Cheshire Phoenix star headlines All-British Team of the Year alongside four GB internationals – British Basketball League

The All-British Team of the Year features the League’s best Brits as voted by the League’s Head Coaches, Captains and select members of the media.  

This year’s roster includes four players who have represented Marc Steutel’s Great Britain National Team at senior level, and one rising star on the British scene that is yet to make his international debut. Three of the five players are new to the All-British Team, with two returning from last season’s roster.  

Aaryn Rai – Cheshire Phoenix 

Undoubtedly one of the biggest stories of this incredible British Basketball League season, Aaryn Rai headlines this roster with 19 of a possible 21 votes as the Cheshire Phoenix star’s outstanding debut campaign in the League received widespread recognition from voters.  

Helping to lead Cheshire to second in the Championship – their best finish of the Phoenix era – and an epic Trophy victory over the London Lions, Rai has been a huge contributor in every statistical category for his team as he leads Ben Thomas’ side in scoring and rebounds, ranking second in assists as well.  

He didn’t receive a call-up for Coach Steutel’s National Team roster in February but will surely be knocking on the door of the GB program in years to come as this 25-year-old goes from strength to strength in years to come.  

Patrick Whelan – Caledonia Gladiators 

In this roster for the third straight season, Warrington’s very own Patrick Whelan has gone from strength to strength this campaign – his first with Gareth Murray’s Caledonia Gladiators – and shown a new side to his game as one of the biggest playmakers in the PlaySport Arena to boot.  

Joint-second in the voting for this award with 17 selections out of 21, Whelan has been a consistent source of promise for a Gladiators roster that has gone through its fair share of adversity and change this year.  

Matching his usual output as a scorer – hovering around the 15-points-per-game mark with extremely efficient shooting percentages in every category – Whelan has put up a career-high 4.4 assists per outing this season, over 50% more than he has done in either of his previous two campaigns.  

Gabe Olaseni – London Lions 

British Basketball League fans have been waiting a long time for Gabe Olaseni to come home, as the Londoner has contested his entire professional career overseas, and the former National Team captain’s debut campaign in the League has not disappointed.  

A dominant force at the centre position, Olaseni’s averages of almost 12 points and six rebounds per contest don’t tell the full story as the 32-year-old has notched just 20 minutes per contest, compared to those who sit above him in the statistical rankings and have played far more minutes for their teams. 

He’s set the standard at the centre position in the League, showing why he has been such a force in elite European competition – including this year for London in their historic EuroCup run – and will surely have a big part to play if the Lions go on to retain their Playoff crown in the next 10 days. 

Kimbal Mackenzie – Leicester Riders 

The second ‘returner’ to this roster from last season, Kimbal Mackenzie has had a career year on a personal level for the Riders with averages of 13 points and five assists. He has shown considerable leadership to a Leicester roster that has gone through plenty of ups and downs throughout the campaign.  

With a new-look roster this season, Mackenzie’s experience as a three-year veteran of Rob Paternostro’s system and methods has doubtless helped rookies like Miryne Thomas and Jaren Holmes adjust to the professional game with such ease, as he helped guide this roster to within a whisker of the Trophy Final in January.  

Tarik Phillip – London Lions 

His second Team of the Year nod of the season, after his All-Defensive Team confirmation yesterday, Tarik Phillip knows how to make a comeback. After his debut campaign in the League last year was cut short by a season-ending injury, Phillip has left no doubt in fans’ minds this campaign as to how elite a floor general he is. 

With relentless intensity on both ends of the floor, Phillip’s name might not rank in the top 10 of any of the major categories, but this man’s game is about far more than just numbers – he’s a tone-setter and a leader for the Championship winners.  

To come back from the injury he sustained last season was a feat in itself, but to do so in the manner he has done this year speaks to the desire and determination of the man and he plays every night with those qualities on full display.  

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A full voting record for the All-British Team of the Year can be found below. Each voter was asked to choose five players to feature in their All-British Team with each selection receiving one point.  

The five players with the most selections after all votes had been collected were nominated to the All-British Team. Coaches and Captains were not permitted to select members of their own team for the awards.