Leicester Riders Basketball Club

Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders 67 (18,37,59)
(Burns 11, Wellington 11, Mills 10)
Sheffield Sharks 69 (14,32,42)
(Parillon 23, McKeithan 15, Chaney 10)

Sheffield Sharks unbeaten start to the season continues after an epic fightback to defeat Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders in the East Midlands.

Sheffield now stand alone at the top of the BBL with three wins from three matches, while the Riders slip back into a tie for fifth with Newcastle Eagles.

After a tight first half that Leicester shaded 37-32 the match burst into life in the third quarter. Some superb offence by the Riders saw them open up what appeared to be an unassailable lead at 59-42 heading into the final stanza.

However, Sharks’ Ray McKeithan notched 10-points in a frantic fourth quarter as Leicester’s advantage was cut into. Level at 67-67 with 10 seconds remaining a Shelby Chaney hook shot handed the victory to the visitors.

Sheffield’s Steve Parillon was once again in fine form as he led all scorers with 23. Joel Burns was Riders’ leader with 11 against his former club. His effort was matched by team-mate Rod Wellington.

Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders’ are delighted to announce their fans have backed the club in unprecedented levels this season.

The Riders fans have bought more season tickets this season than any other in its 40-year history, smashing the previous best by over 20%.

The figure is also a 35% increase on last season’s sales and Saturday’s season opener against Birmingham saw one of the best gates since moving to John Sandford Sports Centre.

“It’s a phenomenal backing by the club from the supporters,” said General Manager Russell Levenston. “We’re hugely grateful to our fans who have shown tremendous loyalty to the club, especially when we needed it most over the last month.

“At the fans’ forum at the end of August, Mark Ellis set a target of season ticket sales and our fans exceeded that in less than a week. We’ve sold around 40% more season tickets than we had hoped for a month ago. The fans have been brilliant.”

Buoyed by their tremendous support, Riders got their season off to a winning start for the first time in 12-years with a thrilling 101-79 success over their midland rivals.

Sheffield Sharks, who lead the embryonic BBL Championship table after two wins on the opening weekend, are next up for the Riders at the John Sandford Sports Centre on Saturday night (tip-off 7.30pm).

Tickets for that match will be available on the door at £10 for adults and £7 for concessions and family tickets at £27.50 and £30. Season tickets are also still available here.

Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders 101 (30,49,69)
(Janiska 25, Wellington 18, McKnight 17)
Team Birmingham Panthers 79 (14,42,60)
(Popoola 15, A Williams 14, Wright/Sandel 12)

The Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders got off to a winning start for the first time since 1995 with a 101-79 victory over their Midlands rivals, Team Birmingham Panthers at the John Sanford Centre on Saturday evening.

An explosive start from the home side saw them stretch out to an early lead off the back of a 15-2 run to open the game. They continued to extend their lead throughout the second quarter, but the visitors were not to be outdone as a 16-0 run midway through the period bought the score back to 39-36, but the Riders replied with a 10-2 burst of their own to take the score out to 49-38.

The second half saw both sides trading baskets in a tight third period, which saw the Riders maintain a slender nine-point advantage at 69-60 going into the final stanza. In the final quarter, the Riders broke the game open with a 17-5 burst midway through the quarter, including 5 three-pointers to take the score out to 90-69, and the Riders held on for the comfortable victory.

Mindaugas Janiska led all scorers in the game with an impressive 25 point haul on his debut for the Riders, while Lekan Popoola led the Panthers scoring with 15.

Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders’ have added two more players to the roster ahead to this Saturday’s season opener against Birmingham Panthers at John Sandford Sports Centre (7.30).

Guard Russell Jordan and forward Emile Hopkins have both been signed by Coach Martin Ford and both will make their debut in the BBL this season.

“At 20, I think Emile is a fantastic prospect,” said Ford. “He’s an incredible athlete, he’s really hungry to learn and has real desire to win. He plays really hard, has a nice shot from about 15 feet and I reckon he could be a real star of the future. He’s still young, but if he wants to be, I think he could be a franchise player one day.

“Russell will be a good role player for us this season. He’s got the ability to score and he plays tough defence. He can match up on a variety of people so he should prove a useful asset to the roster.”

The pair brings takes to eight the number of signings announced by Ford, but his squad will be complete by the weekend.

“Those will be our core eight, but we’ve been looking at plenty of other options for the bench and we’ve got some good young hungry kids for those spots as well,” added Ford. “Considering how late we’ve come together, I’m delighted with where we are right now.

“We went to Chester on Sunday for a friendly without any of our permit players and only lost on the last shot so I like what I’ve seen from the guys. It’s still tough for us, but hopefully all the permit guys will be in on time for the weekend and we’ll be ready for Birmingham.”

Season tickets are still available at here, whilst match tickets for the Panthers game will be available on the door (tip-off 7.30pm) at £10 for adults and £7 for concessions and family tickets at £27.50 and £30.

Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders’ have signed British forward Roderick Wellington to their roster ahead of Saturday’s season opener against Birmingham at John Sandford Sports Centre.

The 29-year-old Londoner joins the Riders after helping Guildford Heat to the league and cup double last season.

“I think this will prove to be a great signing for us,” said Coach Martin Ford. “Roderick has proven his abilities at this level and is just the sort of guy we need for our team. He’s a real hard-worker and his experience will help some of the younger guys on the team.

“I’ve known him for a while and like his game, he’ll be an asset for us and the fact he’s played with Chad McKnight for two years gives us another bit of chemistry early on.”

Wellington averaged six points per game for the Heat last term having previously played for Plymouth, Thames Valley and Sutton.

The 6’5” forward also represented England on seven occasions after making his debut against Scotland in 2005.

Ford is now just putting the finishing touches to his line-up, with the season’s tip-off just a few days away.

Season tickets are still available at here, whilst match tickets for the Panthers game will be available on the door (tip-off 7.30pm) at £10 for adults and £7 for concessions and family tickets at £27.50 and £30.

Leading up to the new season we give you the background on new star signing Kyle Greathouse...

In 2003 Kyle was Ohio High School Division 1 player of the year whilst the NBA's Lebron James was Division 2 player of the year!

Also in 2003 Kyle lead the scoring at the U19 World International Tournament in Milan Italy. Kyle then went on to become starting point guard at Western Carolina University for 4 years. During this time he started alongside current Sacramento King NBA star Kevin Martin.

Kyle won the player of week award after posting 22 points and 8 assists in a win over Tennessee Chattanooga. Then three days later posted 29 points (7 of 9 three pointers) and 6 assists in their win over University North Carolina Greensboro.

In his senior year he played in over 600 minutes of action and only committed a staggering 14 turnovers!

Now joining the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders' he joins his former High School team-mate Chad McKnight and former University team-mate Terrence Woodyard.

Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders’ have added a further two signings to the team ahead of next weekend’s season opener against Birmingham at John Sanford Sports Centre.

British centre Barry Lamble returns to the side for a second season, whilst Lithuanian guard Janiska Mindaugas, known as ‘MD’, has also been signed by Coach Martin Ford.

6’10” Lamble averaged over 4 points and 3 rebounds per game for the Riders last year, having previously played in the BBL for Birmingham and also at a lower level for Worcester, Bath and Taunton.

Mindaugas represented Lithuania at U-18 level and as well as playing in his native country, also spent some time at college in America and briefly played for Eiffel Towers Nijmegen in Holland’s top division.

“Barry’s been in the league for a couple of years, so he knows what it’s all about,” said Ford. “He still has a few fundamental things I’m going to be working with him on, but I’m looking for him to become a major factor for us the later the season goes on.

“‘MD’ is a tough, hard-working off-guard. He shoots the ball really well and is very aggressive at both ends of the court. He played for the Lithuanian Junior team, which says a lot, and he played for Eiffel Towers as well. I like what I’ve seen from him and I think he’ll be a good back up to our guards.”

These signings bring to six the number of players unveiled by Ford, with more expected to be announced at the beginning of next week.

Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders’ head coach Martin Ford has added two American players to his roster ahead of the forthcoming season.

Aptly named guard Kyle Greathouse and his former college team-mate Terrence Woodyard have both been signed.

Greathouse has just left Western Carolina University where he was one of the college’s all-time leading three-point shooters. He also averaged around seven points a game whilst being a regular starter in each of his four seasons.

Woodyard played for the university between 2002 and 2006 and since leaving has played professionally in several American leagues.

“One of the key things about these two guys is we get some chemistry right from the start,” said Ford. “Having played two seasons together at a good university they know each really well. Chad McKnight knows Kyle as well so it all helps.

“I think Kyle will be a good point guard in this league, he has all the attributes to succeed in the BBL, he’s a good shooter, good distributor and can control the team. Terrence is a real athlete, which you need in the BBL, and at 6’9” he gives us some good height.”

Work permits for all three overseas players have been lodged and Ford is hopeful that they will all be available in time to suit up for Riders first match against Birmingham on Saturday 22nd September.

“They should all be here in time - we won’t get much of a pre-season with the overseas players, but I knew that would be the case coming in. I’ve been working with domestic players since I got the job, so my team is coming together nicely. I’ll have more announcements very soon.”

Former fans’ favourite Joel Burns will be back in a Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders shirt this season after agreeing a dual role with the club for the 2007/08 season. As well as playing, Burns will be assistant coach to Martin Ford.

The 32-year-old guard played for two seasons for the Riders from 2004 to 2006, during which time he was one of the club’s leading scorers.

“I think Joel is a huge pick up for us,” said Ford. “Firstly we get a quality shooter who has proven what he can do in this league and secondly I get an experienced guy who can help me out on the coaching front.

“It will help me having him out on the court from a coaching standpoint and I think the experience he has will help what will be a young team develop. I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

Last season Burns played for Sheffield Sharks where he averaged 6 points per game for the BBL Championship runners-up.

Burns first came to the UK in 1997 and has also had spells for Scottish Rocks, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Derby and Worthing as well as a season in Germany.

He also ranks as one of the BBL’s leading three-point shooters of all time, with a connection rate of around 40%.

Ford will continue his team-building this week ahead of the Riders first game on Saturday 22nd September against Birmingham at John Sandford Sports Centre.

Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders have made American forward Chad McKnight their first signing for the new season.

The 23-year-old has spent the last two seasons with Guildford Heat where he helped them to the BBL League and Cup double last season.

“Chad is a proven player in the BBL having been with the highly successful Guildford side,” said Riders coach Martin Ford. “When I’ve spoken to him he’s excited about what we’re trying to do here and I think he will be a good fit for us.

“He’s got a great work ethic and he knows what to expect from the league having been here for two seasons. We’re going to have a relatively young team, so his experience will certain help. He’s hungry and wants to win and that’s what I’m looking for in players.”

McKnight was inspirational in leading the Heat to their first BBL title in January when he posted 20 and 7 rebounds against Scottish Rocks in the Cup Final.

He averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds a game for the Heat last season, before an ankle injury cut short his season in February.

McKnight posted 11 points per game in his first season in the BBL after coming to Britain after a college career at Morehead State University when he averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds per game in his final season.

Ford will be making further announcements on his roster this week, with Riders first game on Saturday 22nd September against Birmingham at John Sandford Sports Centre.

Russell Levenston has joined the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders and will become the club’s General Manager.

As part of the deal, Levenston has also invested in the club buying a shareholding stake.

Levenston has plenty of experience in British basketball having worked with Milton Keynes Lions for 12 years and also assisted the BBL at major events.

“I'm very excited about joining the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders Basketball club,” said Levenston. “They have a great 40-year history and, as been shown in the last few weeks, some fantastic supporters.

“I believe the community in Leicester is key for the Riders and I'm looking forward to working with new coach Martin Ford to build a grass roots structure. Following the support shown already from Jelson Homes and DMU, I will be looking to build on these partnerships and grow more partnerships with local businesses in Leicester.”

Amongst his primary tasks will be to build and develop the Riders community programme. As well as his experience in British basketball, Levenston was also a Product and Brand Manager at Reebok Fitness.

Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders have appointed Martin Ford as their head coach for the 2007/08 season.

The 40-year-old previously coached in the BBL at Derby and also spent three years as assistant coach at Milton Keynes Lions.

More recently he took the Loughborough University team into the National League and led them to the Division 3 title two years ago and for the last four seasons he has been the highly successful coach of the English Universities side.

“We’re delighted to have Martin on board,” said spokesman Mike Steptoe. “He has a track record in the BBL and his experience with England Universities team means he has a wealth of knowledge of young English players as well.”

Ford made his name as a player in the 80s and 90s, mainly with Derby, but also had spells with Manchester and Nottingham and also made a couple of appearances for England.

“The BBL is the top league in the country that’s where I believe I should be coaching,” said Ford. “This is a tremendous opportunity because of what the Riders are looking to do. I want to help develop from the grass roots all the way through to the elite team and that’s what the Riders are looking to do.

“I’m interested in building a proper programme, with a sound structure both on and off the court and the recent sponsorship from Jelson Homes has put the Riders in a position to do that.

With the season just three weeks away, Ford is aware that time is not on his side as he looks to build a team.

“It’s very difficult, we’re rather not be in such a rush, but that’s where we are,” Ford added. “We’re talking to some good players, so I’m hoping we’ll have a good side. Winning is not in a straight line, for us to be successful this year and in coming years we’re going to have some dips, but the key thing for me is having a vision of where we are going to go and ensuring that everyone is working towards that. It won’t be easy early on, but we will do everything we can to be successful.”

As part of his development, he has also participated in the World Class Coaches programme and is a qualified teacher.