The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks have made some considerable roster changes ahead of the 2021/22 BBL tip-off in the hopes of getting back towards competing for titles.
The squad struggled during the 2020/21 season, finishing the season at .500 (W15, L15), before exiting the BBL playoffs after a first-round defeat to the always solid Newcastle Eagles.
The Sharks have a long history of winning and the staff behind the scenes were evidently keen to make changes to bring them back to the BBL Finals.
Point Guard Aaron Anderson arrives in the Steel City from France, where he averaged 15 points per game and 5.4 assists. The Sharks brought in three players from European leagues, where basketball is often of higher quality.
As well as Anderson; Joe Mvuezolo Jnr and Jonathan Williams signed with Sheffield from European clubs.
Mvuezolo (8.6ppg, 1stl) played for CD Idea Algeciras in Spain and adds a solid, two-way player to the Sharks roster, as well as BBL experience, after previous stints with the Surrey Scorchers and Leicester Riders.
Williams arrives from Poland and joins what is now quite a guard-heavy roster. It’ll be interesting how Head Coach Atiba Lyons allocates the minutes for his talented backcourt options.
Former Bristol Flyer Marcus Delpeche brings grit and toughness to Coach Lyons’s big man rotation. The six-foot-seven power forward averaged 9.1ppg and 5rpg over his career with the Flyers.
The Sharks openness to change this off-season bodes well for their improvement during 2021/22.
The Sharks do have some returning players, which means it’s not a completely new squad with no chemistry.
Team captain, Mike Tuck, is returning to the Sharks for his 13th season with the team. He’ll remain the leader of the team, despite concerns he may be on his way out at some points last season. Fellow big, Bennett Koch, also returns.
Guards Johde Campbell, Jordan Ratinho and Jeremy Hemsley all return for another year, along with 2020 BBL Import, Kipper Nichols, who will be going into his Sophomore year as a professional.
The Sharks will be very optimistic about their chances this season. It’s part of the team and city’s culture to be aiming for the top. Though it will be tough. The London Lions and 2020/21 table-topping Riders continue improving astronomically. Getting past these two giants will be tough, so the Sharks will be aiming for a top-four finish in the league, with a winning record. Realistically, should they make the playoffs as expected, it’ll be tough for the Sharks to break into the finals, likely falling in the first or second round again.
