Big Mac is latest star to join BBL champions
CANADIAN-BORN COMBO GUARD SIGNS ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH LEICESTER RIDERS
LEICESTER Riders have continued their team building by signing combo guard Kimbal Mackenzie for the 2021-22 BBL season.
Mackenzie, who has been playing this summer in the CEBL in Canada alongside Riders centre Mo Walker and former Riders star Corey Johnson, has signed a oneyear deal with the BBL champions after two seasons in Spain in LEB Gold league.
The 24-year-old was born in Ontario, Canada, and was first team All-Patriot League at Bucknell University in the US, as well as Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of Year.
He had a superb senior year, averaging 17.6 points per game to lead the team and rank third in the league.
His 582 points are the seventh most in a season in Bucknell history and he tallied 100 assists (3.3 per game) to rank 14th in the league.
In Spain last season, the 6ft 2in guard averaged 11 points and two assists per game.
Mackenzie said: “I’m so excited to be joining Leicester.
“I can’t wait to get to the UK for the first time, to get to know my teammates and coaches, and to start building towards a championship.
“I’ve followed the team and heard great things about the program, coach Rob (Paternostro), and the overall culture of Leicester basketball.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of this winning program.
Rob Paternostro is excited to see what Mackenzie can bring to the team.
He said: “We are looking forward to working with Kimbal.
“He is a really talented player that we have followed since his time at Bucknell.
“John Griffin, one of our former players, coached him there, and we spoke about him often.
“On the court and off the court we have heard great things.
“He is a combo guard who can be very dangerous with the ball in his hands.
“But has also been very effective in college and in Spain at playing off the ball.
“Kimbal has the ability to score in many ways and has a good understanding of how to read the defence in order to make plays.
“He has good experience in a good league in Spain and joins a team with a lot of experienced players.”
It was announced earlier this week that guard Justin Hedley is returning to the Riders for the 2021-22 season after making his debut for the club last season.
Hedley, who is studying at Loughborough University, will be in Paternostro’s 12-man squad for the new season starting next month.