The first line-up of the new calendar year brings four familiar faces and a debutante.Mike DiNunno (Cheshire Phoenix)
It’s been an eventful time of late for Phoenix on and off the floor, but DiNunno ensured that their terrific winning streak was extended by one more victory after leading the team to a win against Manchester Giants in the north-west derby. The guard actually produced the best display of the entire weekend as he claimed his third BBL Team of the Week slot of the season. He finished the game with a stunning 36 points after dropping five triples in a shooting master class – also adding four assists, four steals and three boards.
Chavis Holmes (Worcester Wolves)
It’s also a third appearance in our starting five for the Wolves’ backcourt star after he paved the way for a precious and hard fought success at the Pavilions against the hometown Plymouth University Raiders. Holmes produced a magnificent and typically all-action effort as he racked up 19 points from an excellent 8 of 11 shooting display. He also came within one rebound of securing a double-double and with seven assists, a potential triple-double had even looked to be on the cards at one point.
Scott Martin (Esh Group Eagles Newcastle)
It’s back-to-back BBL Team of the Week appearances for the Eagles’ forward after he put Surrey United to the sword with a nice 28 point haul in Guildford, live on BBLTV. He showcased his inside-outside game by making three triples and being rock solid at the hoop. Adding five rebounds and two assists, Martin looks to have hit form at the right time ahead of a crunch weekend for his team, with a big league clash at Worcester on Friday and the BBL Cup Final against Rocks on Sunday.
Rashad Hassan (Leicester Riders)
The Riders’ forward helped his side get off to a rapid-fire opening in 2015 after producing a couple of exceptional performances against London Lions and Leeds Force. Both were good enough for our top six of the week and it was his contribution against Lions which sealed him his place. Hassan was unstoppable in the paint after registering a mammoth 31 points from a brilliant 72% floor shooting. He also made it a capital visit to remember, by adding nine rebounds to help his side add momentum to their BBL Championship title challenge.
John Puk (Durham Wildcats)
It’s a BBL Team of the Week starting five debut slot for the Wildcats’ big man after he carried them to a priceless victory against play-off rivals Bristol Flyers. He was exceptional in the paint as he scored 18 points from a smart 9 of 12 floor shooting – rarely missing a beat at the hoop. He also did some of the much needed dirty work on the glass with six rebounds as the Newton Aycliffe faithful celebrated a winning start to 2015 and significant boost to the north-east club’s prospects of ultimately making the top eight.
Off the bench – Chris Jones (Durham Wildcats), Paul Guede (Worcester Wolves), Kramer Knutson (Surrey United), Greg Streete (Bristol Flyers), Ben Eaves (Manchester Giants), Makal Stibbins (London Lions), Pierre Hampton (Plymouth University Raiders). |
