American power forward Kareem Maddox (202-F/C-89) had a very impressive game in the last round for second-ranked Newcastle E., receiving a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 25. The 23-year old player had a double-double of 26 points and 20 rebounds, while his team beat Surrey Heat (#6, 14-9) 90-78. Newcastle E. maintains the 2nd position in British BBL. Newcastle E. has a very good season and are considered to have a run for the championship title. They improved their record to 19-2. Maddox turned to be Newcastle E.'s top player in his first season with the team. Former Princeton University star has very solid stats this year. Maddox is in league's top in rebounds (2nd best: 10.2rpg) and averages impressive 1.8bpg and 53.3% FGP.
The second best player in last round's games was 30-year old American Andrew Lasker (188-PG-82) of Plymouth R.. Lasker had a very good evening with a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds. It was enough for Plymouth R. to edge the lower-ranked Durham W. (#11, 8-18) 104-100. This victory allowed Plymouth R. to move up to 3rd position in the standings. His team's 16-8 record is not bad at all. Lasker is a newcomer at Plymouth R. and despite he is not a team leader yet, every game he becomes more reliable player. Hopefully performances like the last one will happen more often.
Third on the list of top players last round was American forward Andrew Keister (205-F-88, agency: Interperformances) of Durham W. (#11). Keister scored 22 points and grabbed fourteen rebounds (!!!). Despite Keister's great performance Durham W. lost 79-83 to the higher-ranked Worcester W. (#5, 15-9). But his team cannot count on just a single player as he also needs help of the other teammates. The chances of Durham W. not to end season at such low position in the league, however are less than slim as they have already lost 18 games, recording just eight victories. With bigger assistance of his teammates, Keister could try to bring Durham W.'s a little bit higher in the standings. Keister has individually a great season in United Kingdom. After 25 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in rebounds with 10.1rpg (3rd best).
Other top performing players last week: 4. Frank Holmes (206-F-84) of Surrey Heat - 20 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists 5. Adrien Sturt (209-C-86) of London Lions - 31 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists 6. Carlos Fernandez (197-F-87) of Worcester W. - 14 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists 7. Alif Bland (203-C-89) of Cheshire P. - 21 points and 12 rebounds 8. Ralph Bucci (193-G-75) of Durham W. - 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists 9. Devan Bailey (187-G-89) of Manchester G. - 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists 10. Pavol Losonsky (203-F-88) of Leicester R. - 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists
The Player of the week is chosen based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc. The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy. The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3* (REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4* (2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3* (2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3* (3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)
Leicester Riders continued with their team building for the 2013/14 season by re-signing 6 foot 8 inch forward Anthony Rowe (203-F-85, college: N.Georgia). The 27 years old Rowe was born in Plymouth and played for his home town club for 4 seasons, after graduating from US college North Georgia, before joining Riders early last season, after a season ending injury to centre John Fraley [read more]
Leicester Riders continued with their team building for the 2013/14 season by re-signing 6 foot 8 inch forward Anthony Rowe (203-F-85, college: N.Georgia). The 27 years old Rowe was born in Plymouth and played for his home town club for 4 seasons, after graduating from US college North Georgia, before joining Riders early last season, after a season ending injury to centre John Fraley.
Rowe knocked down nearly 12 points a game, and averaged nearly 7 rebounds and just over 1 assist per game, for the Jelson Homes DMU backed Riders, which helped Rowe pick up his first silverware in the BBL.
Rowe said, "I am absolutely ecstatic to come back with the Riders. I was really pleased with the way I was welcomed into the Riders team part way through the season, and Leicester has proved a great team, a great Club, and a great organization."
"Winning three trophies was well beyond my expectations, but well deserved, because this team put in a lot of hard work. I really always wanted to stay and defend those titles and keep that success coming to the city."
Rowe admitted coach Rob Paternostro was a factor in his decision, "Rob is a great coach, and good person, and was undoubtedly part of the reason I am here. He has total respect of his players, and I feel I have learned a lot and improved immensely throughout the season."
"And as a team, I think we can step up again. It is great we have already got a number of British players back. If you look at successful teams over a number of years in the BBL, keeping a solid group of good British players is a big factor, and I really like the way the Club is getting on and getting key players under contract early."
Riders Head Coach Rob Paternostro said, "Last season when Rowe arrived he fitted in really well, and proved his ability to adapt to what we were looking for quickly. Anthony can do a variety of things at both ends of the court, but most impressive is his hunger to win. He also brings a lot to the organization in terms of his outstanding work in the community."
"What I really like is, with Rowe's signing, we are building a core of young British talent in our team, when you add in Jamell Anderson and Connor Washington. These guys send a message to the younger players in our organization that if you buckle down, train hard, and listen and learn, there are openings in our team. And, of course, their signings give huge flexibility to our squad."
Leicester Riders took another step to rebuilding their championship winning team, by announcing the return of guard Jorge Calvo(190-G-87).
The 25 year old point guard, born in Ponferrada, Spain, was a huge hit with the Rider's fans last season, with his tenacious defence and in ability to run the offence, but also for his hugely engaging manner off the court. He was the first Spaniard to win a BBL Championship [read more]
Leicester Riders took another step to rebuilding their championship winning team, by announcing the return of guard Jorge Calvo (190-G-87).
The 25 year old point guard, born in Ponferrada, Spain, was a huge hit with the Rider's fans last season, with his tenacious defence and in ability to run the offence, but also for his hugely engaging manner off the court. He was the first Spaniard to win a BBL Championship.
Calvo was very keen to return to the Jelson Homes DMU backed Riders, "From very early on with the Riders, as I came to understand the great mix of players we had, I was really keen to make Leicester more than a one year stop. I believe this is a team that can get better, and I can get better with the team."
"Playing in the BBL is a different challenge to Spain, but I think it is helping to develop my game. I will be looking to do things a little different, add some things to what I bring to the Riders, but it is really working with my team-mates and coaches that will help make the difference."
"I was also excited to see that Drew Sullivan had re-signed, because he is such an important player in our team. He and Rob (Paternostro) our coach are what make the big difference to the team, so that just reinforced my keenness to come back."
Calvo thinks Riders will have it much tougher in the BBL next season, but is looking forward to the challenge, "For sure, teams are going to be gunning for Leicester, and it will be difficult. We set a standard this season, and other teams will be out to put one over on us. But I think the Riders can get better, and particularly if we can keep most of the squad together."
Paternostro was very excited to have Calvo back, "Jorge is hugely under-rated in my opinion. He handles himself extremely well, is a very smart player, and is very much a team guy. There are a lot of decisions to make in his position on the court, particularly in terms of getting other guys involved in the offence, and that is where Jorge excels."
BBL Birmingham has today announced the name of the new professional basketball team representing the city. Saturday nights will never be the same again...... welcoming your Birmingham Knights!
Jo Aldridge, Team Director, said "We decided to run a competition to let the fans name the team and this was a standout winner with the panel. We plan to take the team live in September and are very excited about working with a number of partners to help to bring the brand to life [read more]
BBL Birmingham has today announced the name of the new professional basketball team representing the city. Saturday nights will never be the same again...... welcoming your Birmingham Knights!
Jo Aldridge, Team Director, said "We decided to run a competition to let the fans name the team and this was a standout winner with the panel. We plan to take the team live in September and are very excited about working with a number of partners to help to bring the brand to life."
The Team's management has also been busy building a number of important partnerships within the city. Today they announce the Birmingham A's Basketball Club as the team's "Official Nursery Team" and the City of Birmingham basketball club as their "Official Junior Development Partner". Coach Paul Douglas said "Ensuring an effective player pathway in the city is really important to us. We want to create a team that local young players aspire to and a simple route by which they work their way up to playing professionally. We're confident that these important relationships will help us to achieve this and we're pleased to see the sport of basketball uniting in the city."
Coach Douglas starts his campaign with trials being held at the Doug Ellis Sports Centre on the 18th and 19th May. If you would like to know more about how to take part email info@bblbirmingham.co.uk.
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