2017–18 British Basketball League season

The 2017–18 British Basketball League season was the 31st campaign of the British Basketball League since the league's establishment in 1987. The season featured 12 teams from across England and Scotland.

2017–18 BBL season
LeagueBritish Basketball League
Season2017–18
Teams12
Games played198
Dates
  • 29 September 2017 – 29 April 2018 (Regular season)
  • 4–20 May 2018 (Playoffs)
TV
Final positions
Top seedLeicester Riders[1]
ChampionsLeicester Riders
Runners-upLondon Lions
Awards
MVPJustin Robinson (London Lions)
Finals MVPTrayVonn Wright (Leicester Riders)
Records
Biggest home win
  • 56 points
  • Glasgow Rocks 118–62 Manchester Giants
  • (6 October 2017)
  • Worcester Wolves 122–66 Leeds Force
  • (15 December 2017)
Biggest away win
  • 88 points
  • Leeds Force 60–148 Newcastle Eagles
  • (29 September 2017)
Highest scoring
  • 223 points
  • Newcastle Eagles 119–104 Glasgow Rocks
  • (6 October 2017)

The Leicester Riders became regular season champions for the third season in succession, winning 104–75 against Plymouth Raiders at the Plymouth Pavilions on 8 April 2018.[1] The Riders then added the playoff title with an 81–60 win over the London Lions in the Final.[2] This victory gave Rob Paternostro's team a second consecutive treble, having won the BBL Trophy earlier in the campaign.[3]

Teams
Locations of the 2017–18 BBL teams

Venues
Team Location Arena Capacity
Bristol Flyers Bristol SGS WISE Arena
750
Cheshire Phoenix Ellesmere Port Cheshire Oaks Arena
1,400
Glasgow Rocks Glasgow Emirates Arena
6,500
Leeds Force Leeds Carnegie Sports Arena
500
Leicester Riders Leicester Leicester Arena
2,400
London Lions London Copper Box
7,000
Manchester Giants Manchester Trafford Powerleague Arena
1,100
Newcastle Eagles Newcastle upon Tyne Sport Central
3,000
Plymouth Raiders Plymouth Plymouth Pavilions
1,500
Sheffield Sharks Sheffield English Institute of Sport
1,000
Surrey Scorchers Guildford Surrey Sports Park
1,000
Worcester Wolves Worcester University of Worcester Arena
2,000

Personnel and sponsoring
Team Head coach Captain Main jersey sponsor
Bristol Flyers Andreas Kapoulas Michael Vigor RSG Group
Cheshire Phoenix Ben Thomas Orlan Jackman Hillyer McKeown
Glasgow Rocks Darryl Wood Kieron Achara The Forge Shopping Centre
Leeds Force Danny Nelson Isaac Mourier ESH Group
Leicester Riders Rob Paternostro Tyler Bernardini Jelson Homes
London Lions Vince Macaulay Joe Ikhinmwin GLL
Manchester Giants Danny Byrne Callum Jones University of Bolton
Newcastle Eagles Fabulous Flournoy Darius Defoe ESH Group
Plymouth Raiders Gavin Love Zak Wells Plessey
Sheffield Sharks Atiba Lyons Mike Tuck BBraun
Surrey Scorchers Creon Raftopoulos Tayo Ogedengbe University of Surrey
Worcester Wolves Paul James Alejandro Navajas University of Worcester

Coaching changes
Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Incoming coach Date of appointment
Leeds Force Mika Turunen Sacked 25 September 2017[4] Danny Nelson 25 September 2017[4]
London Lions Mariusz Karol Mutual consent 5 January 2018[5] Vince Macaulay 5 January 2018[5]
Glasgow Rocks Tony Garbelotto Personal reasons 19 February 2018[6] Darryl Wood 19 February 2018[6]

Regular season

Standings
Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Leicester Riders 33 28 5 2933 2479 +454 56 Qualification to playoffs
2 London Lions 33 23 10 2854 2480 +374 46
3 Newcastle Eagles 33 22 11 3023 2624 +399 44
4 Glasgow Rocks 33 21 12 2894 2693 +201 42
5 Surrey Scorchers 33 20 13 2876 2807 +69 40
6 Bristol Flyers 33 19 14 2673 2680 −7 38
7 Worcester Wolves 33 19 14 2933 2690 +243 38
8 Sheffield Sharks 33 18 15 2783 2648 +135 36
9 Cheshire Phoenix 33 15 18 2863 2861 +2 30
10 Plymouth Raiders 33 8 25 2723 2952 −229 16
11 Manchester Giants 33 4 29 2584 3134 −550 8
12 Leeds Force 33 1 32 2322 3413 −1091 2
Source: BBL

Playoffs

Bracket
  Quarter Finals Semi Finals Final
                                     
1 Leicester Riders 86 79 165  
8 Sheffield Sharks 73 67 140  
  1 Leicester Riders 90 76 166  
 
  6 Bristol Flyers 75 68 143  
3 Newcastle Eagles 97 60 157
6 Bristol Flyers 86 77 163  
  1 Leicester Riders 81
  2 London Lions 60
4 Glasgow Rocks 82 99 181  
5 Surrey Scorchers 84 75 159  
  4 Glasgow Rocks 78 77 155
 
  2 London Lions 78 91 169  
2 London Lions 85 94 179
7 Worcester Wolves 84 90 174  

Quarter-finals

The quarter-final matchups and tip-off times were confirmed by the league, on 30 April 2018.[7]

(1) Leicester Riders vs. (8) Sheffield Sharks
5 May 2018
16:00
Sheffield Sharks 73–86 Leicester Riders
Scoring by quarter: 23–18, 18–22, 18–19, 14–27
Pts: Chris Alexander (24)
Rebs: Tony Wroblicky (7)
Asts: Mackey McKnight (11)		 Pts: Pierre Hampton (22)
Rebs: Shane Walker (13)
Asts: Rema Lascelles (7)
6 May 2018
16:00
Leicester Riders 79–67 Sheffield Sharks
Scoring by quarter: 26–16, 16–19, 20–18, 17–14
Pts: J. R. Holder (20)
Rebs: Shane Walker (10)
Asts: J. R. Holder (5)		 Pts: Dirk Williams (17)
Rebs: Rob Marsden (12)
Asts: Mackey McKnight (4)
Leicester Riders win 165–140 on aggregate.

(2) London Lions vs. (7) Worcester Wolves
4 May 2018
19:30
Worcester Wolves 84–85 London Lions
Scoring by quarter: 13–27, 26–25, 25–24, 20–9
Pts: George Beamon (25)
Rebs: Dallin Bachynski (10)
Asts: Trayvon Palmer (8)		 Pts: Justin Robinson (28)
Rebs: Cory Dixon (7)
Asts: Jonathon Thompson (5)
6 May 2018
16:00
London Lions 94–90 (2OT) Worcester Wolves
Scoring by quarter: 18–14, 24–23, 20–24, 16–18, Overtime: 8–8, 8–3
Pts: Cory Dixon (29)
Rebs: Cory Dixon (17)
Asts: Jonathon Thompson (7)		 Pts: George Beamon (26)
Rebs: Dallin Bachynski (16)
Asts: Alejandro Navajas (6)
London Lions win 179–174 on aggregate.

(3) Newcastle Eagles vs. (6) Bristol Flyers
4 May 2018
19:30
Newcastle Eagles 97–86 Bristol Flyers
Scoring by quarter: 24–16, 19–25, 25–15, 29–30
Pts: Darius Defoe (25)
Rebs: Zarko Jukić (10)
Asts: Saah Nimley (12)		 Pts: Rohndell Goodwin (20)
Rebs: Jordan Davis (9)
Asts: Jordan Davis (9)
6 May 2018
15:30
Bristol Flyers 77–60 Newcastle Eagles
Scoring by quarter: 19–19, 20–14, 19–10, 19–17
Pts: Jordan Davis (17)
Rebs: Leslee Smith (14)
Asts: Jordan Davis (9)		 Pts: Darius Defoe (23)
Rebs: Darius Defoe (13)
Asts: Fabulous Flournoy (5)
Bristol Flyers win 163–157 on aggregate.

(4) Glasgow Rocks vs. (5) Surrey Scorchers
4 May 2018
19:30
Surrey Scorchers 84–82 Glasgow Rocks
Scoring by quarter: 23–23, 20–25, 13–16, 28–18
Pts: Tony Hicks (30)
Rebs: Josh Steel (5)
Asts: Tony Hicks (7)		 Pts: Earl Brown (13)
Rebs: Earl Brown (10)
Asts: Warren Gillis (8)
6 May 2018
17:00
Glasgow Rocks 99–75 Surrey Scorchers
Scoring by quarter: 26–19, 23–19, 24–15, 26–22
Pts: Earl Brown (23)
Rebs: Earl Brown (14)
Asts: Kieron Achara, Earl Brown & Gareth Murray (3)		 Pts: Alex Owumi (13)
Rebs: Alex Owumi (6)
Asts: Tayo Ogedengbe (4)
Glasgow Rocks win 181–159 on aggregate.

Semi-finals

The semi-final matchups and tip-off times were confirmed by the league, on 6 May 2018.[8]

(1) Leicester Riders vs. (6) Bristol Flyers
11 May 2018
19:30
Bristol Flyers 75–90 Leicester Riders
Scoring by quarter: 22–25, 18–20, 11–24, 24–21
Pts: Rohndell Goodwin (19)
Rebs: Leslee Smith (10)
Asts: Jordan Davis (9)		 Pts: J. R. Holder (20)
Rebs: J. R. Holder (11)
Asts: Rema Lascelles (6)
SGS WISE Arena, Bristol
Attendance: 700
13 May 2018
17:00
Leicester Riders 76–68 Bristol Flyers
Scoring by quarter: 22–16, 11–25, 20–11, 23–16
Pts: Tyler Bernardini (22)
Rebs: J. R. Holder (10)
Asts: Kiefer Douse (7)		 Pts: Brandon Boggs (19)
Rebs: Brandon Boggs (8)
Asts: Jordan Davis (7)
Leicester Riders win 166–143 on aggregate.

(2) London Lions vs. (4) Glasgow Rocks
10 May 2018
19:30
London Lions 78–78 Glasgow Rocks
Scoring by quarter: 28–11, 18–25, 11–20, 21–22
Pts: Cory Dixon (18)
Rebs: Cory Dixon (11)
Asts: Justin Robinson (8)		 Pts: Warren Gillis (15)
Rebs: Gareth Murray (9)
Asts: Nate Britt (5)
13 May 2018
17:00
Glasgow Rocks 77–91 London Lions
Scoring by quarter: 16–26, 15–18, 18–19, 28–28
Pts: Gareth Murray (18)
Rebs: Alasdair Fraser (9)
Asts: Warren Gillis (5)		 Pts: Jonathon Thompson (17)
Rebs: Cory Dixon & Brandon Peel (8)
Asts: Jonathon Thompson (5)
London Lions win 169–155 on aggregate.

Final
20 May 2018
16:00
Leicester Riders 81–60 London Lions
Scoring by quarter: 12–14, 27–14, 19–15, 23–17
Pts: J. R. Holder (20)
Rebs: TrayVonn Wright (13)
Asts: Tyler Bernardini & J. R. Holder (5)		 Pts: Brandon Peel (22)
Rebs: Brandon Peel (13)
Asts: Justin Robinson (5)

Awards

Monthly awards
Month Coach of the Month Player of the Month Ref
October Atiba Lyons (Sheffield Sharks) Jaysean Paige (Newcastle Eagles) [9][10]
November Mariusz Karol (London Lions) C. J. Gettys (Cheshire Phoenix) [11][12]
December Rob Paternostro (Leicester Riders) C. J. Gettys (Cheshire Phoenix) [13][14]
January Ben Thomas (Cheshire Phoenix) Cory Dixon (London Lions) [15][16]
February Rob Paternostro (Leicester Riders) Tony Hicks (Surrey Scorchers) [17][18]
March Rob Paternostro (Leicester Riders) Tony Hicks (Surrey Scorchers) [19][20]
April Vince Macaulay (London Lions) Brandon Peel (London Lions) [21][22]

Season awards
Award Recipient(s) Team Ref
Season MVP Justin Robinson London Lions [23]
Coach of the Year Rob Paternostro Leicester Riders [24]
Finals MVP TrayVonn Wright Leicester Riders [25]
Trophy MVP J. R. Holder Leicester Riders [26]
Cup MVP Malcolm Riley Cheshire Phoenix [27]
BBL Team of the Year C. J. Gettys Cheshire Phoenix [28]
Pierre Hampton Leicester Riders
Tony Hicks Surrey Scorchers
Jaysean Paige Newcastle Eagles
Justin Robinson London Lions
BBL All-Defensive Team of the Year Kieron Achara Glasgow Rocks [29]
Devan Bailey Cheshire Phoenix
Robert Gilchrist Worcester Wolves
Brandon Peel London Lions
Eric Robertson Leicester Riders
BBL All-British Team of the Year Kieron Achara Glasgow Rocks [30]
Alasdair Fraser Glasgow Rocks
Robert Gilchrist Worcester Wolves
Gareth Murray Glasgow Rocks
Justin Robinson London Lions

See also

References
  1. "Riders make it a title hat trick". British Basketball League. MVP247.com. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  2. Dugdale, Rob (20 May 2018). "BBL play-off final: Leicester Riders beat London Lions to claim treble". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  3. Dugdale, Rob (4 March 2018). "BBL Trophy final: Leicester Riders beat Sheffield Sharks 90-85 for third successive title". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  4. "Coaching Changes For Force". Leeds Force. Leeds Force Basketball Limited. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  5. "Karol exits London". British Basketball League. MVP247.com. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  6. "Garbelotto out at Rocks and GB". Glasgow Rocks. MVP247.com. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  7. "BBL Quarter-Finals Dates and Tips confirmed". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  8. "BBL Play-Off Semi-Finals Dates and Tip-Off times set". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 6 May 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  9. "Lyons lands Molten BBL Coach of the Month award". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  10. "Paige picks up Molten BBL Player of the Month award". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  11. "Karol collects Molten BBL Coach of the Month award for November". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  12. Wheelock, Paul (6 December 2017). "Cheshire Phoenix star CJ Gettys named BBL Player of the Month". Chester Chronicle. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  13. "Paternostro pips James to Molten BBL Coach of the Month award". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  14. "Gettys gets another Molten BBL Player of the Month gong". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  15. "Thomas takes Molten BBL Coach of the Month gong". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  16. "Dixon is crowned Molten BBL Player of the Month". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  17. "Paternostro named Molten BBL Coach of the Month". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  18. "Hicks handed Molten BBL Player of the Month gong". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  19. "Paternostro crowned Molten BBL Coach of the Month". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  20. "Hicks hangs on to Molten BBL Player of the Month crown". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  21. "Macaulay named Molten BBL Coach of the Month". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 1 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  22. "Peel picks up Molten BBL Player of the Month award". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  23. "British star Robinson crowned Molten BBL MVP for 2017-18". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  24. "Paternostro named Ed Percival Molten BBL Coach of the Year for a fifth time". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  25. "Reaction: Trayvonn Wright Play-Off Final MVP, Rob Paternostro and Tyler Bernardini". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  26. "Rookie Holder earns MVP award in Riders' Trophy triumph". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  27. "History for Cheshire Phoenix with first BBL Cup title". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 28 January 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  28. "Molten BBL Team of the Year 2017-18". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  29. "Molten BBL All-Defensive Team of the Year 2017-18". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  30. "Molten BBL All-British Team of the Year 2017-18". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
Preceded by
2016–17 season		 BBL seasons
2017–18		 Succeeded by
2018–19 season
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