This is Leicestershire --Leicester Riders have announced their pre-season games as they prepare for the defence of their titles.
First up for the BBL Championship, Cup and Play-off winners is a clash against a touring USA team at the Nottingham Wildcats Arena a week tomorrow.
A young Riders squad will be without Drew Sullivan, who is with the Great Britain team in the countdown to the European Championships, while the club's overseas players will also be absent.
However, new signing Harrison Gamble will be available for the game which tips off at 6.0.
A full-strength Riders will then play a home double-header at the John Sandford Centre on Friday, September 13, against Huddersfield Heat, who are in Division One of the National League, with a tip-off of 7.30.
The following night, also at the John Sandford, Riders fans will get a chance to see the next generation when the senior squad take on Loughborough Student Riders, who play in Division Two of the National League.
That match will also tip off at 7.30, and will give coach Rob Paternostro a chance to see the full range of talent in Riders' elite men's programme.
Riders will round off their pre-season preparations with a double-header at Loughborough University.
On Saturday, September 21, Riders will play a touring USA Select side that comprises of players who are looking to showcase their talents to earn a contract in the BBL or in Europe. It tips off of 6.0.
The following day, Riders will take on another USA Select side at the same venue, at 4.0.
Riders get their BBL season under way at the John Sandford on Saturday, September 28, against Birmingham Knights (7.30).
For pre-season and BBL Championship tickets, telephone 0116 2558635, or log on to:
www.leicesterriders.co.uk Reported by This is 1 day ago.