16/01/2004
Attewell adds to Riders ranks

Leicester Riders Head Coach Karl Brown has strengthened his squad with the addition of 6'8" forward David Attewell for the remainder of the 2003/04 season.

Attewell, who turns 30 next Wednesday, started the season with Milton Keynes Lions but has now been transferred to the Riders. The Londoner represented England on three occasions in 1999.

"David is a quality English player who will definitely help us," said Brown. "He's had a successful career in the BBL and has also played for England. David is a hard-working player with a great attitude and there is no doubt he will be a plus for the team."

Attewell came through the highly-successful East London junior programme and in 1991 was named English Junior Player of the Year. After four years at Siena College in America, Attewell began his BBL career in 1996 with Derby Storm.

He then spent four seasons with the Leopards and in fact played against the Riders in the 2001 Cup Final. Attewell will be no stranger to some of his new team-mates, as he played alongside Bryan Balser at East London, Siena, Ware and Derby and with Stedroy Baker at the Leopards.

Attewell is set to make his debut for the Riders at Birmingham Monroe Reflex Bullets tomorrow (7.30pm). Coach Brown is continuing his search for a replacement for Mike Wiatre ahead of the transfer deadline at the end of the month.

12/01/2004
Andrew Booth

The Leicester Riders Basketball Club wish to extend their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Andrew Booth, who died alongside his girlfriend in a road traffic accident in America.

Son of Chris and Julia Booth, the Riders' statisticians, Andrew was a product of the Derby junior programme and played for the Storm in 2000/01 season. He went to the States to further his basketball career and was in his second year at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

The Riders offer their condolences to Chris, Julia and their daughter Sarah at this tragic time.

09/01/2004
Geese scoops December honour!

Mike Pegues has won the BBL Player of the Month award for December after polling almost half of all votes cast in the fans' vote. Geese received 46% of the vote to beat off the challenge of TCS Chester Jets' Calvin Davis and Westfield Sharks Sheffield's HL Coleman and Lynard Stewart.

He becomes the first Rider to claim a monthly prize since the 2001/02 season when both Ralph Blalock and Tim Moore scooped the honour.

Pegues averaged a staggering 27.40 points per game, over six points better than any of his rivals for the honour. He also grabbed 8.40 rebounds per game, whilst shooting 62.35% from the floor, 72.73% from the line and an impressive 57.69% from behind the arc.

Pegues will be presented his award at the next Riders home game against the Sharks on January 31st.

In the coaching category, Nick Nurse (Brighton) beat Peter Scantlebury (Sheffield) and Paul Smith (Chester) to claim the prize. Nurse was undefeated through December.

06/01/2004
Vote Geese!

Mike Pegues has been nominated for BBL Player of the Month for December and he needs YOU! As usual, the BBL have drawn up a shortlist of candidates for the honour based on the statistics posted over the month. The fans from around the BBL then get to vote on who receives the prize.

Pegues averaged a staggering 27.40 points per game, over six points better than any of his rivals for the honour. He also grabbed 8.40 rebounds per game, whilst shooting 62.35% from the floor, 72.73% from the line and an impressive 57.69% from behind the arc.

Westfield Sharks Sheffield forward Lynard Stewart is nominated for averaging a double-double in December, as is TCS Chester Jets' Calvin Davis. HL Coleman, also of the Sharks, netted 20 points per game in December to earn his nomination.

In the coaching category, Nick Nurse (Brighton), Peter Scantlebury (Sheffield) and Paul Smith (Chester) fight it out for the honour.

05/01/2004
Riders part company with Wiatre

Leicester Riders Basketball Club have today parted company with guard Mike Wiatre after reaching agreement to release the player from his contract.

Mr Wiatre, who was signed in the summer by Billy Mims, expressed a desire to leave the club and the two parties negotiated a settlement to allow the player to be released from his contract and Head Coach Karl Brown an opportunity to find a replacement player.

Riders have this weekend off from competitive action and hope to have a replacement signed in time for their next game on Saturday 17th January.