Newcastle Eagles are thrilled to announce that they have signed former BBL All Star forward Lynard Stewart for the forthcoming 2007/08 BBL season. The forward, who first arrived in the UK in 2001, spent three successful seasons with the Sheffield Sharks before moving to London Towers for two years.
In the summer of 2006 he linked back up with his former Sharks boss and current Great Britain coach Chris Finch at Bree in the Belgian League having averaged over 19 points and 6 rebounds per game during his final year with Towers.Eagles player-coach Fab Flournoy has spoken of his joy at managing to sign Stewart and believes the Temple graduate will add a new dimension to his side this season.
He said “I am delighted to have finally got Lynard. While we had to be patient in actually getting him, it really is worth the wait when you get someone who has so many attributes.”
“He is a player that I have admired for a long time and I was determined to bring him to our club. He will give us so much on the floor and maybe offer a new dimension. He is quick for his size and very athletic around the basket and he certainly knows how to finish plays. More importantly he is an experienced guy who has played for five seasons in this league and that is huge for us.” added Flournoy.
“Not only that, but he has now had a season in Europe under his belt too and we can certainly reap the dividends from that. He is a proven winner and someone that brings experience of challenging for trophies wherever he has played.”
Eagles Managing Director Paul Blake meanwhile was just as pleased to land Lynard claiming that the club’s preparations for 2007/08 are coming along nicely. “We have been eager to recruit British players this summer and I believe we have signed a trio of them who are quality and a really good fit for us. However if and when we have go away from this policy, we are keen to only sign high calibre players. As in previous seasons we are able to do this with the support of the team at Newcastle MetroRadio Arena, who are once again helping to support.”
He explained “Along with Charles Smith, Lynard falls very firmly into that category and I have to say that we are fortunate to be able to call on a player with his record. He is a class act and I think that a lot of our fans will be really excited to see him play with many of them no doubt remembering his dominant performances for Sheffield and London in the past.”
“He knows how to win and is someone that will give Fab talent and experience in equal measures. I am sure he will be a massive hit both on and off the court for us. Things are certainly coming together for us with more signings still to come.”
Stewart joins player-coach Fab Flournoy, Great Britain star Richard Midgley, Andrew Bridge, Charles Smith and last year’s play-off final MVP Olu Babalola as the Play-off winners roster begins to take shape.
