The latest All-Star 5 is led by the BBL Cup Final MVP, Sam Dekker, and also includes his teammate Kosta Koufos – a pair who have nearly 1,000 NBA games between them – after London Lions beat Leicester Riders in Sunday’s sell-out final at Utilita Arena, Birmingham, live on Sky Sports.
Sam Dekker – London Lions
Former first round draft pick of the Houston Rockets, Sam Dekker, showed his class on the big stage with his MVP performance in the BBL Cup Final, leading to a fourth All-Star 5 appearance of the season, joint-second among all players. He finished with a game-high 22 points on 9-16 (56%) shooting, with nine rebounds and two steals, but it was the timing of his scores that proved decisive. Lions led throughout as he hit a trio of first half three-pointers, but a 10-0 start to the fourth saw Riders come storming back until Dekker made consecutive scores to halt their momentum, among eight points and three boards in the fourth quarter.
Tajh Green – Manchester Giants
Giants improved to 10-9 in the BBL Championship as they came from behind to record a home win over Surrey Scorchers on Friday night, leading to a second All-Star 5 showing for American forward Tajh Green, but a first since week three. He had 19 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, including six points in a fourth quarter that Giants won 25-13 to take a first lead since the opening exchanges, and a big block inside the final minute to prevent the visitors from getting back within a point.
Kosta Koufos – London Lions
Another star of the BBL Cup Final was eleven-year NBA veteran seven-footer Kosta Koufos as, like his teammate, he makes a fourth showing in the weekly team, and a third in the last six weeks. He posted the only double-double of the final with 14 points on 6-9 (66%) shooting, along with 12 rebounds and three assists. He was also big in the key moments with four points and four boards in the opening exchanges, and then the same again down the stretch in the final seven minutes of the game as Lions held off the late fightback.
Jelani Watson-Gayle – Bristol Flyers
British guard Jelani Watson-Gayle has been key to Bristol’s run of five straight league wins, with the latest being on the road at Caledonia Gladiators, as he makes his second All-Star 5 appearance in a row, and third overall this season. He posted 18 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals off the bench, including seven points and five dimes as Flyers poured in 31 second stanza points to take control of the game, also making consecutive scores in the fourth to keep the hosts at bay.
Thomas Bell – Bristol Flyers
Flyers remain second in the BBL Championship table after that win at Emirates Arena, with Thomas Bell another big performer as he makes his first All-Star 5 showing since week five, and second overall. He put up a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, also handing out three assists, with seven points in three and a half minutes during that crucial second quarter spell, controlling the glass late on with four fourth quarter boards.
Off the bench: Larry Austin Jr. (Cheshire Phoenix), Patrick Tape (Caledonia Gladiators), Ryan Martin (Surrey Scorchers), Shakem Johnson (Surrey Scorchers), Jamell Anderson (Cheshire Phoenix), Isa Brandon (Plymouth City Patriots), Rahmon Fletcher (Manchester Giants).
