Essex Pirates - Team Preview

I should note that Essex Pirates are probably the most difficult team for me to review. I have never seen them play, and in fact I have only ever seen one of their players. I am not, therefore, in an ideal position. Much of this will be guesswork based on what I have read, watched on video and equated from statistics

Essex Pirates

Point Guard: 6'1'' guard Andre Ellis has been somewhat under the radar. He showed his talent in the first game of the season, scoring 15 points in just 22 minutes of game time, which an efficient 6/11 shooting. When the full Essex lineup is available, however, I doubt Ellis will play particularly big minutes at the point, although he has proved he will be a very capable back-up.

The majority of the minutes will likely go to Turner King, 6'3'' American combo guard fresh out of Hampden-Syndey College in the US. King averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds, and was relied upon more as a scorer than a point. His role on the Pirates is likely to be a little different, as the Southend outfit's glut of wings leaves open minutes at the 1.

Grade: B

Shooting Guard: I'm not convinced the Pirates play a particularly standard type of game. They have a high of very young, very athletic wing players, all capable of shooting, driving but with very little BBL experience.

The exception is Marcus Knight. Knight is a 6'2'' shooting guard who can play some time at the point. He has always been a big name associated with London basketball, and is always a stellar performer at Midnight Madness. Knight can do a good job at BBL level; he averaged 12 ppg last year on just 20 minutes of play.

6'4'' Sam Toluwase is a high flyer who joint top-scored for the Pirates in their first home game. Toluwase had some big games for the Pirates last year including a 22 point, 9 rebound performance inspiring a win over the Guildford Heat. He players bigger than his height due to his great strength and athleticism, and will be looked on to be a solid performer if the Pirates are to push for the playoffs.

When Ellis is playing point, import King may well get some time here and the Pirates have so much young British talent such as Josh Pape and Calum Nicol, there are bound to be plenty of takers for minutes.

Grade: B-

Small Forward: Colin Sing got his first England cap over the summer. He's 6'5'' and more of a shooting guard in a natural basketball line up, but he is athletic and quick enough to play the 3. Sing might well be hoping to have something of a break-out season. He has the potential to be a very good British player in this league, and if he can force himself into big minutes he could be an important factor in the Pirates season.

However, midlander Myles Hesson should challenge Sing for those minutes. 6'5'' Hesson played last season in the England EBL2, effectively the third division in British basketball) for the Birmingham Aces. He played for the England U20 international team this summer, and impressed. In Pirates first game he proved himself to be an effective player at this level, joint top-scoring (17) with Toluwase, adding 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Like Sing he is athletic and strong. It will be fascinating to see the progression of these two young players.

Grade: B

Power Forward: Alan Metcalfe had an excellent colliegette career at Vanderbilt University. 6'9'' and a wide-frame, Metcalfe was the cornerstone of the Pirates inside presence. Metcalfe is quick for his size and can shoot from all over the place. He averaged 7.3 ppg and 5.1 rpg last year, and is an important experienced player in a pretty young line up.

Challenging Metcalfe for minutes is another young player and England U20 international. Jamell Anderson is 6'7'' and will be hoping to progress into big minutes for the Essex team. He could well also get time at the small forward. Unfortunately neither Metcalfe or even a potential reaching Anderson will be a genuine force for the Pirates inside, and this is something they are still lacking.

Former Solent youth Tom Wood may get a few minutes here too.

Grade: C

Centre: Essex have added 6'9'' American Mike Mokeski, the son GB assistant coach and former NBA player Paul Mokeski. Mike is a decent player, but probably not up to the same level as many BBL import players, and will be more of a rotation player than a starter outright. He has plenty of the skills that Essex need, though, not least of which being height.

Kene Anusionwu, a 6'8'' forward/centre will compete with Mokeski for minutes here. He is a defensive talent known for his flashy shot-blocking skills, and 4 years at college in America have prepared him to join this join Essex team and hopefully sure them up on the inside.

In this guard orientated Essex line-up, former Guildford Heat bigman Metcalfe may well play a lot of minutes here alongside some of the younger players, but if anything is certain about the Pirates this season, it is that playing time will be ultra-competetive, and they will be a lot of fun to watch.

Grade: C

Key Additions: Pirates first ever Americans Turner King and Mike Mokeski need to play well if this Southend-based team are going to have any success, although the progression of new Brit's Anusionwu, Hesson and Ellis may be more interesting.

Key Losses: In England international guard Taner Adu, naturalised big-man Randy George and Spanish forward Pablo Rodriguez were the Pirates three top scorers last year, and none will be returning.

Full Roster:

Jamell Anderson 6'7'' PF/SF
Kene Anusionwu 6'8'' PF/C
Andre Ellis 6'1'' PG
Myles Hesson 6'5'' SG/SF
Turner King 6'3'' PG/SG
Alan Metcalfe 6'9'' PF/C
Mike Mokeski 6'9'' C/PF
Colin Sing 6'5'' SG/SF
Sam Toluwase 6'4'' SF/SG
Tom Wood 6'6'' PF/SF