Marc Steutel has warned Newcastle Eagles’ Super League Basketball rivals they’d be wrong to sleep on Sauveur Kande as the electric guard’s season continues to gather pace.

The homegrown favourite heads into this weekend’s road trip double header on the back of yet another personal accolade after lifting one of university basketball’s top honours.

And Kande has already enjoyed his best campaign yet in a Newcastle jersey — with 2025 seeing the proud Geordie net his first points in a major final as the Eagles breezed past Bristol to lift this season’s SLB Trophy.

“Honestly I can’t find enough positive things to say about Sauveur and I’m impressed with him every day,” said Steutel as he put the finishing touches to tonight’s Flyers rematch and Sunday’s clash at Manchester.

“He’s stayed the course this season, remains so balanced emotionally and understands the journey he’s on.

“To win Most Improved Player across the BUCS Northern Premier League is testimony to the work that he puts in.

“That’s a tough league with a lot of very talented players but Sauveur has pushed himself to be in that position under Drew Lasker at Northumbria University.”

Kande’s can-do attitude has always epitomised Steutel’s own approach to basketball and, fresh from a double winning international break, the Great Britain playcaller is excited to see his young gun fly the flag for domestic talent.

“These days Sauveur is fully integrated into our system and I know I can throw him in anytime, anywhere and he’ll do what we’ve been working on in practice all week,” added the Eagles’ head coach.

“But everyone can see what’s ahead of him if he wants to get the minutes he craves. When you have players like Mike Okauru, Seneca Knight, Josh Ward-Hibbert and Christian James as team-mates it’s always going to be tough.

“The thing is, Sauveur has my complete trust and he is more than capable of competing with those guys.

“He’s champing at the bit to play for his hometown team every single week and I love that attitude.

“I’m really, really proud of him and proud of the work that he puts in behind the scenes every day to become a better player.

“Sauveur is a credit to the Eagles Academy and his progress reflects all of the hours that his coaches have put in down the years. He’s the benchmark for young players coming through at this club.”

Northumbria University head coach Drew Lasker is another big fan of fast-improving Kande and the man who sees him in competitive action week in, week out added: “In year three Sauveur has improved every aspect of his game, including his body.

“He’s a great shooter who has evolved into a much better decision maker and on-ball defender. The Most Improved Player award was fully deserved and it’s great that his hard work is being recognised.”

With two tough away games within 48 hours it’s likely Kande will see more SLB court time this weekend.

And an Eagles roster buoyed by adding a 28^th piece of silverware to the franchise’s bulging trophy cabinet last month is fully focused on making this a season to remember ahead of a fresh stretch of challenging fixtures at home and abroad.

But a bruised Bristol — still smarting from a heavy final defeat in Birmingham — will be out for revenge in front of a capacity crowd tonight and Manchester’s players will be keen to impress new Argentine coach Herman Mandole on Sunday.

“It’s a tough return to action with two games on the road but practice has been high quality and high energy all week,” added Steutel.

“I feel we’ve managed our players in the right way over the international break and they look fully focused and refreshed heading into a key stage of the season.

“We know Bristol is a really difficult place to play but hopefully we can play the way we know best and head to Manchester on the back of a win.”

Both of Newcastle’s Championship fixtures will be screened live and for free on DAZN this weekend.