Eagles Will be delighted to sign up Jamal

NEWCASTLE Eagles have swooped to sign their second Williams in a week – after confirming experienced forward Jamal is returning to Tyneside this season.

The nine-year BBL veteran is back in black after a broken arm cut short his first campaign under player-coach Fabulous Flournoy.

Newcastle’s player-coach was keen to tie down the versatile Canadian guard/forward just days after inking a deal for namesake Kyle.

Flournoy said: “When we brought Jamal in last season we were always looking to the future.

“He impressed everyone with his professionalism and basketball IQ and losing him towards the end of the season really hurt us.

“Once we knew he had recovered, which we expected, it was not a hard decision to bring him back for this season.”

Williams will benefit from a full pre-season with the Eagles after first joining the franchise in November 2017.

He is on course to be fully match fit by the time Newcastle tip off the new BBL season next month.

Williams said: “I cannot wait to get back to the Toon.

“I am very grateful and excited for another season with Newcastle.

“Being healthy for the start of the season is a big thing for me.

“My arm is 100% after my break at the end of last season so I am starting on a level playing field.

“Just like every season I have high expectations for myself and our team and it is going to be a real honour being part of the first team to play in the new Eagles’ Community Arena.

“That is going to be so exciting for everyone.”

Williams averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 23 matches for the Eagles.

What impressed Flournoy most was his ability to adapt quickly and learn a new system –h the Canadian/UK passport holder’s numbers doubling during his final 11 games.

Williams joins namesake Kyle, two-time league MVP Rahmon Fletcher and veteran forward Darius Defoe as the fourth signing of an increasingly busy summer.

More signings are due to be announced soon as the Eagles build-up to pre-season and the first BBL Championship game against Cheshire Phoenix on September 21 at Sport Central.

Season tickets are still available by contacting the club on 0191 245 3880.