The Leicester Riders have added yet another piece to their Championship chasing puzzle in the shape of former Florida Atlantic University player, Brett Royster.
Royster is a former two-time Sun Belt Division defensive player of the year and comes with high expectations. Those expectations have been tempered slightly by Riders coach, Rob Paternostro, the Head Coach appreciates that a bedding-in period is inevitable for the 6’8 big man:
“Any time you bring in a new player from America, you’re not 100% sure what he is like. Brett will have an adjustment period, we understand that and we don’t expect him to come in and be at his best right from the start. But we like his potential for the season ahead.”
The need for a big man was made evident in the 107-90 loss to the Milton Keynes Lions last Friday, when Paternostro felt the interior defence was sub-par, so Paternostro wasted no time in recruiting a player who is more than capable of causing the opposition problems when they step in the paint:
“In our game against Milton Keynes, we were exposed on the inside. Paint protection and rim protection is what we needed and that’s what Brett has made his name doing.”
Royster will be joining fellow new signing, Andrew Sullivan, in the Riders team for the double header this weekend.
The Leicester Riders face the London Leopards at the John Sandford Sports Centre on Saturday 15th October at 7:30pm before travelling to play the Jets in Cheshire. Tip-off is at 5:30pm.
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