Bradford Dragons today announced that fans favourites Rihards Sulcs and Jermayne Laing will both be returning for the 2016/17 season.
Latvian 6'3" forward, Sulcs spent the first half of the last campaign on the sidelines, having picked up a serious knee injury during the preseason. Returning to the side in January, Sulcs wasted no time in reinforcing his reputation for one of the most highlighted slam dunk finishes in British Basketball, and Dragons supporters will be looking forward to more of the same this season. Entering his eighth season with the club, Sulcs is the longest serving player on the Dragons roster, having been instrumental throughout the clubs rise from the lower divisions and into the National League Division 1.
Meanwhile, local boy Laing goes into his fourth campaign with the Dragons, having joined the club at the start of the 2013/14 season from neighbouring Leeds Force. Having established himself firmly in the Dragons camp, last season he was handed the club captaincy.
Latvian 6'3" forward, Sulcs spent the first half of the last campaign on the sidelines, having picked up a serious knee injury during the preseason. Returning to the side in January, Sulcs wasted no time in reinforcing his reputation for one of the most highlighted slam dunk finishes in British Basketball, and Dragons supporters will be looking forward to more of the same this season. Entering his eighth season with the club, Sulcs is the longest serving player on the Dragons roster, having been instrumental throughout the clubs rise from the lower divisions and into the National League Division 1.
Meanwhile, local boy Laing goes into his fourth campaign with the Dragons, having joined the club at the start of the 2013/14 season from neighbouring Leeds Force. Having established himself firmly in the Dragons camp, last season he was handed the club captaincy.
On signing up for another season at the Dragons' Den, Laing stated, "Last season was a very difficult season, with a lot of ups and downs, but we pushed and pushed and made it through the season. I made a promise to coach Mellor, when I first came to play for Dragons, which I won’t reveal our agreement, but I am going to fulfill this and also add more to prove to coach that I can step up to the mark and the expectations which coach Mellor has of me. With a new team ethos and vision, I feel the season has a lot to offer for us as a team. I am really looking forward to the new players who will be joining us, along with continuing to play with the players who are staying on this journey.”
Dragons' head coach, Chris Mellor added, "It's good to have both Jermayne and Rihards back for another season. They are both established division one quality players and provide things at both ends of the court. Jermayne gives us real strength in defence and this season I think he will contribute more offensively. Rihards always gives teams problems with his energy, rebounding and in transition."
The Dragons are expected to make further player announcements over the next couple of weeks.
All photographs © ALEX DANIEL PHOTOGRAPHY
Dragons' head coach, Chris Mellor added, "It's good to have both Jermayne and Rihards back for another season. They are both established division one quality players and provide things at both ends of the court. Jermayne gives us real strength in defence and this season I think he will contribute more offensively. Rihards always gives teams problems with his energy, rebounding and in transition."
The Dragons are expected to make further player announcements over the next couple of weeks.
All photographs © ALEX DANIEL PHOTOGRAPHY
