2018–19 British Basketball League season

The 2018–19 British Basketball League season was the 32nd campaign of the British Basketball League since the league's establishment in 1987. The season featured 12 teams from across England and Scotland.

2018–19 BBL season
LeagueBritish Basketball League
Season2018–19
Teams12
Games played198
Final positions
Top seedLondon Lions
ChampionsLeicester Riders
Runners-upLondon City Royals
BBL CupLondon Lions
BBL TrophyLondon City Royals
Awards
MVPJustin Robinson (London Lions)
Finals MVPTim Williams (Leicester Riders)
Statistical leaders
Points
Rebounds
Assists
Records
Biggest home win
  • 51 points
  • Leicester Riders 121–70 Worcester Wolves
  • (20 April 2019)
Biggest away win
  • 29 points
  • Sheffield Sharks 72–101 Manchester Giants
  • (30 December 2018)
  • Sheffield Sharks 56–85 Plymouth Raiders
  • (5 April 2019)
Highest scoring
  • 302 points[lower-alpha 1]
  • Worcester Wolves 152–150 Surrey Scorchers
  • (5 April 2019)
Winning streak
  • 11 games
  • London Lions
  • (14 December 2018 – 22 March 2019)
Losing streak
  • 18 games
  • Worcester Wolves
  • (23 September 2018 – 3 February 2019)

The Leicester Riders were the three-time defending regular season champions, but were unable to defend that title as the London Lions achieved their first regular season title; a 99–80 victory at the Newcastle Eagles, on 26 April 2019,[2] was enough for the Lions to have an unassailable lead ahead of the Riders. It was the Lions' second trophy of the season, after they defeated the Glasgow Rocks in the BBL Cup final.[3]

The Lions were beaten in the playoff quarter-finals by the eighth-seeded Plymouth Raiders,[4] who overturned a six-point deficit from the first leg into an eight-point aggregate victory. The Raiders were then beaten by the Riders in the semi-finals,[5] before the Riders won their third consecutive playoff final with a 93–61 victory over the London City Royals,[6] who in their first season in the league, had won the BBL Trophy in overtime against the Lions.[7]

Teams
Locations of the 2018–19 BBL teams

The newly formed London City Royals replaced Leeds Force.[8]

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
1,650
Leicester Riders Leicester Morningside Arena
2,400
London City Royals London Crystal Palace NSC
1,500
London Lions London Copper Box
7,000
Manchester Giants Manchester Trafford Powerleague Arena
George H. Carnall Centre
1,100
750
Newcastle Eagles Newcastle upon Tyne Sport Central
Eagles Community Arena
3,000
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 Momcilo Latinovic Hillyer McKeown
Glasgow Rocks Vincent Lavandier Kieron Achara Radisson Red
Leicester Riders Rob Paternostro Andrew Thomson Jelson Homes
London City Royals Jay Williams Orlan Jackman
London Lions Vince Macaulay Joe Ikhinmwin
Manchester Giants Danny Byrne Callum Jones Space
Newcastle Eagles Fabulous Flournoy Darius Defoe ESH Group
Plymouth Raiders Paul James Zak Wells Plessey
Sheffield Sharks Atiba Lyons Mike Tuck BBraun
Surrey Scorchers Creon Raftopoulos Tayo Ogedengbe University of Surrey
Worcester Wolves Tony Garbelotto Adam Thoseby University of Worcester

Coaching changes
Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Incoming coach Date of appointment
Worcester Wolves Paul James Released Off-season Ty Shaw
Plymouth Raiders Gavin Love Released Off-season Paul James
Glasgow Rocks Darryl Wood Mutual consent 19 February 2019[9] Vincent Lavandier (interim) 28 February 2019[10]
Worcester Wolves Ty Shaw Personal reasons 8 March 2019[11] Tony Garbelotto (interim) 8 March 2019[11][lower-alpha 2]

Regular season

The winners of the Regular season are considered as national champions. The London Lions achieved their first regular season title with a 99–80 victory over the Newcastle Eagles at the Eagles Community Arena on 26 April 2019.[2]

Standings
Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 London Lions (C) 33 27 6 2879 2525 +354 54 Qualification to playoffs
2 Leicester Riders 33 24 9 2674 2517 +157 48
3 Newcastle Eagles 33 21 12 2930 2821 +109 42
4 London City Royals 33 18 15 2800 2800 0 36
5 Glasgow Rocks 33 18 15 2789 2716 +73 36
6 Sheffield Sharks 33 17 16 2580 2618 −38 34
7 Cheshire Phoenix 33 17 16 2862 2822 +40 34
8 Plymouth Raiders 33 16 17 2898 2878 +20 32
9 Manchester Giants 33 14 19 2842 2947 −105 28
10 Bristol Flyers 33 14 19 2613 2653 −40 28
11 Worcester Wolves 33 6 27 2744 3047 −303 12
12 Surrey Scorchers 33 6 27 2883 3150 −267 12
Source: BBL
(C) Champion.

Double round-robin
Home \ Away BRI CHE GLA LEI LCI LON MAN NEW PLY SHE SUR WOR
Bristol Flyers — 63–68 85–83 52–68 73–78 80–64 89–92 86–73 80–70 92–60 83–89 82–79
Cheshire Phoenix 87–93 — 87–92 88–94 98–86 94–101 102–80 78–90 94–88 61–78 93–74 91–83
Radisson Red Glasgow Rocks 99–82 101–96 — 101–81 98–81 70–86 80–69 85–100 72–77 85–94 103–76 89–61
Leicester Riders 64–63 76–79 75–71 — 83–79 73–76 94–68 69–76 86–77 70–71 87–81 94–86
London City Royals 91–83 93–99 84–70 77–74 — 77–73 97–90 98–81 102–93 83–70 91–85 79–66
London Lions 81–68 87–81 100–66 63–65 80–63 — 115–91 96–78 99–92 92–82 93–79 82–65
Manchester Giants 79–69 99–91 76–83 75–73 86–92 83–86 — 76–75 89–99 93–65 93–109 124–123
Esh Group Eagles Newcastle 95–89 70–65 104–98 68–84 110–60 80–99 93–85 — 86–91 72–76 114–82 97–89
Plymouth Raiders 94–91 94–79 87–83 87–90 84–77 95–88 104–78 85–103 — 57–66 115–100 74–91
DBL Sharks Sheffield 86–66 84–66 99–87 69–90 88–93 73–80 87–92 86–74 66–83 — 99–90 114–76
Surrey Scorchers 90–76 94–116 92–94 79–84 93–91 83–96 78–105 89–93 98–112 83–93 — 99–86
Worcester Wolves 77–80 78–88 74–72 80–85 75–91 63–71 86–92 92–103 93–81 67–89 84–79 —
Source:
Legend: Blue = home team win; Red = away team win.

Single round-robin
Home \ Away BRI CHE GLA LEI LCI LON MAN NEW PLY SHE SUR WOR
Bristol Flyers — — — 83–90 83–84 — 74–64 — 95–79 62–61 80–73 —
Cheshire Phoenix 75–87 — — — 88–82 — — — 89–84 80–73 — 100–83
Radisson Red Glasgow Rocks 113–111 86–76 — 89–77 — 76–66 — — 82–70 — — 92–79
Leicester Riders — 64–79 — — 86–78 — — 86–76 88–82 — — 121–70
London City Royals — — 78–70 — — — — 90–97 103–105 65–72 — 91–78
London Lions 77–57 84–88 — 89–69 102–89 — — 101–81 — 89–73 — —
Manchester Giants — 102–113 73–86 66–73 94–83 75–83 — — — — 91–84 —
Esh Group Eagles Newcastle 82–64 96–94 83–66 — — — 102–85 — — — 105–97 —
Plymouth Raiders — — — — — 67–93 90–98 83–91 — — 108–89 106–83
DBL Sharks Sheffield — — 65–63 69–77 — — 72–101 104–86 56–85 — — —
Surrey Scorchers — 83–89 72–84 80–84 73–94 70–93 — — — 90–69 — —
Worcester Wolves 88–92 — — — — 79–94 97–78 93–96 — 68–71 152–150 —
Source:
Legend: Blue = home team win; Red = away team win.

Playoffs

Bracket
  Quarter Finals Semi Finals Final
                                     
2 Leicester Riders 70 71 141  
7 Cheshire Phoenix 62 68 130  
  2 Leicester Riders 70 85 155  
 
  8 Plymouth Raiders 68 73 141  
1 London Lions 97 72 169
8 Plymouth Raiders 91 86 177  
  2 Leicester Riders 93
  4 London City Royals 61
4 London City Royals 75 65 140  
5 Glasgow Rocks 60 72 132  
  4 London City Royals 63 91 154
 
  6 Sheffield Sharks 61 69 130  
3 Newcastle Eagles 94 93 187
6 Sheffield Sharks 89 102 191  

Quarter-finals

The quarter-final matchups and tip-off times were confirmed by the league, on 28 April 2019.[14]

(1) London Lions vs. (8) Plymouth Raiders
5 May 2019
15:00
Plymouth Raiders 91–97 London Lions
Scoring by quarter: 20–24, 25–19, 19–25, 27–29
Pts: Donte Nicholas (22)
Rebs: Donte Nicholas (9)
Asts: Donte Nicholas & Joshua Wilcher (4)		 Pts: Brandon Peel (26)
Rebs: Brandon Peel (11)
Asts: Jordan Spencer (11)
Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth
Referees: Darren Bolt
Gavin Lewis
Simon Unsworth
6 May 2019
16:00
London Lions 72–86 Plymouth Raiders
Scoring by quarter: 26–23, 17–22, 17–19, 12–22
Pts: Brandon Peel (22)
Rebs: Kervin Bristol (12)
Asts: Jonathan James & Justin Robinson (3)		 Pts: Donte Nicholas (24)
Rebs: Donte Nicholas (13)
Asts: Joshua Wilcher (7)
Plymouth Raiders win 177–169 on aggregate.
Copper Box Arena, London
Attendance: 1,500
Referees: Chris Dodds
Ian Price
Eduard Uydansky

(2) Leicester Riders vs. (7) Cheshire Phoenix
4 May 2019
19:30
Cheshire Phoenix 62–70 Leicester Riders
Scoring by quarter: 17–21, 15–17, 17–12, 13–20
Pts: C. J. Gettys & Sol Rolls-Tyson (13)
Rebs: C. J. Gettys (8)
Asts: Daniel Norl (3)		 Pts: Tim Williams (20)
Rebs: J. R. Holder & Conner Washington (10)
Asts: J. R. Holder (5)
Cheshire Oaks Arena, Ellesmere Port
Attendance: 1,000
Referees: Josh Bowe
Tom Muddiman
Paul Unsworth
5 May 2019
16:00
Leicester Riders 71–68 Cheshire Phoenix
Scoring by quarter: 18–17, 16–16, 11–20, 26–15
Pts: Tim Williams (22)
Rebs: Joshua Ward-Hibbert (10)
Asts: Conner Washington (6)		 Pts: Louis Sayers (17)
Rebs: Jalen Hayes (8)
Asts: Daniel Norl (7)
Leicester Riders win 141–130 on aggregate.
Leicester Arena, Leicester
Attendance: 1,402
Referees: Rob Hickman
Iain Spearman
Andy Thackray

(3) Newcastle Eagles vs. (6) Sheffield Sharks
4 May 2019
17:30
Sheffield Sharks 89–94 Newcastle Eagles
Scoring by quarter: 25–21, 25–29, 16–18, 23–26
Pts: Chris Alexander (23)
Rebs: Rob Marsden (10)
Asts: Chris Alexander & Matthew Martin (5)		 Pts: Victor Moses (29)
Rebs: Victor Moses (10)
Asts: Rahmon Fletcher (10)
English Institute of Sport, Sheffield
Attendance: 1,200
Referees: Ian Price
Eduard Uydansky
Keith Williams
5 May 2019
17:00
Newcastle Eagles 93–102 Sheffield Sharks
Scoring by quarter: 18–25, 21–27, 23–27, 31–23
Pts: Rahmon Fletcher (20)
Rebs: Darius Defoe (7)
Asts: Rahmon Fletcher (9)		 Pts: Chris Alexander (28)
Rebs: Mackey McKnight (10)
Asts: Mackey McKnight (9)
Sheffield Sharks win 191–187 on aggregate.
Eagles Community Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Referees: Mariann Dodds-Miklosik
Pawel Szafraniec
Paul Unsworth

(4) London City Royals vs. (5) Glasgow Rocks
3 May 2019
19:30
London City Royals 75–60 Glasgow Rocks
Scoring by quarter: 17–14, 15–9, 20–25, 23–12
Pts: Matthew Bryan-Amaning (24)
Rebs: Ashley Hamilton (17)
Asts: Elvisi Dusha & Ashley Hamilton (4)		 Pts: Greg Pryor (13)
Rebs: Kieron Achara (10)
Asts: Tadas Rinkūnas (5)
Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London
Attendance: 250
Referees: Rob Hickman
Eduard Uydansky
Gavin Williams
5 May 2019
17:00
Glasgow Rocks 72–65 London City Royals
Scoring by quarter: 11–26, 19–9, 21–13, 21–17
Pts: Alasdair Fraser (28)
Rebs: Kieron Achara (10)
Asts: Kieron Achara & Gareth Murray (4)		 Pts: Ashley Hamilton (16)
Rebs: Ashley Hamilton (11)
Asts: Jules Dang Akodo & Orlan Jackman (3)
London City Royals win 140–132 on aggregate.
Emirates Arena, Glasgow
Attendance: 800
Referees: Josh Bowe
Iain Macdonald
Graham Shaw

(2) Leicester Riders vs. (8) Plymouth Raiders
8 May 2019
19:30
Plymouth Raiders 68–70 Leicester Riders
Scoring by quarter: 18–13, 13–21, 22–18, 15–18
Pts: Rashad Hassan (18)
Rebs: Donte Nicholas (17)
Asts: Donte Nicholas (9)		 Pts: Tim Williams (19)
Rebs: J. R. Holder (7)
Asts: Conner Washington (7)
Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth
Referees: Darren Bolt
Gavin Lewis
Gavin Williams
12 May 2019
18:00
Leicester Riders 85–73 Plymouth Raiders
Scoring by quarter: 23–23, 23–21, 18–16, 21–13
Pts: Tim Williams (25)
Rebs: Andy Thomson (12)
Asts: Pierre Hampton (5)		 Pts: Joonas Järveläinen (17)
Rebs: Donte Nicholas (9)
Asts: Donte Nicholas (8)
Leicester Riders win 155–141 on aggregate.
Leicester Arena, Leicester
Attendance: 1,383
Referees: Iain Macdonald
Ian Price
Andy Thackray

(4) London City Royals vs. (6) Sheffield Sharks
9 May 2019
19:30
Sheffield Sharks 61–63 London City Royals
Scoring by quarter: 20–28, 10–7, 15–17, 16–11
Pts: Chris Alexander (16)
Rebs: Mike Tuck (7)
Asts: Matthew Martin (3)		 Pts: Ashley Hamilton (13)
Rebs: Ashley Hamilton (11)
Asts: Jules Dang Akodo (3)
English Institute of Sport, Sheffield
Attendance: 1,200
Referees: Josh Bowe
Ian Price
Paul Unsworth
11 May 2019
20:00
London City Royals 91–69 Sheffield Sharks
Scoring by quarter: 20–12, 28–15, 19–20, 24–22
Pts: Matthew Bryan-Amaning (27)
Rebs: Ashley Hamilton (12)
Asts: Elvisi Dusha (8)		 Pts: Dirk Williams (30)
Rebs: Rob Marsden (7)
Asts: Mackey McKnight (7)
London City Royals win 154–130 on aggregate.
Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London
Attendance: 700
Referees: Rob Hickman
Gavin Williams
Keith Williams

Final: (2) Leicester Riders vs. (4) London City Royals
19 May 2019
16:00
Leicester Riders 93–61 London City Royals
Scoring by quarter: 23–15, 21–21, 27–10, 22–15
Pts: Tim Williams (20)
Rebs: Tim Williams (10)
Asts: Conner Washington (7)		 Pts: Matthew Bryan-Amaning (19)
Rebs: Ashley Hamilton (11)
Asts: Ashley Hamilton & Ed Lucas (3)
The O2 Arena, London
Referees: Chris Dodds
Simon Unsworth
Eduard Uydansky

British clubs in European competitions

British clubs returned to European competitions eleven years after their last participation.

TeamCompetitionProgress
Leicester RidersChampions LeagueFirst qualifying round
FIBA Europe CupRegular season

See also
  • 2018–19 BBL Cup
  • 2018–19 BBL Trophy

Notes
  1. The 302 points in this game was a British Basketball League record, and was only the fifth game, at that time, to go to quadruple overtime.[1]
  2. Ty Shaw was taken ill at an 11 January game against the Sheffield Sharks.[12] On 31 January, Tony Garbelotto was named interim head coach while Shaw recovered,[13] and remained in interim charge after Shaw's departure on 8 March.[11]

References
  1. "05 Apr 2019: Wolves 152-150 Scorchers (4OT)". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  2. "London Lions crowned BBL champions". Newham Recorder. Archant. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  3. Dugdale, Rob (27 January 2019). "BBL Cup: London Lions beat Glasgow Rocks to win first title in 11 years". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  4. "06 May 2019: Lions 72-86 Raiders (QF)". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  5. "12 May 2019: Riders 85-73 Raiders (SF)". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 12 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  6. Dugdale, Rob (19 May 2019). "BBL Play-off Final: Leicester Riders thrash London City Royals for third straight title". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  7. Dugdale, Rob (10 March 2019). "BBL Trophy final: London City Royals beat London Lions in overtime 90-82". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  8. "London City Royals to join BBL". BBL.org.uk. 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  9. "Statement | Rocks part ways with Darryl Wood". Glasgow Rocks. Rocks Basketball Limited. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  10. "Rocks appoint Vincent Lavandier as Interim Head Coach". Glasgow Rocks. Rocks Basketball Limited. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  11. "Club Statement on Ty Shaw". Worcester Wolves. Worcester Wolves Basketball Club. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  12. "Coach Ty Shaw taken ill during Worcester Wolves match". BBC News. BBC. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  13. "Worcester Wolves lean on the experience of Tony Garbelotto". Worcester Wolves. Worcester Wolves Basketball Club. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  14. "Benecos BBL Play-Off Quarter-Finals set". British Basketball League. The Basketball League Ltd. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
Preceded by
2017–18 season		 BBL seasons
2018–19		 Succeeded by
2019–20 season
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