The 2018–19 BBL season was the 32nd campaign of the British Basketball League since the league's establishment in 1987. The season featured 12 teams from across England and Scotland.
The Leicester Riders were the three-time defending regular season champions, but were unable to defend that title as the London Lions achieved their first regular season title; a 99–80 victory at the Newcastle Eagles, on 26 April 2019, was enough for the Lions to have an unassailable lead ahead of the Riders. It was the Lions' second trophy of the season, after they defeated the Glasgow Rocks in the BBL Cup final.
The Lions were beaten in the playoff quarter-finals by the eighth-seeded Plymouth Raiders, who overturned a six-point deficit from the first leg into an eight-point aggregate victory. The Raiders were then beaten by the Riders in the semi-finals, before the Riders won their third consecutive playoff final with a 93–61 victory over the London City Royals, who in their first season in the league, had won the BBL Trophy in overtime against the Lions.
Teams
The newly formed London City Royals replaced Leeds Force.
Venues TeamLocationArena Capacity Bristol Flyers Bristol SGS WISE Arena Cheshire Phoenix Ellesmere Port Cheshire Oaks Arena Glasgow Rocks Glasgow Emirates Arena Leicester Riders Leicester Morningside Arena London City Royals London Crystal Palace NSC London Lions London Copper Box Manchester Giants Manchester Trafford Powerleague ArenaGeorge H. Carnall Centre Newcastle Eagles Newcastle upon Tyne Sport CentralEagles Community Arena Plymouth Raiders Plymouth Plymouth Pavilions Sheffield Sharks Sheffield English Institute of Sport Surrey Scorchers Guildford Surrey Sports Park Worcester Wolves Worcester University of Worcester Arena
Personnel and sponsoring TeamHead coachCaptainMain jersey sponsor Bristol Flyers Andreas Kapoulas Michael Vigor RSG Group Cheshire Phoenix Ben Thomas Momcilo Latinovic Hillyer McKeown Glasgow Rocks Vincent Lavandier Kieron Achara Radisson Red Leicester Riders Rob Paternostro Andrew Thomson Jelson Homes London City Royals Jay Williams Orlan Jackman London Lions Vince Macaulay Joe Ikhinmwin Manchester Giants Danny Byrne Callum Jones Space Newcastle Eagles Fabulous Flournoy Darius Defoe ESH Group Plymouth Raiders Paul James Zak Wells Plessey Sheffield Sharks Atiba Lyons Mike Tuck BBraun Surrey Scorchers Creon Raftopoulos Tayo Ogedengbe University of Surrey Worcester Wolves Tony Garbelotto Adam Thoseby University of Worcester
Coaching changes TeamOutgoing coachManner of departureDate of vacancyIncoming coachDate of appointment Worcester Wolves Paul James Released Off-season Ty Shaw Plymouth Raiders Gavin Love Released Off-season Paul James Glasgow Rocks Darryl Wood Mutual consent 19 February 2019 Vincent Lavandier (interim) 28 February 2019 Worcester Wolves Ty Shaw Personal reasons 8 March 2019 Tony Garbelotto (interim) 8 March 2019
Regular season The winners of the Regular season are considered as national champions. The London Lions achieved their first regular season title with a 99–80 victory over the Newcastle Eagles at the Eagles Community Arena on 26 April 2019.
Standings
Results
Double round-robin
Single round-robin
Playoffs
Bracket
Quarterfinals The quarterfinal matchups and tip-off times were confirmed by the league, on 28 April 2019.
(1) London Lions vs. (8) Plymouth Raiders
(2) Leicester Riders vs. (7) Cheshire Phoenix
(3) Newcastle Eagles vs. (6) Sheffield Sharks
(4) London City Royals vs. (5) Glasgow Rocks
Semifinals
(2) Leicester Riders vs. (8) Plymouth Raiders
(4) London City Royals vs. (6) Sheffield Sharks
Playoff Final
(2) Leicester Riders vs. (4) London City Royals
BBL Cup
Cup Final
BBL Trophy
Trophy Final
British clubs in European competitions British clubs returned to European competitions eleven years after their last participation. Team Competition ProgressLeicester Riders Champions League First qualifying roundFIBA Europe Cup Regular season
Notes
References
External links