| Fans’ favourite Charles Smith has been crowned Molten BBL Player of the Month for April after helping Esh Group Eagles Newcastle land the BBL Championship and stroll into the Play-Off Semi Finals.
The Eagles’ star is a legend on Tyneside and added another individual accolade to his collection, having been named BBL Trophy MVP back in March.
Despite playing with an injury and having to play more minutes than anticipated, the veteran has continued to post magnificent contributions throughout the period and allowed his ‘know-how’ and all-round skills to shine through in the absence of player-coach Fab Flournoy on the court.
Previously nicknamed ‘Prince Charles’, Smith is affectionately known as ‘Charlie Buckets’ nowadays – much to the glee of his army of supporters who he has delighted with his performances.
Smith certainly racked up plenty of buckets during April, sinking 23.5 points per game and showing his all-round qualities with an average of 7.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists each time he stepped onto the floor.
He also plundered a game-high 27 points against Manchester Giants as the Eagles successfully defended their BBL Championship crown and completed a BBL treble.
Now he will try to inspire his team to a clean sweep by firstly getting his team past Sheffield Sharks and into the BBL Play-Off Final at The o2 on Sunday 10 May against either London Lions or Cheshire Phoenix.
Smith edged Pierre Hampton of Plymouth University Raiders for the award and there were also strong challenges posted by Cheshire duo Demond Watt and David Aliu. |
