• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

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British Basketball League: Champion returns for second season with Bristol Flyers

Lewis Champion has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal with the Bristol Flyers.

The British point guard, who signed his first professional contract with the club last year, has now committed until the end of the 2019/20 season.

Champion made 33 appearances for Coach K’s men last season, including a standout performance against Glasgow Rocks in October, scoring a season-high 18 points.

During his seven-year career in NBL Division One, Champion helped Reading Rockets to back-to-back league titles, whilst also being named MVP at the 2013 NBL Final Four.

The 6ft1in guard went on to play four seasons at Team Northumbria, where he averaged 15.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, whilst also completing a bachelors degree at Northumbria University.

“It’s like a dream come true to be able to be able to come back for another year,” Champion told Bristol Flyers TV.

“From the coaches, to the fans and the backroom staff – there’s such a great vibe around this club and it’s a place I really want to put down some roots.

“Obviously last year didn’t go the way we planned, but in terms of transitioning from Division One, I feel I took to it pretty quickly.

“Everyone’s a lot faster and stronger in the BBL and the experiences I gained this year will really help me push forward into next season.”

Flyers Head Coach Andreas Kapoulas added: “It’s great to have Lewis return for a second season with the club.

“He has all the qualities that we are looking for in a point guard and a Bristol Flyers player.

“This past season was valuable to him as he learned a lot from his first year in the league and contributed with strong performances throughout the year. This coming season I am looking for him to take more of a leading role within our team.

He certainly has the ability to be one of the premium point guards in the BBL and I am delighted to see him back in a Flyers uniform for the upcoming season.”