BBL Players of the Week – Week 8
In a BBL stylee we publish our players of the week from our writers who got to live games over the last seven days.
Keith Firmin – Sheffield Sharks v Leicester Riders and Leicester Riders v Mersey Tigers
Brad Wierzbicki – In a season that is still in its infancy, it has been Ayron Hardy who has been gaining all the plaudits with his dazzling displays for the Leicester Riders but in the wins over the Sheffield Sharks and Mersey Tigers it was shooting guard, Brad Wierzbicki, who shone the brightest.
Wierzbicki is in his second stint in Leicester and has taken some time to find his feet following his return to the team but on Friday in what was a difficult game against the Sharks, the American showed his true self by exploding for 23 points including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. He followed up that performance with an equally impressive display against the Mersey Tigers, adapting his game when his shot was off to help the team en route to a double-double of 11 points and 10 assists. Wierzbicki could easily fade into the background on this deeply talented Riders team but with performances like those, it’s not likely.
Rob Jeffries – Attended Cheshire Jets v Newcastle Eagles
Bill Cole – Stepped up after Matt Schneck’s departure and produced what I feel was his best showing to date. By the end of the game it was clear just how much effort he put in (not forgetting the rest of the side’s efforts due to having such a short bench).
Joe Chapman – For me Chapman was key in the resurgence of Newcastle on Sunday night. Without his vital points from outside the arc, Eagles may have had just that too much to do. When he delivered, he did just that. His buzzer beater on half-time kept them in contention and surely gave hope to a comeback.
Damian – Attended Worcester Wolves v Plymouth Raiders
Sherrad Prezzie-Blue – The performance of the season so far for any player in a Wolves shirt. A big effort was needed to send the Raiders home with nothing and Worcester’s point guard was the difference between the two sides on the night. Whenever Plymouth got within range the play caller put daylight between the sides again with a big play, scoring 12 points from the perimeter.
Jeremy Bell – Rowe was effective inside but with Williams and Colbert well defended it was left to Bell to make the running for the Raiders on Saturday. The point guard matched Prezzie-Blue all the way registering 24 points for the night. Bell’s accuracy from outside as the game wore on was almost enough to get his side the win.
