26/09/2003
Balser back for Riders

Billy Mims has confirmed a seventh name on his Leicester Riders roster for the 2003/04 season, with the return of guard Bryan Balser.

The 29-year-old is starting his second season with the Riders after joining the club last summer. Balser is entering his ninth BBL season overall, during which time he has claimed the Southern Conference title with London and he reached the Play-off Final with Thames Valley.

"It's great to have Bryan back in a Riders uniform," said Mims. "Last season we had some problems, but I never questioned Bryan's commitment to the team. He's 100% positive in everything he does and gives his all in both games and practise. He's a great representative of this club both on and off the court.

"Bryan also has a lot of experience in this league and has always been a tough competitor. He will be back-up guard for us, but he proved to me last year that if we need him to start for any reason, he can do a job for us."

Balser, who has represented England on six occasions, has played over 200 games in the BBL, notching up a career scoring average of 8.4 points per game.

Balser's name is now alongside Mike Pegues, John Smith, Derrick Crayton, Mike Wiatre, Chris Webber and Gary Durrant on the Riders roster.

Riders take on Play-off champions Scottish Rocks in their opening game of the new season. Braehead Arena plays host to the contest on Sunday 5th October (tip-off 5:00pm).

Home fans get their first look at the Riders on Saturday 11th October when BBL Champions Westfield Sharks Sheffield are the opposition (7.30pm). Tickets are available by calling 0116 262 9979.

25/09/2003
Riders land free-scoring Pegues

Leicester Riders Head Coach Billy Mims has added to his 2003/04 roster again with the signing of 6'5" guard/forward Mike Pegues.

Pegues [pronounced Pe-Geese] has just finished playing in New Zealand, where he was the league's third top scorer. He averaged 28.4 points per game whist playing for Canterbury Rams and Otago Nuggets. However, his scoring exploits go right back to his college days as well and Coach Mims couldn't help but be impressed.

"Mike hit over 20 points per game for two years at the University of Delaware, and 17 in a third season," explained Mims. "In a team that reached the NCAA Division I Tournament twice those are fantastic numbers. When he played in the Korac Cup for San Marino he averaged over twenty. Now this summer he's put up big numbers in New Zealand, which is no mean feat.

"Everyone knows Billy Mims basketball needs guys who can score and Mike Pegues has proved he can do that everywhere he's been. I'm hoping he can do it in the BBL as well, because I think he could be a go-to guy for us when we need a score in a tough situation."

At Delaware, Pegues picked up awards both on and off the court. Helping his team to two Conference Championships, he was named Conference Player of the Year in 1999 and was in the All-Conference First Team for three seasons. He was also named on the All-Academic Team and named Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1998. He holds the University's record for scoring with a career tally of 2030 points and is ranked sixth in rebounding with 743.

Pegues joins John Smith, Derrick Crayton, Mike Wiatre, Chris Webber and Gary Durrant on the new-look Riders roster, with Mims hopeful of completing one more signing this week.

Riders start their 2003/04 campaign away from home with the trip north of the border to the Play-off champions, Scottish Rocks.

The first game at Loughborough University comes on Saturday 11th October when BBL Champions Westfield Sharks Sheffield are the opposition (7.30pm). Tickets are available by calling 0116 262 9979.

24/09/2003
'Beast' to roam in paint for Riders

Leicester Riders' Head Coach Billy Mims has signed a centre for the forthcoming BBL Championship season, with the capture of John Smith.

Standing 6'8" and weighing 19 stone, Smith has earned himself the nickname 'Beast' on the court, although the personable South Carolina-native is far from that off it.

Smith has spent this summer playing for Harbour Heat in New Zealand where he was amongst the league's top 20 in scoring (16.1ppg) and rebounding (7.7rpg). He also played for the Heat last summer and in between played in Finland's top league for Äänekosken Huima.

"I'm very pleased to be able to procure a centre who has a vast amount of European experience," said Mims. "He's played at the top level in Finland and Holland and produced good numbers in both. John has also played against some current BBL players like Kendrick Warren and Shawn Myers so he knows a little about what to expect.

"The key thing about John is he's a total team player. He's a guy who always has the benefit of the team in mind and has a great work ethic, gives 110% all the time and after last year where we had a lot of individuals, that's important to us."

At Huima, Smith averaged 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in his second spell for the club having first joined them in 2000/01. In between, Smith had a season with BC Jyväskylä, where he posted over 20 points and 9 rebounds per game.

Smith's first European experience came in Holland in 1996/97 where he spent a couple of seasons with Weert and was selected for the All Star Game. His other previous clubs include Amsterdam, Israeli outfit Maccabi Hadera and Anernas of Belgium.

Smith's signing comes hot on the heels of Derrick Crayton's with further additions hoped to be in place this week.

Riders open up their BBL Championship campaign against last season's Play-off Winners, Scottish Rocks, on Sunday 5th October (tip-off 5.00pm).

Riders' home opener sees them entertain last season's Championship winners, Westfield Sharks Sheffield at Loughborough University on Saturday 11th October (tip-off 7.30pm). Tickets for this game are available by calling 0116 262 9979.

23/09/2003
Crayton is latest addition for Riders

Billy Mims' team-building for his 2003/04 Leicester Riders' squad continues apace with the signing of American power forward Derrick Crayton.

The 6'8" Alabama-native joins the club after two seasons playing in Finland for BC Nokia. Last season he averaged 22.5 points and 12.5 rebounds a game, which placed him fourth in the league in both categories. He also led the league in two-point shooting with an impressive 67.6% accuracy.

"I feel very fortunate to get a player of Derrick's international experience and athleticism," said Coach Mims. "He runs the floor very well and because of his leaping ability and athleticism he should be able to bring us a shot blocking presence in the lane.

"He's played in Venezuela where he put up good numbers for two seasons and he was EBA league MVP in Spain. In his two seasons in Finland he has again successfully put up big numbers. He's been successful wherever he has been and we hope the same success will follow him to Leicester."

Prior to joining BC Nokia, Crayton played in Spain for Villanueva de Serena where he was named the EBA Player of the Season, having averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

Before coming to Europe, the 28-year-old spent two seasons in Venezuela where he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game for Trotamundos de Carabobo. That was Crayton's first professional club after leaving NCAA Division I side University of Arkansas, Little Rock.

Crayton's name is added to those of Mike Wiatre, Gary Durrant and Chris Webber on the Riders' roster with the remainder of the side expected to be in place this week.

Riders open up their BBL Championship campaign against last season's Play-off Winners, Scottish Rocks, on Sunday 5th October (tip-off 5.00pm).

Riders' home opener sees them entertain last season's Championship winners, Westfield Sharks Sheffield at Loughborough University on Saturday 11th October (tip-off 7.30pm). Tickets for this game are available by calling 0116 262 9979.

19/09/2003
Riders Point to Wiatre

Mike Wiatre is the man Billy Mims has turned to to run his Leicester Riders team for the forthcoming BBL Championship season. Wiatre is set to be Riders' point guard for the 2003/04 season.

The 6'0" guard was born in New York, but holds an Italian passport by virtue of having an Italian mother.

Wiatre [pronounced We-a-tra] attended South Carolina State University, where he starred in a Conference Championship-winning side. Averaging a team-high 16.8 points per game, he guided the side to the MEAC Championship, being named tournament MVP en route thanks in part to his 26-point, 10-rebound display in the Final. He was the star of an All-Tournament team, which included former Rider Freddie Cole.

"We wanted a guy who had leadership qualities, but people know that in my system, I also want a scoring point guard," said Coach Mims. "And Mike has proven that not only does he have the court awareness to run a team, but also the shooting ability to score big points in an offence which will give him the opportunity to get shots.

"He's got that New York savvy and toughness and in his Senior Year at South Carolina State he shot 172 free throw in 34 games. That shows you are getting to the basket and if you made 85% of them as he did, that's the kind of scoring point guard that Billy Mims likes."

With Wiatre leading the side, South Carolina State also reached the NCAA Tournament for only the fourth time in the college's history. Despite SCS losing to top seeded Stanford in the first round, Wiatre's team-high 17-point display was enough to earn him the CBS Chevrolet Player of the Game award.

Since leaving College, Wiatre was drafted to the Brooklyn Kings in the USBL and played for CDP in the Dominican Republic, for whom he averaged 17 points per game.

Wiatre joins Gary Durrant and Chris Webber on the Riders' roster with further additions set to be made next week.

Riders' face a daunting start to the season with a trip to BBL Championship Play-off Winners Scottish Rocks on Sunday 5th October (tip-off 5.00pm) before their first home game of the season against last season's top side Westfield Sharks Sheffield.

Tickets for Riders home opener against the Sharks on Saturday 11th October (tip-off 7.30pm) are available by calling 0116 262 9979.

16/09/2003
Webber returns to Riders

Leicester Riders' head coach Billy Mims has announced his second signing of the season with the return of 6'9" power forward/centre Chris Webber.

The Canadian born, British passport holder, joined the club for a second spell just before last season's transfer deadline. Webber averaged 15.36 points per game, as well as featuring in last season's BBL top 10 in the blocked shots category.

He already boasts considerable BBL experience having played with Newcastle Eagles, Birmingham Bullets and Edinburgh Rocks prior to his move to Leicester, as well as for the Plymouth Raiders in the National Basketball League.

"From the moment he came in to the end of the season, his attitude was always exceptional, his effort and intensity were 110% both in practice and in games," commented Mims. "Chris scored points out of his enthusiasm, his work ethic, and his love for the game.

"We are signing Chris to be our sixth man and should the occasional need arise, he can prove very useful in a starter's role. He is providing us with the depth we need.

"What was a very disappointing season last year, with some of our players not performing up to their abilities. Many times as a coach, I'd join the fans in questioning the lack of intensity from some of our players, but when Chris Webber joined the team that was never an issue.

"In his first game he joined us at Chester with a couple foreign players out, Webber stepped off the plane, without even a practice, got on the bus and went with us to Chester and scored 26 points. I think fans saw Chris Webber, as I did, as being somebody being committed to playing as hard as he could for the Riders and certainly willing every night, to give everything to the success of the club. He is really committed to the season, quite comfortable being here and across the board, he has produced numbers in this league."

Riders fans will no doubt be pleased to see Chris and his solid commitment to the success of the club for this forthcoming season, alongside Leicester's first signing of the season, Gary Durrant.

Riders' begin their 2003/04 season with two difficult fixtures. Their first game takes them away to Scottish Phoenix Mitsubishi Rocks, last season's BBL Championship Play-off winners, on Sunday 5th October (tip-off 5.00pm).

Their opening home game follows, this time against the Westfield Sharks Sheffield, BBL Championship winners, on Saturday 11th October (tip-off 7.30pm). Tickets are available by calling 0116 2629979.

15/09/2003
Durrant in as Riders building begins

Billy Mims has begun his team building for the Leicester Riders 2003/04 squad with the signing of Gary Durrant.

At 6'5" and nearly 16 stone, Durrant can play in both the guard and forward positions and is likely to be used as a small forward by Coach Mims.

"Gary is an outstanding athlete with not an ounce of body fat on him," said Coach Mims. "For the past 18 months we've not been able to play the up-tempo, high-octane basketball that I like and that has been successful for me in the past. This year I want our fans to be excited by the team again.

"Gary is an entertaining player and, as well as winning games, we want to be able to give our fans some excitement. With Gary being a National Slam Dunk Champion in college, he'll have the green light to get out on the break and excite the fans with his dunking."

Durrant won the National Slam Dunk Championship at the 1999 NCAA Final Four in Tampa. He's also won similar competitions at the NBA Draft in 1995 and the Toronto Raptors Slam Dunk contest on three occasions.

After being named a McDonalds All-American in high school, Durrant attended Florida Atlantic University, where he was selected for the All-TAAC Conference Team after averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds per game in his Senior Year.

Since leaving university in 1999, Durrant has played for Tampa Bay Windjammers in the USBL, Ragusa in Italy and Aris in Greece. He's also played in the NBA Summer League for Los Angeles and Magic Johnson's All Stars.

Durrant, who holds an Italian passport, recently graduated from York University where he obtained a second degree to add to the BA Sociology he received at FAU. He's won awards for his academic accomplishments and his positive role in the community.

The Durrant Basketball Association, set up by Gary in his hometown Toronto, currently teaches hundreds of children the game of basketball, as well as developing self-confidence, team play and sportsmanship.

Further Leicester player signings are expected this week.

If you want to see Gary in dunking mode, why not check out his website - www.garydurrant.com. As well as a two minute video of some of Gary's top dunks, there are pictures of the man himself in action (for the ladies who like their basketball players muscular these are a must-see!)