Riders pair selected in British teams of the year
LEICESTER Riders captain Kimbal Mackenzie and Women’s team rookie Sam Ashby have been named in the BBL and WBBL British Teams of the Year, writes Charlie Walker.
Canadian/British guard Mackenzie, right, finished the BBL Championship season as the Riders’ second-leading scorer with 13.2 points and leading playmaker with 5.2 assists per game.
Mackenzie’s assist average ranked fifth in the BBL and he also ranked fifth in free throw percentage for players who have over 40 attempts on the season, shooting 87.2 per cent from the foul line.
This was Mackenzie’s best statistical season in his fiveyear professional career.
He averaged a career high in points, rebounds, assists and minutes.
His performances have earned him his first appearance in the British Team of the Year in his third season at Leicester Riders.
Mackenzie scored in double digits in 28 of 39 appearances this season, topped by his 26 points and 15 assists against the Plymouth City Patriots in March.
He has been a consistent performer in the clutch, taking lead and hitting big shots in key moments late in games.
He was named a 2024
All Star in recognition for his performances this season. Mackenzie, 27, said: “It’s a huge honour to be named to the British Team of the Year.
“I’m proud to represent a fast growing league with a tonne of talent.
“Credit goes to the coaching staff and my team-mates for trusting me and putting me in a position to succeed.” Australian/British guard Ashby, right, was the Riders’ secondleading scorer (13.6) and led the team in steals (1.8).
She scored in double digits on 17 occasions in 21 appearances this season, putting up a season-high of 23 points and seven rebounds against Oaklands Wolves in March. Ashby’s performances earned her a starting spot for Team South in the 2024 British Basketball League All Star game, where she logged nine points, four rebounds and three assists.
She also received her first international call-up for Great Britain, suiting up in blue and red to face Sweden and Estonia in November.
The British Team of the Year selection adds to Ashby’s growing list of accolades, which includes Associated and Catholic Colleges Most Valuable Player in 2017 and Most Outstanding Female Basketballer in 2016 and 2017 for Newman College, Perth.
Ashby said: “It’s an honour to be chosen in a pool of such amazing British athletes this league has brought together.”
Riders head coach Ben Stanley said: “Sam’s really developed from the start of the year to now, playing out of pick-and-roll and improving her decision-making.
“When you combine that with her ability to shoot the ball and her inherent toughness it’s no surprise she has made the British Team of the Year, and we’re looking forward to seeing her on the international stage further with GB.”
Leicester Riders managing director Russell Levenston said: “Congratulations to Sam for her selection on the British Team of the Year.
“We have been impressed with how she acquitted herself all season both domestically and internationally, on and off the court.”