Guard is returning to Riders for new season
GUARD Justin Hedley is returning to Leicester 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 head coach Rob Paternostro’s 12-man squad for the new season starting next month.
“I’m excited to be a part of the Riders for another season,” said Hedley.
“We’re all really looking forward to meeting with the fans again.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity that both the Riders and Loughborough University have given me.”
Paternostro recognises what Hedley can bring to the team,
“Justin is a young player that continues to put the work in to improve. We have been really impressed with his work ethic,” he said.
“He has had a great summer working hard with our strength and conditioning team.
“He has great size and strength at the guard position and has shown great ability to defend on the perimeter.”
Hedley has dual citizenship, having a British passport alongside his German heritage.
Riders managing director Russell Levenston has spoken about their partnership with Loughborough University.
He said: “We are really happy to have Justin with us again next season.
“We have a great partnership with Loughborough University, and we are able to provide players like Justin with a professional environment, alongside his studies.”
Meanwhile, American Derrick Washington has been appointed as head of the Leicester Riders Women’s programme for the 2021-22 WBBL season.
Washington takes over after a hugely successful spell by Swede Jesper Sundberg, which included a WBBL Cup victory last season for Riders’ women, and a secondplace finish in the WBBL Championship.
Washington, formally head coach and director for the Norwood Flames in NBL 1, Central in Australia and a Minnesota State University graduate, is looking ahead to pre-season and to getting his team on court.
“Joining the Leicester Riders is a great fit for me because it’s such a connected, familytype organisation.
“My goal is to not only continue the great success and tradition the Riders have built over the years but to help develop players to become better.”
Levenston said: “I’m really excited about Derrick joining Leicester Riders as the Women’s Head Coach for the WBBL programme and the Loughborough University BUCS 1st team.
“For a young coach he brings a lot of experience to the club, coaching at a high level in America and the WNBA, through to head-coaching in Australia.”
Marg Jones will join Washington’s coaching team this season as assistant coach for the WBBL team and will head up the Women’s Charnwood Academy Programme based out of Loughborough.
Jones, formally the Riders’ Division 1 Head Coach and Assistant WBBL Coach, returns to the Riders after three years back home in Canada coaching in elite women’s basketball.
Levenston said: “Everyone at the club is excited to have Marg back at the Riders programme.”