Lascelles calls time on basketball career

GUARD’S ‘NEW CHALLENGE’ AWAY FROM THE GAME

LEICESTER Riders basketball star Rema Lascelles has announced his retirement from the sport.

After three successful seasons with the team, Riders confirmed over the weekend that they will be without the services of the 6ft 6in guard when the new season begins.

Lascelles has decided to take the step to end his professional basketball career “to take up a new challenge”.

In a statement, Lascelles, 27, said: “I felt like it was the right time to end my pro career and to take steps into the next chapter in my life.

My girlfriend and I are starting a family together and I am embarking on a career which I am hopeful can provide the same amount of enjoyment and fulfilment from that I got from basketball.

“I loved my time at the Riders. From competing with some amazingly talented players day in, day out to travelling the country and Europe showcasing our own skills, including playing in front of 15,000 people at the O2, I have made some lifelong memories and friends.”

Derby-born Lascelles, the brother of Newcastle United footballer Jamaal, clocked up 87 appearances for the Riders, including two treblewinning seasons and the FIBA Europe adventure.

Head coach Rob Paternostro said Lascelles left with the best wishes of everyone at the club.

“We are all happy for Rema and wish him well for the future,” said Paternostro.

“He was a winning player with the club and was an important part of some very good teams.

“He was a unique player. He had great size at the point guard position and did a great job passing the ball and running the offence and was always a guy that teammates enjoyed playing with.”

Managing director Russell Levenston said: “We wish Rema all the best with his career. He has been a tremendous asset for our club over the past three seasons and really contributed to the success of our team.

“We are really proud of him and, although we’ll miss him at the Arena, he goes with our blessing and good wishes.”

Lascelles, who has also starred for his hometown team Derby Trailblazers and Hawaii Pacific, while on a four-year scholarship at the University of Hawaii, said: “I’d like to thank both Rob (Paternostro) and Russell for giving me an opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level this country has to offer.”

Like many other team sports, the basketball season was put on hold in March as the coronavirus pandemic took a grip on the nation and, when it became clear that playing games was not possible, the 2019/20 season was cancelled.

I felt like it was the right time to end my pro career and to take steps into the next chapter

Rema Lascelles