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Something Old, Something New

29/8/2018

Newlywed Fetske returns for the Dragons … joined by fellow American Clark

Bradford Dragons today unveiled their two Americans for the 2018/19 National Basketball League Division One Campaign, with Ricky Fetske II returning for a fifth season with the team and rookie, Drexler Clark also making the transition across the pond.

6’8” American power forward Fetske first arrived at the Dragons for the 2012/13 season. Having then spent a season at Team Northumbria and another at Leeds Force, the New Jersey big man then returned to the Dragons Den in November 2015, where he has been a pivotal figure in the Dragons’ line up ever since.

Statistically, Fetske was the standout player of the Dragons’ 2016/17 campaign, averaging 16.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, the only Dragons player to average a double-double across the season, and an impressive 22.3 efficiency, one of the highest in the division. He also picked up the official Taco Bell Player of the Year award at the club’s end of season celebration.

Long serving Šulcs signs up for tenth season.

26/8/2018

Bradford Dragons Basketball club are pleased to confirm that Latvian Rihards Šulcs has committed to a tenth straight season at the Dragons’ Den, making him the longest serving player in the club’s history.

6’3” forward, Šulcs first joined the club when they were in the third tier of the English Basketball league and enjoyed consecutive promotions in his first two seasons. He plays both a tough and fast game, always working hard for the ball, but is best known for his high-flying antics, with one of the most highlighted slam dunk finishes in British basketball

Šulcs was an ever-present player during the 2017/18 season, averaging 15.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game and an impressive efficiency rating of 19.9, which was bettered only by American Ricky Fetske. He was also voted as the coaches’ player of the year.
On re-signing for the 2018/19 season, Šulcs commented, “I’m really happy to be a part of the Dragons organisation again for my tenth season.
“We’ve got a great group of guys, who can all play, and another great year of basketball ahead of us. I’m definitely looking forward to this season and to making some marks in division one again.”

Dragons’ head coach, Chris Mellor added, “It’s great to have Rihards back for another season. He’s our longest serving player now and his energy effort and unpredictability means that he is such an important player for us still.

The Dragons start their season with a National Trophy Double header weekend, away at Team Newcastle University Knights, on Saturday 29th September and then a home fixture against Manchester Magic the following afternoon.

The league campaign commences on Saturday 6th October with a home tie against newly promoted Nottingham Hoods and all home fixtures will once again be played at the Bradford College Sports Hall on Trinity Road.

Details of preseason fixtures will be announced shortly.

Duo return to the Dragons’ Den.

22/8/2018

Bradford Dragons Basketball club are pleased to announce that Jermayne Laing and Rafi Saipe have both committed to another campaign with the club.

This will be Laing’s sixth season with his hometown club, having joined the Dragons from the now defunct Leeds Force at the start of the 2013/14 season and he has since established himself as a regular starter for Chris Mellor’s team. Last season he played in all 24 of the Dragons’ league fixtures, averaging 27.5 minutes per game.

Defensively he has proved himself to be an outstanding perimeter player, whilst his speed and agility also provides the team with additional options at the offensive end of the court.

The 28-year-old shooting guard, experienced basketball in the United States, where he attended prep school and then went on to attend the highly acclaimed 22ft Basketball Academy, in the south of France.
Laing said, “I am really looking forward to playing for Bradford Dragons again this season and taking the team forward with our new players, who are bringing a lot of talent to the team.

“I’m looking forward to training and playing hard and hopefully seeing that hard work pay-off and lead us to a successful season for the Dragons.

“I’m also looking forward to adding another year with (head coach) Chris Mellor, who has helped me to develop my game in many aspects over the years.”

Meanwhile, Saipe, who also made the transition from Leeds Force, will be starting his fifth season in the Dragons’ colours. The 6’2” guard spent most of his first season at the club warming the bench. However, he has since gone on to earn himself a regular starting role on the Dragons’ roster. Although he is best known for his tenacious defending, he has also established himself as an extremely capable shooter, averaging 11.5 points per game last season.