JJ is Delighted To Be Back with GUILDFORD HEAT

Fan favourite, Julius Joseph is delighted to be back with Guildford Heat for his third consecutive season with the club.

The 6ft 4in forward has been a professional basketball player for over a decade. He played for Manchester Giants, Belgian Euphony Bree, Colfontaine (Belgium) and Scottish Rocks prior to joining Guildford Heat in 2008. He has also played as a forward in both senior rosters of the England National Team and the Great Britain Team.

Creon Raftopoulos commented, “As an ex GB player, JJ brings an invaluable amount of experience to the team. He was one of the top scorers for the Heat last season and is a consistently strong performer. He is highly committed to Guildford Heat and the club will benefit from having another returning player this season, helping to build on what we started last year.”

Julius Joseph commented, “Guildford Heat has some of the best fans in the country and the organisation does a fantastic job – so I am very excited and motivated about returning to play for the club this season.

“I know what it takes to be successful and to play basketball at its highest level and I’m ready and focused to push our team to its maximum potential. Last season we were really close to capturing a piece of silverware and this year, I’m intent on winning a trophy. I will bring my strong work ethic and leadership skills to the team and give 110% on the court every game."

For a chance to see Julius Joseph in action, come to Surrey Sports Park on Saturday 17 September at 7pm where he will be joining some other members of the 2011/2012 Guildford Heat BBL team for a pre-season friendly against USA Select. Adult tickets will be charged at a child ticket rate of £6.50 (£8.50 for a premium seat). Kids will be charged just £1 at ticket (£3 for a premium seat).

For further information on Guildford Heat, ticket details and a full list of this season’s fixtures, visit www.guildfordheat.com.

Glasgow Rocks confirm signing of Danny Huffor

The Glasgow Rocks have signed 6'4" Danny Huffor for the 2011/12 BBL Season. Huffor was born in the USA, however, with his family ties stretching to Glasgow, he has attained a British Passport, therefore allowing him to play for the Rocks this season.

Huffor has been renowned for being a great athlete throughout his junior career with his initial sporting choice being that of American Football. Huffor, however, found his calling in basketball and soon found himself at Newbury College, where he averaged 8.8 points and 2.9 rebounds a game.

Coach Davis is hoping that Huffor can step up to the professional level in a short amount of time.

"I saw Danny play for the first time this summer in Las Vegas. He really did a good job of holding his own against some very talented players at the summer camps.  With his ties to Glasgow in his grandparents, we thought this would be a very good fit for both parties.  He could potentially be a factor in our plans sooner rather than down the line."

Huffor has been training with the team in the lead up to the first games of the season. He had the following to say about his time with the Rocks at present.

"So far everything is going well, the team is in its initial phases and we are still trying to get used to one another's playing styles, but I am sure that will come with practise. I am excited for the season ahead and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to play for the Glasgow Rocks and I will do everything I can to make it work."

Rocks fans will get their first glimpse of the team on September 18th when the Rocks host their first Official Camp of the new season and also stage a Meet the team event straight after the camp.

This will be closely followed by the Rocks Pre-Season fixture against the travelling USA Select basketball team on the 19th September, with the tip-off scheduled for 7:40pm.

Thanks to Open Trial that Held on August, Glasgow Rock Signs Greg Richards

The first product of the open trials this year was British born Greg Richards who impressed Sterling from the outset. The 29 year old has spent the last 5 years playing for the Huntington Hawks in England where he averaged a near 20 points per season. Before settling in Huntington, Greg spent 2 years in Turkey where he competed in the European Championship, as well as 2 years in the states playing High School Basketball. 

The Glasgow Rocks open trials was bigger than ever this year with over 22 young men coming to the Kelvin Hall for Rocks Coach Sterling Davis to put them through a vigorous training session in an effort to un-earth the best talent available to him. Sterling has always been supportive of the open trials, and younger players.

"Open try-outs are a great opportunity for any young basketball players looking to breakthrough to a professional level. This year we saw a great turn-out of young talent, so much so that we have decided to take some of them in to the Rocks for this upcoming season."

Coach Davis was enthusiastic about the finding of Richards.

"We found Greg in our open trials and saw a natural talent in him to play the game. He has got that very soft left-handed touch from the perimeter and a good build body-wise."

Keep an eye out for more information on players un-earthed at the Open Trials in the coming days.

Rocks fans will get their first glimpse of the team on September 18th when the Rocks host their first Official Camp of the new season and also stage a Meet the team event straight after the camp.

This will be closely followed by the Rocks Pre-Season fixture against the travelling USA Select basketball team on the 19th September, with the tip-off scheduled for 7:40pm.

Tickets for both Events are on sale now at www.glasgowrocks.co.uk

Robert Youngblood Re-signed as a Riders

The 41 year old forward veteran Robert Youngblood has  joined Riders for a second spell in November of last season, after being released from Milton Keynes, and his steady play helped Riders to a playoff spot. Youngblood averaged nearly 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds a game, but his memorable moment came in Riders dramatic victory over the champion Mersey Tigers at the John Sandford Centre at the end of March, when he hit an improbable long range shot with just a second left.

Youngblood is currently 7th all time leading scorer in the BBL, and a solid season could see him rise as far as 5th by the end of the 2011/12 season, and he is 6th all time in rebounds, with the prospect of getting to 4th within his sights.

Riders Head Coach Rob Paternostro was pleased to have Youngblood back in his squad, “Robert made a significant contribution when we had to reshape our team last season, and he is a guy who brings masses of experience and intelligence to the team. He is very much a team player, who does all the little intangibles that helps a team get the best out of a situation. He commands respect around the BBL, and his numbers speak for themselves. It is great that he is still hungry to play, and keen to hopefully win a few more trophies, and we are very excited that he is continuing his career with the Riders.”

Youngblood was also keen to be back, “I am really pleased to be back with the Riders, because I feel there is unfinished business. At all my previous clubs, London Towers, London Leopards, Milton Keynes and in Germany, I have won a trophy, and that has not yet happened at Leicester. So it needs fixing. It is also great to be back with Coach Paternostro – he gets us really well prepared, and his energy and enthusiasm will rub off on the young players. And I think having Lataryl (Williams) helping on the coaching side will be a plus for the team as well.”

And Youngblood is not thinking of retirement – yet, “I feel I have 2 good seasons left in me, so I am not yet thinking beyond my playing career. I feel I still have plenty to give, and by keeping in good shape around the year, I am sure there are plenty more miles in the tank.”

Riders commence their pre-season programme away against a touring USA Select side in Hemel Hempstead on Saturday 10th September, before playing the same team at the John Sandford on the following Saturday night, and again on Sunday afternoon (18th).

The Rider’s preseason games are a warm-up for Rider’s first game of the regular season on Saturday 1st October in a BBL Trophy pool game against Milton Keynes Lions

BBL Pro Tournament Will Be in Hemel Hemstead

Hemel Hempstead has long been associated with basketball due, in no small part, to the presence of their former BBL team, The Hemel Royals. The city was deprived of competitive basketball for a number of years after the club moved but thanks to the presence of the newly formed Hemel Storm, that drought has now come to an end:

Former international Head Coach Dave Titmuss who was a founder of the original Hemel Club in the 'eighties and is now Head Coach at Storm, said:

"Everyone at Storm is delighted to have brought pro-basketball back to Hemel after an absence of 14 years. Our first season in the National League last year was a great success and we played to packed crowds at Sportspace in Hemel. Now we're building our Club with the aim of once again becoming a top franchise. We're gunning for promotion to EBL 1 this season and are taking a long term view having established the Storm youth Academy to provide the players of the future."

"Leicester Riders will add class to our pre-season tournament featuring the Team USA-Select squad and we are planning to make this an annual event. Leicester's team and supporters are very welcome at Hemel and we're looking forward to four entertaining games."

The schedule for the one day competition is as follows:

1pm - Hemel Storm v TeamUSA Select 'B'
3pm - Leicester Riders v TeamUSA Select 'A'
5pm - TeamUSA Select 'B' v Loughborough Students Riders
7pm - Hemel Storm v TeamUSA Select 'A'

All-day ticket prices (games at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm), are £4 adult, and £2
under-16.

For further information, please contact the Sportspace centre on 01442 228188.

Pre Seasons for BBL Teams

In preperation for the upcoming season, the BBL teams are playing preseason friendlies.

Saturday 10 September

3.00pm  USA Select A v Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders

(@ Sportspace Hemel Hempstead, Park Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1JS)

Further Details

Sunday 11 September

3.45pm  Plymouth Raiders vs USA Select

Buy tickets

Saturday 17 September

7.00pm  Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders v USA Select A

Buy tickets

Sunday 18 September

3.00pm  Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders v USA Select A

Buy tickets

Saturday 24 September

7.00pm  Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders v Mersey Tigers

Buy tickets

Sunday 25 September

11.00am  Plymouth Raiders vs Cheshire Jets (@ Plymouth Pavilions)

1.30pm  Cheshire Jets vs Sodertalje Kings (@ Plymouth Pavilions)

3.45pm  Plymouth Raiders vs Sodertalje Kings (@ Plymouth Pavilions)

Buy tickets for all three games

All games are subject to change. Please visit the club websites for more information.

Anthony Martin Returned to UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders

UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders have announced what is likely to be their final player for the 2011/12 season, and the announcement sees a fan favourite, Anthony Martin, return to the team.

The 6’0” point guard will be playing for the Raiders for his 4th consecutive season, and flew in with the rest of the team on Sunday morning.

He spent last season with Aabyhoj in Denmark, but returned to the Raiders for the final few games of the season to cover for Jermaine Forbes who was suffering with heart problems. Over the summer, Coach Gavin Love kept in close contact with him, and agreed his return just last week.

In Denmark he averaged 10.5 points, 4.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game. He returned to Plymouth for the final 8 games of the season, averaging 5 points in limited court time.

“Since he stepped onto the court at the Pavilions for the first time, he’s been a fanfavourite,” said Raiders Head Coach Gavin Love. “He’s quick, he’s a pass first point guard and we know the ball will be safe in his hands. I’m delighted to have him back.”

The Raiders started pre season training on Tuesday in preparation for their first home game of the season, this Sunday at 3.45pm at the Plymouth Pavilions against USA Select. Tickets are still available from the Pavilions Box Office 0845 146 1460 or from their websitewww.plymouthpavilions.com.


Source:
http://www.bbl.org.uk/?latest-news,29