Hemel Storm, Reading Rockets, Nottingham Hoods, Essex Rebels and Derby Trailblazers of Division One will represent the game’s second tier as invited entrants in the inaugural edition of the new-look Cup, joined by Scotland’s Sony Centre Falkirk Fury and St Mirren in the first round.
With the action spread over this weekend and next, the wildcard underdogs all have the advantage of home ties with the sole all-SLB tie seeing Newcastle Eagles and Caledonia Gladiators face off on Tyneside.
We assess the five David vs Goliath ties below and also note some of the lower-league talent that has risen from each club to the top division in the British game. Live stats are linked in each fixture.
Venue: Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre
Hemel record: 9-0, 1st NBL1
Hemel key player: Darien Nelson-Henry
Manchester record: 0-4, 9th in SLB
Manchester key player: Nathan Cayo
From Hemel to the top flight: Taylor Johnson, Aaryn Rai
Hemel Storm come into their first-round tie with the SLB’s basement side Manchester Basketball in a rich vein of form.
While the Giants are yet to win in top-level league play, Hemel are unbeaten in D1 at 9-0 with an average winning margin of 14.1 points.
The Storm have been head and shoulders the best team in the NBL leading into the Christmas break with former Leicester Riders big man Darien Nelson-Henry in fine form, having 17.2 points and 9.0 rebounds a game.
This season, Hemel are led by former London Lions and Great Britain coach Mark Clark, who, despite his vast experience in the British basketball arena, had big shoes to fill to succeed Dru Spinks in 2023.
Under Spinks, the Storm, led by Taylor Johnson and current London Lions forward, Aaryn Rai, collected a clean sweep of trophies in the 2022/23 season, going a phenomenal 41-0 in all competitions.
Clark though found his feet quickly, and guided Hemel to a NBL1 Play-Off title last season, edging Reading Rockets in the final. He’s made an unbeaten start to this season and looks forward to the challenge of Manchester on Saturday 21 December.
“British sport thrives on the David and Goliath storyline,” Clark said.
“Our clash with Manchester has all the ingredients for a great cup tie, they have been one the biggest names in British Basketball, we are playing with a lot of confidence at the moment.
“Our arena will be sold out. Our fans have seen so much success over the last few years that they believe we can be successful every night. It will be loud.
“We know Manchester will be favourite; they should on paper win. But we have lot of belief in each other and we know we are going to perform.”
Venue: University of Derby
Derby record: 7-3 (2nd NBL1)
Derby key player: Leighton Elliot-Sewell
Surrey record: 2-4 (7th in SLB)
Surrey key player: Jalen Ray
From Derby to the top flight: Blake Bowman
The reigning regular-season champions are on a two-game losing streak in NBL1, having won seven straight before that. However, despite their recent dip, they go into their first-round encounter with Surrey 89ers with confidence.
Boasting former Leicester Riders and Cheshire Phoenix players including Raheem May-Thompson and Mo Walker, Derby also have veteran Malcolm Smith and the explosive Leighton Elliot-Sewell, who is currently second in scoring this season, averaging 23.4 points a game.
“I’m really excited about the game against Surrey and that we’re able to bring more high-level competition to Derby,” said Trailblazers guard Jonas Dietreich.
“We know Surrey will be tough and we need to be at our best, but the beauty of a cup competition is that anything can happen and we’re always confident as a team that we can get the job done.
“I think it’s great that NBL clubs are in the competition again. It allows us to showcase the quality we have in the league, and that we can be competitive with the teams from the SLB. I think from a neutral perspective, everyone loves an underdog story as well so it has the potential to produce some exciting storylines.”
Venue: Loddon Valley
Reading record: 7-3 (3rd NBL1)
Reading key player: Mitch Clarke
Sheffield Sharks record: 6-2 (1st in SLB)
Sheffield Sharks key player: Rodney Chatman III
From Reading to the top flight: David Watts, Steve Vear, Luke Nelson, Lewis Champion
Reading Rockets went off like a firecracker, winning their first three games season, scoring an average of 107 points, and shooting 47% from three-point land in the KitKing Trophy group stages.
That spark fizzled a little with three losses, including two straight, however, they have bounced back superbly with two consecutive victories as they hope to pack the small, but noisy Loddon Valley for the visit of the SLB Championship leaders, B. Braun Sheffield Sharks.
Featuring former Bristol Flyers guard Lewis Champion and Newcastle Eagles forward Justin Hopkins, Reading have a balanced squad, littered with players who can score rapidly. Reading’s offence flows through Australian point guard Mitch Clarke, who posts 15.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists a game.
One of the most successful clubs in the NBL, Reading were the first team to finish the season unbeaten at 36-0 in 2008/09 and during their 26 years in existence, have won every available trophy.
Reading coach Samit Nuruzade, himself a former assistant in the old top flight with the Leeds Force, knows the history and the quality that the Sharks will bring on Sunday.
“We are thankful that we have been invited into the SLB Cup and we are thankful to be playing one of the most decorated teams in the country in Sheffield,” Nuruzade said.
“Sharks have an amazing history, they are a top organisation with many good players. So for us, it’s good to test ourselves, we have a talented group of players who will play with confidence, they will be eager to get out onto the floor against Sheffield and we want to make ourselves and the NBL proud.”
Venue: Essex Sports Arena
Essex record: 5-4 (8th NBL1)
Essex key player: Luke Busumbru
Bristol record: 2-2 (5th in SLB)
Bristol key player: Keddy Johnson
From Essex to top flight: Luke Busumbru
Runners up in NBL1 last season, Essex Rebels have certainly come a long way from the relegation-threatened side they were two seasons ago.
But they have been patchy this season, despite a strong roster that boasts Luke Busumbru, former GB man Joe Hart and Daniel Johnson-Thompson, who all have experience in the former British Basketball League.
Hart provides the veteran leadership role at the guard, with Busumbru linking up with Connor Nelson as the main scoring threats. Johnson-Thompson provides the physicality under the basket.
“We are looking forward to hosting Bristol at the Essex Sport Arena,” said Rebels coach Ross Norfolk.
“We have been able to find some good form over the last couple of weeks. Having some guys back from injury is massive for us. We have a game plan and hopefully we can execute.”
Venue: Wildcats Arena
Nottingham record: 2-8 (10th NBL1)
Nottingham player: Greg Skoric
Chesire record: 2-3 (6th in SLB)
Cheshire key player: Tyreek Scott-Grayson
From Nottingham to the top flight: Johde Campbell
It has been a tough start to the season for the Nottingham Hoods, with just two wins in their first 10 games. It’s a far cry from their Play-off finish last term.
Current form might not be good, but they face Cheshire Phoenix, who have lost their last five games in all competitions.
Nottingham’s current record in NBL1 doesn't show the level of talent and depth available as on paper, the Hoods have a strong roster featuring former Sheffield Sharks guard Johde Campbell, former Surrey forward Elliot Bailey and 6’11” centre Greg Skoric, who averages a consistent 17.3 points and 10.3 rebounds a game.
"Having our young players take part in the SLB Cup game against Cheshire is a fantastic opportunity for them to gain valuable experience and be challenged in new ways," Hoods coach Vladan Dragosavic said.
"There is no doubt that both teams will deliver a performance that will delight the audience on Saturday."
Sony Centre Falkirk Fury v Leicester Riders, 13 December
St Mirren v London Lions, 13 December
Newcastle Eagles v Caledonia, 20 December
Words by John Hobbs
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