The Airwaves Plymouth Raiders are delighted to announce that 6'7" forward James Noel, is returning to the team for the 2009/10 season. James signed his contract and sent it back to the Raiders late Tuesday evening of this week.
This will be Noel's third straight season with the Raiders and along with Allister Gall, and it provides the team with a nucleus of consistency and familiarity from last season. Noel's performances have improved each year he's been in Plymouth, and Coach Gary Stronach believes this trend will continue again this year.
"Along with everybody else in the squad, this will be a huge season for James. Obviously his minutes should increase at the power forward position and I know that he is eager to improve on the last two seasons that he has spent with the Raiders. He is busy working out in the States, and the person I have spoken to has said that he looks in excellent shape and is looking forward to the challenge this season."
Earlier this summer, Noel played at a big tryout camp held in Boston in front of hundreds of European scouts and coaches. There he attracted a good amount of attention and a couple of teams offered him a contract for the 2009/10 season. "There were a couple of times during the summer so far when I thought we had lost him," added Stronach. "I'm delighted though that his dedication to the team over the past couple of years is set to continue and we can help him develop his game again as happened last year"
Last season, when Terrence Durham went down with a season ending knee injury, it was Noel who stepped into the starting lineup and provided the Raiders with some huge games. His performance in the BBL Playoff Semi Final against Newcastle was outstanding, and his confidence on the basketball court saw Noel become a focal point of the Raiders offence.
Noel averaged 6points and 4.6 rebounds a game in 2008/09, but this hides some standout performances in the second half of the season. Against Newcastle, he top scored with 21 points (on 9/12 shooting) and pulled down 11 rebounds.
"I'm really looking forward to coming back to Plymouth," said Noel. "I had some genuine offers this summer, but I've enjoyed my time at Plymouth and made some good friends there. I wanted to come back and help the team, developing my own game at the same time."
Raiders players will arrive in the City over the last weekend of August, and start training together on the 1st September, in preparation for the pre season games on 12th, 16th and 22nd of September. The BBL Championship season then starts on Saturday 26th with an away game with Worthing Thunder.
Source: www.bbl.org.uk
