BBL: ROCKS TAKE NORTHERN LINE
- Updated: July 14, 2013
Glasgow Rocks have agreed a deal with centre Daniel Northern as Sterling Davis’ begins a drastic overhaul of his squad.
The 6’9†American led the British Basketball League in rebounding two years ago with Milton Keynes Lions while also averaging almost 16 points per game.
Northern divided last season between Chilean side Osorno and Colombian club Halcones but Davis has revealed his pursuit of the Georgia-born enforcer began last summer.
The Rocks player-coach said: “Daniel is a guy we have been heavily recruiting over the last year now. He is exactly the player we need; and have been lacking over the last few seasons with his tenaciousness both in scoring and rebounding. I think he will work very well with the group we are trying to assemble
“It’s a great start to be able to bring in a big guy who has experience and personal success in the league.â€
Fellow American Mike Ringgold has not been offered a new deal in Glasgow.
Hassan rides into Leicester
Leicester Riders have signed American power forward Rashad Hassan.
The 23-year-old American rookie Hassan averaged 12.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last year playing for Savannah State University.
The Georgia-born newcomer is following in the same position as John Fraley, whose promising start to last season for the Riders, was cruelly cut short by a very serious knee injury in a match at Durham.
“I’m excited and I don’t feel any pressure, because I know I’m coming to a focused and great team. I’m just going to come in and try to keep the momentum flowing in a positive direction,†he said.
“I feel I can bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the team. “I come from a winning background and I plan to keep that going with my upcoming season with Leicester.”
Raiders re-sign Schreiber
Plymouth Raiders have agreed a new one-year deal with Swedish centre Andreas Schreiber.
“We’re delighted that Andreas will be returning to the Raiders next season,” said Raiders coach Gavin Love. 
”He’s the key signing that I’ve needed all summer, and I can now set about building a team around him that will play high paced, aggressive basketball, getting us back to the kind of performances that fans enjoyed in my first couple of seasons coaching the team.”
Schreiber played 20 games for the Raiders last season, after joining them in January. He averaged 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 blocks per game, while shooting 80% from the free throw line.
Meanwhile, the BBL have confirmed the new season’s fixtures will come out next week. It is understood the delay is primarily down to ongoing issues with Mersey Tigers.
Peers restored in Cheshire
Cheshire Phoenix have appointed Robbie Peers as their new director of basketball, restoring his link with basketball in the city.
Peers, who led Cheshire’s professional BBL franchise to the “Jetwash†clean sweep of titles 11 years ago, will work along side with Head Coach John Lavery and Assistant, Mike Burton to provide scouting and recruitment support.
“It is great to be back,” said Peers. “The club is in my blood. I have remained a fan since I left, attending games when I could.
“But to be able to return and help this great club and these great fans rebuild and make Cheshire a stronghold for basketball once more is very exciting.
“John is a great coach but you cannot run a club on your own. You need people around you that can be called upon when needed. I had Mike Burton and now John has Mike and me.”
Peers saw the franchise, under a different name, being crowned BBL Champions as well as leading them to the BBL Championship Playoff title, BBL Cup and BBL Trophy in 2002.
Couisnard back in Leicester
Leicester Riders have agreed a new one-year deal with American guard Jay Couisnard as Rob Paternostro continues to retain the core of his championship side.
He averaged 13.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in the club’s run to a domestic treble and was MVP of the BBL Cup final.
“Last season was one of the most successful in my career, and I am delighted to be joining up with the team again for a second season,” he said.
“I couldn’t resist the opportunity to be playing at the best team in Britain and building on the success of last season. I have been working hard on my fitness and I am pumped about signing, and ready to go. Last season I adapted to life in England really well and I really enjoyed my time in Leicester. I spoke to Rob Paternostro and (general manager) Russell Levenston about where the club is going, and I want to be a part of that future.”
Barbour a fit for Sharks
Sheffield Sharks have signed rookie guard Brian Barbour out of Columbia University in the City of New York.
A native of Alamo, California, Barbour was voted into the All-Ivy League 2nd Team for 2012-13 where he finished the season with 12.1 points per game. In addition, he is the only player in Columbia University history to finish his career with 1000 points, 300 assists and 100 steals.
“To be able to continue playing basketball at a high level in Europe has always been a dream of mine and I can’t thank them enough for giving me this opportunity,†he said. “I am looking forward to getting out to Sheffield and getting right to work.”
Sharks have already re-signed Nick Lewis and Mike Tuck.
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