Newcastle Eagles owner Paul Blake has stated that the upcoming season of British top-flight basketball will be the most competitive in his 30 years of involvement. As the men's Super League Basketball (SLB) gets ready for its third season, excitement is growing among teams and fans alike. The season begins Friday, with last year's champions, the London Lions, set to face the Bristol Flyers.
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Last season, the Lions secured a domestic quadruple by winning the SLB Championship, SLB Playoffs, SLB Cup, and SLB Trophy, and they aim to continue their success through to May. The league welcomes 10 teams this season, up from nine, including the newly added Liverpool Basketball.
The women's division, SLBW, will kick off its season on Saturday, October 3. Both leagues are entering the season with optimism following recent positive performances. Manchester Basketball achieved a milestone by becoming the first British team to win a qualifying round match in the FIBA Basketball Champions League, defeating German side Wurzburg Baskets. Meanwhile, Bristol Flyers are again competing in the European North Basketball League, where Manchester finished as runners-up last season. The Lions will also participate in the EuroCup for a second consecutive year and recently recorded a pre-season victory against EuroLeague's Paris Basketball.
Blake emphasized the increasing competitiveness of the league, noting that the quality of players across all teams is at its highest level. The Lions also have ambitions to elevate their profile and become a globally recognized basketball club. On October 12, they will make history as the first British team to play against an NBA team, the Portland Trail Blazers.
Lions CEO Lenz Balan expressed his childhood dreams of entering the NBA and highlighted the significance of this matchup. He stated that they aspire to be among the best clubs in the world and aim to improve their EuroCup performance after finishing eighth last season. Balan is optimistic that new signings, including EuroLeague champion Keenan Evans, will bolster their chances.
After the SLB season starts, the SLBW will begin with Cardiff Met Archers hosting last year’s champions, B Braun Sheffield Hatters. Archers coach Stef Collins, an Olympic athlete, spoke about the potential for the women's league to attract attention and emphasized the importance of showcasing the players' stories and lives beyond basketball.
Collins referred to the recent Women's World Cup in Berlin as a pivotal moment for women's basketball, emphasizing the large attendance and viewership that could be beneficial for SLBW's growth. She believes that by effectively marketing female athletes and their narratives, the league can cultivate a passionate fanbase and a promising future.