BBL 2013/14 Preview: Worcester Wolves

by UK American Sports Fans

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Worcester Wolves look to be the side with every opportunity to break the stranglehold of Riders and Eagles this year.

Keeping a core aspect of the squad from last season, as well as drafting in some fine talent with previous BBL experience, head coach Paul James may have a real chance of producing silverware for the Wolves in their brand new home, the University of Worcester Arena.

Alex Owumi, Calvin Morant-Hudson, Daniel Belgrave, Harrison Turner and Kalil Irving all return to the squad, but it has been the other signings that have made all the excitement.

Despite winning three out of four trophies up for grabs, it seems Zaire Taylor was ready for another challenge and departed Leicester Riders and headed west to Worcester.

Caylin Raftopoulos has made the move north from Surrey, and the 20-year-old point guard will be hoping to improve on his rookie year.

The final player that has pulled on a BBL jersey elsewhere is Jamal Williams. His brother Kai was a notable signing last year for Paul James, and he will be hoping the former Plymouth Raider will bring another level of experience to the young side.

Others brought in to the fray are 6′ 10″ Texas A&M graduate Ian Salter bringing height to the side, 24-year-old Will Creekmore, who played NBA Development League for a short while with Tulsa 66ers, and finally Portugese/Serbian forward, Stefan Djukic, who was picked out at under 20s level for Portugal.

Without doubt a powerful unit put in place by Paul James, and they will be fighting it out for trophies across the board. Worcester have made consistent progress over the past few years; now is it time for the Wolves to step out from the shadows and show the league what they are really made of?

Worcester Wolves roster:

Guards: Caylin Raftopoulos, Zaire Taylor, Calvin Morant-Hudson, Daniel Belgrave, Harrison Turner

Centres: Ian Salter, Will Creekmore

Forwards: Jamal Williams, Kalil Irving, Stefan Djukic, Alex Owumi

Predictions for Worcester Wolves:

BBL Championship: 3rd
BBL Playoffs: Semi-finals
BBL Cup: Quarter-finals
BBL Trophy: Runners-up