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.

Comments

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 ...

Hardaway Jr ready for London debut

It was a disappointing start to the 2014/15 season for the New York Knicks as they suffered a 104-80 defeat to the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks will be playing at The O2 Arena in London in January as part of the 2015 NBA Global Games. Tim Hardaway Jr has never been to London and is looking forward to the challenge as the Knicks take on the Milwaukee Bucks. He said: " When I was a kid, London Bridge is falling down, that's all I used to hear about London. I know that there are some great tourist attractions you see them all in the movies all the time. "You see it on computers and pictures that people post, and my friends going there to visit. I just can't wait to be a part of that. "The New York Knicks posted a picture of Amar'e Stoudemire with his hands held high and it said 'The Knicks are returning to London in 2014 -15'. "I was very ecstatic, I was happy, excited, all at the same time. I couldn't wait to be a part of it." ...

BBP: Plymouth Raiders: 'I can bring class and integrity'

Last season the Plymouth Raiders managed a play-off semi-final spot despite finishing sixth on the BBL ladder and will be hoping to be as competitive in the 2013/14 season. The semi-final stage was also where the teams BBL Cup dreams ended with a nine point defeat to Newcastle Eagles. Garrius Holloman is a new addition to the squad who comes from America to compete and is hopeful of a trophy. He said: "I don't have any personal goals other to be a good team mate both on and off the court and help the club grow and help them win a championship." "I feel like I am a hard worker and I want to help whatever the team needs, I've heard it's a great surrounding and great community, i'm just looking forward to having a first-hand experience of the area." "I love to play the game of basketball and I'm not picky on what leagues to play in, this opportunity came and I took it." Holloman can play on as a wing or guard and is excited to...

The UK Basketball Hub

Search This Blog