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Post by isthaturinal on Jul 1, 2023 11:04:26 GMT
Well I’ve no actual info on who it is but Riders will announce an American signing on Monday….
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Post by isthaturinal on Jul 3, 2023 18:06:31 GMT
The Leicester Riders are delighted to announce the signing of Braelen Bridges to their 2022/23 roster.
The 6’10″ forward will play in his rookie season, following his time competing in the NCAA division one.
He first suited up for Northwest Florida State College, then played his next two college seasons at the University of Illinois at Chicago. As a senior, he transferred to his hometown University of Georgia.
Bridges averaged 12.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in his senior year. He was the only Bulldog to start all 32 games and was Georgia’s most efficient scorer during his time there, shooting 56.1% from the field.
He stayed for a fifth year of college to complete his master’s, averaging 8.7 points and 4.9 rebounds, before graduating and signing in Leicester.
Bridges is Coach Rob Paternostro’s third summer recruit after the re-signing of point guard Kimbal Mackenzie and the addition of 6’8” forward Sam Idowu.
I’m excited about Braelen,” commented Riders head coach Rob Paternostro.
“He played in one of America’s best college basketball conferences and was an impact player with Georgia.”
“He’s got great size and touch around the basket, and what excited me was that he’s just scratching the surface. He has more to his game, and his versatility will shine in the professional game.”
“It is an honour to sign with the Leicester Riders,” added Bridges after signing his first professional contract.
“I’m grateful to get the opportunity to continue to play the game I love at a high level.”
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Post by SamH on Jul 3, 2023 23:14:59 GMT
Sounds pretty good - could be a big time player in the BBl
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Post by massiveridersfan on Jul 4, 2023 7:33:03 GMT
Looks like a very promising prospect, especially with that height and athleticism.
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Post by Stephen Abootman on Jul 4, 2023 17:30:54 GMT
Not sure he's especially athletic tbh. More mobile than Mo and Darien but that isn't saying a huge amount. Doesn't look like much of a leaper. Also not sure about his 'versatility shining in the professional game.' I've watched 20 minutes of college footage and it's 99% hook shots and layups. He looks like a pretty straightforward, traditional kind of big. Don't think he's the type of player that's going to get you out of your seat too often but the numbers do suggest he's an effective inside scorer. 13ppg on 63% shooting is pretty good production in the SEC.
There surely isn't room for Bridges, Walker and Menzies (plus Idowu) on one roster so perhaps the Walker era at Riders may finally be over. You have to think either he or Menzies or both are on the way out now.
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Post by SamH on Jul 4, 2023 18:13:43 GMT
You don't necessarily need to be a high flying, athletic player to be effective though. He might not be exciting, but if he can score under the basket, rebound and play some defence that should be enough. Tim Duncan didn't get folk out of their seats either!
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Post by Stephen Abootman on Jul 6, 2023 17:20:27 GMT
I wasn't really passing judgement on whether or not he'll be a good player for us. He might turn out to be one of the most effective bigs in the league. He might turn out to be a bust. I don't have a particularly strong opinion either way. I was just saying I don't think his athleticism is anything out of the ordinary and I don't think he's particularly versatile. Looks to me like a one position player with a fairly specific kind of skill set. Doesn't make him a bad signing but there's only room for so many of those guys on any given roster. He is a pretty good FT shooter for a big guy so maybe he's got more of a midrange game than I'm imagining.
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Post by massiveridersfan on Jul 7, 2023 8:59:12 GMT
I'm wondering whether Whelan will re-sign with Riders? I'm sure he will be receiving offers of more cash from other teams.
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Post by mansfieldmike on Jul 10, 2023 21:38:12 GMT
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Post by Stephen Abootman on Jul 11, 2023 16:23:47 GMT
So the rickety old tractor is back for another year. This has surely got to be last chance saloon for the guy. If he breaks down again the club needs to finally move on and Mo needs to find another line of work. Something a bit more forgiving on the knees than professional basketball.
We've now announced three players who, IF they stay healthy, seem likely to play the majority of the minutes at the 5 between them. Not really seeing room for Menzies on this roster now.
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Post by spacejammer on Jul 11, 2023 16:52:58 GMT
Not really seeing room for Menzies on this roster now.[/quote]
Maybe we will come in a steal Menzies too.
Seems like our recruitment plan at the moment is to steal 1 or 2 players from everyone else's BBL roster so far.
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Post by milehigh on Jul 12, 2023 9:31:40 GMT
It could be that Walker doesn't actually play much, but adds his exerience to the team and acts as an unofical coach & mentor to the younger players. Very similar to the role DeAndre Jordan plays with the Denver Nuggets.
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Post by massiveridersfan on Jul 12, 2023 22:46:12 GMT
"It could be that Walker doesn't actually play much."
Think that pretty much sums up the last two seasons and if he lasts this one out I will be amazed. However, he IS effective in the paint when he does play.
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Post by tallerman on Jul 13, 2023 19:37:14 GMT
Walker has had an excellent rehab career occasionally disrupted by being healthy. Playing wise, this is a horrific signing but we all knew it would happen
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Post by Stephen Abootman on Jul 13, 2023 23:58:39 GMT
Don't think it's a 'signing' as such really is it. More like a player we were already committed to.
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Post by D44 on Jul 18, 2023 20:36:18 GMT
Whelan to Glads. Citing "clubs ambition"
That's got to hurt.
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Post by sonjel on Jul 18, 2023 22:06:08 GMT
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Post by spacejammer on Jul 18, 2023 23:20:11 GMT
I dont know what it is but Leicester seem to always have a thing for Canadian/GB signings over the years. Corey Johnson, Kimbel Mackenzie and now this guy. Makes me wonder if Leicester have some sort of recruitment scout or contact over in Canada when searching for new players. Losing Whelan is certainly going to hurt Leicester. Not quote sure what team their going to be building but I'm starting to see a similar ship being built to what the Eagles had been on the past couple of seasons and were criticised for. |
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Post by cosbyrider on Jul 19, 2023 6:56:59 GMT
Whelan to Glads. Citing "clubs ambition" That's got to hurt. Not sure I can particularly criticise him |
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Post by baldeagle on Jul 24, 2023 20:01:27 GMT
Goodness, all the hot air aboutt lazy recruitment but nobody mentions the arrival of Caleb Asberry at Riders. Looks like a very interesting recruit……..
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