GB’s Sturt signs for MK Lions
6’10” forward, Adrien Sturt has become Coach Mike New’s fourth addition to his Prestige Homes MK Lions roster ahead of the 2011/12 season.
The GB U23 International will enter his second BBL season after Lions plucked him from Essex Pirates.
Sturt, 24, is a graduate of Snow University in the USA with whom he won the SWAC Conference Championships in 2007. Born in Adelaide Australia, Sturt’s roots are in the UK hence his qualification to play with the GB U23’s last summer. In the BBL with the Pirates, Sturt averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds per game, highly commendable for the lowest offensive team in the BBL, but coach Mike New saw many features in the young man’s game, especially his season high 28 points against the Cheshire Jets and snaring 12 rebounds on two occasions.
With his experience in the US, the athletic forward also won ABA Championships in Australia in 2008 as well as the Australian NBL Championship in 2009 with the Melbourne Tigers.
Lions’ Head Coach Mike New commented, “I am very excited to have Adrien, he was highly sought after and with his size, versatility and athleticism it’s no wonder why. Adrien caused match-up problems around the league last season and with better talent around him he should excel even more. He will fit into our squad with his rebounding ability, he is able to stroke the 3 pointer and he averaged more than 1 block per game to go along with his double digit scoring. He will fit into what we are doing nicely”.
Showing a great deal of excitement was Lions boss, Vince Macaulay who added “We pencilled Adrien in even before the season ended last term. He is so versatile for a big man, he runs the floor extremely well and has a deadly eye from the three point line, we had a chance to see him numerous times and his attitude in a tough situation was exemplary, I think he will make a great Lion.”
Sturt joins a scintillating line up of Nuno Pedroso, Stefan Gill and Daniel Northern so far on the roster with more to be added very soon.
The Lion’s are in action this Thursday against Stony Brook University at the MK Lions Arena at 7.30pm with many more play in games coming up before the business of BBL action starts on the 1st of October.