Milton Keynes Lions - Team Preview

Milton Keynes Lions

Point Guard: Milton Keynes are very deep here, probably one of the deepest positions in the whole of the BBL. Stefan Gil, Kris Clark and Ransford Laryea are all-new additions, and whilst all three will likely see time at the shooting guard position due to the lack of capable backups, they are all natural points.


Kris Clark is a 6'2'' American who averaged an extremely impressive 6 assists per game in his final US college season. Clark played with many of the best college player in the United States and was known for his intelligent passing skills and exciting athleticism. Kris has all the skills to lead the league in assists this year.

England international Stefan Gil was the Most Valuable Player of the EBL (one level below the BBL) last year. This lightning quick 5'9'' guard could arguably have made the step-up some time ago, but instead last year he proved his dominance at the lower level one last time, earning him a call up to the national side. Gil's ability is highly transferable, and despite being undersized he will put up big numbers from his ability to score from just about anywhere on the court. No defender will be looking forward to matching up with Gil.

Ransford Laryea is a young English prospect who honed his skills in the Danish league last season. Whilst he did not play big minutes, Laryea prooved his worth as a lock down defender, and has a big role to play for the Lions.

Grade: A

Shooting Guard: One of my favourite players in the world is manning the 2-guard for the Lions. Yorick Williams has always been one of the most exciting players to watch from his aggressive and tenacious defending to his sharp-shooting three point shot.

Williams is another year older, but he is still a force in this league having averaged 16.7 ppg last season. Williams has always run hot and cold. I remember a Brighton Bears match against Leicester when in the second quarter the match commentator proudly announced "It's Leicester Riders: 20, Yorick Williams: 23". And while his ability to outscore an entire team over two quarters didn't always happen, there is always an air of excitement when Yorick is on the court, because anything can happen.

Behind Williams, however, there is not an awful lot. 6'2'' youth Ishmael Fontaine returns but he is unlikely to get decent minutes, the role is more likely to fall to the tiny Stefan Gil, who would make a thrilling partnership with the also-explosive Clark at the point.

Grade: B-

Small Forward: Jelani Gardner was once a highly rated NBA prospect. Health issues meant that this dream never came to pass, but nevertheless, Gardner has had a stellar career of professional basketball. American but with a French passport, Gardner has been succesfull at the very highest level in Europe, and whilst age and injuries appear to have caught up with him, he will be a terrific player in the BBL if he can recapture any of his former glory.

It's a Yao-Ming-sized "if", however, and should the Gardner experiment not work out, the Lions do find themselves with a bit of a weakness here too. The news that Dru Spinks would not be returning to the Lions has rocked the BBL. Spinks was the heart of the Lions, and one of the most dedicated and hard-working professionals the league has ever seen. His commitment to the Lions never faltered, and the team will certainly be missing something when they step out onto the court without him. Instead the Lions have had to look elsewhere for a back-up small forward.

6'6'' Anthony Hasse has been a British absentee from the BBL for a while now. His ability is certainly there, and it is very pleasing to see him get another shot at the top. I remember Hasse as a young guy playing for Birmingham, and if decent faith is put in him he can be good for the Lions.

Grade: C+

Power Forward: Keith Darden is the second of Lions' three new Americans. Height and athleticism is a bit unusual amongst BBL players, but the 6'10'' Darden is known for his ability to play as a big-man inside, and also out on the perimetre. He's new to the BBL and coming for a lower division NCAA school could make Darden a bit of an unknown at this point. However, he certainly has the physical tools to do a job for the Lions, and if his defending is anything as good as coach Michael New has been saying, he could be an imposing presence in the paint.

Despite what his last name suggests, Robert Youngblood will probably be the oldest player in the BBL this season. Coming up on 42, it seems Youngblood has been around the BBL forever. He certainly isn't as effective as he was in his younger days (he once had trials for an NBA team), but with Spinks gone, Youngblood's locker room presence will be worth more to the Lions than any stats he puts up.

Grade: B-

Centre: Having two starting guys above 6'10'' doesn't usually happen in the BBL, but the Lions have it with the addition of 6'11'' Travis Nelson. Nelson played at the Univerity of Wyoming, an excellent college, before moving to Minnesota State University where he put up stellar numbers. Nelson can certainly play, and his inside combination with Darden will be important to the Lions. Expect Nelson to take a prominent offensive role, whilst Darden will be crucial defensively.

Backing up Nelson will be Lawrence Brown. Portsmouth native Brown is rail-thin, but at 7'2'' will likely be the tallest player in the BBL this season. 4 years at Fairleigh Dickinson have been at excellent experience for Brown, but he still has much to learn in basketball terms. However, with coach Michael New being a premier BBL big man for many years, and the presence of stalwart post player Robert Youngblood, this might be an ideal environment, because as they say, you can teach someone basketball, but you can't teach height.

Grade: B-

Key Additions: A rejuvination or the final nail; Jelani Gardner's ability to return to pro basketball will be the breaking point for the Lions.

Key Losses: Not only has club captain Dru Spinks left, but experienced point guard EJ Harrison has moved north to join Glasgow Rocks. The Lions will miss his ability to put the team on his shoulders.

Full Roster:
Ishmael Fontaine 6'2'' SG
Jelani Gardner 6'6'' SF
Stefan Gil 5'9'' PG
Ransford Laryea 6'0'' PG
Lawrence Brown 7'2'' C
Robert Youngblood 6'7'' PF
Kris Clark 6'2'' PG
Yorick Willams 6'4'' SG
Anthony Hasse 6'6'' SF
Keith Darden 6'10'' PF
Travis Nelson 6'11'' C