With a return to BBL Championship action, this week’s All-Star 5 combined for a sensational shooting display by going 46-60 (77%) in their respective games, led by a professional career-best performance from British guard Jelani Watson-Gayle and including a pair of players from each of the Bristol Flyers and Caledonia Gladiators.
Jelani Watson-Gayle – Bristol Flyers
Second-placed Flyers made it four straight BBL Championship wins with a game-changing performance from British rookie guard Jelani Watson-Gayle, beating Newcastle Eagles at home on Sunday and leading to his second All-Star 5 appearance of the season. He finished with 30 points in just 29 minutes, shooting 10-14 (71%) from the floor and 6-8 (75%) from the three-point line, with eight rebounds and five assists. Trailing to start the second, Watson-Gayle nailed four threes and 14 points overall in a little over three incredible minutes as part of a 17-0 surge, and Bristol were never behind again.
William Lee – Manchester Giants
Manchester made it three wins in four league games with a second over Newcastle in that run at a sold out Vertu Motors Arena on Friday, with Molten Player of the Month for September/October, William Lee, returning to the All-Star 5 for the first time since week three, but a fourth time overall, following an injury lay-off. The American former BBL Championship winning forward scored 27 points on 11-13 (84%) shooting and grabbed eight rebounds, including ten points – hitting a triple and an ‘and-one’ play – in six minutes after the half time break as Giants took a double-figure lead.
David Sloan – Caledonia Gladiators
American guard David Sloan makes his third showing in the weekly team as Gladiators got a first league win in four games to improve to 9-9, winning all four quarters at the Emirates Arena against Plymouth City Patriots, just one place below them in the table. He finished with 29 points on 9-12 (75%) shooting and was hard to handle all night as he also went 10-13 (76%) from the three-point line, with five rebounds, five assists and three steals, including two steals and a three-pointer in the opening 7-0 run, among 13 first quarter points, as the hosts led from tip to buzzer.
Patrick Tape – Caledonia Gladiators
The other telling factor in that game for Caledonia was big man Patrick Tape, who is the only debutant in this week’s All-Star 5 after a league high scoring night for him. He finished with 20 points on 8-11 (72%) shooting and made contributions across the floor for his team with nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks, including four points, three rebounds and two assists as Gladiators established their first quarter lead, before scoring 10 in the fourth quarter to hold off any thoughts of a comeback from the visitors.
Mike Miller – Bristol Flyers
It was a double-header winning weekend for the Flyers as they beat B. Braun Sheffield Sharks live on Sky Sports on Friday night with point guard and captain Mike Miller leading the way to make his second All-Star 5 appearance, but first since the opening week of the season. He scored 16 points on 8-9 (88%) interior shooting, with seven rebounds, six assists and two steals, including eight points, five rebounds and four assists in the second half as Flyers overturned a double-digit deficit and were dominant after the break.
Off the bench: Hasahn French (Newcastle Eagles), Dirk Williams (Manchester Giants), Justin Gordon (Newcastle Eagles), Larry Austin Jr. (Cheshire Phoenix), Patrick Whelan (Leicester Riders), Aaron Best (London Lions), Sam Dekker (London Lions).
