Leicester Riders

Welcome to the Riders family, Ygam! 🤩 We're delighted to announce our partnership with Ygam, a charity with a mission to prevent children and young people from experiencing gaming and gambling harms. This collaboration, a first for any team in British basketball, signifies a major stride in the Riders’ commitment to the digital safeguarding of all children and young people associated with the Club. Read more below ⤵️

Ahead of a hotly anticipated debut campaign, Super League Basketball announced the four competitions that will make up the inaugural season, which is set to tip off on Friday September 27. The SLB have introduced four formats for the 2024/25 season which pay homage to the storied history of top-flight British basketball, with Championship, Cup, Playoff and Trophy competitions set to keeps fans on the edges of their seats throughout the year. Getting underway in late September, the Trophy tournament takes centre-stage from the tip-off as five weeks of group stage action will see SLB fans to the start of November, when the Championship campaign commences. Utilita Arena Birmingham will host the first major Final in SLB history on January 26, 2025, as the Trophy title will be up for grabs, representing the first in a trio of showpiece events taking place before the end of the season. Continuing the history of one of British basketball’s most storied competitions, the SLB have established a Cup competition which will take place over six weeks from February ahead of a Final in March at a venue to be confirmed, before the road to the Playoffs resumes with the Championship action concluding on April 27. The top eight teams in the SLB will qualify for the post-season, battling in two-legged quarter- and semi-finals for a place in London on May 18 in the Playoff Final to compete for the biggest prize in British basketball. Venue information for the Cup and Playoff Finals will be announced in the coming weeks. Speaking following confirmation of the competition formats, SLB Interim Chair Vaughn Millette said: “We’re delighted to be launching our inaugural season with four fantastic competitions for our fans to look forward to. British basketball has a rich history and we’re pleased to pay tribute to that heritage with these competitions, setting the stage for a spectacular SLB season. “The excitement for the return of elite level British basketball is evident and we’re delighted to be able to give the fans what they want from September 27, with a full fixture list for all of our competitions to be released in the coming days.” Leicester Riders prepare for Super League Basketball against USA Select on September 6.

We are thrilled to announce the re-signing of Duke Shelton to their 2024/25 roster. The American, who holds a British passport, first signed in Leicester in January 2024, putting up a productive 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 16 minutes per outing. Shelton brings a wealth of experience to Leicester, having played nine seasons of professional basketball across Europe. Prior to joining the Riders, Shelton played two seasons for the Newcastle Eagles. The 6’10” forward averaged a double-double in ten games for the Eagles in the 2021/22 season, logging 14.1 points and 10.5 rebounds. The 28-year-old’s European experience has seen him compete in Israel, Finland and Slovakia. Shelton is an energetic force in the paint on both ends, using his length and vertical ability to rise and swat away shots, and his relentless hustle to run in transition and lead the charge up the court for breakaway buckets. His efforts were epitomised by his 14 points and 16 rebounds in 22 minutes of action against the Plymouth City Patriots in March, where he grabbed 6 offensive boards in the Riders’ double overtime win. “I’m excited to be back,” said Shelton. “I’m ready for the great atmosphere that the fans bring and I’m looking forward to playing alongside my teammates. I believe we have a really good opportunity ahead and I can’t wait to get started.” Head Coach Rob Paternostro added: “We’re really happy to have Duke back with the Riders. Last season we were Impressed with his consistent effort in games and in practices. He was a true professional, and he lifted us with his energy. “Duke is a front court player that can run the floor, he’s active on the glass on both ends and he's someone that plays with passion and emotion. “He's a veteran- Duke has been around professional basketball for a while, and hell add veteran leadership to the locker room.”

We are excited to announce the signing of 6’9” forward Riley Abercrombie for the 2024-25 season! The Australian, who possesses a UK passport, signs from the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s NBL 1, where he averaged 23.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Abercrombie’s season with the Hawks featured back-to-back 38 point games, five 30 point outings and six double doubles over 19 games. Prior to Abercrombie’s summer in Illawarra, he played his graduation year with the University of North Colorado. He averaged 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game over his two seasons with the Bears, logging his best statistical season as a senior with 8.2 points per game. The Wollongong native declared for Boise State as a freshman, before transferring to Rice University for two seasons. At Rice, Abercrombie was a two-time member of the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and was named to the NABC Honors Court in 2021. At 6’9”, Abercrombie can take defenders off the dribble, use his deep range to knock down shots and can score with his back to the basket. As a three level scorer, he poses a threat from anywhere on the court, and his size allows him to impact the boards on both ends. Abercrombie said: “I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Leicester Riders this upcoming season. It’s a great club and with an amazing support system behind it. “I can’t wait to be in England and put on a Leicester Riders jersey!” Abercrombie is Head Coach Robert Paternostro's eighth signing of the summer ahead of the 2024-25 season. He added: “We are looking forward to having Riley on our team. He has good size and has the ability to stretch defences with his three point shooting. He is also an effective rebounder who has shown the ability to play team basketball. “He has had an excellent summer playing in Australia, where he put up some impressive numbers. We are looking forward to working with him this season.” Want to see Jackson back in Riders red? 2024-25 season tickets and tickets to our pre-season opener against USA Select are on sale now!

We're excited to welcome back Zach Jackson for the 2024-25 season! Jackson returns to the Club having spent three seasons with the Riders between 2020 and 2023. He played an integral role in the Riders’ 2022 treble, winning four trophies during his time in the East Midlands. During the 2022-23 season, Jackson averaged 16.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, shooting 55% from the field and 43% from three. He led the Riders in points, rebounds and steals during the 2023 Playoffs, making the final at the O2 Arena with 15.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Jackson’s career-high night in Leicester came against the Newcastle Eagles, where he put up 29 points and 9 rebounds and went 10-13 from the field in an 87-79 win. It was one of 11 20-point games during the 2022-23 season for the Wichita native, who went off for 20 points and 9 rebounds in the Playoff Final against the London Lions. Prior to the Riders, Jackson spent his rookie season in Ukraine for Kharkivski Sokoly, averaging 12 points and 4 rebounds per game. He went on to sign for Shonan United BC of the Japanese B.League last summer, before returning to the Riders for the upcoming season. The 6’6” wing is respected as an elite scorer, rebounder and defender, and is known for stepping up in the biggest moments and delivering clutch plays. Jackson said: “It feels good to be coming back to play for Coach Rob, and play in front of the fans that we’re a part of a very good time in my career. “I hope to help win some more trophies for the organisation. I look forward to getting back to Leicester and getting to work.” Head Coach Robert Paternostro added: “It’s fantastic to have a player like Zach back. In his time with the club he was a pleasure to work with both on and off the court. “He knows how to win, he has played in a lot of big games and has made so many important winning plays in his time in Leicester. “Zach is a versatile player who is comfortable playing the two through four positions, which should give us many different combinations to use throughout the season.” Jackson is Paternostro’s sixth addition to the Riders 2024-25 roster, and fourth American following the signings of Jaylin Hunter, Ethan Wright and Charles Thompson.

Leicester Riders are delighted to announce the retention of Katie Januszewska for the 2024-25 season. “KJ”, a Charnwood product, signed a multi-year deal with the Riders last summer, after joining the Academy in 2020. She averaged 7.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in her first year playing in the top-tier of British basketball, after an impressive 16-point debut against the Manchester Giants. Januszewska showed versatility on both ends throughout last season, establishing herself as one of the key pieces on Head Coach Ben Stanley’s roster. In 2021-2022, the 6’0” wing averaged 19.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in the WEABL and made the All-First Team in the Northern Conference. She was also named to the Women’s NBL Division One British Team of the Year with the Loughborough Riders, putting up 13.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Januszewska commented: “I’m excited to be back at the Riders for another year, and I’m looking forward to getting started with the new team! We will build on the foundation from last season and look to compete with the top teams in the league.” Head Coach Ben Stanley added: “We’re ecstatic to have KJ coming back to the programme. Above everything she’s a fantastic person with a phenomenal work ethic. Her commitment to getting better and commitment to her teammates is excellent. “We feel that she had a great summer with Great Britain’s Under 20s, and that she’s ready to make a step up for Riders women. She was fantastic last season, and with her ability to collapse defences, create for others, get to the rim and finish and knock down threes, I see a big jump for her this year. “We’re really happy that she’s back and continues to be a part of this programme.”

✍ We're excited to announce the signing of American Charles Thompson! 6’8” Thompson will suit up for his rookie season in professional basketball after five seasons with Towson Tigers in the NCAA Division 1. He averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds as a senior at Towson, and 10 points and 9 rebounds in his graduation year, leading the team to four winning seasons during his collegiate tenure. He graduated with an 87-51 record over five years. Thompson finished his college career as Towson’s all-time leader in games played and games started, and second in all-time minutes. He is one of three players all-time to score over 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds for the University, and was named to the All-CAA Third Team and CAA All-Defensive Team in 2023-24. He ranks third in all-time in total rebounds and field goal percentage, and fourth in blocks. An efficient scorer and dominant force in the paint, Thompson averaged over 50% shooting from the field in every season for Towson. His physical play on both ends made for a prolific college highlight reel, and he looks to build on that electric portfolio with the Riders. Thompson commented: “It feels great to be signed to the team. I can’t wait to get over there, meet the guys and get my feet on the ground and running. I am excited for this opportunity that I have been given and will surely make the most of it!” Head Coach Robert Paternostro added: “We are thrilled to add Charles to our team for next season. He had a highly decorated career at Towson where his team won 20 or more games the last three seasons. “He has put up some excellent numbers and is a very impressive defensive player, whose strength, quickness and mobility will be an excellent addition to our team. “We are thrilled to add him to our locker room. Everyone we spoke with talked about what a great leader he is both on and off the court. Thompson makes the Riders’ 2024-25 roster six-strong so far, following the signings of Americans Ethan Wright and Jaylin Hunter, the re-signing of club legend Conner Washington and retention of the young British pairing of Blake Bowman and Victor Ndoukou. 

We're thrilled to announce the signing of Kaia Harrison to our 2024-25 women's roster! The American guard joins the Riders for her first professional season after playing five years at Wake Forest. In her graduate year, Harrison averaged 8.9 points per game, and finished her collegiate career with 145 games played, the second most in school history. Harrison, a New York native, helped the Demon Deacons to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 33 years as a sophomore. She was the team’s second-leading scorer in her final collegiate season, adding electric energy to both ends of the court. She commented: “I am thrilled to announce my signing with the Riders. I’m super excited for the opportunity to compete in this league and contribute my best to this team's success. I look forward to showcasing my talent and I’m ready to get to work!” Heading into his second season as Head Coach, Harrison is Ben Stanley’s first addition to the Riders’ 2024-25 roster.  He added: “We’re really looking forward to having Kaia join us this year. She comes from a fantastic school, and we know that she’s had a big impact for Wake over the last couple of years. “We expect to see a lot of the same things from her for us, with her ability to handle the ball and her defensive acumen. We think she’ll be a fantastic addition to the squad. “She’s also an incredibly vibrant person, and she’ll have a big impact on the local community as well as Leicester Riders women.” 

The consortium of clubs awarded the licence for men’s professional basketball in Great Britain has today revealed the official trading name as Super League Basketball.  Just two weeks ago the group of clubs were successfully awarded the playing licence by their governing body, the British Basketball Federation, allowing elite level men’s professional basketball to continue in Great Britain this September. Chris Grant, Chair of the British Basketball Federation commented: “The arrival of Super League Basketball represents another significant step forward. Considerable credit must go to the clubs for their unified approach and clear focus on delivering the best possible league for fans, players and everyone with an interest in the future of top-level British basketball.”  Speaking on behalf of the clubs, Steve Timoney, owner of Caledonia Gladiators said: “There has been much speculation over what our new league name would be. After discussion and debate we have unanimously decided that a fresh approach is needed, with no association to previous incumbents.  “We hope all our fans are looking forward to the clubs taking to the court in September as part of this new league and we are excited for our future together. It has been a turbulent time for the clubs and our supporters, and we thank all the fans for their continued support and enthusiasm.  “There is a lot still to do before the season starts, but we are looking forward to sharing news with our fanbase and followers as we count down to the opening weekend of Super League Basketball this September.” Information on clubs, competition, fixtures and commercial partners will all be revealed in the next few weeks.  

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