The UK Basketball Hub

This is the Glasgow Rocks BIG BBL PREVIEW! It was an interesting season last year with yet another final defeat and an impressive league season spearheaded by GB co-captain Kieron Achara. With solid additions the Rocks under Sterling Davis who exudes consistency north of the border. Speaking ahead of the new season Davis was keen to point out that finals are not enough. He said: "It's the second year in a row we've been in a final, but our aim is to win a trophy, I want to win a trophy. "We're not ready just yet (speaking yesterday) but we've got a few days just to finish off some things and we'll be good to go. "We've bought in a few new players and they all look good in training, we're looking forward to gameday." Davis is also expecting another unpredictable season across the league with a number of teams on the up. He continued: "The [LONDON] Lions were one of the favourites last season and it took them a lot lon...

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...

Image via Twitter The 2013/14 season was a massive success for the Worcester Wolves, fighting for top spot in the BBL ladder and winning the BBL Trophy and play-offs. The Wolves have lost Zaire Taylor to BBL opponents London Lions but will be hoping to continue last seasons successes.  The Worcester side signed up Robert Thurman having been recommended to the team by former player Will Creekmore.  Thurman said: "He [Will] spoke to me one day and said that he had a team I'd be interested in and how awesome it is to be in Worcester - he sold me on the idea immediately. "I was born and raised in a military family, so i'm used to moving around often, so that shouldn't be an issue. I'm expecting that the team won't rely on me but will need me to play big minutes, there will be pressure on me to perform early on." Thurman has high expectations for the Wolves ahead of the new season with the Wolves. He continued: "The o...

To cap what have been a few interesting interviews we bring you our preview to finish our BIG BBL PREVIEW! The new BBL season looks to be one of the most interesting in recent years, with no one quite sure just who will be crowned the champions. We start with the Leicester Riders and it is crucial that the majority of their roster have returned and in Rob Paternostro they have continuity and proven success. The 2012/13 season obviously proved to be a trophy winning campaign with an appearance in every final possible, winning the BBL Cup, BBL league and play-off final. Their biggest rivals last season were Newcastle who featured in the BBL title race, finishing second and lost both the BBL Cup and play-off final to Leicester. The Newcastle Eagles will be keen to match-up to Leicester and the two will both be hoping that the trophies arrive at their respective arenas. Glasgow Rocks and Plymouth Raiders will both be hoping to challenge following a decent season, the Rocks hav...

We've previewed the new BBL season for every team and now we have the chance to speak to the current voice of the BBL ;  Daniel Routledge. Routledge has commented on the BBL for Sky Sports and will be headed into the new season as the host of BBL TV's game coverage. The commentator and general basketball personality, thinks that this season will be more competitive at the top of the BBL. He said: "[Last season] was a really exciting finish, there wasn't much between the teams, some of the teams at the bottom of the table were beating teams at the top of the season." "It's always hard to judge teams until you see them out of court, having said that, Worcester have strengthened, Glasgow look strong, Newcastle have reloaded, Leicester have brought most of their roster back." "It looks like the teams have got better but obviously until you get out on the court, it is hard to tell what will happen." He also believes that it will b...

The Leicester Riders were by far and away the best team and biggest success in the BBL during the 2012-13 season. The Riders managed to finish top of the BBL ladder with three defeats in total, also winning the BBL Cup and Play-offs while losing in the BBL Trophy Final. Rob Paternostro is the mastermind behind the triumph, and the Riders head coach isn't sure what next season will bring. He said: "You go into every season with a little bit of unknown, you have to become familiar with new players and familiar with teams who have a lot of new players." "The BBL is difficult to predict until your team has played and until you have seen other teams play as you don't know how the players will adapt." "This season is wide open and that is a nice thing for the league and the good thing about the BBL, many teams will have a change of personality and high hopes." Paternostro was tight-lipped when it came to his prediction for the new season but...

Former GB star Nick George is currently running his Pro Performance, but is also hoping to finish his career in England by joining a BBL team. As a Manchester lad, George is keen to join up with the team he played with for part of last season and help them achieve the play-off spot they just missed out on. But he also admits that if the situation suited he would be more than happy to join another BBL team or at least discuss it. He said: "I would possibly [sign for a different club], Manchester is perfect for me, It's my hometown, my family is here but I wouldn't be opposed to signing for another team." "I've said that I want to end my career playing in England,  I've played in Europe and I've done everything I wanted to do." "I enjoyed last season, it was a good experience in a tough situation - the team had just joined the league, it was good for the team to be competitive." He isn't convinced that the BBL is better t...

The Cheshire Phoenix have gone through various changes over the past year, with the club almost fading out of existence at some points before and during 2012/13. Now they look a lot more stable under new ownership and having appointed a new coach back in May this year. John Lavery is back in charge of the Phoenix and with a squad coming together, he is hoping to be able to compete at the top end of the ladder. He said: "Obviously there were some problems last season, but the guys did tremendously well to stay together and keep training and playing - I hold my hat off to them." "It's huge to come into this season with more stability, at the moment we have two fantastic owners who want to move forward." "They want to put this club back where it belongs and that is at the top of the BBL, competing for silverware." So what was behind Lavery's decision to return to his old club? Well he believes that the future is bright for the Phoenix. ...

Surrey United - previously Surrey Heat - have gone through multiple changes this summer, including a change of owner, name, coach and various players. The 2012/13 season was largely a success with the team finishing in fourth place and getting to the play-off semi-finals. Now a new man is in charge; Jack Majewski, who was part of London United's BBL exploits which are confined to recent history. He is keen to dispel any fears that Surrey's stay in the BBL may be shortened by the takeover and thinks the future can be bright. He said: "I don't believe in a program which isn't run on integrity and financial transparency and at London United we were misled that the borough would pump money into basketball and we are paid for our mistakes." "The main difference between then and now will be stability, we will use local young players and we can use Surrey Sports Park and Surrey University as a base, so players can come in for three years." ...

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 te...

The Newcastle Eagles are the most successful team in BBL history with various honours - including 18 since 2005. The Eagles suffered a trophy-less season in 2012-13 but could look back on a season where they finished 2nd in the ladder and finished runners-up in two finals. Paul Blake, the managing director, believes this season could be the most competitive season in BBL history. He said: "It's kind of a new era for the league, over the past few seasons we've battled it our with one or two teams who have fallen away or are no longer in existence." "Now Leicester have found a way to achieve sustainable success and other teams like Worcester and Sheffield have found their feet then you have the Glasgow Rocks and the usual suspects." "The newer teams are improving, but it will be tough for everyone and not just for us as the quality is beginning to run down the league." Blake has a lot on his hands, helping run multiple teams down the Bri...

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 Glasgow Rocks are currently the only Scottish team in the BBL; although the 2014/15 season will see a new local rival for the Rocks. The Rocks finished a credible third place in the table, but crashed out in the quarter-finals of the play-offs to Plymouth Raiders. Sterling Davis continues as head coach of the team - which can boast a GB international in Gareth Murray - he believes they must do better this season. He said: "I wouldn't say last season was a success, as our aim was to win silverware, it was a decent season but not a successful season." "Our aim next season is to get to the stage where we are competing for a trophy, every piece of silverware is as important as the other, they are big accolades." "It's great for us as an organisation to be associated with GB international players such as Gareth Murray [and former Rock] Kieron Achara, Gareth deserves his shot." Davis also spoke about the choosing to travel to Lithuania r...

The London Lions are perhaps the most intriguing of all of the BBL clubs with the arrival at the Olympic Copper Box. The massive arena will be one of the premium basketball venues in the BBL and is the home to the capital's largest club. One person whose job will be made slightly more difficult in a larger stadium will be commentator Steven Edwards, who thinks last season can be a building block. He said: "I think it was very much a success [last season], gradually as the season went on the crowds got bigger and bigger as word got around." "London did extremely well in their home games and now it is a spring board into this season, can they now in a bigger arena, go to that next level to try and get past the first round of the play-offs." "If you can have a successful home team, the crowd can feed off it and make it a fortress, I think people will be looking at that trip to London and be a bit more weary." "The biggest challenge wil...

The Worcester Wolves have done some shrewd business since the end of the 2012/13 BBL season with signing of Leicester Riders' Zaire Taylor amongst the names joining the roster. The Wolves will be hoping that they can build upon last season where they managed victories over the Newcastle Eagles and Leicester Riders in various competitions, finishing up the season the play-off quarter-finals. Colin Taylor is the press officer for the team and he believes that the roster will be in a better position to compete. He said: "We have a roster which is as good if not better than last season and we had injuries and the visa issue with Prezzie-Blue." "Last season was a missed opportunity for the team and we couldn't do it when it mattered, it was an achievement to beat Leicester at their home and an achievement to get close to the Trophy final." "We've raised the bar over the last few seasons, we're near the top of the table, we have a new arena...

The Durham Wildcats have changed their coach and enter their third BBL season under the guidance of Lee Davie. Davie has replaced David Elderkin who helped them achieve their BBL status and will be looking to build a successful squad. Alliances Manager Richard Warburton is hoping Davie is the right man to lead the Wildcats into the play-offs and beyond. He said: "Last season was a step forward, we won a bigger percentage of our games but we were a bit frustrated to miss out on the play-offs in the last few games." "We have a slightly stronger roster this season with a lot of player turnaround due to the fact we are based around the university here, we get a lot of post-graduate students from around the world." "The new coach has a lot of experience having managed in women's basketball and his current role with the GB U20 side." Warburton is also hoping that the team can improve on last seasons first round defeats in the BBL Cup and the Tro...

We continue our BIG BBL Preview with the Birmingham Knights owner Jo Aldridge, to conclude our trilogy of Birmingham Knights interviews. The Knights will be the newest team to join the BBL and will be coached by former BBL player Paul Douglas. Aldridge believes that the coach Douglas' experience within the BBL will be important for the Birmingham Knights in their debut season. She said: "For me it was vital to have a local coach with BBL experience. Coach Douglas has been watching players for years, so knew some of the names he wanted when we appointed him." "I think having local players is important as well as they will be proud to represent Birmingham and the people of Birmingham." "Our main aim this season is for the fans to enjoy themselves and to win some games to keep the fan base interested." While she is looking forward to seeing a vision she helped make reality develop over the course of the season, she is also realistic with her ...

Martyn Gayle: Hoping to show what he can do One of the members of the new Birmingham Knights franchise is Martyn Gayle, who will be hoping he can step up from the EBL to the BBL. The Guard is a local player and will get the chance to represent his city and play amongst the elite of the British game. Gayle believes that the team will be a great chance for the local players and the local fans to enjoy the sport they love. "It is a fantastic opportunity in our own city with a local coach, it is outstanding to be able to do it with our local fans." "The training regimes and pre-season training have been amazing so far, we've all learnt something and we can change things within our game, we need to step-up as this is a tougher than anything we've done." "My ego was quite big as I was top scorer in the EBL division one, but i've had to improve work harder, become stronger and faster." Gayle is excited for the new season and can't...

BIG BBL Preview: Birmingham Knights. Douglas hoping for success (Picture from http://www.bbl.org.uk/) Birmingham Knights head coach Paul Douglas is looking forward to the new BBL season as the Knights join the elite of British basketball for the 2013/14 season. Douglas has had previous experience as a BBL player and also as an assistant coach and acting head coach at various clubs across British basketball. The new coach believes the team will be ready for the start of the new BBL season but admits it won't be an easy ride. He said: "It's taken a lot of time and effort to get the Birmingham Knights ready as a new team entering the BBL. We've been in training since June 2nd and it's important to get the players ready for the BBL and up to speed." "Preparation is important as the league is improving and the players need to be ready for it, the BBL is more physical than the EBL, so we need to be prepared physically and mentally....

From the 26th August 2013 The UK Basketball Hub brings you: 'THE BIG BBL PREVIEW!' We will be speaking to someone from every team, trying to cover all angles as the new BBL season starts in a month or so! The Birmingham Knights are new to the BBL, how are they shaping up? The London Lions moved to the Copper Box, are they moving into the big leagues now? The Durham Wildcats and Surrey Heat have changed coach, good or bad move? The Newcastle Eagles want to be back on top, can they do it? Will the Leicester Riders defend their crown? Will Glasgow Rocks or Plymouth Raiders push for the play-off crown? Can Cheshire or Manchester get a play-off spot this time around? Will the Sharks win another BBL Trophy? So many questions and we'll try to give you the answers! Here are our confirmed interviewees: 26th August: Birmingham Knights player Martyn Gayle, coach Paul Douglas 27th August: Birmingham Knights owner Jo Aldridge and Durham Wildcats' Richard Warburton...