Riders setting the pace

by UK American Sports Fans

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With the dust just about settling following an incredible season, Leicester Riders have already set about defending their BBL Championship, Cup and Play-Off titles through the return of two pivotal stars.

The first announcement was arguably the one that created the most impact, as the country’s oldest professional club revealed that the all-dominating forward Drew Sullivan would be returning for a third successive season.

Stats and honours will tell you essentially all you need to know about Sullivan’s value to Leicester. The experienced forward won the BBL Most Valuable Player award and scooped the game equivalent in April’s BBL Play-Off Final at Wembley. In addition, Sullivan was awarded three awards at the Leicester Riders end-of-season presentation evening, where he was named Riders’ MVP, Player’s MVP and Fan’s MVP.

Sullivan played an incredible average of 34.5 minutes-per-game in a season of challenging scheduling for Leicester Riders, in which he would also average 14.1 shots, 7.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

But to truly appreciate Sullivan’s value to the Riders – you need to see him in action. Putting his body on the line defensively, Sullivan would take a battering to ensure that his team pulls down the board or keep the ball away from the hole. Offensively, he can sink the big shots that open up the gap between the team’s score. He’s a leader – and in his performances, he leads by example.

Off the court at Riders, Sullivan has also completed his first year as a coach with the club’s partnering Loughborough Basketball Programme, which is nurturing the talents of players including Connor Washington, Will Maynard and Jordan Dawes – who have all featured for the Riders senior team this year.

Sullivan’s return to Leicester, as a result, has more impact on Leicester Riders than at what first meets the eye.

Whilst the return of Drew Sullivan grabbed the headlines and made people stand up and take notice, the second was an announcement that enforced that Leicester Riders mean business again next season.

After enjoying a successful debut season in the UK, Spanish point guard Jorge Calvo has also agreed to return to Leicester next season. A warm character off the court, Calvo quickly endeared himself to fans at the John Sandford Sports Centre last year. However, on the court, the 25-year-old guard was one of the coolest operators in the league.

In Calvo, Leicester Riders have a truly continental point guard. Somebody that is constantly running the plays on the floor, finding the open pass and, if it’s on, could use his acceleration to drive into the lane for the easy lay-in. Riders head coach Rob Paternostro has labelled Jorge Calvo as ‘underrated’ – and you’d struggle to find somebody who’s seen him in action that disagrees.

Okay, his stats may not grab you at first glance. His average of 5.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3 assists per-game may be eclipsed by the likes of the free-scoring Sullivan, Jay Couisnard and Zaire Taylor – but that’s the hallmark of a great point guard. Run the play, get the wheels moving, communicate with your team-mates and commence the execution.

So why does Calvo’s return enforce Riders’ statement of intent?

With Jamell Anderson and Connor Washington committed to long-term deals at Leicester Riders, the return of Calvo and Sullivan means that four members of last year’s successful team are back already.

With a new arena ahead of next season in the pipeline (we’ll bring you more on that this summer as it develops); will more members of the team return? The signs are positive and, not that we’re one to read into anything too much – a recent tweet by BBL Cup Final MVP and League MVP runner-up Jay Couisnard also sounds exciting in prospect…

 

If the rest of the summer is as busy as the first few weeks have been for Leicester Riders’ recruitment, we could be in for a treat.