BBL - A New Hope?

The BBL's leading scorer is Birmingham's Yorrick Williams - averaging 30ppg.
Also in the top 10 are, as mentioned, Julius Joseph...plus Guildford's Rod Wellington and Newcastle's Andrew Sullivan.

In fact, Andrew Sullivan is almost certainly the best Brit currently playing in the BBL. Last season he became the first English-born player in play-off history to be named final's MVP.

Following that, the former Villanova Wildcat was inundated with offers from Europe, but thanks to a little encouragement from his mum, decided to re-sign with the Eagles.

As well as scoring 21 a game, Sully is also 2nd in the league in rejections (2.67bpg)

His team mate, Perry Lawson, is also doing a steady job. And word is Darius Defoe could be on his way back to Tyneside after things didn't work out for him in Europe.

Down at my local team, Guildford, there's a strong English contingent. As well as the previously mentioned Rod Wellington, they're getting important contributions from Mike Martin, Dean Williams and BBL rookie Lekan Popoola (shooting 60% from the floor).

At the Towers, Rob Sargeant is 6th in the league in offensive rebounds. Douaine Anderson - now at Birmingham after what seems like forever in the States - is 8th in steals and blocks.
And don't look now, but Demaija Stewart's 100% from downtown!!!

What encourages me is that many of these players appear to be making a big contribution early on in the season. It's not like they're stuck on the bench for six months until they've proved they CAN actually play.

With these guys representing for home-grown ballers, I might find myself breaking the habit of a lifetime and actually voluntarily going to BBL games this season!