Few people can claim to have had the resumes in top-flight British basketball that Ant Rowe, Drew Lasker and Mike Tuck have amassed, which is why they were the perfect trio to sit down with and preview what is sure to be a spectacular Super League Basketball season.

Ant, Drew and Mike gave their thoughts on a bunch of topics, which we’re excited to share with you ahead of the season start on Friday night, but we’re tipping off with the most controversial – the end-of-season standings!

The guys went bold with their selections, so read on to find out more about where they think your favourite team might finish the season.

Ant Rowe:

1st – London Lions

London Lions are my pick to win the Super League Basketball regular season, and it’s not a difficult call. They’re the defending champions, and when you look at the roster they’ve assembled this year, there’s every reason to believe they’ll be even stronger. The key retentions tell you everything; Joel Scott, Mo Soluade, Ethan Price, Aaryn Rai, Tarik Phillip and Deane Williams are all back, and that gives them an outstanding foundation.

They’ve also been smart with their import choices, bringing in players with NBA experience; Maxwell Lewis III is a real statement signing. The Lions had an excellent preseason, and you get the clear sense that coach Sabonis has no intention of slowing down. He’s driving for both domestic and European excellence, and I think they’ll be the best defensive team in the league this season. We all know defence wins championships, and that’s exactly why I’m backing the Lions to lift the title again.

2nd – Manchester Basketball

Manchester had an impressive year in European competition last season making the ENBL final, but their domestic form was inconsistent at times. I believe they’ll be a much stronger outfit this year,they’ve put together an exciting squad. Retaining Jordan Johnson was huge; he was an MVP candidate last year and is one of the best players in the league. They’ve also brought back key pieces in KaiyemCleary, Matt Nicholson, Kayne Henry, and Duke Shelton.

Injuries played a big part in their inconsistency last season, and I think a fit, settled Manchester side is a very different proposition. They’ve also added real British talent with SLB experience in Jonathan Brown and Ciaran Sandy, and Luke Nelson is a huge acquisition, I think he’ll be one of the best point guards in the country this year. Now in his second year in the league, Coach Matt Otten arrives with a full season’s worth of knowledge and insight behind him and I fully expect him to use it to take Manchester to the next level.

3rd – Cheshire Phoenix

Every year we see a new-look Cheshire Phoenix, and every year their philosophy and exciting brand of basketball stays exactly the same because coach Ben Thomas demands it. My one honest criticism this season is the limited number of returners from a very successful previous campaign. The nucleus of a winning team matters in British basketball, and they’ve had significant turnover.

That said, the retention of Skyler White is excellent. He’s not just an elite shooter, he’s a player who genuinely cares about Cheshire, and that kind of passion and buy-in is exactly what you want to build around. And honestly, I’m placing them third because I’m tired of betting against Ben Thomas. Year after year he recruits top-level talent to British shores, and I have every faith he’s done it again. This Cheshire side will be exciting to watch and, there’ll have the opportunity to clock another successfulseason.

4th – Leicester Riders

Full disclosure; placing Leicester fourth involves a degree of educated faith rather than extensive preseason evidence, as we haven’t seen much of them in action yet. But Rob Paternostro is the most successful active coach in British basketball history and a future hall of famer. That alone carries enormous weight.

This year’s squad looks quite different to last season’s, with fewer returning players than we’d normally expect from Rob. But one of his defining superpowers is his ability to maximise the potential of any group he works with and he has a proven track record of recruiting outstanding talent. Players like Deontay Johnson bring solid professional experience, Tomide Akinsiku and Victor Ndoukou are back, and with Pablo Vasquez and Will Maynard alongside Rob in the coaching staff, you have a trio with decades of British Basketball knowledge between them. Leicester Riders as a top-four team isn’t a leap of faith… It’s simply trusting the process.

Drew Lasker:

1st – London Lions

Remember when London strangled the entire league defensively and went on to win all four trophies? Well, sprinkle some top-level scoring talent on top of Coach Sabonis’ defensive masterclass and you get a team that seems almost invincible …good luck!

Until somebody knocks London off the top, I’m not going against them.

The additions of Devante Jones and Keenan Evans give them elite guard play, while Tarik Phillip, Deane Williams and the returning core already understand the standards Sabonis demands. The big question is balancing domestic expectations with European basketball, more travel and a trip across the pond to face the Portland Trail Blazers. Less preparation time could open the door for the chasing pack, but London have the depth to handle it.

For me, the road to the Championship still runs through London.

2nd – Manchester Basketball

ENBL runners-up, and now the first win by a British team in the BCL Qualifiers. It feels like Manchester can do no wrong since their emergence as Manchester Basketball.

I’m not quite ready to say they can scare London for the title, but this team has unfinished business after reaching two finals without a title. Jordan Johnson and Kaiyem Cleary return, while Keon Thompson and Jonathan Brown add quality to a deep guard rotation.

GB international Luke Nelson could prove to be the signing of the season. He brings European experience, leadership and knows what winning looks like from his time with London.

Matthew Otten has multiple creators and serious depth. London remain the standard, but Manchester are my pick to apply the pressure.

3rd – Cheshire Phoenix

I think it’s time we officially graduate the Phoenix franchise from the Underdogs to the Top Dawgs. After beginning last season 0–3, they stormed all the way back to finish runners-up in the league and earned a trip to the Play-off Final at The O2, London.

This pick might raise a few eyebrows because Cheshire have lost some major pieces, including last season’s MVP Patrick Robinson. But I’ve learned not to bet against what Ben Thomas has built there. Players change, but the identity rarely does. Cheshire want to play with pace, shoot threes, share the basketball and throw bodies at you in waves.

We got an early glimpse in preseason when a completely rebuilt Phoenix put 115 on Sheffield, hitting 20 threes with 28 assists and 60 bench points. There are plenty of new names, but I’m betting on the system.

New personnel, same Nix way.

4th – Liverpool Basketball

Liverpool are the new kids on the block, and with no previous SLB season to judge them on, fourth might look ambitious. I’m taking a huge swing in the dark.

But “dark” is probably the best way to describe Liverpool’s offseason. The team’s arrival seemed to just slide through the back door after months of rumours. They’re obviously keeping their cards extremely close to their chest, but something tells me they’ve got an ace up their sleeve.

That mystery is exactly what makes Liverpool one of the league’s most fascinating teams. They’re building an identity from scratch, with a new fanbase, a new home and an opportunity to immediately put their stamp on British basketball. There will be growing pains, because assembling talent and becoming a team are two different things.

But I don’t think Liverpool have arrived just to make up the numbers.

I’m shoving the chips to the centre of the table and going All In on a Top Four Finish.

Mike Tuck:

1st – London Lions

For me, London are the clear favourites heading into the season. They finished 26–6 last year, won the Championship and have somehow managed to strengthen an already deep roster. They have retained players like Tarik Phillip, Joel Scott and Aaryn Rai, while Deane Williams also returns to give them more experience and physicality in the frontcourt. They have then added genuine EuroLeague quality with Keenan Evans.

Their preseason results have been really impressive as well, beating Śląsk Wrocław and a Paris Basketball team that will compete in the EuroLeague. The one thing to watch will be how they balance the domestic league with their EuroCup schedule, but they have built a roster capable of doing both. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they improved on last season’s 26 wins, and they could do it fairly comfortably.

2nd – Cheshire Phoenix

I’ve gone with Cheshire in second. Losing last season’s MVP Pat Robinson is obviously massive because he gave them 20 points per game and was their main option when they needed a basket. However, Ben Thomas always seems to find players who fit the way he wants to play. Cheshire play fast, get into their offence early and shoot a lot of threes, with the aim of simply outscoring teams.

Jordan Hinds looks like a really exciting signing after averaging over 25 points in Ireland, while Isaiah Gray adds another scoring option in the backcourt. Rory Stewart is also an interesting addition at 6’8″, giving them more size, length and versatility at forward. They have looked excellent in preseason, including putting up 115 points against Sheffield. Replacing Robinson won’t be easy, but I still think their system and offensive firepower make them London’s closest challenger.

3rd – Sheffield Sharks

I’ve put Sheffield third, although they have been difficult to judge because nearly half of the roster has carried some sort of injury during preseason. It has been a slow start, but when everyone is healthy, I think there is a lot of talent in this team. Donovan Clay is the standout signing and returns after being named MVP of the 2025 Cup Final.

Adrian Delph averaged more than 20 points per game in Luxembourg, while Maceo Jack is already a proven SLB scorer after averaging 15.7 points for Newcastle last season. Sean Bairstow and rookie Dan Gherezgher also give Atiba Lyons additional size and versatility on the perimeter. The Sharks have changed around half of last season’s roster, so the chemistry may take time. However, if they can get healthy, I think they have enough scoring and experience to break into the top three.

4th – Manchester Basketball

Manchester have a strong core returning from the team that finished third, reached the SLB Cup Final and finished as runners-up in the ENBL. They have already made history this season, beating Würzburg 74–73 on Monday night to become the first British team to win a Basketball Champions League qualifying game. That result shows the level this team could reach.

Jordan Johnson remains one of the best playmaking guards in the league, while Kaiyem Cleary, Matthew Nicholson and Duke Shelton all return. Adding experienced Great Britain guard Luke Nelson should make them even stronger. The one thing to watch will be how their European schedule affects them domestically, particularly with several rookies entering their first professional seasons. I expect Manchester to be firmly in the top four, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they challenged the teams above them.