Team-by-team guides to Irish basketball's Men's and Women's Superleagues
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: Rafi Olmassakian
Max Cooper (Bristol Flyers), Maurice Jones (Fyllingen Baskets Norway)
: De’Ondre Jackson.
here’s a new Coach in Belfast as Adrian Fulton steps aside to allow Rafi Olmassakian to take the top seat. Much of last year’s team return, including the impressive Tamyrik Fields. Max Cooper also returns which is a nice addition and Star have the continuity that most teams would be jealous of. After dramatic endings to the last couple of seasons, Star will be looking to regain the league title they won pre-Covid. Whether Maurice Jones works well bedside Tamyrik Fields and Cooper is the question, and just how big a loss will guard De’Ondre Jackson prove to be. I expect Star to be in the top 2-3 at the end of the regular season and in with a shot at silverware.
: Carter Vance.
: Georgi Tvalabeishvili (Sligo All Stars), Samuel Henderso (Harding University)n, Jaron Thames (Missouri Western University), Guillermo Palma (UCD Marian)
: Kevin Anyanwu, Roosevelt Davis, Daniel Ebose, William Jenkins.
Vincent’s are amongst most pundits favourites to be in a relegation fight this year. Rookie head coach Carter Vance has a big job to do and he will need Eoin McCann and Charlie Coombes to have very good seasons to give them a chance. Georgi Tvalabeishvili has been in Ireland for three years now and if he has a consistent year offensively it will also be a huge help for Vincents.
: Shane O’Meara.
John Carroll (unattached), Dejon Barney(Indiana University South Bend), Johnathan Brown (University of the Cumberlands), Jevonnie Scott (Brock University)
Finn Hughes, Georgi Tvalabeishvili, Jamie Hayes, Shon Briggs, Christian Williams.
Sligo have recruited well in recent years and have made exciting signings again this year. If John Carroll can play himself back into the shape he was pre-injury, Sligo will be a major factor. Shon Briggs was a huge scorer last year so whether they can replace that scoring power will be interesting. Depth remains an issue so I think Sligo could be around the fringes of the playoffs.
: Pat Price.
: Owen Connolly (Fr Mathews), Daragh O’Sullivan (Florida Tech), Jahmal Wright (Guifões Sport Clube Portugal), Ar’mand Davis (Kipina Basket Finland) , Jaksa Sola (BBG Herford Germany)
Jordan Blount, Che Yasin, Derek Murphy.
Neptune had the talent last year, but the chemistry was way off. Pat Price is one of the country’s top coaches and he’ll be looking to drive this Neptune squad to the heights they are capable of. I’m not sure whether the wing spots are potentially too crowded, and whether they could do with a more natural point guard. That said, Pat Price teams are always tough to play against and I expect Neptune to make a dramatic improvement on last year. If they don’t finish in the top 5-6 teams, I’ll be surprised.
: Declan Wall.
Jordan Blount (Neptune), Clay Ladine ( Iserlohn Kangaroos Germany), Beni Fungula (Montana State University), Eche Okeke (Cal State LA), Harry Gent (BA London), Sebastian Bossievain (Tartiere Auto Gijon Basket, Spain)
Lovre Tvrdic, Kendall Jacks, Lucas McGregor, Terry Winn, Scott Angus, RJ Kelly.
: Jordan Blount’s arrival to Kerry was one of the big signings of the summer. Blount is a unique talent and with a team built around him, it will be interesting to watch. Last year Killorglin had a very good group of professionals and did well. This year they have brought in a lot and if the quality is similar to last year they’ll be in the playoffs. The main concern for KCYMS fans will be the lack of continuity year on year, with an almost exclusively new team. How quickly they can gel and perform will be interesting to watch. I think they’ll be in a group with Sligo battling for the last playoff spot.
: John Dowling.
Marquavin Stephens (Fuetol Clube Barreirense Portugal), Brandon Mahon (Bristol Flyers, UK), Gregario Adon (Kilester)
Caleb Jordan, Elijah Weaver.
Tralee are in the midst of a transition and yet they are doing it so well they remain right in contention. How much Rap Buivydas progresses this year and how much Eoin Quigley and Daniel Jokubaitis still have to offer will be the big question for Warriors fans. They’ll win a lot of games and only lost narrowly to Eanna in the playoffs last year. If the American backcourt spark to life they’ll be a threat, and watch out for Gregario Adon who will provide great floor spacing.
Coach: Darren McGovern.
Players In: Don Tyrell Jr (William Peace University)
Players Out: Viktor Lovic, Matthew McClain, Nathan Comerford.
Conor Meany's verdict: The defending champions have their core intact, and that continuity will be a huge advantage. Eanna were inconsistent at times last year early on and then post-Christmas were just fantastic. They will be a team, others want to avoid in knockout competitions, and they definitely have the ability to add to the trophy cabinet. Will the desire be there in the same way it was last year? Time will tell.
: Antonio Lopez.
Sean O’Flynn (UCD Marian), Joshua Tomaic (Sant Antoni Spain), Jake Wolfe (Indiana State University), Jordan Rawls (New Mexico State University)
Nikola Roso, Andre Nation, Shawndale Jones Jr.
Ballincollig went all out for the Cup last year and their setback in the final carried through for the rest of the year. A new coach will bring fresh ideas and American Jordan Rawls looks to be a top player. Like Neptune, I think they could do with an American point guard, like John Dawson who they had two years ago. They are experienced and talented, but do they have enough firepower and depth to win a trophy?
: Jonathan Grennell.
Isaac Westbrooks, Isaih Dasher (Indiana State University) , Baptiste Chazelas (Helsingborg BBK Sweden)
Gregario Adon, Troy Simons, Tomas Fernandez?
Killester are small but talented, and are driven by the disappointment of last year’s league final, which went about as badly as possible. The core group of Paul Dick, Ciaran Roe and the returning Isaac Westbrooks don’t have many more campaigns left in them, so the time is now for Killester. With their recruitment going well (Kason Harrell returning), and the talent they have in their Irish core, I think Killester are amongst the favourites for the league if they stay healthy.
: Fernando Bethencourt Munoz.
Joe Jr Mvuezolo (Nhatrang Dolphins Vietnam), Jarrett Haines (unattached), Bernat Vanaclocha (BG Hessing Leitershofen Germany), Nate Davis (Seton Hill University)
Kyle Carey, Tom Dumont, Terrence Lewis, Tahmir Gadsen.
A professional coach, two 6’10-plus big men, a returning Cup MVP point guard and one of the best Bosman wings the league has had in recent years. Maree have an embarrassment of riches talent-wise as they go for the league title that has so far eluded them. The new rule saying one Irish player must always be on the floor could be an issue should anything happen to Eoin Rockall or John Burke. Maree are too talented not to be there at the business end of each competition. They probably start the year as favourites until someone else proves otherwise.
: Mark Keenan.
Mykyta Tsykhanovskiy, Immanuel Allen (Abilene Christian University), Tye Fagan (Ole Miss University)
Stephen Safo, Lonzo Tyson, Vernon Jackson.
: Templeogue are in a transition phase and have a very young squad. With two good Americans recruited they have a chance under Mark Keenan to survive. In a recent preseason game, the Americans combined for 62 points and they’ll likely need that level of scoring regularly this year. I expect Templeogue to be in a relegation battle and if Lorcan Murphy continues focusing on athletics that battle could be very tough.
: Danny O’Mahony.
Toby Christensen (UCD Marian), Sean Clancy (S.C. Vasco De Gama, Portugal), Roosevelt Davis (St Vincents), Eimantes Spudulis (Ongar Chasers)
Tala Fam, Seventh Woods.
Conor Meany's verdict: Last year’s cup champions have reloaded and have some excellent signings. American duo Elijah Tillman and Sean Clancy could be the best duo in the league, and they compliment each other well. Depth was the fear, but Demons have recruited well and if preseason is anything to go by, will be a force to contend with. I expect to see Demons in the playoffs and if they can defend, they’ll be amongst the contenders.
: Ioannis Liapakis.
: Cameron Bett (Queens University), Tanner Graham, Eoin Nelson (University of North Alabama), James Connaire (Moycullen), Cian Tiernan (Dublin Lions)
: Guillermo Palma, Sasha French, Toby Christensen, Leonardo Marcon.
The newly promoted UCD Marian are another team in transition who still rely heavily on young players. James Connaire and Eoin Nelson are exciting additions and Jon Jean’s return will be important. Whether they can get away from the relegation battle and into a playoff fight will be hugely dependent on how well their young core continue to develop.
Mark Grennell.
: Hannah Thornton (DCU Mercy), Sam Halby (University of Nebraska)
: Claire Melia, Jiselle Thomas, Keowa Walters.
The defending champions have lost Claire Melia and that’s obviously a major gap to fill. They are smart, experienced and well-coached though and Hannah Thornton’s return helps reduce Melia’s loss. Depth remains a concern and as the season approaches, they only have one American confirmed which will also worry the northsiders. The core are so good though that I expect Killester to be there or there abouts when trophies are handed out.
: Hilary Nets.
Franciska Treiiha (Baltic Women’s League), Emma Merriweather (Correcaminos Mexico), Katie Walshe (Brunell)
Yvette Adriaans, Myriam Ackerman.
Meteor’s exciting young talent are being joined by excellent help including Latvian underage international Franciska Trejiha. This coupled with Katie Walshe’s arrival, and a full season of Sarah Kenny could push Meteor’s back into the top tier of contention.
Coach: Keith Conroy.
: Lynn Tunnah (Templeogue), Amy Dooley (Glanmire), Ciara Byrne (DCU Mercy), Hailey Jordan (Langston University)
Jessica Fressle.
: Portlaoise have signed some great Irish talent. Lynn Tunnah is a great shooter and Amy Dooley is an underrated impact player. St Mary’s isn’t a fun place to travel to and I think this year’s team will push a lot of good teams and beat some of them.
: Jillian Hayes.
Makayla Miller (La Salle University), Chelsea Cain (Indiana State University)
Caitlin Gloeckner, Jade Compton, Alarie Mayze.
Conor Meany's verdict: Jillian Hayes takes over the head coaching role as she leads her two daughters in a push for silverware. Wildcats have been hurt by injuries/health more than most other clubs in recent years. Last year they couldn’t get their Americans right, but this year Makayla Miller and Chelsea Cain both arrive with big resumes. If they stay healthy, Wildcats are primed for a big run.
: Keith Daly.
Ash McCann (Limerick Celtics), Kyra White (University of Texas at San Antonio), Karin Skapkin (Slovenia)
Ariel Johnson.
: Fr Mathew’s enjoyed a strong season last year and they will be back for another push this season. The Dwyer’s keep going but they will need support to compete with the top teams. Ash McCann is an exciting signing who can definitely help and if their professionals perform like they did last year a cup run is possible.
: Karl Kilbride.
: Eboni Williams (Tennessee State University), Alexis Tucker (Florida State University), Hazel Finn (NUIG Mystics)
Tianna Ayulo, Alexandra Navarette.
: Liffey have a brilliant core and will be a force with Ciara Bracken returning. Getting consistency from their Americans will be important but the signing of Hazel Finn could be the x-factor the Celtics need. They have experience and depth and a great coach in Kilbride, they’re my early favourites for the league.
: James Fleming.
: Simone O’Shea (Glanmire), Anja Markinovic (Alpo Italy), Megan Ormiston (University of Nevada), Gracen Kerr (Kentucky State University)
Kharica Rasheed, Sofia Paska.
: Killarney's St Paul’s were dominant in National League and have brought in exciting talent including Anja Markinovic a European shooter with an excellent NCAA resume. Don’t expect many teams to go down to Kerry and come away with wins, I fully expect St Paul’s to be in the playoff picture.
: Mark Scannell.
Del Janae Williams (Alabama University), Callie Cavanaugh (Fairfield University)
Louise Scannell, Amy Dooley, Simone O’Shea.
: Glanmire have had some key personnel losses and remain in transition. With Mark Scannell back on the sideline and some great pros I still expect the Cork side to be in the top half of the league pushing the top teams. Watch out for Del Janae Williams who played at Alabama last year.
: Kyle Walsh.
No American Confirmed.
Emma Glavin.
Conor Meany's verdict: I’m concerned for Galway, especially with Emma Glavin travelling with College and Kara McCleane still coming back from injury. With the teams around them improving, I think it could be a tough season in Galway who only managed to win two league games last year.
: Liam Culloty.
Jordan Vasquez (Cal State San Marcos University), Trinity Hudson (University of Arkansas at Little Rock)
: Katie Walshe, Kyaja Williams, Jayla Johnson.
Conor Meany's verdict: Edel Thornton’s injury slowed Brunell’s great progress last year and she’ll be missed a lot as the new season starts. That said there’s young talent coming through and I expect Brunell to be a playoff team.