London Lions’ have returned guard Andre Lockhart for his third season in the capital.
The 29-year-old dual Bajan-British passport holder provided a solid back up last term and this time will combine his role on the floor with heading up the Lions’ Epping Forest College, Basketball Academy.
Following three seasons with Queens University in the USA, Lockhart arrived in the BBL in the 2010-11 season as he helped Esh Group Eagles Newcastle to the runners-up spot in the BBL Championship. After spells in back in Barbados and Germany, Lockhart returned to the UK in January 2014 and helped Essex Leopards finish as runners-up in NBL Division One.
A Barbados international at both junior and senior level, Lockhart was delighted to be back with the Lions: “I’m extremely ecstatic to be back with the Lions family as I think Lions is a great organisation with great fans – which I’ve seen grow over my two years of being with the club and looking forward to more for this season.
“At the beginning of every year there is always great excitement to be back with old and new teammates.
“I just want to thank the management team and the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to return back to the Lions and representing this club again.”
He continued: “Having a very good off-season travelling and working on my game, I’m now looking ahead into the season it is sad to see Nigel take a step back as he will still be around with development, but I’m looking forward to a new challenge with Mariusz as the coach.”
Lions Chief Executive Vince Macaulay expressed his happiness to have Lockhart back and commented: “Andre is as lovely a guy as you are going to meet. He also competes hard on the floor and carries himself well off it.
“He is a role model to all the youngsters at the club and his experience around the League will also help the newer guys to the team.”
The Lions will return from pre-season in Poland on the 18th of September before playing the Glasgow Rocks in a friendly on the 22nd at UEL Sportsdock and then the British All Stars is next at the O2 Arena on the 24th. Tickets for both games are available on the Lions website.