Rickey McGill will spearhead Friday’s London Lions revenge mission as one of the British Basketball League’s most marked men after igniting his season in style.

The Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles guard hit 84 points in six days to underline his value to the new-look men in black.

And, following his explosive statement of intent, McGill looks odds-on to lead the pack when league bosses reveal this week’s All-Star five.


The 26-year-old former Plymouth favourite was one of a slew of summer signings as Newcastle head coach Marc Steutel sought to reshape his Eagles roster.

And McGill has slotted into a regular three-guard rotation alongside fellow new boys Jordan Johnson and Larry Austin Jr.

McGill has had a big impact on the 2023-24 Eagles back-court. (Photos: Gary Forster)

As a triple threat, the close-season recruits have looked unstoppable in spells this season.


But after Johnson made the early running for Steutel’s men, it was McGill’s turn to showcase his scoring threat — starting with 17 points against London last Monday.

Four days later Leicester felt the full force of the Iona graduate as short-handed Newcastle closed out a confidence-boosting win at the Vertu Motors Arena.

McGill dropped 31 points on the nonplussed Riders’ defence to emerge with the MVP honours on Tyneside.

But the ex-Franklin Bulls’ marksman surpassed himself the following night with a further 36 points at Bristol.


That the Eagles were unable to build on their Leicester victory with another win against the Flyers put a dampener on McGill’s scoring masterclass.

But the 6ft 2in US star is full of confidence heading into Friday’s rematch with league leaders London.

On the road at Bristol Flyers McGill scored 36-points in a tough back-to-back two days of action for our Eagles.(Photos: Gary Forster)

Newcastle narrowly fell short of a famous win in the Copperbox Arena last Monday despite taking a thrilling clash to overtime.

And Lions’ playcaller Petar Božić will be focused on nullifying the McGill/Johnson/Austin Jr axis after the trio combined for 50 points seven days ago.

Steutel, meanwhile, must be craving consistency after his talented roster followed two of their best displays of the season with a below-par performance in Bristol.

The Eagles slipped to a 97-83 loss as the visitors were outrebounded 54-28 inside a hostile SGS College Arena.

And Newcastle must find a way to compete under the glass if they’re to fully capitalise on McGill’s red hot run of form.

Tickets for Friday’s London showdown are available from the box office.