BBP: Sheffield Sharks: "I wanted to go out on a high"

The BIG BBL Preview for the Sheffield Sharks is slightly different to the other posts, with Andrew Bridge - now retired - speaking to us ahead of their new season.

The Sharks captured the BBL Trophy much to the surprise of most fans as they were playing the powerful force that is the Leicester Riders, who won everything else!

Bridge has spent the majority of his career at the Sheffield Sharks and Newcastle Eagles and has won a bronze medal with the English basketball team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

He believes that it was the right time to leave both the Sheffield Sharks and professional basketball behind.

He said: "There was a combination of things [that led him to retire] - my family lived in Newcastle and I lived in Sheffield, I also had other work opportunities with the Youth Sports Trust."

"The main sporting reason why I decided to retire was to go out as a winner and end my career in a season when we won a trophy."

"There was always a temptation to carry on playing, but I don't think I can do it on a daily basis, I loved playing in the big games as I had more energy but I found it harder against teams who didn't win regularly."

Bridge believes next season could be a successful one for the Sharks, depending on the success of the American imports.

He continued: "I trained with Sheffield last week and they have brought in some good players, I didn't see the American imports but if they are good then the team can finish in the top 3/4."

"The young players at Sheffield have more talent than I had at that age, but they need to understand what it takes to win."

"I never wanted to walk away after a game knowing that someone had tried harder than me on the court."

You can buy tickets to watch Sheffield Sharks HERE.

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ROUTLEDGE: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it
I’m Daniel Routledge and for as long as I can remember I’ve been watching British basketball. I’m not quite as old as the league, but its close enough we could be siblings. We pretty much grew up together, I’ve seen the highs and the lows, the false dawns and the unnoticed successes.
Much has been made in recent days about the future of the game in this country, so much so it’s got me thinking about the past.
Whatever your views about the road from here, allow me ten minutes of your time to re-live how we got here.
In the beginning
The first national league of basketball was formed in 1972, in those early days it was a largely amateur pursuit, played out in small sports halls. It was before I was born, but I’ve seen minutes of AGMs where players were reprimanded for not personally selling enough tickets!
By the end of the decade, the structure became a bit more professional and as the 1980s began,the popularity started to boom. …

Kendal Johnson wants to ball in the BBL

Kendal Johnson is an American who wants to play in England in a busy week where he is likely to find out where he will be playing and when.

Johnson is the cousin of NBA star Marcus Camby and is looking to be a player/coach in the British Basketball League or English Basketball League.

He admits he doesn't know too much about the current state of British basketball but has heard good things.

He said: 'I've always wanted to go to England but I don't know a lot about the basketball league, I have a friend at the Worcester Wolves and he has told me there is lot's of positives.'

'I've played basketball since I was little obviously having Marcus Camby as a cousin I was always in that sort of environment.'

Johnson revealed he had been in talks with various BBL and EBL clubs and is hoping a move can be agreed in the coming days.

He also thinks that it is important to get young people involved in sport.

He added: 'One thing I would like to say to kids is…

Johnson bringing HoopsAid the American Dream Team.

Kendal Johnson recently spoke to us about the possibility of playing in England and while he may not be playing full-time he is set to play at least one game.

Johnson will be representing America at HoopsAid, a charity basketball match in the style of soccer aid - featuring players, celebrities and in this case battle back players.

Kendal is looking forward to the opportunity to compete in the Copper Box with some of the stars Britain and HoopsAid have to offer.

He said: 'This HoopsAid event is going to be very exciting, this will be my first time in London and I'm nervous and exciting at the same time, I'm just ready to play.'

'Giving back to the community is very important to me and I think HoopsAid gives my the opportunity which is good for me and good for them.'

'I'm excited to be playing in the Copper Box arena, It's where they had some of the Olympics so I'm looking forward to that.'

Johnson won't be taking it lightly and will be t…

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