Eagles recruitment drive picks up speed!
Newcastle Eagles’ quest to build a roster capable of challenging for multiple honours once more is building momentum with news that two more stars could be added within days.
Last years’ BBL MVP Joe Chapman and BBL Cup Final and Playoff Final MVP Charles Smith have already committed to the Eagles for next season and it is expected that big man Darius Defoe will soon follow suit. Add to that player coach Fab Flournoy and a core of at least four of last season’s clean sweep squad will be returning giving the Eagles a continuity that will again be the envy of many of their rivals.
Stability is a key weapon in Flournoy’s armoury in a league where rebuilding is the norm and the Newcastle club will be looking to capitalise on this with a strong start to the new campaign which begins on Friday 21st September at Sport Central, with the visit of old foes Glasgow Rocks. The Scottish club finished last season strongly and like Newcastle they hope to retain several members of their squad and they’re likely to provide the Eagles with a stern test.
What will intrigue Eagles fans however is the tantalising news leaking out of Sport Central regarding the addition of a new point guard. Talks have been held with two men, who have the pedigree to set the BBL alight, one of whom has recent Euro League experience and the other has caught the Eagles’ hierarchy’s attention with some scintillating performances on the continent. I understand that the Eagles have a short list of five names for the key position including fans favourite Paul Gause and two men currently playing outside of Europe. If either of the top two targets land in Newcastle, and both are claimed to be keen on the move, it will be a major coup for the Eagles and will ensure that they are again in pole position in the race for BBL silverware.
The Eagles hope to tie up the signings of Defoe and a point guard quickly to allow them to move on to the important task of replacing Andy Thomson who has left the Eagles to develop his career with La Rochelle in France. Whoever comes in will have big boots to fill in more ways than one as the popular Mancunian’s departure has robbed the club of one of the BBL’s most consistent performers.
The BBL Champions will have their final roster pieces in place in advance of pre-season, mooted to start at Sport Central on September 10th with both European and domestic opposition, including new BBL boys London Leopards, due to form part of a tough build up to the new campaign. An announcement of the details of this year’s pre-season games is expected soon.