The 2021–22 BBL season was the 35th season of the British Basketball League, the top British professional basketball league, since its establishment in 1987. The season featured 10 teams from across England and Scotland.
Teams
Arenas and locations TeamLocationArena Capacity Bristol Flyers Bristol SGS College Arena Cheshire Phoenix Ellesmere Port Cheshire Oaks Arena Glasgow Rocks Glasgow Emirates Arena Leicester Riders Leicester Morningside Arena London Lions London Copper Box Arena Manchester Giants Manchester National Basketball Centre Newcastle Eagles Newcastle upon Tyne Vertu Motors Arena Plymouth City Patriots Plymouth Plymouth Pavilions Sheffield Sharks Sheffield Ponds Forge Surrey Scorchers Guildford Surrey Sports Park
On 23 June 2021, the owners of the Worcester Wolves withdrew their team from the BBL, citing financial issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the main reasons for the decision.
On 8 July 2021, Plymouth Raiders withdrew from the league due to an increase in the cost of rent at their home venue, the Plymouth Pavilions.
On 30 July 2021, it was announced by the league that the city of Plymouth would have a franchise for the 2021–22 season.
On 9 August 2021, Plymouth City Patriots were announced to join the British Basketball League for the 2021–22 season, led by local businessman Carl Heslop. The new organisation could not secure the transfer of the naming and branding rights of the Plymouth Raiders from Plymouth Raiders 1983 Ltd, the previous owners. The Patriots played their home games at the Plymouth Pavilions for one season only.
Personnel and sponsorship TeamHead coachCaptainMain jersey sponsor Bristol Flyers Andreas Kapoulas Josh Rogers Xledger Cheshire Phoenix Ben Thomas Teddy Okereafor RentASpace Glasgow Rocks Gareth Murray Jonny Bunyan Glen Luss Leicester Riders Rob Paternostro Darien Nelson-Henry Jelson Homes London Lions Nikhil Lawry Justin Robinson Manchester Giants Lloyd Gardner Dan Clark Newcastle Eagles Ian McLeod Rahmon Fletcher GiveToLocal Plymouth City Patriots Paul James Elvisi Dusha Sheffield Sharks Atiba Lyons Mike Tuck B. Braun Surrey Scorchers Creon Raftopoulos Tayo Ogedengbe Gidden Place
Coaching changes TeamOutgoing coachManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming coachDate of appointment Plymouth City PatriotsNew team Pre-season Paul James 10 August 2021 London Lions Vince Macaulay Released 19 January 2022 8th (3–2) James Vear 19 January 2022 London Lions James Vear Personal reasons 30 March 2022 5th (10–7) Nikhil Lawry 30 March 2022
BBL Cup The 2021–22 BBL Cup featured all 10 teams, split into 2 geographical groups, North and South. Each team played each other twice (once home, once away) with the top 4 teams in each group progressing to the quarter-finals. Single-legged quarter-finals and two-legged semi-finals matches determined the two finalists who contested the Cup final at Arena Birmingham.
Qualification Stage
North Group
South Group
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Cup final
BBL Championship
The BBL Championship retained the three-game series format from the previous season, for a 27-game regular season, played across 24 Rounds between 29 October 2021 to 24 April 2022.
On 6 April 2022, Leicester Riders were crowned league champions and won their 6th BBL Championship title.
Standings
BBL Trophy The BBL Trophy retained the same, 16-team bracket format as introduced for the 2018–19 season. The ten BBL teams were joined in the first round draw by six invited teams; Solent Kestrels, Derby Trailblazers, Thames Valley Cavaliers and Hemel Storm, from the English Basketball League. Falkirk Fury from the Scottish Basketball Championship and Basketball Wales are the only additional teams outside of England.
First round
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Bristol Flyers v London Lions
Glasgow Rocks v Cheshire Phoenix
Trophy final
Playoffs The BBL Playoffs returned to the two-legged aggregate series format used prior to the 2020–21 season. The BBL Playoff Final was played at The O2 Arena, London for the sixth time and saw Leicester Riders defeat London Lions.
Bracket
Quarter-finals
(1) Leicester Riders vs. (8) Plymouth City Patriots
(2) Sheffield Sharks vs. (7) Glasgow Rocks
(3) London Lions vs. (6) Cheshire Phoenix
(4) Bristol Flyers vs. (5) Manchester Giants
Semi-finals
(1) Leicester Riders vs. (7) Glasgow Rocks
(3) London Lions vs. (4) Bristol Flyers
Playoff final
(1) Leicester Riders vs. (3) London Lions
Awards Most Valuable Player: Geno Crandall (Leicester Riders) Play-off Final MVP: Geno Crandall (Leicester Riders) Coach of the Year: Rob Paternostro (Leicester Riders)
2021–22 BBL Team of the Year #PlayerTeam PG Geno Crandall Leicester Riders SG Isaiah Reese London Lions SF Patrick Whelan Leicester Riders PF Daniel Clark Manchester Giants C Darien Nelson-Henry Leicester Riders
Source: 2021–22 Molten BBL Team of the Year
2021–22 BBL All-British Team of the Year #PlayerTeam PG Teddy Okereafor Cheshire Phoenix SG Rowell Graham-Bell Plymouth City Patriots SF Patrick Whelan Leicester Riders PF Daniel Clark Manchester Giants C Mike Ochereobia Cheshire Phoenix
Source: 2021–22 BBL All-British Team of the Year
2021–22 BBL Defensive Team of the Year #PlayerTeam PG Larry Austin Jr. Cheshire Phoenix SG Jordan Harris Glasgow Rocks SF Julian Washburn London Lions PF Jamell Anderson Manchester Giants C Kylor Kelley London Lions
Source: 2021–22 BBL Defensive Team of the Year
British clubs in European competitions Team Competition ProgressLondon Lions Champions League First qualifying roundFIBA Europe Cup Second round
References
External links