Haskins lands for Jets

Gabriel (Gabe) Haskins, who holds both American and Italian passports, is today officially announced as a new member of Cheshire Jets’ roster.

The 5′ 11″ 175lbs point guard, who hails from Killeen, Texas, has arrived in time to feature in the Jets’ opening BBL Championship fixture away to Leicester Riders this Saturday.

He played college basketball for Huston-Tillotson, and was last part of the Central Texas Cyclones during the 2010/11 season in the UBA, where averaged 34 minutes, 17.3 points, 43% three-point conversion, 4.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists over 21 games that year.

Player-coach of Cheshire Jets, James Hamilton said of Haskins: “He’s pretty fresh from college, and this is his first opportunity to show the rest of Europe just how good he is.

“The kid just loves basketball, and his dedication and desire is clear, and second to none. I am really looking forward to coaching him, but also seeing how he progresses in the top league of British basketball.”

Also joining Haskins for the game against Leicester Riders are three more players, in the form of local talent.

Jamal Tahraoui, Dave Thomas, and Tom Griffiths will all feature on the Jets roster at Loughborough University this weekend.

Tahrahoui, who played for Priestley College as well as featuring for Cheshire Juniors, was also recently a part of the North West U17 Boys Regional Development squad.

Thomas, alongside another Jet, Niel Gillard, is part of the University of Chester basketball set-up, whilst Griffiths (Mold Magic) is set to play on an initial one-game basis as cover until work permit issues and the arrival of two more American players are completed.

The announcement of these two players will be made once both have touched down in the UK.