With the Guildford Heat, for the first time a team from the UK will participate to the ULEB Cup this season. And according to their head coach Paul James, they are not in this to make up the numbers.
UK Basketball was not on the top of the scene in Europe so far. Even if there were NBA Preseason games played before sold-out crowds in London, even if some players with British origins or links play in the NBA or in Europe, and even if Midnight Madness is one of the biggest events in European Streetball, there has never been a British team that played in the second highest competition of European basketball.
In the will to expand ULEB Basketball to other countries, the cup has been opened to more teams and countries this season. So this season will feature teams from such countries like UK, Romania or even Switzerland. If these teams will be competitive, it has yet to be proved but I like the opening to countries that normally don’t play a big role on the continent.
Coming back to the Guildford Heat, their roster features some common names on the continent like Tony Dorsey but also total newcomers like 2m09 center John Nottley. For their first game, the Brits will travel to one of the hottest arenas on the continent, the Mirza Delibasic Arena in Sarajevo. And the Bosnian team is ready for the challenge.
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