After joining fellow legends Ant Rowe and Drew Lasker to select his pre-season favourites to win the Championship title and other major awards, Mike Tuck is now flying solo to name his four coaches to watch ahead of the upcoming Super League Basketball campaign.
Keep reading to find out who made the cut in Mike’s rankings!
Tautvydas Sabonis – London Lions
Tautvydas Sabonis’ appointment in London is one of the most fascinating coaching storylines of the season. At just 33, he steps into his first head coach role after five years with Žalgiris Kaunas, where he rose to Assistant Coach of their EuroLeague squad. That experience — working daily in one of Europe’s most demanding environments — has shaped Sabonis into a tactician known for detail, modern ideas, and a focus on player development.
A former pro in Spain, he quickly transitioned into coaching after retirement, and with a surname synonymous with European basketball royalty, Sabonis has started to carve out his own identity. Now tasked with guiding a London Lions team entering a new era in the BKT EuroCup and domestic competition, he brings fresh energy and a high standard. His debut season as head coach will be one to watch closely.
Matthew Otten – Manchester Basketball
Matthew Otten arrives in Manchester with a proven track record of success across Europe, making him one of the most intriguing coaches to follow this season. Fresh off a remarkable campaign with Austria’s Oberwart Gunners, Otten led the club to a 32–7 record, a regular-season championship, and an unprecedented 9–0 playoff sweep — the first in Austrian Superliga history. He also delivered the Gunners’ first Supercup title, underlining his ability to win trophies quickly.
Before Austria, Otten made his mark in the Netherlands with Donar Groningen, guiding the team to a Dutch Cup, a BNXT League Finals appearance, and two seasons of FIBA Europe Cup play. Add in his international résume with the Netherlands’ national teams and a pro playing career that includes stints with the Chester Jets & Mersey Tigers in the BBL, and it’s clear Manchester has landed a coach with pedigree. Otten’s winning mentality and European experience could be game-changing this season.
Atiba Lyons – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks
Few coaches embody stability and success in British basketball like Atiba Lyons. Entering his 18th season at the helm of the Sheffield Sharks, Lyons has established himself as one of the longest-serving and most respected figures in the league. Last year, he guided the Sharks to the SLB Cup — their first silverware since 2016 — while also finishing third in the regular season with an impressive 22–10 record.
This season, Lyons has done a great job of retaining much of his core, including players like Prentiss Nixon and Rodney Chatman, while adding exciting pieces like familiar faces Dirk Williams and William Lee alongside Mervin James. All giving Sheffield a blend of continuity, firepower and the building blocks to create a team known for their defensive discipline and execution. Lyons is once again a coach to watch as the Sharks aim to stay among the league’s elite.
Jonny Bunyan – Caledonia Gladiators
Jonny Bunyan’s transition from club legend to head coach makes him one of the most compelling stories to follow this season. Bunyan played over 400 games for the Gladiators and captained the side to the 2023 British Basketball League Trophy, before moving into a development role with the organisation in 2024. When the men’s team faced turbulence last season, Bunyan stepped in as interim head coach, earning respect for his leadership and ability to steady the ship. His command of the locker room laid the groundwork for his permanent appointment over the summer.
Now preparing for his first full campaign in charge, Bunyan has greater influence over roster construction and team culture. His deep ties to the club, combined with a clear vision for the future, give Caledonia a coach who embodies the identity, and ambition as they look to climb the league.
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