Four new faces join returning talent in All-League Team of the Year roster – British Basketball League

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

This year’s roster includes four new names to the All-League Team, and one returning star who last featured in the roster in the 2021/22 season, during his debut campaign in the British Basketball League. Read on to find out more about who made the cut.  

Matt Morgan – London Lions 

The only unanimous selection in this roster with 21 of a possible 21 votes, Matt Morgan has been a walking bucket since the first time he graced a British Basketball League court at the beginning of the season.  

Standing out on a star-studded London Lions roster is no mean feat, but the North Carolina native has been recognised as the go-to guy for the defending Champions all season long and led the League in scoring for much of the campaign. 

The dynamic guard’s rare combination of a rapid change of pace matched with elite scoring ability from every level make him a nightmare to guard and a constant headache for opposition coaches. His unanimous selection to this roster signifies the universal respect those in the League have for Morgan’s game.  

Aaryn Rai – Cheshire Phoenix 

Undoubtedly one of the biggest stories of this incredible British Basketball League season, Aaryn Rai is not far behind Morgan in the voting for this award with 20 of a possible 21 votes seeing Rai secure his second award nomination of the season following his All-British Team of the Year nod yesterday.  

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.  

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. 

Teddy Allen – Leicester Riders 

Teddy BUCKETS! A mid-season signing for the Leicester Riders, this man has certainly lived up to the moniker he earned in his MVP-calibre season overseas in the Canadian Elite Basketball League as he torched defences across the country with ease upon his arrival at the Mattioli Arena in December.  

Equalling and breaking several British Basketball League records in his five months on these shores, Allen’s shooting range is seemingly endless, and his name will be etched all over the plays of the season come the end of the campaign after a slew of jaw-dropping moments delivered throughout the campaign.  

Whilst we won’t be seeing Allen at the season-ending Playoff Finals, his impact on the League this season cannot be overstated as he was a true game-changer for the Riders more often than not when the occasion required.  

Patrick Whelan – Caledonia Gladiators 

In this roster for the second time in the last three seasons, 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.  

Tied with Teddy Allen in overall votes for this award with eight in total, 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.  

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A full voting record for the All-League Team of the Year can be found below. Each voter was asked to choose five players to feature in their All-League 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-League Team. Coaches and Captains were not permitted to select members of their own team for the awards.