The new campaign is almost here, and we know you’re just as
excited as we are for the new season!
The summer has been epic for British Basketball, and with
the return of the BBL comes a new level of anticipation, as we’re set for
another epic campaign with a tonne of incredible talent taking to the court to
compete for glory.
Although a ball hasn’t been bounced in anger yet in BBL
Championship action this season, we love a good prediction as much as the next
person, so we tasked three British Basketball legends with making their
pre-season choices for who will finish where in the title race this season! Drew
Lasker, Mike Tuck and Kieron Achara MBE were all up for this mighty challenge …
so read on to find out who they chose.
Drew Lasker
First Place – London Lions
In year three as the undisputed preseason favourites, this year the Lions finally live up to the hype. It won’t be easy as they navigate the schedule equivalent to a Drake World Tour, but their overwhelming talent will get them over the finish line.
Second Place – Leicester Riders
It’s tough to bet against a team that’s won five out of the last six BBL Championship titles. Their rich culture and experienced roster sprinkled in with the seven-time Coach of the Year will keep this well-oiled machine pumping out victories this season, although life will be slightly different having had to prepare for the season with Europe to contend with as well.
Third Place – Manchester Giants
Vince didn’t come back to participate! He’s come to take advantage of any slippage that the European schedule of the Riders and Lions might face domestically by recruiting an experienced BBL Roster who all come with individual awards and silverware.
Fourth Place – B.Braun Sheffield Sharks
As my Co-host, Jay Marriott, on the BBL show calls them “the most consistent at being consistent.” How else do you explain a team finishing runner up after not recording a league victory for 42 days last season. They don’t have the talent of the top three, but their toughness and commitment to the defensive end will see them overcome the other six clubs.
Fifth Place – Cheshire Phoenix
Sixth Place – Plymouth City Patriots
Seventh Place – Newcastle Eagles
Eighth Place – Caledonia Gladiators
Ninth Place – Surrey Scorchers
Tenth Place – Bristol Flyers
Mike Tuck
First Place – Leicester Riders
Track records speak for themselves! Although many people
have been blinded by the shiny lights of London over the last couple of years, Riders
still manage to find a way by winning consistently. Last season’s Coach of the
Year, Rob Paternostro, maintains a well-oiled machine with a solid returning
core and some new pieces. Will they be able to fill the void that Geno Crandall
has left?
Second Place – London Lions
The big-budget team from the big city has yet to fully
live up to their hype, but if there was ever a season I was most confident it
would be this one. They have pieced together a star-studded roster that gives
them depth at every position. Newly appointed Head Coach Ryan Schmidt is coming
off an amazing summer after winning Canada’s summer league CEBL Championship
with the Hamilton Honey Badgers and taking home Coach of the Year honours. Will
the heavy schedule of EuroCup/BBL catch up with them or can they persevere?
Third Place – B.Braun Sheffield Sharks
Once a Shark, always a Shark! I will always be rooting
for my Sharks. The one word that always comes to mind with Sheffield is
consistency. Coach Lyons has done a great job of building a strong group this
season, bringing back six key experienced players from last season and adding four
newcomers that compliment well. Newly appointed Captain Rodney Glasgow Jr. will
be a great leader to take them into this new era.
Fourth Place – Manchester Giants
British Basketball legend Vince Macaulay is back! And it
just seems fitting that he has come to a historic club like the Giants. Vince
has masterminded the coming together of what looks like a team that has all the
pieces to be successful. With names like Rahmon Fletcher, Dirk Williams, Nick
Lewis and many more, these are players and a Coach that have been around the
BBL and know what it takes to win.
Fifth Place – Cheshire Phoenix
Sixth Place – Caledonia Gladiators
Seventh Place – Plymouth City Patriots
Eighth Place – Newcastle Eagles
Ninth Place – Bristol Flyers
Tenth Place – Surrey Scorchers
Kieron
Achara MBE
First Place – London Lions
I’m going to have to say the London Lions at the top.
They’re just so stacked with high-level talent at all positions, and they’re a
deep roster. This is Coach Schmidt’s team and he’s recruited for what he
believes he needs in a system he’s chosen in Europe and in the BBL, so I have
to put them at the top spot, I feel.
Second Place – Leicester Riders
A close second will be the Leicester Riders, for me. I
would have probably pushed them up to top spot if they had kept Geno Crandall
for another year, just because of that consistency they would have had. They’ve
brought in a great guard in CJ Jackson, to replace Geno, but right now I just want
to see how he gets on before pushing the Riders higher up. Coach Paternostro
does a great job of integrating the new players so I’m sure they’ll come together
quickly, but right now for me they’re number two. To be fair, I had them at
number two last year as well and they proved me wrong then, so who knows!
Third Place – Caledonia Gladiators
I’m going to go with the Caledonia Gladiators at
number three, just because I’m extremely biased! No, in all seriousness, I
think Gareth (Murray) has done a good job of recruiting this summer, and with
Ali Fraser coming back healthy and having shown what he can do with the team last
season before injury, if the Gladiators can build on that run to end the season,
then I think they can do well.
Fourth Place – B.Braun Sheffield Sharks
I’m going with the tried-and-tested Sheffield Sharks
at four. Coach Atiba (Lyons) always gets the best out of his team, especially on
the defensive end. With Rodney Glasgow Jr. coming back as well as captain, I
feel he’s a big piece for them – especially if he stays healthy throughout the
season – and can help them keep ticking over because he is such a big piece of
the puzzle and I see them finishing up at number four.
Fifth Place – Plymouth City Patriots
Sixth Place – Surrey Scorchers
Seventh Place – Manchester Giants
Eighth Place – Newcastle Eagles
Ninth Place – Cheshire Phoenix
Tenth Place – Bristol Flyers
—
What are your thoughts on this trio’s picks!? Let us know on socials who your favourites are to finish in which positions in the upcoming BBL Championship campaign, and don’t forget you can watch all of the action live on the BBL YouTube Channel, or get tickets to watch your favourite team in action here!
