Super League Basketball Championship
SLB, the second season, is upon us! The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks get their campaign started with a visit to the South West to take on a much-changed Bristol Flyers side. Seven new signings suit-up for the Flyers as they gear up for another season in Europe as well as domestically. The Sharks return six players from last year’s squad and add a fresh five as they look to follow up on a silverware-winning season in 2024-25. Buckle up – we’re in for another thrilling eight month journey as the best in Brit hoops gets back under way.
Friday – Flyers v Sharks – SGS College Arena – 7.30pm
Watch – Check Social Media for details!
Ones To Watch
Cam Holden – Makes the switch from Cheshire Phoenix down to Bristol. Was a standout at Ellesmere Port with 14.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists last season, demonstrating his all-round versatility.
Will Yoakum – First professional outing after an outstanding career at NCAA DII Nova Southeastern University. Averaged 20.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in NSU’s 2022/23 title-winning season where they went 36-0 to lift the national championship.
Zach Anderson – Rookie forward who represented Florida Gulf Coast and George Mason in his college career. Stands at 6’ 7” and has a renowned three point shot, making over 40% in his last two college campaigns.
Marcus Delpeche – The former Shark returns to the team where his British basketball career began. Marcus made 86 apperances for the Flyers before spending three seasons in Sheffield, where he has family connections. An impressive season in Manchester followed before a return to be reunited with Flyers Coach Andreas Kapoulas.
Last Meeting
April 8th 2025 – Bristol Flyers 71 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 64
Shark Bites
The Sharks start their 32nd season on Friday at Bristol, having lost the opening game in 9 of the last 10 seasons. The only win in the last decade was in 2000 against London Lions. They have 1 win and 6 losses in away games and no wins in the 3 home openers in that period. The Sharks have never previously met the Flyers in their first official game of the season.
Last season, the Sharks met Bristol in a total of 6 games, winning all three at the Canon Medical Arena and prevailing twice on the Flyers home court. In 37 games against the Flyers, the Sharks have 21 wins.
Dirk Williams becomes the 4th player to return to the Sharks after missing 6 or more consecutive seasons. The others are Nate Reinking (also 6) and Adrian Anderson & Andrew Bridge (both 10).
In his previous 2 season spell with the Sharks, Dirk Williams never missed a game – 82 consecutive appearances. Jordan Ratinho has also never been absent from a Sharks game having made 203 appearances.
SharkNation
Sharks basketball returns and what a talented roster we have assembled for you. Returning to the South Yorkshire hardwood are Rodney Glasgow Jr, Jordan Ratinho, Mike Ochereobia, Reyad West, Prentiss Nixon and Rodney Chatman III. New to the club are Nick Kern Jr and Jalen DeLoach. Undoubtedly you recognise Mervin James and William Lee from their previous stints at Surrey and Manchester and returning home after a spell in Europe is fans favourite, Dirk Williams. Check out our social media pages for details on how you can follow the Sharks this weekend down in Bristol and if you want to see them in the flesh, then head to https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Fixtures?fanStoreType=Fixtures&clubId=216 where you can secure your tickets for our first home game against Newcastle Eagles on Sunday 28th September. You were loud and proud last season – you’ve got to be even louder this time around! Once again, it is time to #FearTheFin !
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Josh Rackham
