Worcester Wolves have moved to bring former Leicester Riders star Jay Couisnard back to the BBL.

Couisnard, who enjoyed plenty of success during his two-year spell in the East Midlands, is Wolves coach Paul James’ fifth signing of a summer in which the club is making its ambitious plans for next season clear.

The 27 year-old from Houston, Texas, made his BBL debut in the 2012-13 season, coming in second in the voting for the league’s Most Valuable Player award during the Riders’ treble-winning campaign.

The following year, he was voted the club’s MVP, and James is in no doubt that Couisnard can have a similar impact at Wolves.

“We had some big shoes to fill in the shooting guard position and, in signing Jay, I feel we have done exactly that,” he says.

“We are very excited about Jay coming to the Wolves. He is a very influential player and will impact our club in so many ways. He is a fantastic talent and has shown he is a big game player and a winner. I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

Whilst at Leicester, Couisnard led the Riders in scoring, averaging more than 16 points a game on 43 per cent shooting, while adding 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists a game.

In 2014 the 6ft 6in guard/forward was tempted with a move to Europe with French side Union Basket La Rochelle, where he averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists a game.

Wolves Managing Director, Mick Donovan, adds: “There has been a recent trend of some of the top BBL players making the transition to Europe after successful seasons in our league.

“Whilst the signing of Jay is great news for the Wolves community, seeing top players returning whilst still in their prime also reflects very well upon the BBL.”

Couisnard joins fellow new recruits Ashton Khan, Malik Smith, Javier Mugica and Perris Blackwell, while Disraeli Lufadeju has been retained. The club expects to make further signing announcements in due course.

Source: BBL