BCB Trophy: Five NBL sides test themselves against BCB opposition

NBL Leagues

Selected NBL1 clubs begin their season this weekend as they gear up for the British Championship Basketball Trophy competition.

Oaklands Wolves, Portsmouth Force, Gloucester City Kings and the Plymouth Raiders are in action on Saturday and Sunday, all looking to make their mark against BCB opposition. The fifth NBL1 club in the competition, Cardiff Met Archers, begin their campaign next weekend.

To see where the NBL clubs are playing in the BCB Trophy, you can check the schedule here.

Oaklands Wolves vs Milton Keynes Breakers

Newly promoted Oaklands Wolves have bolstered their squad for the upcoming season with the signings of Danny Evans and Milo Wallace, who join last season’s NBL2 Playoff MVP Kane Daley and veteran Reis Pinnock alongside a host of talented products from their EABL side to form a dangerous outfit.

They host a Milton Keynes Breakers side on Saturday that enjoyed tremendous success in the NBL before moving to the BCB. They are coached by British basketball great Nigel Lloyd, with Jordan Spencer and Jonas Dieterich ones to watch.

Head coach Liam Jefferson, fresh off leading Great Britain’s U16 side to seventh at the recently held FIBA U16 EuroBasket, Division B in North Macedonia, said: “We’re not setting any goals, but at the same time, we want our group of young British players to compete against well-established teams.

“Alongside our returning players and new signings, we've been able to bring in some younger players who still have potential and upside and hopefully have them grow with us and the programme, and that can only be good for British basketball."

Worthing Thunder vs Portsmouth Force

Portsmouth Force make the short trip along the M27 to face the Worthing Thunder on Sunday. For the Force, many key parts of their squad return this season, with a strong focus on unearthing local talent within the area.

That is something mirrored by the Thunder, who retain key player Justin Hopkins for this season, along with signing 7’2” South African centre David Craig, but mainly have eager youth players who will play double duty, as they will also play for Worthing’s NBL3 team.

Gloucester City Kings vs Plymouth Raiders

It will be an all-NBL clash at Oxstalls Sports Centre, as the newly-promoted Gloucester City Kings and NBL2 side Plymouth Raiders do battle.

The Kings are boosted with high-profile signings this year, with Albanian international point guard Elvisi Dusha orchestrating the offence and NBL1’s leading three-point marksman Martyn Gayle joining Jay Marriott’s side, along with the returning Karl Teesdale and a host of local talent, eager to get the season going.

It will be a mini reunion for Marriott, as he goes up against his former club, having played alongside Plymouth coach Gareth Laws for many years in the South West.

Marriot said: “I think probably the most important thing for us this year is making sure that we’ve got experience, and we’ve got the right experience in the room.

“Elvisi and Martyn certainly have that in abundance, and they are the perfect players to help around our youth development. There’s an outstanding pool of young British talent that are eager to learn, eager to play, and they will be a big factor for us in the Trophy and in the league this season."

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