JOE FUMING AT LIONS EXIT
- Updated: November 19, 2014
Joe Ikhinmwin has hit out at London Lions after confirming he has rejected revised contract terms at the club.
The swingman, who moved to the Copper Box last season, was told last week that his current deal would be cancelled following a review into his player with MVP understanding that the Lions had a opt-out within the first two months of the BBL season.
While fellow cast-off Adrien Sturt immediately turned down an alternative short-term deal, Ikhinmwin – a personal project of coach Vince Macaulay – was granted extra time to consider his options but has decided to move on.
“This has been an incredibly hard decision to make, but my family and I felt it was the only choice I had with the recent turn of events, which would benefit the Lions and the best interests of my career,” he said in a statement.
“When I agreed terms with the London Lions, I believed that both sides were fully committed to me suiting up for my hometown side for the next two seasons, but over the past week it has become clear there has been some miscommunication.
“I was removed from my two-year deal and offered a week-to-week contract, something that does not provide the security I need and does little to reward the loyalty I have shown to the club in my stay here.”
Lions are expected to complete the signings of Eric Boateng and Paul Guede this week in an attempt to strengthen their title challenge.
Ikhinmwin was averaging 5.8 points per game with Sturt adding 9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds with both coming off the bench.
“We had a two-year plan for Joe,” a Lions source said, “but the numbers just didn’t add up.”
Most BBL contracts are non-guaranteed for up to two months or eight games with some activated for the whole season on specific dates.
“Due to the nature of professional sport, the club felt it needed to put in new parameters based around performance,” coach Vince Macaulay confirmed. “We hoped both players would continue with the club with monthly reviews. In this case, both players declined.”
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