Basketball: Gayle rides back into Leicester in time to take on Sheffield Sharks
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Garnet Gayle exchanged obscurity for the TV limelight yesterday when he signed for Leicester City Riders for the second time in his career, in time to play in tomorrow's televised Budweiser League game at his at former club, Sheffield Sharks.
Gayle, 33 next month, returned to his Nottingham birthplace this season to play National League basketball for the Knights, after spells with Manchester Giants and Derby Storm last season left him without a Budweiser club for the new campaign.
Riders signed a sponsorship deal this week and their coach, Bob Donewald, said: "Garnet is a confident man who fits in with the maturity of players we already have like James Havrilla, Billy Singleton and Gene Waldron. Garnet brings fire to the team and some defence. His personality is important. He's a winner and we need that."
He made his original Leicester debut in November 1987 and had four seasons with the Granby Halls club. Gayle spent two seasons with the Sheffield Forgers in the National League before they graduated to the Budweiser competition in 1994 to become the Sharks.
The hopes of the England coach, Laszlo Nemeth, of having league games postponed prior to the European Championship round beginning on 26 November have been dashed by another TV game, Sheffield's visit to Exide London Towers on the previous Sunday.
Several players from that game will be in Nemeth's 12-man squad, who assemble that night in London before leaving for a friendly in Germany the following day en route to the opening Championship game in Denmark on the Wednesday.
A meeting between the English Basketball Association and the League failed to resolve the conflict of interests. Mark Hannen, of the EBA, said: "We both recognise the need to help the national team but it was too late in this instance because of the TV considerations."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments