After joining fellow legends Ant Rowe and Mike Tuck to select his pre-season favourites to win the Championship title and other major awards, Drew Lasker is now flying solo to name his six players to watch ahead of the inaugural Super League Basketball campaign.
Keep reading to find out who made the cut in Drew’s rankings!
Aaryn Rai – London Lions
What a two-year run for the Ivy League graduate! His dominate display in Basketball England’s NBLL Division One and impact in Cheshire last year has been rewarded with a long-term deal in one of the world’s best cities with the London Lions. He will have to earn it as he will be expected to lead a relatively inexperienced Lions roster, but if we learned anything last season, it’s that you do not doubt Aaryn Rai as he has the skillset to lift a roster to another level. All eyes will be on Rai to see if it can make it three straight years of excellence as he relocates to the nation’s capital.
Zach Jackson – Leicester Riders
Discipline and a winning culture returns to Leicester with the return of all-action Zach Jackson. He had an incredible three-year stretch in his last spell with Rob Paternostro’s side that went somewhat under the radar due to the phenomenal seasons masterminded by Patrick Whelan and Geno Crandall. Now he’s the bonafide alpha male for the Riders. With a quick first step and a proven resume as an elite shooter from beyond the arc in his final year in Leicester, he will be as motivated as ever to get Leicester back to their glory days at the top of the tree in British basketball.
Cam Christon – Cheshire Phoenix
After excelling off the bench in his rookie campaign for the Cheshire Phoenix, Cam Christon has an opportunity to secure a much bigger role for himself this season. With many of his former teammates having moved on to new opportunities, Christon’s return may be motivated by the success of his former captain Maceo Jack, who also had a solid rookie season in Cheshire before exploding in his sophomore outing. After excelling in that bench role last season, Christon will be extremely motivated to show that he can be a lead singer on an incredible Band.
Jacob Groves – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks
You must have a great resume in order to end up on my list as a rookie, and Jacob Groves certainly checks all the boxes in terms of his level of play, skillset and how he looks like he’s going to fit into this roster. A stretch four with legitimate shooting chops, no team needs his shooting more than the Sharks, he will get off to a slow start due to his lack of preseason activity, but don’t give up on him. Trust me, once Jacob gets into a Gro(o)ve… watch out! Sharks have lacked a consistent outside threat for years and with this acquisition they could have brought in somebody who turns out to be the League’s best shooter!
Tanner Stuckman – Caledonia Gladiators
Topflight British basketball has always been dominated by great guards, and this season will be no different, however I’m confident that Caledonia Gladiator Tanner Stuckman will be the League’s best big man! There is an obvious lack of size this season from many teams and Tanner will be able to take full advantage with his elite skillset. Post touches will be cashed in with his soft touch in the paint and he is also paired with a pass-first point guard so expect to see plenty of highlight plays when those two link up!
Keddy Johnson – Bristol Flyers
It took the rookie a little time to adjust to the professional game last season and when he did begin to find his rhythm he was sidelined with a six-week wrist injury, but we started to see why he was so highly regarded towards the end of the season. He showed some incredible potential in the final two months and it’s no surprise that Coach Kapoulas has given him the keys to the team. You will see him pick up right where he left off with unwavering confidence in his game.