SENIOR MEN TO TAKE ON TEAM USA SELECT!
SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 | Garreth Lodge
City of Edinburgh Kings, one of the country’s premier basketball teams are set to face off against a team of touring players from across the United States in a pre-season friendly at Portobello High School on Sunday 18th September.
The United States touring team will feature players who have recently graduated from playing college basketball in the States and who are hoping to possibly secure themselves a professional contract in Europe for next season.
The Kings have strengthened in the off-season with many former players returning to the team this year, and they will be coached by Craig Nicol who has stepped up from his role as assistant coach for the previous two seasons.
Alistair MacKay is returning after a brief professional spell in Italy. Prior to that Ali spent five years at Davidson College. Many will recognise Davidson as the basketball powerhouse who produced Steph Curry the reigning two-time NBA MVP.
Scottish International Calum Nicol, who played his junior basketball with Kings returns after captaining the Glasgow University side for the past few seasons.
Ali and Calum will suit up alongside Simon Flockhart, the Kings stalwart who returns after one year playing for his father in law at Falkirk Fury.
This will add significant size to the Kings squad who are looking to get back to the top of the Scottish game this year.
New Senior Men Head Coach Craig Nicol said:
“We are delighted to welcome this team from the USA to Edinburgh; they will provide a real test to our team ahead of the season starting in a few weeks.
“Welcoming back Ali, Callum and Simon is a huge boost for us going into this season where we will be looking to win all three competitions.
“We have lost two of the country’s top juniors from last year in Kyle Jimenez and Konrad Kantorski as they head of to academies in England but they go with our best wishes and we have a wealth of experience in the backcourt with Craig Reilly, Paddy Campbell and Garreth Lodge.”