The UK Basketball Hub

Cheshire Phoenix star CJ Gettys has been named Molten BBL Player of the Month for November. The centre has guided Phoenix to three wins from their five games during the month and averaged a spectacular November double-double. He amassed 20 points and 11.2 rebounds per game with 30 boards to his name, he also fired 56% from the field. Gettys only made his BBL debut in September but is already looking a great addition to the squad.

London Lions' Mariusz Karol has been named Molten BBL Coach of the Month for November. The Lions have had a flawless run, going 3-0 throughout the month. Lions started off with an 86-70 victory against Glasgow Rocks at the Copper Box, following it up with a pair of road wins. The first came at Plymouth Raiders with a 75-70 success and they then picked up a tight 67-63 triumph at Bristol Flyers. Karol fought off stiff competition from Rob Paternostro of Leicester Riders who also went 3-0 during November. There were less games in the month due to GB fixtures taking place.

Worcester Wolves’ Managing Director Mick Donovan hopes the team can reward fans’ loyalty with a Final day out as he looks ahead to this week’s BBL Cup clash. The University of Worcester-owned side prepares to face Sheffield Sharks for a place in the final in Birmingham. Donovan said: "We are very proud and appreciative of our loyal fans and this season has seen record breaking home attendances compared to previous seasons. "The fans have a good understanding of the game and, regardless of results and performances, they continue to approach each game with a positive mindset and get behind the team.  "There is certainly a feeling of cup fever in the Worcester Wolves basketball camp this week.  Everyone at the Club would love to see Wolves make the prestigious final in Birmingham and the players in particular will be determined to reward the fans and club volunteers with a semi-final win that would bring a great Cup Final day out.  I am sure that i...

The Plymouth Raiders have announcrf a new partnership with finance firm Bishop Fleming. Bishop Fleming will provide ongoing accounting support for the club along with strategic financial advice to the directors as part of the exclusive deal. Raiders Director, Richard Mollard said, “I’ve personally enjoyed a long relationship with Bishop Fleming, and when it came to securing a financial partner there was no better choice in my opinion.” “This season is about building strong foundations, on the court and off it, so I’m delighted to be able to count on Bishop Fleming. With their advice, the club’s financial management systems will best support our ambitions to secure the club’s long-term future, so we can start challenging for trophies in years to come.” “I also know what big sports fans they are, and I look forward to seeing them at games, enjoying the thrills and spills this season will undoubtedly bring, and building a strong...

Worcester Wolves head coach Paul James has praised former GB captain Drew Sullivan following his retirement from the game. Sullivan - who made over 100 appearances for his country - announced his decision earlier this year. He led a team to victory one more time yesterday with London beating the World 89-84 in his testimonial. Paul James coach of the Worcester Wolves, has come up against Sullivan as a coach a number of times over the years and says he has a lasting legacy on the British game. James said: "I think he has been phenomenal for the British game, the ultimate professional. I haven't really had the pleasure to work with Drew, but to see the way he handled himself on and off the court, you could see he was very serious about his basketball and his success has happened because of that. "He's won many championships and for sure he has been a real leader on and off the court, for anybody that has worked with him. "It's sad to see such a...

The British Basketball All-Stars Championship have announced Molten will be the official match ball for the tournament which will see the top eight BBL teams compete for a record-breaking £100,000 prize fund. Unicorn Products Ltd acquired the UK and Ireland distribution of Molten Sports in 2012. Unicorn have worked with Matchroom Sport over the year, developing the long-standing partnership as the PDC’s official darts board, and sponsor of the PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour. Edward Lowy Managing Director of Unicorn Products Ltd said: “It’s wonderful to be involved in this hugely entertaining sport at a time when its popularity is at an unprecedented high, and to work with Matchroom and the BBL, both with whom we have a time-honoured affiliation”. Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are delighted to welcome Molten as the official ball of the British Basketball All-Stars Championship. “Molten are undoubtedly the world’s leading manufacturer of basketballs and we are...

Daniel Edozie has agreed a new one-year deal with Bristol Flyers. The 6ft 8in forward, who signed his first professional contract with the club, has now committed until the end of the 2017/18 season. Edozie played in all 33 games for the Flyers last season, averaging 6.6 points and seven rebounds per game. He said: “I’m very happy to be a part of the club again next season. “Flyers are a growing organisation and I’ve really enjoyed the journey over the past two years. I’ve learned a lot during my time here so far and I firmly believe we’re going to have a successful season this year." London-born Edozie joined the Flyers in August 2015, having previously played NCAA Division One basketball under current Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg at Iowa State University. Edozie becomes the fifth player to commit to Bristol Flyers for the 2017/18 season.

Glasgow Rocks have appointed Tony Garbelotto as the club's new head coach, on an initial two-year deal. Garbelotto joins the Rocks with a wealth of experience across all levels of the game. He said: "I am very pleased to be named the new Glasgow Rocks Head Coach. "This franchise and club has long been considered one of the top clubs in the UK and I am excited about the possibility of bringing success to the club, Glasgow and Scotland. "I hope that I can not only make an impact on the court by ultimately winning silverware, but also make an impact in the community and leave an ongoing legacy for basketball in Scotland." Garbelotto began his coaching career in 1993 with the London Towers and went on to coach in Iceland, Germany and more recently Vietnam, where he was named head coach of the national team. He was Assistant coach to the Great Britain Olympic Men's Team and has also served time as the England men's team Head Coach. As impressi...

GB basketball legend and former captain Drew Sullivan has retired from the sport of basketball. The two time MVP and the Great Britain Olympic Captain has announced his retirement from basketball as one of the most successful player in BBL history.  Sullivan played in over 300 BBL games in his 12 seasons of play in the BBL as well as time in Europe throughout his career. He said:  “I have been playing basketball for over two decades, “I have had an amazing time representing my county, some amazing clubs and playing here [Leicester] for the five seasons but today I am announcing my retirement. “It is bitter sweet as I enjoy playing here for this club so much but it has to happen at some stage and the time is right and I look forward to starting the next chapter of my life.  “There have been some amazing moments, representing Great Britain at the Olympics and play in London a stone’s throw from where I grew up with family and friends able to w...

Last season saw the Bristol Flyers make their bow in the BBL playing exciting basketball with a relatively young squad. The team reached the semi-finals of the BBL Cup and reached the play-offs in a season that would prove the league was right in promoting them into the top division. Coach Andreas Kapoulas picked up coach of the season as well as being only one of three coaches to win coach of the month outside of Newcastle. The new season is just around the corner and Kapoulas has recruited some top talent both Internationally and nationally including American Point Guard Cardell McFarland. McFarland says he is impressed with what he has seen so far. He said: "I'm expecting a successful season, I think we're coming along pretty good - I like what we're doing in preseason and the players that we have. "It's a long summer, so when you start to practice it gets fun! Practice should always be harder than the game. "We've been going at ea...

Who will top the BBL ladder at the end of the season Newcastle Eagles Leicester Riders Cheshire Phoenix Sheffield Sharks London Lions Manchester Giants Leeds Force Surrey Scorchers Glasgow Rocks Bristol Flyers Plymouth Raiders Worcester Wolves Poll Maker

The University of Worcester and the Worcester Wolves welcomed one of Europe’s most respected coaches to the city last week, to discuss an innovative potential future partnership. Chechu Mulero, the Sporting Director of Euroleague outfit Valencia Basketball Club, visited Worcester for discussions which focused on establishing a link between the Spanish giants and the Worcester Wolves, who are now a subsidiary company of the University. Any such partnership could include training camps and friendly fixtures for Valencia’s senior team in Worcester, collaborative coaching clinics and player development schemes, for the benefit of both parties. During his visit, Mr Mulero, who met with senior figures from the University and players and coaches from the Wolves, said: “I had heard a great deal about the Basketball program and the international reputation of Worcester before my visit. “Having now been able to see for myself that, together with excellent facilities, the University has...

Over the last few weeks of hosting The UK Basketball Hub on Sports Tonight Live, we've seen a range of discussions of what people in the media, what BBL players/coaches/commentators and outsiders from the BBL would like to see in order to propel the league and while they may not all be to your fancy we thought we'd list them and set up the debate! IDEA 1: Stadia and Infrastructure:  Put forward by BBLTV commentator Daniel Routledge: BBL Teams need their own facilities in order to have power over tickets, finances and as well as that training and playing time. Pro(s) - Allows the franchises to prosper from a financial point of view and have control of the venues. - Allows players to train and play when it suits rather than when Badminton is not on the court! - Means they don't have to pay an external party Con(s): -  Expensive to implement - Could take a lot of time to introduce IDEA 2: BBL Magazine: Put forward by Sportsbeat's Will Piper  The BBL sho...

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 n ot 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 think ing  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  s...