26/09/2002
Capers reunion for Mims

Billy Mims has once again delved into his past to snap up 6'6" guard/forward Kenya Capers, who played for him in 1999 whilst both at the Leopards. Capers fills the gap in the Riders roster left by Derick Singleton, who returned home to the US last week for personal reasons.

During his spell with the Leopards, the 29-year-old ranked fourth in the BBL in scoring with a 23.15 points per game average, whilst also appearing amongst the league's best for free throw and three point shooting.

"I've always thought highly of Kenya as a player and a person," said Mims. "Whilst at the Leopards he was statistically ranked the number one player in the Southern Conference. He is a proven scorer and everyone knows that is a high priority for Billy Mims basketball."

Since leaving the BBL, Capers has spent the last two seasons in the Brazilian National League playing for Goias Universo Ajax, where he finished fifth in scoring in both seasons, last year averaging 23.9 points per game, whilst ranking 12th (38.6%) in three-point shooting. He helped Ajax to the Brazilian Super Copa last season, whilst winning the Mid-Western Caixa Cup the previous season.

"The Brazilian league is one of the best in the world," said Mims. "Kenya finished fifth in scoring behind Oscar Schmidt, the legendary Brazilian scorer, so it shows his qualities and that experience will be great for the Riders."

Prior to coming to the BBL, he played for Oberwart Gunners in Austria, where he reached the Championship Final in 1998 and hit the game-winning three-point shot in the Austrian Cup Final in 1999, winning the MVP award along the way.

He also led the Gunners in the European Saporta Cup further than any other Austrian team had been before and finished as the competition's top scorer with 25 points per game.

"In Austria and Brazil he led his teams to Cup successes," noted Mims. "He is a big game player, who can produce when the pressure was on, and the fact he was the Saporta Cup's leading scorer shows he can produce at the top level. He even scored a game-high 26 in Treviso when they almost picked off eventual Saporta Cup winners Benetton in the group stages.

"Kenya will add to our three-point firepower, but the bonus with him is he is a versatile player. We'll probably play him at the off guard spot, but he can play point guard and small forward as well. If we needed him to, he could even play the power forward spot."

A work permit for Capers has been applied for and it is hoped he will be able to join his new team-mates early next week.

12/09/2002
Riders set for Swedish Challenge

The new look Leicester Riders squad will take to the floor for the first time tomorrow as they travel to Sweden to compete in the Smalandshamnar Cup.

The tournament takes place in Oskarshamn on the Baltic coast of Sweden, 175 miles south of Stockholm, and will see the Riders play four games in three days over the weekend.

"It's a pleasure to be heading back to Oskarshamn for a second year in a row," said Coach Billy Mims. "The guys have been practicing together, but they can't wait to get out on the floor and play for real. The tournament was great last year and no doubt it will be again this time around. It will be good for me to see the squad in some competitive matches."

Joining hosts Oskarshamn Atomics in the tournament are fellow Swedes Sundsvall Dragons and Södertälje Kings, whilst the BBL is represented by Riders and Birmingham Bullets.

Riders start their campaign against Sundsvall on Friday evening before playing two games on Saturday and one on Sunday. The Riders full schedule is as follows:

Friday 13 September
6.00pm Riders v Sundsvall Dragons
Saturday 14 September
10.00am Riders v Oskarshamn Atomics
4.00pm Riders v Södertälje Kings
Sunday 15 September
12noon Riders v Oskarshamn Atomics

Mims is taking a 12-man squad to Sweden for the tournament who are:

Antoine Sims, Jamal Faulkner, Malcolm Leak, Derick Singleton, Maurice Robinson, Karl Brown, Guy Renton, Bryan Balser, David Passmore, Tom Mahood, Triston Lawson, Keith Dolby.

The team will return to Leicester on Monday and Mims will be announcing further pre-season dates in the UK next week.

06/09/2002
Riders looking to Passmore

Billy Mims has strengthened the homegrown contingent of his Leicester Riders squad with the addition of David Passmore.

The 21-year-old power forward joins the squad after a couple of seasons in the National Basketball League with South Nottingham College Academy.

"We're delighted that David has chosen to start his professional career with the Riders," said Mims. "He's a great young English prospect who has spent his entire development here in England and we think he's going to have a great future."

Before his two seasons in Nottingham, the 6'8" forward played junior basketball for his hometown Barnstaple club.

"David worked at my camp a couple of weeks ago," explained Mims. "During the day he worked with the young boys and girls and was very popular, which will stand him in good stead for our community work. Then at night he'd be playing against Mo Robinson, Guy Renton and Malcolm Leak and he looked really good. His work ethic is exceptional.

"He's a class young man and we think he'll represent the club very well both on and off the floor."

Passmore and most of his Riders teammates are already in training for the BBL season starting in a months time. The three work permitted players - Jamal Faulkner, Derick Singleton and Antoine Sims - have received their paperwork and are set to fly into Leicester on Sunday.

Riders opening game of the season is at Thames Valley Tigers on Sunday 6th October with their first home game a week later.

Local rivals Birmingham are the first visitors to Loughborough University on Sunday 13th October (6.00). Season tickets for the Riders, the most affordable in the BBL, are on sale now with prices frozen from last season.

* The basketball world was turned upside down last night when the NBA stars of Team USA were dumped out of the World Championships in Indianapolis. Having lost to Argentina in a pool game on Wednesday to end their 58 game unbeaten streak since NBA players started playing for the US in 1992, the Americans blew a 10 point lead in the final six minutes to go down 81-78 to Yugoslavia in the quarter-finals.

The best Team USA can hope for now is fifth place. Chester Jets star Pero Cameron and his New Zealand squad now face the Yugoslavs in the semi-finals, whilst Argentina and Germany do battle for the other Final berth.