and the League is a real personal achievement, and I can’t wait to see this pairing brought to life when the kit is launched next month.”

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Riders Media - 23rd August 2024

Super League Basketball announces four competition formats for debut season

Ahead of a hotly anticipated debut campaign, Super League Basketball announced the four competitions that will make up the inaugural season, which is set to tip off on Friday September 27.

The SLB have introduced four formats for the 2024/25 season which pay homage to the storied history of top-flight British basketball, with Championship, Cup, Playoff and Trophy competitions set to keeps fans on the edges of their seats throughout the year.

Getting underway in late September, the Trophy tournament takes centre-stage from the tip-off as five weeks of group stage action will see SLB fans to the start of November, when the Championship campaign commences.

Utilita Arena Birmingham will host the first major Final in SLB history on January 26, 2025, as the Trophy title will be up for grabs, representing the first in a trio of showpiece events taking place before the end of the season.

Continuing the history of one of British basketball’s most storied competitions, the SLB have established a Cup competition which will take place over six weeks from February ahead of a Final in March at a venue to be confirmed, before the road to the Playoffs resumes with the Championship action concluding on April 27.

The top eight teams in the SLB will qualify for the post-season, battling in two-legged quarter- and semi-finals for a place in London on May 18 in the Playoff Final to compete for the biggest prize in British basketball. Venue information for the Cup and Playoff Finals will be announced in the coming weeks.

Speaking following confirmation of the competition formats, SLB Interim Chair Vaughn Millette said:

“We’re delighted to be launching our inaugural season with four fantastic competitions for our fans to look forward to. British basketball has a rich history and we’re pleased to pay tribute to that heritage with these competitions, setting the stage for a spectacular SLB season.

“The excitement for the return of elite level British basketball is evident and we’re delighted to be able to give the fans what they want from September 27, with a full fixture list for all of our competitions to be released in the coming days.”

Leicester Riders prepare for Super League Basketball against USA Select on September 6.

Get tickets here!

Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are also on sale now.

Get yours here!

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Riders Media - 21st August 2024

Leicester Riders sign J’Raan Brooks

Leicester Riders basketball club are excited to welcome J’Raan Brooks to their 2024-25 roster.

The 6’9” American signs from UC San Diego Tritons, where he played his final two collegiate seasons.

Brooks averaged 5.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in his final year with the Tritons. He was named to the Winter Big West All-Academic Team, named Academic All-District by College Sports Communicators for his work in the classroom and on the court and earned NABC Honors Court academic recognition.

Prior to joining the University California San Diego, Brooks played his freshman year at USC, before transferring to the University of Washington. A 2018 graduate of Garfield High School in Seattle, Brooks led Bulldogs to a state championship in his senior year.

Brooks is a versatile offensive threat, able to step outside and shoot from distance (hitting on 38% of his looks in his final collegiate season), pass and score out of the post and finish at the rim.

He is the 11th member of the Riders’ 2024-25 roster, and the sixth American, ahead of the Super League Basketball season.

Brooks said: “I’m beyond excited for the opportunity from the Riders and Coach Rob for allowing me to be able to achieve my dream goal of playing ball at the pro level.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about the Club and city, can’t wait to get out to Leicester to meet the team and staff, and as well as play in front of the Riders fans. I’m ready to get to work!”

Head Coach Rob Paternostro added: “J’Raan is a versatile big who can play either the 4 or the 5. He has a skill set that will add something different to the frontcourt players we have on our roster

“He is versatile defensively: he is a player who can guard multiple positions and who plays with a high IQ. We’re looking forward to having him on our team this season.”

Your first chance to see J’Raan in action is September 6, as Leicester Riders get their pre-season underway against USA Select.

Get tickets here!

Leicester Riders schedule changes due to Trophy semi-final

Zach Jackson named to the Team of the Week!

Report: Riders secure undefeated group stage record against Lions

Preview: Riders vs London Lions

Riders Media - 19th August 2024

Franchises confirmed for Super League Basketball’s debut season

Super League Basketball (SLB) is pleased to confirm the line-up for its inaugural campaign:

Bristol Flyers
Leicester Riders
Newcastle Eagles
Cheshire Phoenix
London Lions
Sheffield Sharks
Caledonia Gladiators
Manchester
Surrey 89ers

Nine teams from England and Scotland will take to the court on the opening weekend of SLB
action at the end of September, with further franchises expected to join this exciting cohort
for the 2025/26 campaign.

Speaking on behalf of SLB, Interim Chairman Vaughn Millette said: “We are pleased to be able
to welcome new ownership into the league with Sherwood Family Investment Office securing
the Manchester franchise; and Lithuanian tech-group Tesonet, shareholder of leading
EuroLeague organisation Žalgiris Kaunas, successfully completing the purchase of London
Lions.

“Our focus is to strategically grow this league with sustainable and secure partners. The
consortium of clubs has been impressed by the international attention we have attracted
since being awarded the men’s professional licence by our governing body, the British
Basketball Federation.

“The process for securing franchises for this inaugural season is now complete. We are
delighted that there is further competition for franchises for the 2025/26 season, and we will
be announcing the formal franchise expansion process during the forthcoming season.

“All ownership groups have now signed up to SLB’s operating terms and we are delighted that
we’ve been able to secure the partners that we have thus far. Our clubs are looking forward
to getting the new season underway with fixtures and the competition formats to be released
in the coming days.

“Thank you to all the fans for their patience. We can’t wait to welcome you to Super League
Basketball.”

Former Great Britain captain, current all-time GB men’s record cap holder, and co-owner of
the Surrey 89ers Dan Clark added:

“It has been an extremely busy off-season and has taken a huge amount of work to get the
new league ready for September.

“There’s a great mix of continued long-term ownership and new investment into the league.
I’ve been hugely impressed by the commitment from all the club owners to work collegiately
and collaboratively alongside the British Basketball Federation to bring a sustainable and elite
offering to the court in the coming weeks.

“I personally can’t wait for top-flight basketball to resume. The level of passion and support
for our sport is higher than ever and it will be great to see British basketball fans cheering
their teams to success.”

Leicester Riders get their pre-season campaign underway on September 6 against USA Select.

To see the Riders 2024-25 roster in action for the first time, get tickets here!

Leicester Riders schedule changes due to Trophy semi-final

Zach Jackson named to the Team of the Week!

Report: Riders secure undefeated group stage record against Lions

Preview: Riders vs London Lions

Riders Media - 2nd August 2024

Super League Basketball launched in Great Britain

The consortium of clubs awarded the licence for men’s professional basketball in Great Britain has today revealed the official trading name as Super League Basketball.

Just two weeks ago the group of clubs were successfully awarded the playing licence by their governing body, the British Basketball Federation, allowing elite level men’s professional basketball to continue in Great Britain this September.

Chris Grant, Chair of the British Basketball Federation commented: “The arrival of Super League Basketball represents another significant step forward. Considerable credit must go to the clubs for their unified approach and clear focus on delivering the best possible league for fans, players and everyone with an interest in the future of top-level British basketball.”

Speaking on behalf of the clubs, Steve Timoney, owner of Caledonia Gladiators said: “There has been much speculation over what our new league name would be, and we have unanimously decided that a fresh approach is needed.

“We hope all our fans are looking forward to the clubs taking to the court in September as part of this new league and we are excited for our future together. It has been a turbulent time for the clubs and our supporters, and we thank all the fans for their continued support and enthusiasm.

“There is a lot still to do before the season starts, but we are looking forward to sharing news with our fanbase and followers as we count down to the opening weekend of Super League Basketball this September.”

Information on clubs, competition, fixtures and commercial partners will all be revealed in the next few weeks.

Leicester Riders schedule changes due to Trophy semi-final

Zach Jackson named to the Team of the Week!

Report: Riders secure undefeated group stage record against Lions

Preview: Riders vs London Lions