Preview » Leeds Force v Bristol Flyers

Friday, October 27th 2017

Leeds Force v Bristol Flyers
BBL Championship,
Friday, October 27th 2017,
Leeds Beckett University.

Bristol Flyers travel to Leeds Force on Friday night in search of their first road win of the season (7.30pm).

Everything you need to know on Friday night’s opponents away from home can be found below.

Leeds Force

Leeds Force, who are entering their fourth season in the BBL, have made a multitude of changes over the summer, with a new head coach and an array of new players. It has been a busy off-season for the Leeds-based squad to say the least. Despite all the new changes, Force are yet to notch their first victory of the 2017/18 season.

HEAD COACH

Danny Nelson - It may be Coach Danny Nelson’s first season at the helm of a BBL team, but he is no stranger to the professional game. Nelson joins Leeds after gaining extensive experience in Germany’s Pro leagues, including a season as head coach of the Giants Nordlingen in Germany’s Pro B league.

LAST TIME OUT

Aaron Cosby marked his Bristol Flyers debut with a huge performance to help Flyers to a 96-79 win over Leeds Force at the WISE Arena.

LAST SEASON

Leeds finished last season only three wins above last place, with a record of 8-25. As a result, Force failed to reach the BBL play-offs for the second time in three seasons. However, Leeds Force’s off-season moves have shown a real statement of intent to improve this year.

ONES TO WATCH

Force signed former NCAA Division 1 Santa Barbara point guard, Eric Childress. The 6ft American averaged 9.2 points, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game in his senior year. Childress has been praised for his court vision and playmaking ability, which will be an asset for Leeds this season.

In addition, Leeds picked up Ingus Bankevics to bolster their backcourt. Bankevics enters Friday’s contest as their leading scorer with 13 points per game and his scoring punch will make Leeds’ backcourt a formidable one.

Force’s frontcourt of Tavarion Nix and Sam Toulwase will be one that Coach Kapoulas will want to contain. Nix recorded an impressive 18.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 blocks per game in Thailand’s top league last year. Toluwase spent last season with Manchester Giants where he averaged 14.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.